Did you love “My Octopus Teacher” too?
I’ve started this list of docs most similar to “Octopus Teacher”.
I’ll keep adding to them.
Enjoy!
1) Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story
Release date: 2024
A man, an otter, and a love story that will melt your heart.
“Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story” (77 minutes) sneaks up on you.
You think you’re watching cute otter antics. You are. But it’s also about love, loss, and connection.
Billy Mail lives on the Shetland Islands with his wife, Susan. One night, he finds a starving otter pup. He names her Molly, builds her a mini-house, and their bond grows.
The doc shows Molly learning to fish, meeting her mate “Bozo,” and eventually becoming a mother.
Directed by Charlie Hamilton James, who lived next door, the film captures Billy’s emotional journey as he reconnects with nature. The Shetlands’ wild beauty plays a huge role, with stormy seas and Northern Lights.
The score by Erland Cooper, filled with haunting violin, is a standout.
It’s funny too, with Billy’s text updates about Molly’s antics and Susan slowly warming to the otter.
Molly is wild, though. The inevitable goodbye is hard. But it’s also healing. “Billy & Molly” reminds us of nature’s power to transform.
You can watch “Billy & Molly” on Disney+ at https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-fde77e24-dbf5-4565-8636-b5e67b981bdf
I love this doc so much I dedicated an entire web page to it: https://dailydoc.com/billy-molly-an-otter-love-story/
2) The Whale
What happens when a lonely orca adopts a small town?
“The Whale” (2011) tells the story of Luna, a young orca separated from his pod in British Columbia. Instead of swimming off into the wild, Luna craves human companionship, approaching fishermen, boats, and anyone near the water.
Directed by Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit, the film captures the emotional and moral struggles that arise.
Local Native tribes believe Luna is the reincarnation of their chief, while government officials see him as a potential threat.
The filmmakers navigate these tensions, presenting stunning footage of Luna’s playful interactions.
Moments like Luna nudging a floatplane or following boats create heartwarming scenes.
But there’s a darker side—Luna’s need for humans could endanger him.
The documentary explores loneliness, connection, and the blurred line between helping and harming wildlife.
At just 85 minutes, “The Whale” delivers a deeply moving story about the unexpected bonds between humans and animals.
Watch it for free on Hoopla (free with library card or on Roku (free with ads). Check out the latest streaming optinos here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-whale
3) Grizzly Man
Release date: August 12, 2005
“Grizzly Man” is both fascinating and chilling, with an ending you won’t shake off.
Timothy Treadwell spent 13 summers living with grizzly bears in Alaska. He filmed himself out in the wild, up close with the bears, convinced they were his friends.
‘Guess what? They weren’t.
Treadwell and his girlfriend were killed by one of the bears in 2003.
Werner Herzog directed this doc, and man, does he know how to turn obsession into something gripping.
He takes Treadwell’s own footage—hours of it—and combines it with interviews to create a portrait of a man who thought he could tame the wild.
Spoiler: you can’t.
Herzog’s voice, deep and philosophical, adds a whole other level. He questions Treadwell’s mindset, asking,
“Was this passion or madness?”
It’s both. That’s what makes this doc so unforgettable. Treadwell wanted to become part of the wilderness, but he paid the ultimate price.
It’s not just a nature doc. It’s a human story, one about boundaries and when it’s best not to cross them.
Director: Werner Herzog, 2005, 103 minutes.
Watch “Grizzly Man” for free on Kanopy (with library card).
I include 10 other options to stream it here: https://dailydoc.com/grizzly-man/ — it’s a page I dedicated to Grizzly Man (I love this doc!).
4) The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
Release date: February 18, 2005
“The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” is a touching story of connection and purpose.
Mark Bittner, a former street musician in San Francisco, forms a bond with a flock of wild parrots in his Telegraph Hill neighborhood.
Without any formal training, he becomes their unofficial caretaker, feeding them and observing their personalities.
Mingus, a parrot who loves to dance, and Connor, the flock’s leader, are just a few of the standouts.
Directed by Judy Irving, the film explores not only Bittner’s relationship with the birds but also his personal transformation.
