Ocean with David Attenborough has stormed the UK and Irish box office, earning an unprecedented £573,551 on its opening weekend—making it the highest-grossing nature documentary debut of all time in the region and the biggest documentary opening of the decade.
Released on May 8 to coincide with Sir David Attenborough’s 99th birthday, the film was shown in a record-breaking 580 cinemas across the UK and Ireland—the widest documentary release ever for the territory. The premiere, held on May 6 in London, was graced by both Attenborough and King Charles III.
Directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield, Ocean takes audiences on a stunning, immersive journey beneath the waves, highlighting the oceans as the Earth’s most vital ecosystem. Narrated by Attenborough, the film combines sweeping underwater cinematography with urgent ecological messaging—showcasing coral reefs, kelp forests, and open ocean life while spotlighting environmental threats such as bottom trawling and coral bleaching.
The film has struck a cultural chord, igniting public discussion and widespread praise from activists, conservationists, and celebrities. Marine charities have heralded the film’s never-before-seen footage of destructive fishing techniques as a wake-up call, arriving just weeks before the UN Ocean Conference in Nice.
Astronaut Tim Peake called it “the most powerful call to action yet by Sir David,” while Cara Delevingne urged audiences to witness the film’s unflinching look at the over-exploitation of our seas. Earthrise CEO Alice Aedy called the documentary “a masterpiece.”
Ocean has now overtaken Amy as distributor Altitude’s biggest documentary opening and surpassed Attenborough’s 2020 hit A Life on Our Planet. Altitude praised the film’s success as a testament to Attenborough’s enduring influence and cinema’s power to inspire change.
Produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios, the documentary features executive production from global partners including National Geographic, Minderoo Pictures, and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Ocean with David Attenborough will stream globally on Disney+ starting June 8, aligning with World Oceans Day.
