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Microcosmos

Microcosmos

15 years of research. 2 years of equipment design. 3 years of shooting. One great movie to restore your sense of wonder.

199680 minGMidcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Directors
Claude Nuridsany, Marie Pérennou
Starring
Jacques Perrin, Kristin Scott Thomas

A documentary of insect life in meadows and ponds, using incredible close-ups, slow motion, and time-lapse photography. It includes bees collecting nectar, ladybugs eating mites, snails mating, spiders wrapping their catch, a scarab beetle relentlessly pushing its ball of dung uphill, endless lines of caterpillars, an underwater spider creating an air bubble to live in, and a mosquito hatching.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Microcosmos?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Microcosmos streaming on The Criterion Channel.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Microcosmos?

Microcosmos earns 6 badges, led by Stood the test of time and Top 5% of films.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Microcosmos worth watching?

Microcosmos' Midcredits score is the 97th percentile of all films, from 27K ratings across 6 sources. 87% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

97th percentile

Better received than 97% of films

94th percentile among Documentary97th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)96th
Approval (how many liked it)96th

80 /100

96th percentile of all films

90th percentile among Documentary98th percentile among 1990s

Critics 87 · Audience 79

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

87% liked it

96th percentile of all films

93rd percentile among Documentary97th percentile among 1990s
87% rated it 7–1013% rated it 1–6

Critics 97% · Audience 91%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 7 wins / 8 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

87th percentile

27K ratings across platforms

98th percentile among Documentary82nd percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 34% in 30 days

Box office

BudgetCHF 5M

In Swiss franc, not converted to dollars.

Opening weekend$35K
Domestic gross$1.4M
Worldwide gross$1.4M

89th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a visually stunning, non-narrative close-up look at insect life, with little to no spoken explanation.

Fans praised

  • breathtaking macro cinematography revealing hidden beauty
  • immersive experience with minimal narration, letting images speak
  • poetic depiction of insect life as art, not just science

Detractors panned

  • no narration or educational context makes it boring
  • lacks plot or structure, feels aimless
  • overlong and repetitive, not a real film

What stands out

Cinematography95

extraordinary macro photography, often called jaw-dropping or best ever

Originality90

groundbreaking concept, pure observational insect cinema

AtmosphereDivisive88

immersive otherworldly tone, feels like alien planet

Emotional impact78

snail lovemaking described as tender and moving

Sound and musicDivisive72

composer Coulais’ score praised; artificial sound effects criticized

PacingDivisive55

hypnotic for some, too slow or repetitive for others

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is Microcosmos like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you can give it your full attention, and you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It has a few laughs and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
ContemplativeHopefulJoyful
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
Awestruck · 1% of films: Wonder at something vast or marvelous.WarmEpic · 2% of films: Vast in scale: big landscapes, big stakes, a long span.
Told as
Episodic · 13% of films: Loosely connected incidents rather than one driving plot.
ToneThe film presents insect life with reverence and wonder, using stunning close-ups and music to evoke awe; entirely sincere, no irony.
The rideThe film evokes a consistent state of wonder and contemplation, occasionally rising to moments of tension or humor, but overall serene and awe-filled.
StructureA non-narrative montage of insect life, structured as a series of standalone vignettes.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you with a renewed sense of wonder at the natural world and a feeling of peace.
How it ends · evidence
Cyclical ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeNon-narrative documentary; no plot archetype applies.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfNatureIdeas
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5% (this title): Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% (this title) · Nature 2% (this title) · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Ideas

Nature · 2% of filmsHope · 5% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeA celebration of the intricate, beautiful and often violent lives of insects, revealing a hidden world of wonder.
StanceThe film celebrates the beauty and intricacy of insect life, presenting it as a source of wonder rather than a problem to be solved.

The world

ContemporaryWildernessRealistic
Orchestral classicalAmbientForeground music · original score · Bruno Coulais
SettingA meadow in rural France.
MusicCoulais's score lends a majestic, almost sacred quality to the insect world.

Content guide

Is Microcosmos okay for kids?

G

Microcosmos is rated G. As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (0/100), sexual content at moderate (43/100), language at minimal (0/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (0/100) and frightening material at mild (22/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 12 other countries
  • UKU
  • CanadaG
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany0
  • FranceTP
  • JapanG
  • South KoreaALL
  • CzechiaU
  • FinlandS
  • ItalyT
  • NetherlandsAL
  • PortugalM/6
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Profanity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (15 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Microcosmos have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Microcosmos?

Cast

Jacques Perrin
as Récitant
Kristin Scott Thomas
as Narrator (English version)

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Microcosmos?

Movies like Microcosmos include Winged Migration (2001), The Year Earth Changed (2021) and Oceans (2008). Of the 12 closest matches, most are episodic films, and several are films about hope.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its story type: nature documentary. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Microcosmos?

1.1K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: nature documentary. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.