55 History Documentaries to Watch Now

"Hidden Faith of Our Founding Fathers" explores a largely unexplored question: the true religious beliefs of America's founders. While many were Freemasons, it's often assumed they were devout Christians seeking to establish a Christian nation. This documentary examines whether their…

This History Channel program explores the enduring legend of Robin Hood: was he a real person who stole from the wealthy to help the less fortunate? The program examines the folk hero's origins, suggesting he's based on several historical figures,…

Unlike civilizations like the Romans and Ancient Egyptians, the Mayan empire didn't develop along a major river. Much of the Mayan region lacks even small rivers or lakes. So why did they settle in Yucatan? The Maya considered the freshwater…

The bridges of the River Kwai, popularized by the 1957 film, represent a largely misunderstood historical event. Unlike the romanticized movie, these structures stand as a symbol of terror, desperation, and death for over 16,000 prisoners of war and 100,000…

"One Nation Under Trump" is the first extensive documentary to explore the atmosphere surrounding Donald Trump's rise to power in the 2016 U.S. Election. It follows his journey from the beginning to the top of the American political scene.

More than just a story about a Thanksgiving dinner, the Pilgrims' journey is a foundational part of American history. This comprehensive documentary offers the most complete account of the Pilgrims and their voyage to and settlement in the New World.…

"Sink the Bismarck!" The desperate order echoed across the Atlantic as the British hunted Germany's mightiest battleship. The chase concluded on May 27, 1941, with the Bismarck sinking in deep waters, a loss of over 2,000 lives. Nearly fifty years…

In April 1912, the RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic, resulting in the deaths of over 1,500 people. Decades later, the circumstances surrounding the ship's sinking continue to be debated.

Alex Gibney's film examines Stuxnet, a computer virus created in 2010 by international cybersecurity experts. It's believed the virus was developed by the U.S. And Israel to disrupt Iran's nuclear facilities. But the sophisticated malware unexpectedly spread beyond its intended…

This is the story of Scotland's earliest history. Beginning 10,000 years ago, it's a visually stunning look at our prehistory, featuring the impressive monuments of Orkney and the Isle of Lewis, alongside the fortress of Dunadd and the sacred Kilmartin…

A century after the Titanic sank following a collision with an iceberg on its first voyage, scientists and historians continue to study the wreck. Using advanced underwater technology, submersibles have captured high-definition 3D footage of the ship's remains, aiming to…

Leonardo da Vinci, the celebrated "Mind of the Renaissance," remains influential today. A painter, sculptor, engineer, and scientist, he excelled as both master and innovator in every area. Known for iconic works like The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa,…

Throughout their history, the planets in our solar system have endured dramatic disasters, caused by events both from space and within. This film journeys back in time to explore these violent events that profoundly shaped planets like Earth. We'll discover…

"Challenging the DaVinci Code" examines the book's widespread popularity, which came at the expense of historical accuracy. It raises questions about the Bible's origins and the fate of Jesus, exploring claims that he survived the crucifixion and married Mary Magdalene,…

In the late 1600s, over 150 people were accused of witchcraft. Following the well-known Salem Witch Trials, 19 people were executed and one died under immense pressure. This documentary explores this dark period in American history, revealing surprising details about…

In 1789, angry Parisians stormed the Bastille, taking control of the King's military supplies. This sparked a decade of upheaval marked by idealism, war, violence, and ultimately, the end of feudalism and the emergence of equality. "The French Revolution" is…

James Cameron, joined by Bill Paxton and a team of leading historians and marine experts, undertakes an unscripted expedition to the wreck of the Titanic. The ship sank almost a century ago, claiming the lives of nearly 1,500 people.

With the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking near, a team of scientists, engineers, archaeologists, and imaging experts collaborate to solve a key mystery: How did the supposedly unsinkable ship break apart and sink in the North Atlantic?

Port Royal, Jamaica – the legendary city of pirates – was once the most notorious place on Earth, but it was destroyed by an earthquake that sank it into the ocean. Now, a dive team is employing advanced technology to…

Scientists are calling it the "Pit of Death," others "Dinosaur Pompeii." The site contains dinosaur corpses piled high, with many newly discovered, well-preserved skeletons – some never seen before. These include a bizarre ancestor of the T. Rex, an ancestor…

Director James Cameron collaborates with NASA scientists on an expedition to the Mid-Ocean Ridge. This underwater mountain range encircles the globe and supports extraordinary life.

Ice World, a Discovery Channel documentary, portrays the lives of three individuals living in England 24,000 years ago during the last ice age. Their existence resembles that of Plains Indians, complete with teepees, buckskin clothing, and long hair. Aki and…

Christianity originated with the miraculous birth of Jesus, and the early years of Christ are filled with a timeless power that resonates even now. Hosted by Roger Moore, *In the Footsteps of the Holy Family* follows Jesus, Mary, and Joseph's…

Join a breathtaking voyage spanning 100,000 light-years to explore pivotal moments in the Milky Way's past. National Geographic uses advanced science to create a detailed, 3-D CGI model of our galaxy. Journey to the center to investigate supermassive black holes,…

These are some of the largest pyramids on Earth, immense structures of stone and earth that dominate the landscape, symbols of a powerful civilization. But the people who built them were not pharaohs. This is Teotihuacán, a majestic ancient city…

The USS Midway served the U.S. Military with dedication for nearly fifty years, from its commissioning in 1945 through Operation Desert Storm in 1991. As the longest-serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Naval history, the Midway became a legendary vessel. Launched…

The legendary Grail isn't gold or ancient knowledge; it's the 3,000-year-old DNA within the mummies. This DNA holds the potential for a cure for malaria.

Charlton Heston hosts this documentary which considers the theory that the Sphinx could be significantly older than traditionally believed. John Anthony West investigates whether water erosion patterns on the Sphinx suggest an age of 10,000 years. The film also explores…

Journey back to prehistoric America, where dinosaurs reigned supreme. These powerful creatures lived, hunted, and died across the land that is now home. Witness millions of years of evolution unfold. Discover the Zuniceratops, a unique North American dinosaur with horns…

"Finding Atlantis," a National Geographic Channel film hosted by Professor Richard Freund of Hartford University, explores a quest to locate the legendary lost city. Freund details his efforts to find Atlantis, long considered myth, using advanced technology like ground-penetrating radar,…

The film follows the Johnson family – Chris (Rob Hartz), Ellen (Kathleen Cameron), and their son Casey (Hy Rillero) – living in Los Angeles, California, among the few who survive a global pandemic that begins "sometime in the future." The…

Follow astronomers in their quest to find a habitable planet—a new Earth. Witness the launches of the space missions Kepler and CoRot, and the exciting discoveries of potentially habitable worlds. A controversial finding emerges: a planet in a twilight zone…

First Invasion: The War of 1812, a 2004 History Channel documentary, depicts a young United States facing potential destruction in its conflict with the powerful British Empire. While some critics argue the film presents an overly favorable view of the…

This film presents a detailed overview of various well-known pirates and pirate crews, punctuated by commentary from several animated experts. It includes movie clips, paintings, and repeated video footage, but ultimately fails to effectively depict the dramatic and violent reality…

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Experts say its construction was so advanced, even today's technology might not allow us to replicate it. Using the newest research…

Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic in 1985, now explores the ship's story from the perspective of the people who sailed on it a century ago. In "Save the Titanic With Bob Ballard," he journeys to Northern Ireland, visiting the…

Based on recent scientific findings, this film examines the theory that humans arrived in America much earlier than previously believed. New archaeological evidence and DNA studies suggest a land bridge once connected Europe and North America. The story follows a…

Filmmaker Ken Burns presents a comprehensive look at Mark Twain, widely regarded as the greatest American author.

The sinking of the Titanic was not just an accident; it was a preventable tragedy caused by a series of avoidable human errors. This National Geographic drama-documentary examines the official inquiry following the disaster, alongside new evidence found since the…

Most people picture dinosaurs as the first animals on Earth, but this prequel to "Walking with Dinosaurs" explores the world of strange creatures that lived millions of years earlier. From the Cambrian Period 530 million years ago to the Early…

The Bible recounts God's destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness, and his support for Joshua in the conquest of Jericho, another city deemed irredeemably wicked. Are these biblical accounts historical fact or merely moral…

William Still was a key, though often overlooked, figure in the Underground Railroad. He dedicated himself to guiding as many escaping slaves as possible to freedom in Canada. With bounty hunters legally allowed to recapture former slaves in free states,…

Dinosaurs were powerful creatures, but also incredibly strange. Some predators had unusually large or oddly shaped body parts. Join leading paleontologists on a global journey to discover some of the most surprising dinosaurs: Mamenchisaurus, with a neck longer than its…

New Hope, Pennsylvania is known by many as America's most haunted city. Locals speak of unexplained events and frightening sights that have deeply affected them. Is there a real concentration of paranormal activity here? This documentary follows spiritual investigators as…

The sinking of the RMS Titanic is one of the 20th century's most enduring and puzzling tragedies. For years, people have proposed explanations for the disaster and debated responsibility for the massive loss of life, but no single answer has…

Deep beneath the Atlantic, two and a half miles down, James Cameron is immersed in an extraordinary experience. He pilots a remotely operated vehicle, using skills honed from previous deep-sea dives, guiding it towards the Turkish Baths within the wreck…

Titans of the Ice Age takes viewers to the stunning, frozen worlds of North America, Europe, and Asia ten thousand years before modern times. Stunning CGI recreates this mysterious period, showcasing creatures like saber-toothed cats and giant sloths alongside the…

A groundbreaking discovery in Turkey in 1995 – a complex older than the pyramids and Stonehenge – is challenging everything we thought we knew about human history. Only recently have experts fully grasped the site's importance, forcing them to reconsider…

Blackbeard, Henry Morgan, Ann Bonny, and Black Bart Roberts: pirates and buccaneers, larger than life and more dangerous than legend, set sail for plunder. Filmed in high definition, *True Caribbean Pirates* recounts the rise of piracy in the Caribbean and…

Join astronomers and astrophysicists as they explore light years beyond the Milky Way in *Understanding The Universe*, part of TLC's popular television series. Narrated by Candice Bergen, this informative and engaging video uses graphic models and stunning animation to explain…

Four kilometers beneath the ocean, the Titanic rests in darkness. Few explorers have ventured to its depths, but now we can explore the wreck. Using remote submersibles, viewers glide through the ship's living spaces, witnessing the current state of the…

A Discovery Channel Quest expedition led by Dr. Joann Fletcher and scientists from the University of York Mummy Research Team searches for the lost tomb of Queen Nefertiti in the Valley of the Kings. If discovered, it would be a…

In 2004, NASA's Spirit and Opportunity rovers landed on Mars with a projected lifespan of just a few months. However, their mission unexpectedly extended to five years, transforming from a short-term search for water into a remarkable feat of exploration.…

This film uses powerful personal stories and historical accounts to explore the tragedy of the Titanic. Historian Charles Haas leads us on an immersive journey through the wreck, revealing previously unseen footage of the ship's depths. He shares stories of…

This special explores the history of our world, revealing surprising connections to everyday life. It unveils how the universe's origins are woven into our existence – from background radiation from the Big Bang to the stardust in a wedding ring,…