Skip to content
MovieCove
Prehistoric Planet

Prehistoric Planet

The epic series returns with a new era.

2022–2025Ended3 seasons15 episodesTV-PGMidcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

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.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Prehistoric Planet?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Prehistoric Planet streaming on Apple TV.

Subscription

Highlights

What stands out about Prehistoric Planet?

Prehistoric Planet earns 4 badges, led by Top 5% of shows and Universally Loved.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Prehistoric Planet worth watching?

Prehistoric Planet's Midcredits score is the 97th percentile of all shows, from 27K ratings across 6 sources. 92% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

97th percentile

Better received than 97% of shows

95th percentile among Documentary97th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)94th
Approval (how many liked it)96th

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

83 /100

94th percentile of all shows

90th percentile among Documentary94th percentile among 2020s

Critics 85 · Audience 83

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

Approval

How many liked it

92% liked it

96th percentile of all shows

95th percentile among Documentary97th percentile among 2020s
92% rated it 7–108% rated it 1–6

Critics 91% · Audience 96%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Reach

How many have seen it

90th percentile

27K ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Documentary92nd percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 6% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The show features groundbreaking, photorealistic CGI that makes dinosaurs look alive, but critics and fans alike note that much of the behavior and detail is speculative.

Fans praised

  • photorealistic CGI and animation that blurs the line between real and digital
  • David Attenborough's authoritative and warm narration
  • portrayal of dinosaurs as real animals, not monsters, with accurate, up-to-date science

Detractors panned

  • presents speculation and guesswork as established fact without scientific caveats
  • slow pacing, lack of action, and abrupt scene endings with no payoff
  • thin on actual scientific explanation, focusing instead on dramatized behavior

What stands out

Effects and spectacle95

CGI is photorealistic, often mistaken for real footage

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 2 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 7 points apart
  • Critics vs users 5 points apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Episodes

3 seasons

Ice Age · 2025 · 5 episodes

  • S3E1

    The Big Freeze

    Nov 26, 202543 min
  • S3E2

    New Lands

    Nov 26, 202536 min
  • S3E3

    Desert Lands

    Nov 26, 202541 min
  • S3E4

    Grass Lands

    Nov 26, 202540 min
  • S3E5

    The Big Melt

    Nov 26, 202541 minFinale

Watch experience

What is Prehistoric Planet like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and charged — a slow-burn watch that leaves you fired up.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ContemplativeTriumphant
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Awestruck · 3% of shows: Wonder at something vast or marvelous.Adventurous · 15% of shows
Told as
Unscripted · 15% of showsNew arc each season
ToneThe series treats its prehistoric subjects with the reverent, awe-filled wonder of a nature documentary, using majestic cinematography and a soaring score to inspire amazement.
The rideThe series maintains a steady mix of awe-inspiring spectacle and quiet observation, never straying far from a contemplative wonder.
StructureThe series presents its segments without any narrative devices like nonlinear chronology or frame stories.
Episode formatEach episode follows the fixed format of a nature documentary: a habitat-themed segment sequence narrated by David Attenborough, with no continuing story or characters.
Season formatEach of the three seasons is a self-contained set of episodes focused on different habitats and creatures, with no overarching serialized story across seasons.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Rousing · 9% of showsHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe breathtaking spectacle and affirmation of life's resilience leaves viewers inspired and filled with wonder.
How it ends · evidence
Cyclical ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 40% of shows: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeThe series is a non-narrative nature documentary, not following a plot archetype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9% (this title): Survival 12% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% (this title) · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Survival

Survival · 12% of showsNature · 3% of shows
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores how dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures survive, hunt, mate, and raise young in the Cretaceous world, emphasizing their behavior as living animals rather than monsters.
StanceThe series observes the daily lives of individual dinosaurs and creatures with no judgment or moral lesson, presenting survival as a neutral fact of nature.

The world

PrehistoricWildernessScience fiction
Orchestral classicalOrchestral modernForeground music · original score · Hans Zimmer
SettingEarth, 66 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous
MusicA sweeping, cinematic score by Hans Zimmer, Anze Rozman, and Kara Talve that elevates the visuals with emotional gravitas.

Content guide

Is Prehistoric Planet okay for kids?

TV-PG

Prehistoric Planet is rated TV-PG. As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (36/100), sexual content at mild (17/100), language at minimal (0/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (0/100) and frightening material at moderate (40/100). Overall it is heavier than 29% of TV-PG shows.

Ratings in 43 other countries
  • UKPG
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany6
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandPG
  • New ZealandPG
  • South KoreaALL
  • Brazil10
  • ArgentinaSAM 13
  • Austria6
  • Belgium12
  • BG12
  • CLI7
  • Czechia9+
  • Denmark7
  • FinlandK7
  • Greece8
  • Hungary6
  • IDSU
  • IndiaU/A 7+
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-7
  • LUTous
  • MexicoA
  • MYP13
  • Netherlands6
  • Norway9
  • PhilippinesG
  • Poland7
  • PortugalT
  • PRTV-PG
  • Russia6+
  • SingaporePG
  • SK7
  • South AfricaPG
  • Spain7
  • SwedenFrån 7 år
  • Switzerland6
  • Taiwan6+
  • THท
  • UA9+
  • VITV-PG
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 11% of all showsHeavier than 29% of TV-PG shows
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a TV-PG show
heavier than 51%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
light for a TV-PG show
heavier than 19%
Profanity
None / Minimal
light for a TV-PG show
heavier than 1%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a TV-PG show
heavier than 1%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a TV-PG show
heavier than 58%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 58% of TV-PG shows.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Prehistoric Planet have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Prehistoric Planet?

Cast

David Attenborough
as Self
Tom Hiddleston
as Self - Narrator

Crew

More like this

What are shows like Prehistoric Planet?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Prehistoric Planet include Life on Our Planet (2023), Walking with Dinosaurs (2025) and The Dinosaurs (2026).

Like this, but

Explore by

What other shows share a tag with Prehistoric Planet?

715 other shows share the rarest tag below, kind of show: nature documentary. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.