It's no secret that the universe is a big place. So big, in fact, that it's almost impossible for us to wrap our minds around just how vast it really is.
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try! And what better way to gain a greater understanding of the cosmos than by watching documentaries about it? Here are four reasons why you should make space documentaries a regular part of your viewing diet.
Curious, revealing and stelar. The next documentaries available to watch online on Guidedoc will make you travel several light years away from our planet to learn more about how humans perceive the mysterious universe that surrounds us.
Have you ever had one of those moments where you suddenly realize just how big the universe is? Maybe it was while reading a book, looking at a map, or watching a documentary. No matter how it happened, that feeling of awe and wonder is one of the best parts about learning about space.
Documentaries about the universe are full of mind-expanding facts and images that will leave you with your jaw on the floor. Even if you consider yourself something of a space buff, there's always something new to learn from these Films.
In an increasingly urbanized and technologically-driven world, it's easy to feel disconnected from the natural world. Watching documentaries about the universe helps us remember that we are a part of nature, albeit a very small part.
Gazing up at the stars on a clear night can be breathtaking, but it's nothing compared to seeing images of galaxies billions of light years away. Documentaries about space help us put our place in the universe into perspective and appreciate the world around us just a little bit more.
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey by Brannon Braga
Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking by Iain Riddick
Out of the Blue by Tim Coleman
Carl Sagan’s Cosmos
The Hubble Space Telescope: A Journey Through Space and Time
Powers of Ten
The Planets
Cosmos Laundromat
Premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2018, this half-hour short film tells the story of the first photograph of the earth taken from outer space.
Through the testimonies of the astronauts of Apollo 8, the first NASA mission that managed to leave our planet, circle the moon and return safely to Earth.
The film offers a valuable reflection on what it meant for them and for the rest of humanity to see our home in the middle of the vastness of the universe for the first time in history.
Watch Earthrise now on Guidedoc
Paul Leeming and Pauls Irbins have been planning a trip to a place that no human has yet been to in history.
In 2024, these two common Earthlings will embark on a rocket to the planet Mars on a trip organized by a private space travel company.
But how is the daily life of these two protagonists of such a strange and incredible trip? How do you imagine this journey of hundreds of thousands of kilometers through space to a mysterious red planet about which so much and so little is known at the same time?
This short film is an exclusive inquiry into the minds of our intrepid space travelers.
Watch Mars Closer now on Guidedoc
From the Brazilian soil, a telescope builder gazes skyward with a curious look. We are talking about the experienced astronomer Bernardo Riedel, the protagonist of this short film, a kind of life portrait of a lover of the universe.
Mixing everyday moments in Riedel's house and workshop with dialogues where he rambles about the deepest mysteries of outer space, the film is a genuine testimony about the physical smallness of the human being in the face of the immensity of the unknown.
At the same time, this documentary is proof of the infinite curiosity that characterizes us as inhabitants of the universe, something that motivates us to continue living despite our limitations.
Watch this documentary on Guidedoc
Cosmos is more than just a documentary series. It is an exciting and unknown trip to the confines of time and space. From the hand of the famous astrophysicist Neil de Grasse we will discover the best kept secrets of the universe known so far.
Cosmos is a reformulation of the best space documentary films series of the 80s which carried the same name and was leaded by Carl Sagan.
However, this time it goes much further and it talks us about the planets, the conception of time, molecules, humans and, ultimately, everything: because we are all part of the Universe. The best part is that it is all explained, both in a narrative and visual level, in a way that the general public can understand it and gets a little closer to the world of science.
When we think about science and space, it always comes to our mind the figure of Stephen Hawkins. In Into The Universe with Stephen Hawking, the British scientist explains in first person everything that surrounds us, everything we see and we don’t see, through his physical and cosmological theories.
The graphics and cinematography used in this documentary are amazing, and it is written by Stephen Hawkins himself. At the same time, it is divided into three chapters as a mini-series. In the first one it goes for the hardest part: aliens. In the second episode he explains us the secrets of time travel. And finally, we have “the story of everything”.
An essential piece for the lovers of the most unknown space.
If you are reading this selection of space documentaries, certainly your interest goes beyond that and probably you are wondering about UFOs, aliens, life beyond Earth. If the other two documentaries talk about this matter in a superficial way, Out of the Blue could be considered as the most comprehensive regarding the possibility of certain forms of life in other planets.
From an educational point of view and its goal of making the viewers think, Out of the Blue delves and explores the logical idea of not being alone in the Universe. And seeing that space is infinite, how arrogant do we have to be to think that we are the only sign of intelligent life?
This classic documentary, hosted by one of the most iconic figures in astronomy, explores many different topics related to space, time, and life on Earth.
Sagan does an excellent job of making complex concepts understandable for the layperson, and his passion for his subject matter is evident throughout. If you’re looking for a place to start when it comes to learning about the universe, this is it.
This documentary chronicles the history of the Hubble Space Telescope, from its troubled beginnings to its current status as one of humanity’s most important scientific tools. Along the way, we learn about some of the stunning discoveries that Hubble has made possible, including galaxies that formed just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.
If you want to know more about what this incredible machine has seen during its nearly 30 years in orbit, this is the film for you.
This short film from 1968 takes us on a journey from a park bench in Chicago all the way out to the farthest reaches of the known universe, and then back again.
The film’s scale is truly mind-boggling, and it provides a valuable perspective on just how big (and small) our universe really is. If you want to grasp the sheer size of the cosmos, this is essential viewing.
This BBC series delves into each of the planets in our solar system, providing fascinating information about their formation, history, and current status.
We learn about everything from Mercury’s incredibly long day (one day on Mercury lasts 176 Earth days!) to Saturn’s iconic rings. If you want to know more about our cosmic neighborhood, this series is definitely worth your time.
Last but not least, we have Cosmos Laundromat—a 2015 Dutch animated short film that follows a sheep who decides to end her own life after she’s fed up with being chased by dogs.
She travels to a mysterious place called “the cosmos laundromat” where she learns about alternate universes and meets some interesting characters along the way. If you’re looking for something a little bit different when it comes to documentaries about space, this one definitely fits that bill.
Watch more great documentaries now on Guidedoc