
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Icy Coast
By Polly Conway,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Docu explores ecosystems that thrive in chilly weather.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Icy Coast
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
When we think about coastal life, it's often tropical beaches and golden sands -- but the colder climes have just as much to offer. Icy Coast explores the chillier regions of the globe and the animal life that thrives there. Lots of fascinating facts are shared here; for example, seal pups can gain up to 2 kilograms a day, while penguins produce "milk" in their throats and pass it along to their chicks. Cold water is also more oxygenated than warm, allowing for marine life to thrive, including deep water corals and jellyfish. Fish also come to the icy coast to breed, creating a smorgasboard for birds (and creating commercial fishing hotspots in the process).
Is It Any Good?
This solid documentary examines coastal life in the coldest parts of the world, and it's suprisingly vibrant and lively. Many animals are supported by the cold, like penguins and seals, both of whom are filmed beautifully from birth through adulthood. It's a little dry, with gentle, slow narration from a male British voice. But if you're interested in exploring a part of the world that might be a little too cold to visit, there's lots to learn about here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about nature. Why is it that some animals need cold weather, while others like it warm?
Do you live near a coast? What bodies of water have you seen in your life? What kind of animals or fish lived there?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 26, 2020
- Director: Doclights
- Studio: Doclights
- Genre: Documentary
- Run time: 49 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: March 3, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate