Chimpanzee

The film follows Oscar, a curious young chimp living with a tight knit troop in the Ivory Coast and Ugandan rain forests. Viewers see the world through his eyes as he learns to climb, communicate, find food, and interact with others, all delivered with warmth, humor, and occasional raw fear. A sudden tragedy tears him from his mother, leaving him to face the jungle's dangers on his own. He survives through instinct and careful observation, studying how the group moves, when to join a meal, and where the safest resting spots lie. An older chimpanzee then takes him under her protection, guiding him as he forges a place within the troop. The film captures his first cautious friendships and progress.

Directed by Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield, Chimpanzee released in 2012 as part of DisneyNature's wildlife program. It uses footage to trace Oscar's early life among West and Central African chimps, emphasizing family ties and survival, narrated by Tim Allen.

Box office performance was solid for a nature documentary, grossing about 34.8 million worldwide against a 5 million dollar budget, signaling strong interest in family friendly wildlife storytelling. The numbers reflect robust international distribution and broad appeal to general audiences.

As part of DisneyNature's ongoing program, Chimpanzee helped raise awareness about primate life and rainforest habitats. Tim Allen's narration gives a warm, approachable voice that makes chimp society feel close to home, helping audiences connect with conservation messages and sparking interest in wildlife education and preservation efforts around the world.

Critics generally praised the film for its intimate look at chimpanzee life, balancing moments of tenderness with suspenseful survival. The work emphasizes family bonds, learning through social interaction, and the costs of disruption within a troop, inviting viewers to reflect on humanity's place in nature while reinforcing respect for animals.