Octos on Screen: Octopus Docs for Divers and Ocean Lovers

We love octos here in BC. And we’re not alone—there’s a lot of cephalopodic content available in the streaming world. Whether you’re fascinated by their camouflage, their curiosity, or just how downright strange (and beautiful) they are, octopuses make for unforgettable viewing.

These three standout documentaries each take a different approach: one playful and quirky, one traditionally stunning, and one deeply emotional. Together, they show just how much we still have to learn from one of the ocean’s most intelligent—and mysterious—inhabitants.

Octopus! – Amazon Prime (2025)

Filming locations: Pacific Northwest, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia

This two-part series is smart, strange, and full of character—narrated by Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and brought to life with humour and style. It follows the life story of “Doris,” a fictional Giant Pacific Octopus, whose adventures are intercut with real science and jaw-dropping footage of octopuses in the wild.

With adorable animation, interviews, and a few unexpected storytelling flourishes (including some poignant insights from comedian Tracy Morgan), it’s easily the funniest entry on this list. But don’t let the tone fool you—there’s solid research and fascinating findings beneath the surface. 

Secrets of the Octopus – Disney+ / National Geographic (2024)

Filming locations: British Columbia, Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia, Costa Rica

Executive produced by James Cameron and narrated by Paul Rudd, this series is classic Nat Geo—big budget, beautifully shot, and packed with extraordinary footage. Each episode highlights a different octopus species and the remarkable ways they adapt to their environment.

For BC divers, the local connection makes it even better. Underwater cinematographer Maxwel Hohn and octopus expert Krystal Janicki, both based on Vancouver Island, helped capture amazing footage of the GPO in local waters. Their work brings a rich layer of authenticity and familiarity to the series. If you want to see octopuses at their most awe-inspiring, this is the one.

My Octopus Teacher – Netflix (2020)

Filming location: South Africa

This Oscar-winning documentary tells the story of Craig Foster, a filmmaker who began daily freedives in the kelp forests near Cape Town and ended up forming a bond with a wild octopus. Over the course of a year, he documents her life—her hunting techniques, narrow escapes, and eventual decline—while reflecting on his own emotional journey.

It’s the most personal and poetic of the three, less about marine biology and more about connection and relationships between people and nature. Filmed entirely while freediving, it has a quiet intimacy that lingers long after the credits roll.