I love survival docs.
So I did what I usually do — I created a list of them
Below are survival documentaries about caves, airplanes, volcanoes, wildfires, summits, and much more.
Enjoy!
1)The Rescue
I rank “Rescue” as the best survival documentary because it’s got it all: a great story (kids soccer team lost in the caves); awesome footage, Navy Seals and heroics.
It’s the story of the Thai cave rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach in 2018.
It was nothing short of a miracle.
The doc is directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the team behind “Free Solo.” It runs for 107 minutes and is a tension-packed ride.
The focus is on the British divers, Rick Stanton and John Volanthen, who found the boys alive after nine days. Their incredible skill and bravery saved the day.
What makes this doc stand out is the real footage from the cave and the reenactments that show just how insane the situation was.
The boys were trapped nearly two and a half miles inside the flooded cave. The narrow passages were pitch-black and barely wide enough for the divers, let alone for them to pull unconscious kids through.
But the international cooperation makes the story even better.
The Thai Navy SEALs, local farmers, Australian anesthetist Dr. Richard Harris, and volunteers from around the world all worked together to pull off a near-impossible mission.
I love this documentary so much that I dedicated an entire page to it: https://dailydoc.com/the-rescue/
You can stream “The Rescue” on Disney+ at https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/the-rescue/6u1VV7RFRiRz.
2) Alone in the Wilderness
I wanted to move to Alaska for a life of solitude after watching this doc.
One man’s journey into the wild shows just how much you can do with a few tools, patience, and a deep connection to nature.
“Alone in the Wilderness” (2004) follows Richard Proenneke, a 51-year-old retired mechanic, as he builds a log cabin by hand at Twin Lakes, deep in the Alaskan wilderness.
Over 16 months, he documents every step—using only basic tools like a handsaw, axe, and chisel.
Proenneke wasn’t just surviving—he thrived. He foraged for berries, hunted for meat, and even fashioned his own wooden hinges and handles.
And he ended up living there for 30 years!
I get mesmerized when I watch him carefully carve out notches in logs, create a fireplace from river stones, and build all his furniture from scratch.
He knew every detail mattered. Even his cooking was resourceful—he made sourdough pancakes using a yeast starter.
The 57-minute doc, directed by Bob Swerer, uses Proenneke’s own 16mm footage paired with his calm narration, recounting his decision to leave civilization behind.
The place to watch “Alone in the Wilderness” (because it’s multiple videos) is on this page I dedicated to it:
https://dailydoc.com/alone-in-the-wilderness/
3) Alone
“Alone” is the ultimate test of survival—pitting humans against nature with no crew, no contact, and no help.
This reality TV series follows ten contestants as they are dropped into remote wilderness locations, armed only with a handful of tools and their survival skills.
It’s 11 seasons (as of late 2024).
My favorite season is #6 if you feel like starting there. Some friends of mine prefer season 11.
The challenge? To survive completely alone for as long as possible.
The last person standing wins a hefty cash prize—$500,000 (one season even has a $500K bonus).
Unlike most survival shows, there’s no camera crew. The participants film themselves, capturing the brutal reality of isolation.
You can feel the desperation when the days stretch into weeks, and mental toughness becomes as critical as physical endurance.
Episodes are filled with moments of triumph, like catching fish or making fire, but also heartbreak—injuries, starvation, and the crushing weight of loneliness.
Filmed in places like Vancouver Island, Patagonia, and the Arctic, “Alone” forces contestants to deal with freezing temperatures, predators, and hunger.
Directors like Russ McCarroll and Zachary Behr keep the format raw and authentic. The unpredictable elements are the real star here.
I love watching people battle isolation and pushing past their breaking points. That’s where “Alone” hooked me.
I loved the “Alone” series so much that I summarized the 11 seasons here:
You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/alone
4) Touching the Void
“Touching the Void” is a jaw-dropping tale of survival against impossible odds.
This 106-minute doc, directed by Kevin Macdonald, recounts the harrowing 1985 climb of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes by Joe Simpson and Simon Yates.
After reaching the summit, disaster strikes during the descent when Simpson shatters his leg. Stranded at 20,000 feet, Yates attempts a dangerous rope-lowering rescue.
