National Geographic is starting 2026 with one of its strongest January lineups in years. The month blends cinematic documentaries, returning fan favorites, and globe-spanning exploration. Many of these premieres debut first on National Geographic or Nat Geo WILD before streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu, making January a must-watch month for documentary fans.
From Bertie Gregory’s breathtaking wildlife work to Will Smith’s ambitious journey across all seven continents, this slate reinforces why National Geographic remains a cornerstone of Disney’s streaming strategy.
Cheetahs Up Close with Bertie Gregory
Premieres January 1 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu. Bertie Gregory heads to the Serengeti as the great wildebeest migration begins. His mission is to document the world’s fastest land animal, the cheetah. Along the way, he captures intimate moments with a mother raising her cubs and a coalition of males executing precision hunts. The result is a powerful look at speed, survival, and the unexpected challenges cheetahs face in the wild.
The Tale of Silyan
Premieres January 8 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu. From the Oscar-nominated director of Honeyland, this visually arresting film tells the story of Nikola, a Macedonian farmer caught between tradition and change. When economic pressures force his family to leave, Nikola forms an unlikely bond with an injured white stork named Silyan. The film quietly explores climate change, migration, and resilience through deeply human storytelling.
Pole to Pole with Will Smith
Series premiere January 13 at 9/8c on National Geographic
Streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu
Five years in the making, Pole to Pole with Will Smith follows Will Smith across all seven continents during a 100-day global expedition. From Antarctica’s icefields to the Amazon rainforest, the series combines bold adventure with environmental storytelling and cultural discovery.
Episode Highlights
The South Pole – January 13 at 9/8c
Will faces brutal sub-zero temperatures while meeting scientists working at the edge of human endurance.
- The Amazon: Deadly Creatures – January 13 at 10/9c
Despite a lifelong fear of spiders, Will ventures into the Amazon to extract venom from tarantulas. - The Amazon: Dark Waters – January 20 at 9/8c
Will joins the Waorani people in search of the giant green anaconda. - The Himalayas – January 20 at 10/9c
In Bhutan, Will searches for happiness while confronting personal limits. - The Pacific Islands – January 27 at 9/8c
A journey to a remote island threatened by rising seas leads to the preservation of a disappearing language. - The Kalahari Desert – January 27 at 10/9c
Will learns survival techniques from the San people, with humbling results.
Additional January Premieres
Incredible Northern Vets – Season 2
Premieres January 3 at 9/8c on Nat Geo WILD
Returning National Geographic Favorites
Several popular National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD series return in January:
- Inside the Enchanted Waterways – Returns January 2 at 8/7c on Nat Geo WILD
- Aussie Snake Wranglers: Deadly Pursuit – Returns January 4 at 9/8c on Nat Geo WILD
- To Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Returns January 7 at 10/9c on National Geographic
- WWII: Secrets From Above Season 3 – Returns January 9 at 9 a.m. ET on National Geographic
- Discovered by Disaster – Returns January 15 at 9/8c on National Geographic
National Geographic Shines in January 2026
This January lineup highlights National Geographic’s strength in immersive storytelling. Whether it is intimate wildlife encounters, human resilience, or global exploration, these premieres are designed to be experienced on the big screen and revisited on Disney+. For Disney bundle subscribers, National Geographic remains one of the most compelling reasons to keep Disney+ on the watchlist all month long.
