Underland

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1:17

Underland

Jun 2026

1h 19m

Documentary

Nature

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Popcornmeter

100%

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29 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

We know so little of the world beneath our feet. To most it is a place only of fear and darkness, though to a brave few it is one of knowledge and wonder to be found nowhere else. Based on the bestselling book by Robert Macfarlane, from production companies Sandbox Films, Protozoa Pictures, Planet Octopus Studios and Spring Films, UNDERLAND is a cinematic documentary that voyages into worlds rarely glimpsed by human eyes. Beginning in the shallow soils beneath an old ash tree, we travel alongside several 'astronauts of the underworld' into ancient sacred caves, flooded storm drains, melting glaciers, underwater burial chambers and a deep underground laboratory built to solve the mysteries of the Universe. Narrated by Oscar-nominated Sandra Hüller, and with a uniquely poetic approach, UNDERLAND is a deep dive into the Earth that ultimately presents a groundbreaking vision for rethinking our lives on this fragile surface.

Sarah Fensom

Sight & Sound

Jul 17

Underland is less concerned with information than it is wonder and at its best, it seeks to put the viewer in this state.

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Kimber Myers

Crooked Marquee

Jun 9

B

This quiet, beautiful nonfiction film isn’t quite as deep as it wants to be, but it’s still a thoughtful expedition into the dark.

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Manohla Dargis

New York Times

Jun 4

This is that rare movie that could do with a longer running time, which would, perhaps, give it greater depth.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

Jun 13

4/5

Most religions identify caves as sacred interfaces between natural and supernatural, using them for meditation, ritual, burial, and spiritual enlightenment.

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Josh Goller

Spectrum Culture

Jun 11

3/5

Underland verges on too slight despite its profound contemplations, never dwelling on its subjects, instead allowing them to bubble to the surface before moving on.

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Christopher Campbell

Nonfics (Substack)

Jun 5

In addition to all that Underland makes viewers think about with its themes involving space, time, myth, mystery, memory, physical relics, and theoretical "ghosts," the film offers a magnificent visual and aural experience.

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Anita M

Jul 28

Is not what we expected.

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Les N

@Vegas628 Jun 24

I wish I knew what they meant.

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Avindu G

@RT86379654 Jun 20

A three-front mission to the place under the Earth's skin. The place where the breaths of history are archived in cold. It's where the trash from the top has slipped through cracks to rot unjudged. Underland is audibly scintillating and narrated well. Authentic with the substance and interviews, the tone of the story on all three fronts runs in parallel to one another. Passing murals through tight breaches and fleeing toxic traps, this earthly journey reminds how the ultimate force silently observes, bears the brunt but surely adapts a course that surface dwellers deserve.

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Edward S

@EdSin Jun 20

Really fascinating, gorgeous to look at, and the soundtrack creates an amazing atmosphere.

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Harris R

@Harrisons_reviews Jun 19

this was one of the most boring docufilms I have ever seen. It goes to show you how terrible directing, writing and editing can overshadow even great cinematography. It was just a convoluted mess bouncing between three different stores that were all boring and pointless, mixed in with some overly dramatic score and computer effects, then drowned out by a narrating voice that belongs at late night dating phone centers. Not sure what the critics saw, but this was all style and zero substance that felt as if I wasted 4+ hours watching it. A very generous 2/10 all towards the decent cinematography.

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Moody C

@MoodyC Jun 10

I like docs because they are non fiction & so usually have more substance than fictional movies with a message but here, too much artsy fartsy visuals with boring flowery narrative & not much substance. I doubt I’ll ever go cave exploring anytime soon so I’m counting on this doc to give me an immersive experience of sights & sounds but nothing. I mean there is some footage but not much. Quite boring which is a shame because there is nothing like a fascinating doc that you can really get into while learning something in process. I learned nothing here.

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Robert Petit

Director

Sandra Hüller

Narrator

Robert Macfarlane

Screenwriter

Robert Petit

Screenwriter

Darren Aronofsky

Producer

Ari Handel

Producer

Underland: First Look

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Synopsis

We know so little of the world beneath our feet. To most it is a place only of fear and darkness, though to a brave few it is one of knowledge and wonder to be found nowhere else. Based on the bestselling book by Robert Macfarlane, from production companies Sandbox Films, Protozoa Pictures, Planet Octopus Studios and Spring Films, UNDERLAND is a cinematic documentary that voyages into worlds rarely glimpsed by human eyes. Beginning in the shallow soils beneath an old ash tree, we travel alongside several 'astronauts of the underworld' into ancient sacred caves, flooded storm drains, melting glaciers, underwater burial chambers and a deep underground laboratory built to solve the mysteries of the Universe. Narrated by Oscar-nominated Sandra Hüller, and with a uniquely poetic approach, UNDERLAND is a deep dive into the Earth that ultimately presents a groundbreaking vision for rethinking our lives on this fragile surface.

Director: Robert Petit
Producer: Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel, Lauren Greenwood, Jessica Harrop
Screenwriter: Robert Macfarlane, Robert Petit
Distributor: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Production Co: Sandbox Films, Spring Films, Planet Octopus Studios, Protozoa Pictures
Genre: Documentary, Nature
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 4, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 19m

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