But in a heart-wrenching decision, Yates cuts the rope, assuming Simpson has fallen to his death.
Miraculously, Simpson survives the plunge into a deep crevasse.
What follows is a staggering display of human will.
Dragging himself over jagged ice and rock for days without food or water, Simpson inches his way back to camp.
The reenactments combined with interviews from both climbers make the ordeal feel terrifyingly real.
“Touching the Void” reminds you that, sometimes, sheer willpower and determination are the only things keeping you alive.
You can find the latest streaming options for”Touching the Void”: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/touching-the-void
5) Leaving the Earth
“The Impossible Landing” tells the story of United Airlines Flight 232 from Denver to Chicago on July 19, 1989.
The unthinkable happens: all three engines fail, and they lose all hydraulics—a “one in a billion” event, experts say. With no control over the plane, the crew attempts the impossible: a crash-landing in Sioux City, Iowa.
There were 296 people on board. Tragically, 112 die in United’s deadliest disaster. Yet, 184 survive, thanks to extraordinary crew skill.
The hero here? Denny Fitch, 46, a passenger with piloting experience. He wasn’t part of the crew, but he knew of a similar 1985 crash in Japan and had trained for such scenarios. Fitch worked with the pilots, using only the throttles to control the plane—a feat of aviation history.
What makes this even more remarkable? After the crash, no pilot could replicate the landing in simulations. It was a one-time, unrepeatable miracle. The DC-10 came in at 250 mph, 100 mph faster than normal, with no brakes.
In 28 simulator tests, no one survived. That’s why they call it “The Impossible Landing.”
The “First Person” series that “Leaving the Earth” was on isn’t streaming anywhere that I can see right now.
So I found some free places to watch it on YouTube and put them here:
https://dailydoc.com/leaving-the-earth/
6) Surviving Edged Weapons
I cracked up watching this documentary issued to the police in the 1980’s.
“Surviving Edged Weapons” is a gritty, no-nonsense look into the harsh reality of blade combat and how to survive it.
Originally created as a police training video, this 84-minute doc takes you deep into the terrifying world of knife attacks and slashing injuries.
Directed by Dennis Anderson, it’s raw, graphic, and unapologetic in its depiction of violence.
The film is filled with real-life accounts, interviews with officers, and dramatic reenactments showing how quickly a knife fight can turn deadly.
But it’s not just about the fear of getting stabbed.
The focus here is on survival—how to react, defend, and stay alive in the face of a blade. The film dives into historical examples, weapon types, and tactics used by criminals.
It even showcases how everyday objects, like a broken bottle, can be used as deadly weapons.
One standout moment is the emphasis on how unpredictable knife fights can be. It’s messy, chaotic, and over in seconds.
This doc pushes viewers, particularly law enforcement, to always be prepared. “Surviving Edged Weapons” doesn’t sugarcoat anything—it’s a brutal reminder that in a fight for your life, every second counts.
Watch it for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ZpyKSmgdE
7) Merchants of the Wild
“Merchants of the Wild” takes you on a rugged, immersive journey into Indigenous traditions and survival skills.
This 13-episode docuseries follows six Indigenous adventurers as they retrace the historic fur trade routes across the Canadian wilderness. For 25 days, they live off the land, using only traditional tools and methods handed down through generations.
Directed by Jordan Wheeler, the show gives a real sense of both the beauty and brutality of the wild. You see them build shelters, hunt, gather food, and navigate the harsh terrain—all while reflecting on the cultural significance of their journey.
What stands out are the teachings from Elders who join them along the way, offering wisdom and guiding them through challenges. The personal growth of the participants is as much a part of the series as the survival aspect.
“Merchants of the Wild” isn’t just about survival—it’s about reconnecting with culture, history, and nature in a deeply meaningful way.
I don’t see any major streamers showing “Merchants of the Wild”
But YouTube has Season 1, Episode 1 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_YUZqQ1bAY
It looks like 2 more episodes are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eKY6KyN2lY
8) I Am Alive
“I Am Alive: Surviving the Andes Plane Crash” recounts one of the most harrowing survival stories in history—the 1972 crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571.
This 90-minute doc, directed by Brad Osborne, tells the story of 45 passengers—members of a rugby team and their families—whose plane went down in the Andes mountains.
