Nature documentaries have a bit of a reputation. Maybe you’ve sat through one—beautiful, sure, but glacially slow, filled with poetic narration and endless shots of grass swaying in the wind.
You’re waiting for the “wow” moment, only to realize it’s been 12 minutes of a beetle crawling across a leaf. If you’ve ever thought, “I want to learn about nature, but I don’t want to fall asleep,” then Underdogs is for you.
Or rather, Underdogs is for you if you can handle the wild side of the animal kingdom, mixed with some serious sarcasm and a few facts that’ll make your jaw drop.
A Documentary for People Who Don’t Like Documentaries
Let’s start with what it’s not: Underdogs is not slow. It doesn’t lull you into a trance with violin music and overuse of the word “majestic.” It’s not trying to make you cry (though it might make you gasp). It’s not sanitized or sugar-coated either. This is nature—raw, funny, messy, and sometimes brutal.
From surprise attacks to predatory takedowns, this series doesn’t shy away from the truth of survival. Some animals don’t make it. Some victories are ugly. And no, not everyone lives happily ever after. It’s not exactly for all ages—there are a few “ew” and “yikes” moments that younger viewers or more sensitive animal lovers might not be ready for. But don’t worry, it doesn’t lean into shock factor or cruelty. It’s honest, and sometimes a little gross, but never gratuitous.
Ryan Reynolds Makes It Even Wilder
So what does it have? For starters, Ryan Reynolds—executive producer and narrator, bringing his signature dry, sarcastic humor to every scene.
If you’ve seen Deadpool, you’ll feel right at home. If you haven’t… just be prepared for a nature documentary that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you don’t enjoy sharp wit or dark humor, this might not be your herbal tree frog tea cup.
But for the rest of us? It’s hilarious, informative, and surprisingly addictive.
Why You’ll Actually Want to Finish This One
The best part? Underdogs does something very few documentaries pull off: it keeps you watching. After the first episode, you’ll want more. It doesn’t just show you animals—it introduces you to characters. Animals with weird habits, funny defenses, and genuinely impressive survival skills. Some of them you’ve heard of but never truly appreciated. Others are brand new discoveries that will have you googling them mid-episode just to make sure they’re real.
And yes, you will learn things that stick with you, like the fact that honey badgers are basically nature’s tanks. Their skin is so thick and loose that bee stings, porcupine quills, and snake bites don’t faze them. If that’s not impressive, we don’t know what is.
Each episode has jaw-dropping facts, bizarre behaviors, and real “how is this even real?” moments. It’s the kind of show that sneaks education into entertainment so well, you don’t even realize how much you’ve learned until you start telling your friends about wombats’ cube-shaped poop at brunch.
More Than Entertainment, It’s a New Way to Look at Nature
In a world of slick, polished documentaries that sometimes prioritize beauty over honesty, Underdogs delivers the truth with a wink—and that’s precisely why it works. It’s not trying to be the most graceful or profound. It’s trying to show you the real, weird, and wildly creative ways life survives. It celebrates the fighters, the survivors, and yes, the losers too, because even they have something to teach us.
Whether you love nature docs, can’t stand them, or never thought you’d finish one, Underdogs is the exception. It’s bright, sharp, slightly unhinged—and unforgettable.
Now streaming on Disney+. Just don’t blame us when you start rooting for a rat.
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