Best new documentaries on National Geographic via Disney Plus
National Geographic’s top picks for August include OceanXplorers and Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal
Pirates: Behind the Legends
Documentary | Drama
Summary:From legendary John Ward to the notorious Pirates of the Caribbean, Behind the Legends charts the voyages and exploits of pirate legends, with the help of historical experts and pirate artefacts.
Why to watch: Pirates are a plentiful bounty for legends and Hollywood films, and so they've fascinated audiences and historians for centuries. This doc goes some way towards separating the fact from the fiction - these folk were very often terrible, terrible people. The first episode exposes English privateer Sir Francis Drake, who terrorised colonial Spanish towns, regularly destroying their supplies and stealing treasure, ships and even slaves. Other pirate legacies examined over the series include Irish pirate queen Grace O’Malley, Captain Jack Sparrow-inspiration John Ward, and the mononymous Blackbeard.
Available August 18.
OceanXplorers
Documentary
Summary:Will tell the stories of adventurous explorers, scientists and filmmakers with never-before-used technology as they embark on their mission, tackling challenges that arise from seeking to solve some of the ocean’s greatest outstanding mysteries.
Why to watch: Described as the “most ambitious ocean adventure ever filmed,” OceanXplorers is a stunning collaboration between Academy Award-winning Titanic director James Cameron and ocean exploration initiative OceanX, offering a unique insight to life under the waves. Filmed from a cutting-edge research vessel, OceanXplorers takes viewers to the furthest reaches of the oceans - 80% of which are entirely unexplored.
Available August 25.
Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal
Documentary | Crime
Summary:In 1989, expedition leader Tommy Thompson retrieved three tonnes of gold from the shipwrecked S.S. Central America in the Atlantic Ocean. The gold changes his life in unexpected ways. This documentary recounts the discovery and Thompson's ensuing legal turmoil.
Why to watch: The story of American treasure hunter Tommy Thompson is at times impressive, and others downright bizarre. As such, it's a remarkable insight into how discovering a literal treasure trove can impact one's psyche.
Available August 28.
Cesar Millan: Better Human, Better Dog
Reality
Summary:Celebrity dog trainer Cesar Millan takes on the most challenging cases yet, treating a host of new canine behavioural issues impacted by well-intentioned but impulsive owners.
Why to watch: Amidst sky high adoption rates, the celebrity dog trainer - who has counted the pooches of Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey as his clients - is back on our screens. As usual, Milan's approach may not be suitable for all canines and their wayward owners - but it's certainly a chance to reevaluate our relationships with man's best friend.
Available now.
Untamed Australia
Summary:A unique account of the bizarre animals living in the wetlands, islands, deserts, and Outback of Australia, also known as the ‘Island Continent’. Filmed over multiple years and using static cameras, hidden cameras, underwater cameras and special night equipment, Untamed Australia captures the beautiful creatures and seasons of the vast Australian wilderness in unparalleled clarity.
Why to watch: Contrary to popular opinion, the land down under isn't all deadly snakes, spiders and crocodiles. It is, however, unlike anywhere else on Earth. This docuseries is a loving tribute to Australia's varied geography, as well as its colourful wildlife and unique ecosystems.
Available now.
Wicked Tuna
Action & Adventure | Reality
Summary:In Gloucester, Massachusetts, there's a special breed of fishermen. For generations they've used rod and reel to catch the elusive bluefin tuna. They depend on these fish for their livelihood, and the competition is brutal. Over 10 weeks, these skilled fishermen set out in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic in hopes of catching the valuable tuna. When one bluefin can bring in as much as $20,000 - they'll do whatever it takes to hook up.
Why to watch: Who knew that a reality series about the tuna fishing industry could be so addictive? This Nat Geo hit has spawned 13 seasons since 2012, establishing itself as a mainstay of the channel. An assortment of big personalities, coupled with a competitive and volatile market, makes this an entertaining watch.
Available now.
Border Protection Spain
Documentary
Summary:Join the Spanish coastguard, a team of elite professionals, who risk their lives daily to protect the 8,000 kilometres of Spanish coastline.
Why to watch: Dealing with modern day pirates, bomb threats, and the mafia - the work of the Spanish coastguard isn't easy. With exclusive access to the team, and filmed across all weathers, this documentary offers a unique insight into policing the Spanish borders.
Available now.
Air Crash Investigation: Special Report
Documentary | Reality
Summary:In this special season of Air Crash Investigation, every episode examines multiple aviation disasters that prove to have similarities including; engines that separated from their aircrafts mid-flight, mismatched pilot pairings that led to deadly crashes, and improvised landings with tragic consequences.
Why to watch: The original format is no doubt a success, with 24 series to boot, but this spin-off does some interesting work by grouping accidents together by theme, offering experts and audiences a chance to compare and contrast. If you're interested in aviation, there's more talking points here than the original series.
Available now.
Shark Beach with Anthony Mackie
Documentary | TV Movie
2024 | Matthew Kay | 60 mins
Summary:The special follows award-winning actor Mackie in his hometown of New Orleans, where he grew up boating and angling and still practices the sport to date, a passion he now shares with his four sons. Throughout the documentary, Mackie is on a personal mission to keep the peace between coastal communities and sharks. Diving fin-first, he comes face-to-face with the ocean’s apex predators, swimming with several enormous sandbar and silky sharks and tagging a formidable 7-foot bull shark.
Why to watch: The latest actor to produce a documentary for Sharkfest, Mackie is a fitting pick. Despite being a New Orleans native and keen fisherman, he's initially shocked by the breadth of sharks around his hometown. He then becomes fiercely protective. The doc's also not short of headline making antics - in one scene, the Captain America actor swabs a shark’s anus for proof of its diet.
Available now.
Shark Attack 360
Documentary
Summary:The "Shark Attack 360" team of experts hunt for clues to investigate why sharks bite humans. Hosted by marine biologist Diva Amon, the series seeks to unravel the surprising threads that link each shark encounter. As the evidence mounts, the team analyze the data in their cutting-edge VFX shark lab and face life-size virtual sharks.
Why to watch: This science-led documentary investigates the age-old question: why do sharks attack? It offers an evidence-based approach to learning the answer, featuring exclusive victim interviews, expert animal behaviour analysis, and staged reconstructions. Series presenter Diva Amon, former Research Fellow at the Natural History Museum, is one to watch.
Available now.