Stranded in freezing temperatures with no food or help, the survivors faced impossible choices.
For 72 days, they endured extreme cold, avalanches, and starvation. Eventually, they were forced to resort to cannibalism, consuming the bodies of their dead friends to stay alive.
The doc focuses on the strength of the human spirit, particularly through interviews with survivors like Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, who trekked for 10 days through the Andes to find help.
Their courage and willpower saved the lives of 16 people.
The film mixes dramatic reenactments with personal accounts, showing just how desperate and brutal the situation became.
“I Am Alive” is a gut-wrenching but deeply inspiring story of survival, resilience, and the extreme lengths humans will go to stay alive.
Watch it for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL7Gr4AHMFM
9) Last Breath
I finally found a survival documentary on Netflix!
“Last Breath” is a nerve-wracking deep-sea survival doc that will leave you holding your breath.
This 86-minute film, directed by Richard da Costa and Alex Parkinson, follows the terrifying real-life ordeal of deep-sea diver Chris Lemons. In 2012, Lemons was part of a team maintaining an oil rig 100 meters below the North Sea.
But when a freak accident severs his umbilical cord—his lifeline to air, heat, and communications—he is left stranded on the ocean floor with only five minutes of oxygen in his tank.
The film is built on real footage from the dive, along with interviews from Lemons and his crew. The tension is unbearable as his colleagues race against time to save him, knowing that survival is nearly impossible.
You get a front-row seat to the sheer panic and desperation as Lemons, trapped in total darkness, must rely on his training and an unexplainable stroke of luck.
“Last Breath” is a gripping reminder of how fragile life can be, especially in such extreme environments. It’s not just a survival story, but a testament to teamwork, resilience, and hope when all seems lost.
Watch it on Netflix, Hoopla (free with library card) and rent it on Amazon, Apple TV and DogWoof. Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/last-breath-2019
10) Fire in Paradise
“Fire in Paradise” delivers a gut-punch look at the deadliest wildfire in California’s history, the 2018 Camp Fire.
This 40-minute documentary, directed by Zackary Canepari and Drea Cooper, recounts the catastrophic fire that ripped through the town of Paradise, destroying nearly everything in its path. With 85 lives lost and over 18,000 structures burned, the film doesn’t shy away from the horrors of that day.
What makes this doc stand out is the mix of firsthand accounts from survivors—firefighters, residents, and children—who relive their fight for survival. The flames moved faster than anyone could have imagined, turning evacuation routes into death traps. People drove through walls of fire with their cars melting around them, while others had no choice but to flee on foot.
The combination of real footage from the day of the fire and chilling 911 calls makes you feel the panic and helplessness. This isn’t just about a town that was wiped off the map. “Fire in Paradise” explores the broader themes of climate change and the devastating impact of increasingly frequent wildfires.
It’s a haunting reminder of nature’s power and the thin line between safety and disaster.
Watch it on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/81050375
11) Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche
The 1982 Alpine Meadows avalanche was brutal.
Seven people were killed, and one—Anna Conrad—miraculously survived after being buried for five days.
This documentary tells the story with a visceral intensity that sticks with you.
Survivors, rescuers, and family members relive the moments in a way that makes you feel every second ticking by.
The doc, directed by Jared Drake and Steven Siig, takes you deep into that devastating event.
At 96 minutes, it’s a tough but riveting watch. Detailed archival footage and interviews bring the story to life.
The avalanche itself was 1,200 feet wide, and rescue efforts were heroic but heartbreaking. It’s a chilling reminder of nature’s power.
But the real heart of this doc lies in the human stories—especially Conrad’s incredible tale of survival.
You’ll walk away thinking about those five days buried under the snow, wondering how anyone could endure it. This isn’t just a film about a tragedy; it’s about hope in the darkest of times.
Watch the Alpine Meadows Avalanche documentary on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/81636855.
It’s also streaming (for $) on Apple TV, Amazon and Flix (see here for the latest: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/buried-the-1982-alpine-meadows-avalanche)
12) Stranded
Release date: September 22, 2007
Surviving a plane crash is terrifying, but what comes next is even worse.