As he cares for the parrots, he finds meaning in his own life.
The doc touches on bigger themes: what happens when humans bond with wild animals, and what responsibility do we have to them?
Irving captures the beauty of San Francisco and the grace of the parrots, creating a visually stunning backdrop for this quiet, reflective story.
It’s a film that stays with you, reminding us of the unexpected connections that shape our lives.
Director: Judy Irving, 2005, 83 minutes.
I haven’t found any current ways to stream the documentary.
Check back on this page I decided to the documentary for the latest streaming options:
https://dailydoc.com/the-wild-parrots-of-telegraph-hill/
5) Dindim the Penguin (Swims 5000 Miles Every Year to Visit the Man Who Saved Him)
Release date: August 16, 2024
This is the incredible story of Dindim, a penguin who swims 5,000 miles every year to reunite with João, the man who saved him.
In 2011, 71-year-old João, a fisherman, found Dindim, an oil-soaked Magellanic penguin, near his home in Rio de Janeiro. The penguin was barely alive, but João cleaned him up and fed him until he was strong enough to return to the wild.
But Dindim didn’t stay away for long. Just days after being released, he returned. This marked the start of a heartwarming, unlikely friendship.
Every year since, Dindim swims back to João’s village, staying with him for months before heading off to mate in Argentina and Chile.
João often describes their bond as familial, and Dindim’s playful interactions with João and his dog show the depth of this connection.
This remarkable friendship inspired the 2024 film “My Penguin Friend” and a children’s book, An Old Man and His Penguin. It’s a story of love, loyalty, and the bonds that transcend species.
You can watch “Dindim” by clicking the video embed above.
I also dedicated a page to Dindim here: https://dailydoc.com/dindim-jinjing-the-penguin/ which includes more on the story with extra videos (including the latest on João’ continues to wait on the beach, hopeful his friend will return.’s search for his friend).
6) The Bond
Release date: July 14, 2022
If you’re drawn to stories that explore deep connections between humans and animals, “The Bond” is a must-watch.
Created by Glen Zipper (“Dogs” and “Undefeated” on Netflix), this four-part docuseries dives into unexpected and emotional relationships across the globe.
Executive-produced by Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey, the show feels intimate yet cinematic, capturing the heart of these remarkable bonds.
Episode Breakdown:
- Episode 1: Married to the Mob – Rae Harvey runs a kangaroo sanctuary in Australia, treating these wild animals like family.
- Episode 2: Dances with Dolphins – Jay Sargent’s friendship with a bottlenose dolphin is pure magic.
- Episode 3: Have Goat, Will Travel – Cate and Chad take their pet goat, Frankie, on a world tour.
- Episode 4: A Wild Guest – Desmond and Elizke rescue cheetahs, highlighting the dangers and rewards of caring for wild predators.
Each episode is about an hour.
You can watch “The Bond” on HBO Max and Discovery+. Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-bond-2022
7) Titus: The Gorilla King
The above is the first 15 minutes of the documentary.
Release date: June 26, 2008
“Titus: The Gorilla King” is a gripping dive into the life of one of Rwanda’s most famous silverback gorillas.
Born in the wild and orphaned during childhood, Titus rose to become the dominant leader of his group. His journey is nothing short of remarkable.
We follow his life, from his tough early years to his reign as a powerful silverback in the Virunga Mountains.
The BBC documentary doesn’t just show us gorilla behavior. It introduces us to the complex social dynamics of Titus’ group, where power struggles, friendships, and even betrayals take center stage.
Directed by James Honeyborne, the film draws on over 40 years of research by Dian Fossey and her team.
The result is an intimate portrayal of a gorilla who survived against all odds.
What makes “Titus: The Gorilla King” unique is the way it humanizes these animals.
Titus isn’t just a gorilla; he’s a king in his own world, facing the same challenges any leader would.
Director: James Honeyborne, 2008, 55 minutes.
Watch “Titus: The Gorilla King” for free on YouTube at:
- Part 1: click the video embed above of here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOVX1syqnbg
- Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPHOzv1ZKPg
- Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vr6DpNxdwE
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly
Chief Maniac, Daily Doc