These documentaries about Alaska, the largest and northernmost state in the United States, show a land of breathtaking wilderness, untamed beauty, and formidable challenges.
Its vast expanses encompass towering mountains, icy glaciers, dense forests, and remote villages, creating a tapestry of landscapes that is as diverse as it is stunning.
The extreme climate and isolation have shaped the way of life for those who call Alaska home, from the Indigenous peoples who have lived there for thousands of years to the modern-day adventurers and pioneers seeking to carve out a living in this rugged frontier.
Documentaries About Alaska
Documentaries about Alaska delve into the heart of the Last Frontier, capturing the awe-inspiring nature, wildlife, and the indomitable spirit of its inhabitants who navigate a harsh but awe-inspiring environment.
Alaska: Earth’s Frozen Kingdom (2015)
Alaska: Earth’s Frozen Kingdom is a three-part documentary series produced by the BBC Natural History Unit that provides a stunning exploration of the diverse and challenging ecosystems found in Alaska.
The series covers various aspects of Alaska’s natural world, including its wildlife, landscapes, and the impact of the changing seasons. Each episode focuses on different aspects of the region:
- Spring – This episode explores the challenges faced by animals during the spring season in Alaska, such as the struggle for survival and searching for food.
- Summer – The summer episode showcases the brief but intense period of warmth in Alaska. It highlights the flourishing wildlife and the competition for resources in this short-lived season.
- Autumn – As autumn arrives, the documentary captures the breathtaking landscapes and the preparations of wildlife for the harsh winter ahead. It also explores the strategies animals use to survive the cold months.
The series uses stunning visuals, including aerial footage and close-up shots of wildlife, to provide you with a captivating look at the unique and harsh environment of Alaska.
The narration, combined with the visuals, aims to offer insights into the lives of the diverse species that call this frozen kingdom home. It’s easily one of the best documentaries about Alaska to watch for wildlife and the nature of Alaska.
Grizzly Man (2005)
Grizzly Man is a documentary film directed by Werner Herzog that explores the life and death of Timothy Treadwell, an environmentalist and bear enthusiast who spent thirteen summers living among wild grizzly bears in Katmai National Park and Reserve in Alaska.
The documentary revolves around Timothy Treadwell, a self-proclaimed bear activist who lived among grizzly bears in the Alaskan wilderness for an extended period. Treadwell documented his experiences on film.
Treadwell’s approach involved getting remarkably close to the wild bears, attempting to study and protect them. His interactions with the bears were unconventional and sometimes dangerous.
Werner Herzog, the director of the documentary, uses Treadwell’s own footage along with his own interviews and narration to provide a perspective on Treadwell’s life, his passion for bears, and the challenges he faced.
The film delves into the beauty and harshness of the Alaskan wilderness. It captures the stunning landscapes and the untamed nature of the grizzly bears’ habitat.
As the documentary unfolds, it becomes clear that Treadwell’s story ends in tragedy. In 2003, he and his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, were killed and partially eaten by a grizzly bear. The film discusses the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“Grizzly Man” raises questions about the relationship between humans and wildlife, especially when humans choose to live closely with potentially dangerous wild animals. It explores the complexities of nature conservation and the consequences of intervening in the lives of wild animals.
It’s a documentary that delves into the complexities of human-wildlife relationships and the consequences of living near untamed nature. Although sad to watch at times this is one of the best documentaries about Alaksa to watch.
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Icebound: The Greatest Dog Story Ever Told (2012)
Icebound: The Greatest Dog Story Ever Told is a documentary film that tells the true story of the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska, during a diphtheria outbreak. The serum run involved a relay of dog sled teams transporting life-saving diphtheria antitoxin to Nome to combat the outbreak.
The story is famous for the heroic efforts of the sled dog teams and mushers, particularly the dog Balto and his musher Gunnar Kaasen, who completed the final leg of the journey.
The documentary features interviews with historians and descendants of the original mushers, as well as reenactments of the events. Patrick Stewart provides the narration for the documentary.
If you’re interested in historical documentaries about Alaska and stories of adventure and resilience, “Icebound” is a must-watch.
Life Below Zero (2013-)
Life Below Zero is a documentary television series that premiered on the National Geographic Channel in 2013. The show follows the daily lives of individuals and families who choose to live in the remote wilderness of Alaska, facing the challenges of extreme weather conditions, isolation, and the need for self-sufficiency.
The participants in the show include hunters, trappers, and other individuals who have chosen to live off the grid, away from modern conveniences. They navigate the harsh Alaskan environment, dealing with freezing temperatures, wildlife encounters, and the constant struggle to secure food, shelter, and other necessities.
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Life Below Zero: First Alaskans (2022 -)
Life Below Zero: First Alaskans is the same as Life Below Zero mentioned before but this follows some of the indigenous people of Alaska on their ancient lands who are now facing a new climate of challenges.
