Our TOP 10 Jane Goodall Documentaries to Keep Her Legacy Alive

Dr. Jane Goodall dedicated her life to conservation and education, spending over 60 years studying chimpanzees in the Gombe Stream National Park. As Dr. Goodall’s career took shape, so did video technology, allowing us at home to not only hear about her discoveries, but see them come to life before our eyes. There are over 40 documentary movies and series that documented her studies, her calls to action, and her infectious enthusiasm for our fellow creatures on this earth.

Here are our TOP 10 documentaries that feature Dr. Goodall; we hope they inspire you and aide you in the grieving process. Jane – you were a pioneer and your impact will be felt for generations. Thank you.

Jane (2017)

The life and work of the renowned primatology scientist, Jane Goodall, especially on her research about chimpanzees.

Dir. Brett Morgan

Watch: Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video

More info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7207238/

Surviving Progress (2011)

Stephen Hawking, Jane Goodall, Margaret Atwood and others weigh in with their thoughts on whether the pitfalls of progress could actually destroy civilization instead of help it.

Dir. Harold Crooks and Mathieu Roy

Watch: The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video

More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surviving_Progress

Seed: The Untold Story (2016)

Few things on Earth are as miraculous and vital as seeds. Worshipped and treasured since the dawn of humankind. In the last century, 94% of our seed varieties have disappeared. SEED: The Untold Story follows passionate seed keepers protecting our 12,000 year-old food legacy. As biotech chemical companies control the majority of our seeds, farmers, scientists, lawyers, and indigenous seed keepers fight a David and Goliath battle to defend the future of our food. In a harrowing and heartening story, these heroes rekindle a lost connection to our most treasured resource and revive a culture connected to seeds. SEED features Vandana Shiva, Dr. Jane Goodall, Andrew Kimbrell, Winona Laduke and Raj Patel.

Dir. Taggart Siegel and Jon Betz

Watch: Vimeo, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video

More info: https://www.seedthemovie.com/

Jane and Payne (2016)

Dr. Jane Goodall and Roger Payne have long admired one another. Both have made stunning breakthrough discoveries in the field of wildlife biology, and are passionate conservationists. Dr. Jane is known for her work with chimpanzees, Roger Payne for his work with whales. So what would it be like to pair these two amazing animal observers and activists together?

Dir. Boy Olmi

Watch: Netflix

More info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6999100/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_jane%2520and%2520payne

Jane Goodall: The Hope (2020)

As the 60th anniversary of her arrival to the chimpanzee kingdom in Gombe approaches, Dr. Jane Goodall spends time with her family in Tanzania and returns to her wild Eden.

Dir. Elizabeth Leiter and Kimberly Woodard

Watch: Disney+, fuboTV

More info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12137534/

Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees (2002)

A cinematic portrait of the great zoologist and the chimpanzees she has spent a lifetime studying.

Dir. David Lickley

Watch: Amazon Prime Video, PBS.org

More info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0322820/

People of the Forest: The Chimps of Gombe (1988)

A nature documentary about chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, Tanzania.

Dir. Hugo Van Lawick

Watch: Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

More info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0256263/

Jane’s Journey (2010)

More than 20 years ago, Dr. Jane Goodall, now 75, decided to give up her career as a primatologist, as well as her private life, in order to devote all her energy to saving our endangered planet. Since then she’s been spending 300 days a year scouring the globe on her mission to spread hope for future generations.

Dir. Lorenz Knauer

Watch: Tubi, Apple TV

More info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1326283/

Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope (2023)

Jane Goodall: Reasons For Hope is an uplifting journey with stories to inspire people to make a difference in the world. Three different conservation stories illustrate Jane’s pillars of hope.

Dir. David Lickley

Watch: Use this link https://reasonsforhope-movie.com/find-a-theater/ to find a theater near you!

More info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28288462/