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Movies like American Arctic (2022)

The best movies like American Arctic (2022) are Polar Bear (2022), Earth (2007) and Bears (2014). If American Arctic hooked you with its documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. Polar Bear (2022)

    A new mother’s memories of her own youth prepare her to navigate motherhood in the increasingly challenging world that polar bears face today.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  2. Earth (2007)

    An epic story of adventure, starring some of the most magnificent and courageous creatures alive, awaits you in EARTH. Disneynature brings you a remarkable story of three animal families on a journey across our planet – polar bears, elephants and humpback whales.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  3. Bears (2014)

    Filmmakers Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey chronicle a year in the lives of an Alaskan brown bear named Sky and her cubs, Scout and Amber. Their saga begins as the bears emerge from hibernation at the end of winter. As time passes, the bear family must work together to find food and stay safe from other predators, especially other bears. Although their world is exciting, it is also risky, and the cubs' survival hinges on family togetherness.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  4. Our Planet: Behind the Scenes (2019)

    Years spent recording footage of creatures from every corner of the globe is bound to produce a bit of drama. Here's a behind-the-scenes look.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  5. Puff: Wonders of the Reef (2021)

    A baby pufferfish travels through a wondrous microworld full of fantastical creatures as he searches for a home on the Great Barrier Reef.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  6. Dawson City: Frozen Time (2017)

    The true history of a collection of some 500 films dating from 1910s to 1920s, which were lost for over 50 years until being discovered buried in a sub-arctic swimming pool deep in the Yukon Territory, in Dawson City, located about 350 miles south of the Arctic Circle.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  7. Born to Be Wild (2011)

    Born to Be Wild observes various orphaned jungle animals and their day-to-day behavioural interactions with the individuals who rescue them and raise them to adulthood. The film unfurls in two separate geographic spheres. Half of it takes place in the rain forests of Borneo, where celebrated primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas assists baby orangutans; the other half takes place on the arid savannahs of Kenya, where zoologist Dame Daphne Sheldrick works with baby elephant calves.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  8. Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012)

    Giving fans unprecedented access to the real life of the music sensation, Katy Perry: Part of Me exposes the hard work, dedication and phenomenal talent of a girl who remained true to herself and her vision in order to achieve her dreams. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes interviews, personal moments between Katy and her friends, and all-access footage of rehearsals, choreography, Katy’s signature style and more, Katy Perry: Part of Me reveals the singer’s unwavering belief that if you can be yourself, then you can be anything.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  9. Encounters at the End of the World (2008)

    Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog travels to Antarctica, where he finds a desolate, beautiful landscape, largely untouched by human hands, and a group of truly unique people who risk their lives to study it. Centered at McMurdo Station, the United States' largest Antarctic research center, Herzog explores the minds of the scientists willing to abandon civilization and endure volatile conditions to learn more about the continent's wildlife and awe-inspiring natural wonders.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  10. Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) (2026)

    Captured during Billie Eilish's sold-out world tour, a concert experience from one of the most celebrated and successful artists of her generation, presented in immersive 3D.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  11. Pandas (2018)

    In the mountains of Sichuan, China, a researcher forms a bond with Qian Qian, a panda who is about to experience nature for the first time.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  12. Dancing with the Birds (2019)

    Some of the world's most majestic birds display delightfully captivating mating rituals, from flashy dancing to flaunting their colorful feathers.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  13. Elstree 1976 (2015)

    A documentary about ten very different lives connected by having appeared onscreen wearing masks or helmets in Star Wars.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  14. Penguins (2019)

    The story of Steve, an Adélie penguin, on a quest to find a life partner and start a family. When Steve meets with Wuzzo the emperor penguin they become friends. But nothing comes easy in the icy Antarctic.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  15. Naqoyqatsi (2002)

    A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  16. My Mom Jayne (2025)

    Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  17. I Am Ali (2014)

    Unprecedented access to Muhammad Ali's personal archive of "audio journals" as well as interviews and testimonials from his inner circle of family and friends are used to tell the legend's life story.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  18. Western Stars (2019)

    The incomparable Bruce Springsteen performs his critically acclaimed latest album and muses on life, rock, and the American dream, in this intimate and personal concert film co-directed by Thom Zimny and Springsteen himself.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  19. African Cats (2011)

    African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  20. Pearl Jam Twenty (2011)

    Carved from over 1,200 hours of footage spanning the band’s career, Pearl Jam: Twenty is the definitive portrait of Pearl Jam. Part concert film, part intimate insider-hang, and part testimonial to the power of music.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  21. The Life of a Greater Horseshoe Bat (2014)

    There is a fabulous colony of Greater Horseshoe Bats in the heart of the Camargue. This species of bat is one of the most amazing. A true little clown equipped with the very latest biological technologies, the Greater Horseshoe Bat is as rare as it is mysterious. "The life of a Greater Horseshoe Bat" invites you to share the life of a young female and her mother, for better or for worse...

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  22. Ashes (2024)

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  23. Metamorphosis 2024 (2024)

    METAMORPHOSIS brought to you by Tanuj Samaddar FRSA in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Art of Health Zim and Ardent Creative addressing issues on mental health faced by the youths today. The video series is a series focusing on mental health issues faced by the youths in general. The series will include individual episodes on a separate subtopic on mental health issue released on a monthly basis. The production has been done in collaboration with the Art of Health Zimbabwe by Tanuj Samaddar FRSA.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  24. Antarctica, in the footsteps of the Emperor (2016)

    Gombessa Expedition 3 Protected by an international treaty Antarctica has been spared the effects of hunting and fishing. But signs in ice’s cyclical patterns and its biodiversity have become worrying. Connected to the planet’s global ecosystem via atmospheric circulation and ocean currents, this white haven is suffering the effects of human activities. To document and explain what is unfolding in Antarctica, photographer, diver, and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta and photographer of extreme environments Vincent Munier will be blending their artistic perspectives of a rapidly changing continent. Laurent will tackle technical and human prowess below the ice to bear witness to its remarkable underwater life. His photographs will advance knowledge on Antarctica’s unique and little-known biodiversity. On land, his eye riveted to the lens of his camera, Vincent captures snapshots of life in an Emperor Penguin colony.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  25. Running With The Beest (2022)

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  26. Conservation and Recovery of the Scarlet Macaw in Mexico (2025)

    The Scarlet Macaw, a vibrant symbol of the Mexican rainforest, is disappearing from the ecosystem. Conservation and Recovery of the Scarlet Macaw in Mexico explores the tireless efforts of Natura y Ecosistemas Mexicanos (NEM) to save the last remaining viable population of these iconic birds. Facing the constant threat of poaching, NEM works diligently to rescue hatchlings from vulnerable nests before they are looted. By forging partnerships with local communities, they have developed a network of dedicated individuals to locate and protect macaw nests. This compelling film showcases the resilience of both people and wildlife in a united fight to preserve a species that has long symbolized the beauty and diversity of the region's natural heritage.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  27. Océania, les gardiens de l'océan (2025)

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  28. Sharks of Lost Island (2013)

    A team of explorers set out to explore the sea and land of the remote Pitcairn Islands

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  29. Tale of the Penguins (1958)

    An enthralling film about the life of emperor penguins in the South Pole. Narrated by Sergey Obraztsov, the head of the Moscow Puppet Theater.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  30. National Parks Exploration Series: The Black Hills and The Badlands - Gateway to the West (2012)

    Nestled in the heart of America s great plains are contrasting tastes of a sacred land that beckons the visitor to enter the nation's mysterious and glorious West. A land of soaring pinnacles, deep canyons, hidden caves, national monuments and countless wildlife sanctuaries. It is also the place of the inglorious death of famed gunslinger, Wild Bill Hickok and the most sacred spot for the Lakota Sioux. Enjoy breathtaking aerial views and amazing tours with park rangers. Discover the wonder and awe of these contrasting spectacles of the West, one soaring, rich in forest and water and other barren and deeply eroded, which are brought to together by a shared geology and history. They are the Gateway to the Great American West. They are the Black Hills and the Badlands.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

Like American Arctic and something else?

Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like American Arctic?

The closest matches to American Arctic are Polar Bear (2022), Earth (2007) and Bears (2014). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after American Arctic?

Start with Polar Bear (2022), the closest match to American Arctic.

What is the highest-rated movie like American Arctic?

Earth (2007), rated 7.7/10 by 388 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like American Arctic?

Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) (2026) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there English movies like American Arctic?

Yes: Polar Bear (2022), Earth (2007) and Bears (2014).

How are movies similar to American Arctic chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside American Arctic, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.

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