What are the best educational Netflix shows? We’ve gathered the top 50! Whether you’re showcasing these to students in the classroom or using them as part of a distance learning curriculum, these are the best options currently streaming.
Note to teachers: Some schools block Netflix, which requires you to use Netflix’s offline feature to download preferred shows and use them during class. When it comes to the legality of streaming Netflix in the classroom, the company notes which media are available for educational screenings. Also, grade recommendations were made by our editorial team, but of course, you are always the best judge of the appropriateness for your own children and students.
Best educational Netflix shows for elementary school
Ask the Storybots
The only thing more curious than the bots are kids. Celebrity appearances and a music video at the end of each episode only add to the fun.
Brainchild
This science-based show answers all sorts of questions kids tend to ask.
Buddi
With kindness, curiosity and childlike wonder, five best friends explore their colorful world and find the extraordinary in everyday things.
Dream Big
This compelling documentary showcases some of the world’s biggest engineering achievements.
Earth to Luna
Curious about everything and excited about science, 6-year-old Luna, her brother Jupiter and pet Clyde explore nature to learn about the world.
Emily’s Wonder Lab
Emily Caladrelli shares science experiments to help make STEAM fun!
Ghost of the Mountains
Travel with filmmakers as they head to the highest plateau on Earth to find the elusive snow leopard.
Growing Up Wild
Five baby animals in different parts of the world grow up learning to survive the wild.
If I Were an Animal
Observe different animals as they age from babies to adults.
Learning Songs by Little Baby Bum
Adorable songs that include “Baby Shark,” “Five Little Monsters Jumping on the Bed,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and more!
The Magic School Bus
When a science concept just isn’t clicking for your students … Ms. Frizzle to the rescue! Stream episodes on the human body, gardening, weather, and more.
Number Blocks
Follow the Number Blocks as they work and sing in Numberland.
Octonauts
If you teach about the ocean, chances are there’s an Octonauts episode related to your unit.
Pocoyo
Follow the exploits of a fun-loving, curious little boy who loves to play and explore.
White Fang
Have students compare the film version to the classic novel of the same name.
Word Party
Meet Bailey, Franny, Kip, and Lulu, four cute and adorable baby animals, who want you to join in with the fun and help them learn.
Word Party Songs
These short videos (3-4 minutes each) teach opposites, colors, and more. Perfect for daily openers or brain breaks!
The Who Was? Show
Based on the popular book series, this live-action sketch-comedy show brings important historical figures, like King Tut, Marie Antoinette, and Pablo Picasso, to life in an entertaining and hilarious way.
Best educational Netflix shows for middle school
A Life on Our Planet
This documentary follows David Attenborough, a famed naturalist, who maps how steeply the planet’s biodiversity has diminished over his lifetime.
A Plastic Ocean
Documentary filmmaker Craig Leeson discovers a startling amount of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.
A Year in Space
Follow astronaut Scott Kelly’s year on the International Space Station.
Amelia: A Tale of Two Sisters
Eight decades after her disappearance, Amelia Earhart’s incredible accomplishments are still celebrated, thanks in large part to her sister Muriel.
Big Miracle
A biographical drama based on a true story. Drew Barrymore stars in this film about a reporter writing about whales trapped in the Arctic Circle.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Based on the book of the same name, this movie tells the real-life story of William Kamkwamba, who saved his village by inventing a windmill.
Carmen Sandiego
That’s right, gumshoes! The story of the legendary professional thief has been remixed into a cartoon series. But in this iteration, Carmen is trying to thwart evil. Those of us who grew up playing the computer game and watching the game show will love introducing the globe-trotting Carmen to a new generation of kids.
Cutest Animals
Discover 72 of the cutest animals on earth and how their adorable features help protect them.
I am Kalam
Introduce students to other cultures with this film about a child who is inspired by the life of India’s president.
Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History
Comedian Kevin Hart uses his silliness for good, teaching viewers about some of history’s unsung black heroes.
The Mars Generation
Teenagers at NASA’s Space Camp dream of traveling to Mars while experts reflect on the future and history of NASA.
My Octopus Teacher
Follow filmmaker Craig Foster as he spends a year forging a relationship with a wild common octopus in a South African kelp forest.
Night on Earth
New technology showcases the hidden lives of nocturnal creatures.
Oh Yuck
A fast-paced, fact-laden exploration of the science behind weird and gross subjects.
Operation Ouch
Twins Dr. Chris and Dr. Xand van Tulleken explore their way through the world of medicine and biology through hospital visits and emergency rooms.
The Short Game
Introduce students to the world of sports with these star golf athletes who are still in grade school.
The Speed Cubers
Follow the lives of speedcubing champions Max Park and Feliks Zemdegs, culminating with their attending the World Cube Association’s World Championships 2019.
Spelling the Dream
A documentary that explores the unbroken Indian-American dominance of the U.S. spelling bee arena.
Tiny Creatures
Small animals embark on big adventures in a dramatic nature series that explores their hidden worlds and epic survival stories.
Unstoppable
Follow Bethany Hamilton, best known for returning to her life as a professional surfer after losing her arm in a shark attack.
Best educational Netflix shows for high school
Abstract
Inspire the creatives in your classroom with this eight-episode documentary series on some of the world’s foremost designers, including photographer Platon, graphic designer Paula Scher, and sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield.
Bill Nye Saves the World
In this wacky talk show, the popular educator explores scientific topics in the everyday world, including climate change, video games, and space travel.
Bill Nye: Science Guy
Bill Nye faces climate-change skeptics as he demonstrates the importance of scientific evidence.
Dangerous Animals
Find out the 72 most deadly creatures on earth!
Explained
In less than 20 minutes, the show tackles various topics, from the water crisis to the racial wealth gap, in an accessible way. Be sure to preview episodes, as some are not suitable for the classroom.
Human Nature
A film documentary that presents an in-depth description of the gene-editing process of CRISPR, and its possible implications.
Inside Bill’s Brain
Take a trip inside the mind of billionaire Bill Gates as he opens up about those who influenced him and the audacious goals he’s still pursuing.
The Mind, Explained
Ever wonder what’s happening inside your head? From dreaming to anxiety disorders, discover how your brain works.
Our Planet
This Netflix series is a lot like Planet Earth, except it urgently calls for viewers to think about the ways that human actions are putting the nature and animals the series covers in peril.
The Social Dilemma
This documentary-drama follows a group of tech experts who sound the alarm on the dangerous human impact of social networking.
The Twilight Zone
“I use it to teach irony (‘Time Enough at Last’), scapegoating (‘Monsters Are Due on Maple Street’), and conformity (‘The Eye of the Beholder’). I’ve also used episodes as a quick, fun, shared experience for us to look at setting, conflict, and/or theme.” —Jacky B.
The Universe
Discover the secrets of the universe: from black holes to distant planets.
What Netflix shows, movies, or documentaries do you use in your classroom? Come share in ourWeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