This is one of the best docu-series on Alaska that explores the indigenous people of the area.
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Alaska Wing Men (2011–2012)
Alaska Wing Men is a reality documentary television series that focuses on the pilots of Era Alaska, a regional airline that operates in the challenging and often dangerous conditions of Alaska.
You get to know the pilots and crew members of Era Alaska, exploring their day-to-day lives and the challenges they face while flying in one of the most demanding environments in the world.
The series showcases the unique aspect of delivering goods to isolated and hard-to-reach locations in Alaska. This includes transporting everything from food and medical supplies to equipment and passengers.
Alaska is known for its extreme weather conditions, including freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and low visibility. “Alaska Wing Men” captures the pilots’ experiences as they navigate these challenging elements.
Alaska Wing Men employs a documentary-style format, combining interviews, real footage, and narration to present an authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by the pilots and the operations of Era Alaska.
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Alaska State Troopers (2009–2015)
Alaska State Troopers is a documentary television series that follows the daily activities and challenges faced by the Alaska State Troopers, who enforce the law and provide public safety services in the vast and often remote state of Alaska.
The series provides an inside look at the work of the Alaska State Troopers, showcasing their efforts to enforce laws and maintain public safety in the unique and challenging conditions of Alaska.
Alaska is known for its extreme weather, vast wilderness, and diverse terrain. The troopers featured in the show face a wide range of challenges, from conducting search and rescue operations in remote areas to dealing with wildlife encounters and enforcing laws in harsh weather conditions.
Given the vast and rugged landscapes of Alaska, search and rescue missions are a significant part of the troopers’ responsibilities. The show often features dramatic rescues in challenging environments.
Alaska is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears and moose. The troopers must be prepared to handle wildlife encounters, especially in situations where human safety is at risk.
Alaska State Troopers highlights the troopers’ interactions with the communities they serve. This includes both urban areas and remote villages, showcasing the unique aspects of law enforcement in Alaska.
The show sometimes explores the survival skills and training that troopers undergo to navigate the extreme conditions of the Alaskan wilderness.
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Railroad Alaska (2013-)
Railroad Alaska is a reality documentary television series that focuses on the challenges and adventures faced by people living along the remote and often harsh Alaskan Railroad.
The show takes viewers to some of the most isolated and challenging terrains in Alaska, where the railroad serves as a lifeline for transportation and supplies. The areas covered are often inaccessible by road, making the railroad a critical mode of transportation.
You are introduced to the diverse group of people who live in these remote areas. This includes railroad workers, homesteaders, and those who have chosen a more off-grid lifestyle. The challenges of living in such remote locations, including extreme weather conditions and the need for self-sufficiency, are highlighted.
The series often showcases the survival challenges faced by individuals and communities in the Alaskan wilderness. This includes dealing with harsh weather conditions, wildlife encounters, and the difficulties of obtaining essential resources.
While the focus is on the people living along the railroad, the series also provides insights into the operations of the Alaskan Railroad itself. This includes the challenges faced by railroad workers in maintaining and operating the tracks in difficult conditions.
Railroad Alaska follows a documentary style, combining interviews with the residents, footage of their daily lives, and exploration of the unique aspects of living in such a remote and challenging environment.
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Alaska: The Last Frontier (2011–)
Alaska: The Last Frontier is also a reality documentary television series that follows the Kilcher family as they live a self-sufficient lifestyle in the remote wilderness of Alaska.
The show focuses on the Kilcher family, who live on a large homestead just outside of Homer on the Kenai Peninsula. The family members, including patriarch Atz Kilcher and his children, showcase their daily lives and the challenges of living in a remote and rugged environment.
A central theme of the show is the Kilcher family’s commitment to a self-sufficient lifestyle. They hunt, fish, farm, and engage in other subsistence activities to provide for their needs, especially during the harsh Alaskan winters.
You get to witness the seasonal activities of the Kilcher family, such as preparing for winter, harvesting crops, and dealing with the unique challenges presented by each season in the Alaskan wilderness.
Alaska: The Last Frontier also uses a documentary-style format, blending real footage with interviews and narration to present an engaging and informative story.
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The Aleutians: Cradle Of The Storms
The Aleutian Islands are the world’s longest archipelago off the coast of Alaska that stretches for 1,000 miles between Alaska and Siberia.
With a volatile climate and a place where the people fight for survival and territory, the Aleutians have earned the nickname, the cradle of the storms.
This is one of the best documentaries about Alaska that explores the Aleutians.
Alaska
These documentaries about Alaska offer a glimpse into the unique and rugged environment of the state, showcasing its natural beauty, wildlife, and the resilience of those who call the state home.
For more on the state have a look at the 10 best movies about Alaska.
Also, have a read of my travel guide to the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska.
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