Hold onto your binoculars—Ryan Reynolds is taking you into the weird and wonderful world of nature’s most overlooked animals. From his Emmy-winning Maximum Effort and BAFTA-winning Wildstar Films, the all-new Underdogs National Geographic series debuts June 15, 2025 at 9/8c on Nat Geo, simulcasts on ABC, and streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
A New Breed of Wildlife Series
Unlike traditional wildlife documentaries, Underdogs celebrates nature’s “Z-listers”—the oddballs, outcasts, and underappreciated animals who play surprisingly vital roles in their ecosystems. Narrated by Reynolds, the five-part series is packed with quirky humor, groundbreaking footage, and unexpected insight.
Each episode explores a unique theme:
- “Superzeroes”: Meet animals with mind-blowing superpowers, from bubble-blasting pistol shrimp to the invisible glass frog.
- “Terrible Parents”: Witness nature’s most questionable parenting choices—like koalas feeding poop to their babies.
- “Sexy Beasts”: Discover bizarre mating rituals from turkey wingmen to foreplay-loving flying foxes. (Viewer Discretion Advised)
- “The Unusual Suspects”: Get to know deceptive masters like a jackal that bites butts and a macaque that cons tourists.
- “Total Grossout”: Dive into nature’s nastiest habits—like manatees who float with farts and glowing mucus traps.
Wild Soundtrack, Witty Delivery
Award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams scores the series, while Green Day contributes the original theme song “Underdog,” featured in the trailer and on their deluxe album Saviors. The soundtrack drops June 13 via Hollywood Records.
In true Reynolds fashion, the humor is as sharp as the visuals. “We’re so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain,” says Reynolds.
Animal Stars Take Center Stage
Produced by National Geographic, Maximum Effort, and Wildstar Films, Underdogs offers more than laughs. It sheds light on animal resilience, survival instincts, and biodiversity, highlighting rarely seen species filmed in locations like New Zealand’s glowing grub caves.
The series joins Nat Geo’s legacy of stunning, insightful storytelling—this time with a bold new twist.
