Ocean: With David Attenborough has grossed £2,526,000 at the global box office – the most of any documentary in 2025.

The new production, which was released on the British icon’s 99th birthday on May 8, has captivated audiences across the globe.

Dubbed the ‘greatest message he’s ever told’, the movie sees Sir David delve further than ever before into ‘the most important place on earth’ – its oceans.

The environmentalist argues that our seas are at a crossroads after being damaged by pollution and bottom trawling, but Sir David affirms that ‘they can bounce back’.

And the film has been as popular as its producers anticipated, grossing £1.16million in the UK and Ireland and a staggering £2.5million globally.

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Sir David Attenborough’s new film released on his 99th birthday and has grossed more than £2.5million at the global box office

Ocean: With David Attenborough sees the environmentalist delve further than ever before into the ‘the most important place on earth’ – its oceans

The film displays never-seen-before footage of the damage that bottom trawling – a common fishing practice around the world – has done to the seabed

The film has broken into the top 25 grossing theatrically released documentaries of all time. 

Following its success, directors Paul Newman, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield said: ‘We’re incredible proud to see Ocean: With David Attenborough embraced by audiences worldwide and making box office history. 

‘This film was created for the big screen – to immerse viewers in the beauty and fragility of our ocean as never seen before seen – and its success shows this timely story resonates. 

‘As the UN Ocean Conference approaches, we hope the film and David Attenborough’s powerful message continue to inspire global conversation and action for the ocean.’

Produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet studios, the film displays never-seen-before footage of the damage that bottom trawling – a common fishing practice around the world – has done to the seabed.

The footage shows how the chain that trawlers drag behind them scours the seafloor, forcing the creatures it disturbs into the net behind.

The process also releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the sea, something which contributes to global warming.

Sir David examined inspirational stories of ocean recovery in areas where destructive fishing is banned – such as the Isle of Arran, Scotland and Hawaii.

Keith Scholey, Colin Butfield and Paul Newman [L-R] produced the new film 

Sir David will examine inspirational stories of ocean recovery in areas where destructive fishing is banned – such as the Isle of Arran, Scotland and Hawaii

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The broadcasting icon contends that ‘the ocean can recover faster than we can ever imagine’.

But ‘we are running out of time’, he argues as he candidly admitted he may not be around to see our oceans saved as he ‘nears the end of his life’.

During the heartbreaking admission, he shared: ‘When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity.

‘Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true. After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.’

‘Today, it is in such poor health I would find it hard not to lose hope were it not for the most remarkable discovery of all,’ he continued.

‘If we save the sea, we save our world. After a lifetime of filming our planet, I’m sure nothing is more important.’

Sir David further made a reference to his years on Earth as he opened up about the extraordinary ocean discoveries from over the decades and how important it is to preserve the health of the oceans.

He said: ‘My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man. 

Sir David Attenborough made the heartbreaking admission that he is ‘near the end of his life’ in a trailer for the movie 

‘In this film, we share some of those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can be restored to health. This could be the moment of change.

‘Nearly every country on Earth has just agreed, on paper, to achieve this bare minimum and protect a third of the ocean.

‘Together, we now face the challenge of making it happen.’

The Discovery+ series also features historical footage, including scenes from back in 1957 when the animal lover first attempted scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef.