13 Best History TV Shows on AMC+ 2026
Explore 13 AMC+ picks for history fans, from TURN: Washington's Spies and Des to Pan Am, The Son, Quiz, and more gripping period dramas.
If you’re hunting for the best history TV shows on AMC+, this list gives you a strong mix of war stories, true-crime dramas, and period pieces that make the past feel immediate. Turner: Washington's Spies brings Revolutionary War espionage to life, while Des and Manhunt dig into chilling real-life criminal cases with sharp, tense storytelling. You’ll also find character-driven titles like Pan Am and The Son, plus docu-style picks such as Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty and The Long Shadow. With 13 titles on the page, there’s plenty here for anyone who likes history served through drama, biography, crime, and war.
-
01
TURN: Washington's Spies
drama · history · war
The story of New York farmer, Abe Woodhull, who bands together with a group of childhood friends to form The Culper Ring, an unlikely group of spies who turn the tide in America’s fight for independence.
Directed by Jeremy Webb, Eagle Egilsson, Keith Boak, Andrew McCarthy, Nick CopusCast Jamie Bell, Seth Numrich, Daniel Henshall, Meegan Warner, Kevin McNallyAMC+ -
02
Des
biography · crime · drama · history · thriller
The story of one of the most infamous cases in UK criminal history, that of serial killer Dennis Nilsen. Told through the prism of three men, the series explores the personal and professional consequences of coming into contact with a man like Nilsen.
Directed by Lewis ArnoldCast David Tennant, Daniel Mays, Jason Watkins, Ron Cook, Barry WardAmazon Prime VideoAMC+Freevee -
03
Pan Am
drama · history · romance
In this modern world, air travel represents the height of luxury and Pan Am is the biggest name in the business. The planes are glamorous, the pilots are rock stars and the stewardesses are the most desirable women in the world. They're trained to handle everything from in-air emergencies to unwanted advances—all without rumpling their pristine uniforms or mussing their hair.
Directed by Andrew Bernstein, John Fortenberry, Thomas Schlamme, Alex Graves, Christopher MisianoCast Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie, Michael Mosley, Karine Vanasse, Mike VogelAMC+ -
04
The Son
drama · history · western
The multigenerational epic follows two concurrent time periods: One, the story of young Eli McCullough after he is kidnapped and indoctrinated into a tribe of Comanches in 1849. The other, 60 years later, when we see a grown Eli struggle to maintain his family’s cattle empire during the turbulent Bandit Wars of South Texas. Based on Philipp Meyer’s acclaimed novel.
Directed by Kevin Dowling, Jeremy Webb, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Tom Vaughan, Ellen KurasCast Pierce Brosnan, Jacob Lofland, Henry Garrett, Paola Núñez, Zahn McClarnonAMC+ -
05
Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty
documentary · history
Acclaimed historian Dan Jones tells the story of the dynasty who ruled England and much of France during the Middle Ages. More shocking, brutal and exhilarating than Game of Thrones, these events actually happened.
Directed by James TovellCast Dragos Onisei, Adina Eady, Cezar Grumazescu, Cosmin DominteAMC+ -
06
The Long Shadow
biography · crime · drama · history
Dramatizing one of the most infamously notorious and shocking serial killer cases in the world, the hunt for Peter Sutcliffe, commonly dubbed the Yorkshire Ripper, between October 1975 and January 1981, South Yorkshire police undertook the biggest manhunt in British criminal history. The search for Sutcliffe lasted five years, involved over a thousand officers and changed the way the British police worked forever.
Directed by Lewis ArnoldCast Jack Deam, Kris Hitchen, Lee Ingleby, Michael McElhatton, Chloe HarrisAMC+ -
07
Quiz
crime · drama · history
The story of Charles Ingram, a former British army major who caused a major scandal in the early 2000s after being caught cheating his way to winning £1 million on the game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Ingram, his wife Diana and an accomplice, Tecwen Whittock, who was sitting in the audience, initially pulled off the on-screen heist before being caught and standing trial.
Directed by Stephen FrearsCast Matthew Macfadyen, Sian Clifford, Mark Bonnar, Aisling Bea, Elliot LeveyAMC+ -
08
Manhunt
biography · crime · drama · history · mystery · thriller
The true story of London Metropolitan police detective Colin Sutton's manhunt for serial criminals.
Directed by Marc EvansCast Martin Clunes, Claudie Blakley, Matthew Gravelle, Stephen Wight, Sule RimiAmazon Prime VideoAMC+Freevee -
09
Steeltown Murders
crime · drama · history · mystery · thriller
Three murders - unsolved but never forgotten. Thirty years on, can DCI Bethall find the serial killer who terrorised 1970s Port Talbot?
Directed by Marc EvansCast Philip Glenister, Steffan Rhodri, Scott Arthur, Sion Alun Davies, Nia RobertsAMC+ -
10
Eli Roth's History of Horror
documentary · history · horror
An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.
Directed by Kurt SayengaCast Alan Maxson, Ariel de Ment, Jacquie Nguyen, Mike Ancas, Jeffrey CombsAMC+ -
11
Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle
documentary · biography · crime · drama · history
Documentary series that examines the Jonestown Massacre 40 years later.
Directed by Shan Nicholson, Richard LopezCast Jason John Cicalese, Maiya Palmer, Jack Schrader, Matt Zako, Ian WhittAMC+ -
12
The Making of The Mob
drama · crime · documentary · history
A docudrama series chronicling some of America's most notorious mobsters, each season dealing with a different city/region.
Directed by John EalerCast Ian Bell, Craig Thomas Rivela, Rich Graff, Michael Kotsohilis, Jason FitchAMC+ -
13
Secret History of Comics
documentary · history
A six-part documentary series that takes a deeper look into the stories, people and events that have transformed the world of comic books.
Directed by Rory Karpf, Daniel Junge, Jesse James MillerCast Famke Janssen, J.K. Simmons, Neal Adams, Jim Lee, Chris Patrick-SimpsonAMC+
Wrapping Up
This roundup makes it easy to find a historical series that fits your mood, whether you want battlefield intrigue, true-crime tension, or richly detailed period drama. From TURN: Washington's Spies to Quiz and The Long Shadow, these picks show how wide AMC+'s catalog can be for viewers who love the past brought to screen with style. Bookmark this page and come back when you want a fresh recommendation or a new binge. We update it regularly, so the lineup stays useful as the catalog changes over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a AMC+ subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on AMC+. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these history shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the history titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.
Related Guides
Last updated: September 4, 2026