Official Trailer for ‘How to Live on Earth’ Cumberbatch’s Optimistic Doc

by Alex Billington
June 15, 2026
Source: YouTube

🌎 “What if the answer to our biggest challenges has been here all along? Welcome to the world’s greatest how-to video!” Open Planet has revealed their main official trailer for the documentary titled How to Live on Earth, presented by and featuring actor Benedict Cumberbatch. This is primarily only getting a UK theatrical release this summer before it’s on YouTube later in the year. And strangely it hasn’t played at any festivals yet despite being a good one to show. How to Live on Earth is an ambitious, visionary doc film that explores our vital connection to nature and its role in our future. Unlike many other depressing docs about climate change, this one is optimistic. “Heart-warming, entertaining, energising, the film presents a hopeful vision of a future within reach – one in which nature thrives, and so do we. Lead contributors include Xiye Bastida, a climate justice activist, Dan O’Neill, a field biologist, wildlife filmmaker, and explorer, and Sam Kass, a former White House chef & senior policy advisor on nutrition, who all share fascinating stories that bring to life the extraordinary value of nature and the jeopardy of a world without it.” Sounds good. I hope this film can actually encourage people to really make a difference & take better care of this beautiful planet.

Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Fredi Devas’ doc How to Live on Earth, direct from YouTube:

How to Live on Earth is a visionary documentary that explores our vital connection to nature and its role in our future. Presented by Benedict Cumberbatch, this ultimate “how-to guide” features inspirational, cutting-edge stories and powerful cinematography to show us how humans are learning to team up with nature to solve our biggest challenges. Heart-warming, entertaining, energising, it presents a hopeful vision of a future within reach – one in which nature thrives, and so do we. Lead contributors include Xiye Bastida, a climate justice activist, Dan O’Neill, a field biologist, wildlife filmmaker, and explorer, and Sam Kass, a former White House chef and senior policy advisor on nutrition, who all share fascinating stories that bring to life the extraordinary value of nature and the jeopardy of a world without it. How to Live on Earth is directed by nature doc filmmaker Fredi Devas, director of the doc film Antarctica and work on “Planet Earth II” & Seven Worlds One Planet” previously. Produced by Fredi Devas & Jonnie Hughes. Open Planet debuts Devas’ How to Live on Earth doc in UK cinemas starting on June 26th, 2026 this summer. It’ll also be available on YouTube later this year. For more info, visit the film’s official site. Want to watch?

Read more posts in: Documentaries, To Watch, Trailer