TRAILER: "Ocean with David Attenborough"– A Landmark Film Every Marine Conservation Supporter Must See
"After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea." Sir David Attenborough
A Lifetime of Ocean Discovery
Premiering globally ahead of the UN World Ocean Conference, "Ocean with David Attenborough" takes viewers on an unprecedented journey beneath the waves.
This is David Attenborough’s greatest message of hope - revealing 100 years of incredible ocean discovery and why there’s nowhere more important for all life on Earth than the ocean.
Co-produced by Open Planet Studios and Silverback Films, Ocean with David Attenborough showcases the wonder of life under the seas and exposes the realities and challenges facing our ocean as never-before-seen, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching.
Yet the story is one of optimism, with Attenborough pointing to inspirational stories from around the world to show that the ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.
Premiering globally ahead of the UN World Ocean Conference, the film will launch as a Global Cinema Event from 8 May, before its global release on National Geographic, Disney+ and Hulu from 8 June - World Ocean Day.
Be the first to see the film in cinemas globally from May 8 www.OceanFilm.net
Key Messages
The film is centred around three key themes, each bringing to life compelling stories of the ocean through new filming and stories from David Attenborough and coastal communities:
1. A lifetime of ocean discovery reveals why we all depend on the ocean.
Over the past 100 years, during David Attenborough’s lifetime, our ocean has gone from a complete mystery to what we now know is the most important place on Earth. Through spectacular sequences, including coral reefs, kelp forests, mangroves, and the open ocean, the film shows the vital role of the ocean in supporting and sustaining all life on Earth.
2. Hidden destruction is driving our ocean into crisis.
The world’s ocean is under threat like never before - and much of its destruction is out of sight. Powerful cinematic shots reveal what’s happening above and below the waves, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching. The film exposes how human actions are leading to the ocean’s collapse, affecting marine species and ecosystems, as well as communities on land and the global climate.
3. The ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.
Awe-inspiring footage shows the ocean’s resilience and its remarkable ability to recover when protected, in turn benefiting local communities and wildlife. Through firsthand stories of ocean recovery, the film shows what a revived ocean could look like in just fifty years, to a glory not witnessed for centuries, and the actions needed to achieve this.
Photo by Simon Pierce, MMF Co-Founder.
Why This Film Matters Now
"This could be the moment of change," Attenborough declares. "Nearly every country on Earth has just agreed, on paper, to achieve this bare minimum and protect a third of the ocean. Together, we now face the challenge of making it happen."
This call to action comes at a critical juncture. The historic agreement to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030 represents an unprecedented opportunity, but paper protections must be translated into real-world action.
The film premieres just weeks before the UN World Ocean Conference, where governments will gather to discuss implementation of these ambitious targets. The timing couldn't be more perfect for raising public awareness and generating political will for meaningful ocean protection.
How You Can Get Involved
Watch the Film
"Ocean with David Attenborough" is playing in theaters globally from May 8 (David Attenborough's 99th birthday) and will be available on National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu from June 8 (World Ocean Day). Gather friends and family for a viewing – the more people who see this film, the greater momentum we build for ocean protection.
Organise a screening
From 8 June, Ocean with David Attenborough will be available to educators at schools, universities, museums, and libraries, and for educational and charitable conferences and events for non-commercial purposes. This is a great opportunity to engage young people, ocean advocates and your wider community with the film and ocean conservation. A discussion guide will also be available to support screenings and help to facilitate meaningful conversations off the back of the film. See the National Geographic website here.
Share the Message
Use the hashtag #OceanFilm when discussing the documentary on social media and tag the film co-producers @Silverback_Films and Open Planet Studios. The more we amplify this message, the further it reaches.
Take Direct Action
For those inspired to do more, consider supporting organizations like the Marine Megafauna Foundation – we’re working on marine conservation and implementing the solutions highlighted in the film. From protecting critical habitats to developing sustainable community initiatives, your support enables concrete action for our oceans.
Creating a Legacy of Ocean Recovery
"When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity, Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true." David Attenborough
This wisdom encapsulates the journey we must all take – from viewing the ocean as an inexhaustible resource to recognizing it as the foundation of planetary health that requires our stewardship and protection.
The beauty of Attenborough's message is that it transcends any single conservation organization or initiative. It calls all of us – researchers, communities, policymakers, and citizens – to recognize both the urgent threats facing our oceans and the tremendous potential for their recovery.
This landmark film offers not just spectacular footage but a roadmap for ocean recovery that marine conservationists worldwide are working to implement. We invite you to join this movement – watch the film, share its message, and support the work needed to turn Attenborough's vision of ocean recovery into reality.
At the Marine Megafauna Foundation, we'll be using this film as inspiration for our own work in the years ahead. Whether we're training the next generation of local marine scientists in Mozambique, documenting previously unknown manta ray nursery areas in Indonesia, or developing new protection strategies for Florida's coastal habitats, Attenborough's message reminds us of what's possible when science, communities, and policy align around a shared vision of ocean recovery.
The ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen. We're committed to making that vision a reality, and we hope you'll join us on that journey.