“Stranded” (original title was “Stranded: I’ve Come from a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains”) recounts the 1972 crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571.
The plane, carrying 45 passengers, slammed into the Andes Mountains. Only 16 survived, stranded for 72 days in freezing conditions. This doc revisits their story with raw emotion and honesty.
Director Gonzalo Arijón, a childhood friend of some survivors, gets them to open up about the crash and the horrific decisions they faced—including cannibalism.
The film is 126 minutes of tension, using a mix of interviews and harrowing reenactments. The Andes become a desolate, icy prison where hope slowly fades. You can feel the cold and the desperation.
This doc digs deep into the survivors’ psyche. It’s not just about surviving a crash—it’s about the mental toll of impossible choices.
In the end, “Stranded” is a sobering reminder of what humans can endure. You’ll be left haunted by their story, but also amazed by their resilience.
You can watch the full doc (with English subtitles) for free on YouTube on this page I dedicated to the doc: https://dailydoc.com/stranded/
13) Naked Castaway
Silly title, I know. But fans love this docuseries.
Release date: March 14, 2013
Being stranded on a desert island is rough, but try doing it with absolutely nothing.
“Naked Castaway” follows survivalist Ed Stafford as he spends 60 days on a remote island in the Pacific—completely naked, without tools, food, or shelter. This doc plunges you into his raw, unfiltered struggle for survival. It’s not just about the physical challenges—starvation, dehydration, and illness—but the mental toll of isolation.
Stafford films himself throughout, documenting his descent into desperation as he battles extreme hunger, exhaustion, and loneliness. At 44 minutes per episode, you see him using sheer ingenuity—starting fires, catching fish, and crafting basic tools. Every tiny victory feels monumental.
But what really makes “Naked Castaway” stand out is its focus on the psychological battle. Stafford’s gradual breakdown and self-reflection add depth to this brutal survival story. By the end, you’re left wondering if you could survive with nothing but your willpower.
Watch it on HBO Max at https://play.max.com/show/84212377-0d43-4dcb-9871-85b0d51bac6a
If it goes off HBO, check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/naked-castaway/season-1
14) The Trapped 13: How We Survived the Thai Cave
Release date: October 5, 2022
It’s the same story as “The Rescue” above. Netflix’s is darn good (just not quite as good as “The Rescue”
What’s it like to be trapped in a cave for 18 days, not knowing if you’ll make it out alive?
“The Trapped 13: How We Survived the Thai Cave” revisits the harrowing 2018 rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from Thailand’s Tham Luang cave. This documentary gives the survivors a voice, letting them tell their own story of fear, hope, and survival. You feel the tension rise as floodwaters trapped them inside a dark, suffocating maze of rock.
Directed by Pailin Wedel, the 103-minute film uses interviews and real footage to put you inside that cave. The boys share their thoughts on dwindling oxygen, hunger, and the uncertainty of rescue. You learn about the global team of divers and experts who faced impossible odds to save them.
But what stands out in “The Trapped 13” isn’t just the physical struggle—it’s the mental strength of the boys. Their ability to remain calm and unified, despite the fear, is inspiring. By the end, you’re amazed not only by the rescue, but by their resilience.
Watch it on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/81306195
15) The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari
Release date: December 16, 2022
Imagine visiting a volcano, and suddenly it erupts—what would you do?
“The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari” tells the gripping story of the 2019 Whakaari (White Island) eruption in New Zealand.
Twenty-two people lost their lives, and many more were severely burned. This doc pulls you right into that terrifying day, focusing on the tourists, guides, and rescuers who faced the unimaginable.
Directed by Rory Kennedy, the 98-minute film uses real footage and raw survivor interviews. The tension is real.
Helicopter pilots risked their lives to save people trapped on the island, knowing they might not make it out themselves. It’s gripping to hear how some barely escaped while others couldn’t.
But this isn’t just a disaster film. It digs into the questions: Why were tourists allowed so close to an active volcano?
And who is responsible? The doc forces you to wrestle with these issues while keeping you on the edge of your seat. You’ll finish watching feeling rattled by both the tragedy and the bravery.
It’s a Netflix original so this should be the only legal place to watch it: https://www.netflix.com/title/81410405
Thanks for reading!
-Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc