Documentaries on Evolution and Big History
by MrKaya | created - 11 Jan 2015 | updated - 8 months ago | PublicDocumentaries on human evolution, neanderthals, primates, and the history of life on earth in general.
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Evolve (2008– )
Documentary
The world is full of fascinating animals which come in a multitude of species. But how did these species evolve? What features do they have that makes them different? This series ... See full summary »
Stars: Kevin Deon, Stephen M. Kajiura
Votes: 100
2.
Nova (1974– )
Episode:
Becoming Human: First Steps
(2009)
TV-PG | 54 min | Documentary
Nova examines the early ancestors of mankind and considers whether climate change was the driving force behind our early evolution.
Director: Graham Townsley | Stars: Zeresenay Alemseged, Michel Brunet, Peter de Menocal, Yannick Garcin
Votes: 162
3.
Nova (1974– )
Episode:
Becoming Human: Birth of Humanity
(2009)
TV-PG | 54 min | Documentary
Nova examines the ancestors of man by attempting to to reconstruct what they look like, what tools they used, and how they lived. Special focus is given to Homo erectus.
Director: Graham Townsley | Stars: Jordi Agusti, Susan Antón, Viktor Deak, Christopher Dean
Votes: 137
4.
Nova (1974– )
Episode:
Becoming Human: Last Human Standing
(2009)
TV-PG | 54 min | Documentary
Nova examines the early ancestors of mankind and examines why Homo sapiens won out over Neanderthals in the evolutionary race.
Director: Graham Townsley | Stars: Juan Luis Arsuaga, Dominique Bonjean, Stu Chase, Viktor Deak
Votes: 127
5. Neanderthal (2000– )
100 min | Documentary
An extinct species or subspecies of the genus Homo which is closely related to modern humans. They are known from fossils, dating from the Pleistocene period, which have been found in Europe and parts of western and central Asia.
Stars: Kenneth Cranham, Jud Charlton, Tracy Emmerton, Barry Gildea
Votes: 137
6. Ape to Man (2005 Video)
100 min | Documentary, History
The history of the search for the "missing link" in evolution is told through reenactments and interviews with leading scientists.
Director: Nic Young | Stars: Leslie Aiello, Joe Cain, Edward Herrmann, Kevin Hudson
Votes: 156
7.
Nova (1974– )
Episode:
What Darwin Never Knew
(2009)
TV-PG | 113 min | Documentary
A look at Charles Darwin, his book On The Origin of Species, and how his theory of evolution is explained. It includes Darwin's observations through work on the Human Genome Project.
Directors: Serena Davies, Rushmore DeNooyer, Sarah Holt, John Rubin | Stars: Ellen Becker-Gray, Jerry Chu, Kandace C. Cummings, Olivia Judson
Votes: 142
8. Der Fisch in uns (2014– )
Documentary
Have you ever wondered why the human body looks the way it does? Why we walk on two legs instead of four? Why we can see in color but have a lousy sense of smell? Your Inner Fish delves ... See full summary »
Stars: Neil Shubin, Michael Berryman, Tim D. White, Donald Carl Johanson
Votes: 400
10.
Nova (1974– )
Episode:
Decoding Neanderthals
(2013)
TV-G | 53 min | Documentary
What happened when the first modern humans encountered the Neanderthals? Did they make love or war?
Director: Nick Clarke Powell | Stars: Corey Johnson, John Hawks, April Nowell, Ed Green
Votes: 137
11. Evolution (2002)
480 min | Documentary, Drama
This magazine-style documentary outlines biological evolution through a variety of dramatizations and data delivered by expert testimony.
Stars: Liam Neeson, Chris Larkin, Mark Tandy, Ian Shaw
Votes: 237
12.
Nova (1974– )
Episode:
Cracking Your Genetic Code
(2012)
TV-PG | 54 min | Documentary
The ability for people to have their genetic codes analyzed is examined, as are the moral aspects that come with access to such information.
Director: Sarah Holt | Stars: Jamie Effros, Nathaniel Pearson, Francis Collins, Joe Beery
Votes: 60
13. The Genius of Charles Darwin (2008– )
60 min | Documentary
In this three-part series Richard Dawkins, the evolutionary scientist and bestselling author, takes us on a journey of discovery. How does evolution work? How do we know it's true - and why... See full summary »
Stars: Richard Dawkins, The Naked Cowboy, Steven Pinker
Votes: 999
14. The Incredible Human Journey (2009– )
60 min | Documentary
This series explains the evidence for the theory of early human migrations out of Africa and subsequently around the world, supporting the Out of Africa Theory.
Stars: Alice Roberts, Jeffrey Rose, Clive Finlayson, Xinzhi Wu
Votes: 907
15.
Secrets of the Dead (2000– )
Episode:
Cavemen Cold Case
(2013)
TV-PG | 52 min | Documentary, History, War
Scientists investigate the recently found 49,000 year-old remains of a group of Neanderthals in El Sidron, Spain. Could they have been victims of cannibalism?
Director: Ruth Berry | Stars: Jay O. Sanders, Marco de la Rasilla, Antonio Rosas Gonzalez, John Hawks
Votes: 34
16.
Horizon (1964– )
Episode:
The Blind Watchmaker
(1987)
47 min | Documentary
Documentary where Richard Dawkins challenges William Paley's theories on creationism and takes on Paley's descendants, it won the Sci-Tech Award for Best Science Documentary of the year.
Star: Richard Dawkins
Votes: 82
17. Life (2009)
TV-G | 43 min | Documentary, Family
David Attenborough's legendary BBC crew explains and shows wildlife all over planet earth. From giving an overview of the challenges facing life to hunting the deep sea and various major evolutionary groups of creatures.
Stars: Oprah Winfrey, David Attenborough, Doug Allan, Roger Munns
Votes: 42,707
18. Rise of the Continents (2013)
TV-PG | 60 min | Documentary
The epic story of how the world's continents were created, featuring Professor Iain Stewart.
Stars: Iain Stewart, Kevin Swain, Dean Ah Chee, Josh Griffiths
Votes: 494
19.
Wildlife Specials (1995– )
Episode:
Gorillas: On the Trail of King Kong
(2002)
TV-PG | 49 min | Documentary
Stars: David Attenborough, Gavin Thurston, James, Ralph
Votes: 26
20. Galapagos 3D (2013)
Documentary
Filmed in one of the most extreme and hard-to-reach locations in the world, 'Galapagos' explores the unique environments and species of the Galapagos. It will take viewers on a voyage to ... See full summary »
Stars: David Attenborough, Anthony Geffen, Martin Williams, Robert Hollingworth
Votes: 1,194
21. Creation (I) (2009)
PG-13 | 108 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
Torn between faith and science, and suffering hallucinations, English naturalist Charles Darwin struggles to complete 'On the Origin of Species' and maintain his relationship with his wife.
Director: Jon Amiel | Stars: Paul Bettany, Jennifer Connelly, Ian Kelly, Guy Henry
Votes: 15,127 | Gross: $0.34M
22. Jane (II) (2017)
PG | 90 min | Documentary, Biography
The life and work of the renowned primatology scientist, Jane Goodall, especially on her research about chimpanzees.
Director: Brett Morgen | Stars: Jane Goodall, Hugo Van Lawick, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick
Votes: 5,659 | Gross: $1.72M
23. History of the World in 2 Hours (2011 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 120 min | Documentary, History
A rapid-fire history of our world, from the beginning of time as we know it to present day. This two-hour CGI-driven special delves into the key turning points: the formation of earth, ... See full summary »
Director: Douglas Cohen | Stars: Corey Burton, Alex Filippenko, Peter Ward, Clifford V. Johnson
Votes: 1,043
24. Unknown: Cave of Bones (2023)
TV-PG | 93 min | Documentary
Follows Paleo anthropologist Lee Berger in South Africa, as he and his team try to prove that the world's oldest graveyard they found, is not human. A small brained, ape-like creature could have practiced complex burial rituals.
Director: Mark Mannucci | Stars: Lee Berger, Keneiloe Molopyane, Agusin Fuentes, John Hawks
Votes: 2,321
Tell Your Friends