Lately, there's been a slew of negative news stemming from all corners of the world, from last week's Manchester attack to Olivia Newton-John's cancer diagnosis. It's hard not to pay attention to these reports because they are a part of our reality and end up making headlines everywhere but you can surely take a break from them, even if it is for a short while.
A surefire way to distract yourself from all the depressing news is to sit back, relax and watch a movie or show.
Nowadays, when someone mentions watching something Netflix is the first to come to mind and for good reasons. Netflix is extremely popular for its binge-worthy shows, movies and documentaries. The streaming service's catalogue is filled with entertaining programming from comic-book based shows to stand-up comedy and drama so there's a little something for everyone even our fellow animal lovers.
There's been a great selection of animal-themed programming that are guaranteed to take your mind of everything else that's going on around you. You can start with the 6 from the list below:
1. Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks
This documentary is a heartwarming and insightful look into the life of a gorilla at the San Francisco Zoo named Koko and a Stanford University student Penny Patterson, who taught the ape how to "talk" through sign language.
2. Secret Life Of Pets
If you've ever wondered what your pet does behind your back then this movie is for you. The computer animated comedy follows a Jack Russell Terrier named Max and his furry buddies as they embark on an adventure to save their owners from an angry animal gang led by a revengeful bunny named Snowball.
3. The Lion In Your Living Room
If you're a cat owner, then this feel-good documentary is a must-watch. The Lion in Your Living Room is both informative and entertaining and gives the viewer a glimpse into "how cats perceive the world" and why they act the way they do.
4. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
One thing that everyone loves about Netflix is their selection of classic movies that would be hard to obtain otherwise. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is one of those classic movies that will lift up your mood through its heartwarming and funny story. The film is about three pets on a mission to find their owners after they mistakenly believe they were abandoned. The movie delivers a strong message about the importance of family and the unconditional love pets have for their owners.
5. Blackfish
Blackfish is a powerful documentary about Tilikum, a captive killer whale that lived at SeaWorld. The docufilm gives the viewer a glimpse into the negative consequences of the orca's captivity including its relationship with the humans around him. This is the documentary that started the backlash over SeaWorld's treatment of the mammals.
6. Planet Earth: The Complete Collection
Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you have surely heard of the award-winning mini-series, Planet Earth. Thankfully, the complete collection is currently available on Netflix for all your binging needs. The beautifully filmed documentary explores the wonders of nature through high-definition footage that transports the viewer from "the Himalayan Mountains to the depths of the ocean and everywhere in between."
