Prehistoric Planet
Prehistoric Planet
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Prehistoric Planet

"The epic series returns with a new era."

8.3
Yr 2022
Status Returning Series
Documentary
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

Experience the wonders of our world like never before in this epic series from Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth. Travel back 66 million years to when majestic dinosaurs and extraordinary creatures roamed the lands, seas, and skies.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 85 /100

Critics widely praised Prehistoric Planet as a stunning fusion of visual spectacle and paleontological research. Reviewers marveled at the groundbreaking CGI and David Attenborough's authoritative narration, noting that the photorealistic presentation makes it feel genuinely indistinguishable from a contemporary prestige wildlife documentary.

The series earned strong marks for incorporating modern science and speculative biological behavior into its depiction of Cretaceous life. Outlets commended its ability to translate intricate paleontology for general audiences while offering awe-inspiring looks at unfamiliar species and varied prehistoric habitats.

Minor criticisms were aimed at familiar documentary tropes and repetitive storytelling formulas, with some reviewers observing that individual episodes follow predictable story beats or miss broader shifts across eras. Still, the overarching critical consensus celebrated the show as a captivating, highly educational achievement.

“This nature show about millions of years ago looks so good it’s like a wildlife documentary – especially as David Attenborough narrates. What a wonderful spectacle”

“A well-researched docu-series breaking down complex palaeontological research, for the understanding of one and all.”

“The entire docuseries is a fascinating look at different creatures in many different elements.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Apple TV Amazon Channel
UK • CA • US
Apple TV
UK • US • CA
Why fans love it

Prehistoric Planet treats the Mesozoic era with the level of clinical observation usually reserved for modern wildlife photography. By focusing on mundane survival, like foraging and mating displays, the documentary strips away the monster-movie tropes that often plague portrayals of dinosaurs. The visuals lean into current paleontology, shifting the focus from simple predation to the complex behaviors of creatures long vanished from the fossil record.

David Attenborough provides the narration, grounding these digital recreations in a tone of scientific authority. The production avoids speculative fiction, relying instead on the specialized input of researchers like Mark P. Witton and Paul M. Barrett. This approach turns the landscape of 66 million years ago into a living, tangible ecosystem rather than a scene of chaotic destruction. The result is a portrait of prehistory that feels as grounded as any documentary currently filming in the modern wild.

Signal Match

Similarity

Where Prehistoric Planet overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

paleontology ice age prehistory dinosaur nature documentary mesozoic
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
May 23, 2022
Status
Returning Series
Origin
GB
TMDB Votes
525