20 Best History TV Shows on Hulu 2026
Explore the best history TV shows on Hulu, from Shōgun and 9/11: One Day in America to Mrs. America, Vinland Saga, and more must-watch picks.
If you’re searching for the best history TV shows on Hulu, this list gives you a mix of true stories, political turning points, cultural deep dives, and dramatized versions of major events. You’ll find sweeping period stories like Shōgun and The Great, alongside documentary picks such as 9/11: One Day in America, The Food That Built America, and Theodore Roosevelt. There’s also sharp, character-driven drama in Mrs. America, Say Nothing, and The Looming Tower, plus genre-bending choices like The Apothecary Diaries and Vinland Saga. Whether you want biography, mystery, animation, or straight historical nonfiction, these titles cover a wide range of interests without straying from the past.
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01
The Lowdown
biography · drama · history
A determined bookstore owner in Tulsa moonlights as an investigative journalist, digging into local corruption. When his reporting uncovers sinister connections, he must protect both his family and the truth.
Why watch: If you like historical drama with an investigative edge, this could fit well. Its biography, drama, and history tags suggest a story that blends personal stakes with corruption and reporting.
Directed by Sterlin Harjo, Macon Blair, Danis GouletCast Ethan Hawke, Keith David, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyle MacLachlanHuluMore details on IMDb → -
02
The Apothecary Diaries
animation · drama · history · mystery · romance
Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she's sold as a lowly servant to the emperor's palace. But she wasn't meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she's making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!
Why watch: If you enjoy historical settings mixed with mystery, this one stands out. The animation, drama, history, romance, and mystery blend makes it a good choice for viewers who want a smart, character-led period story.
Directed by Norihiro Naganuma, Akinori Fudesaka, Jun Ôwada, Wataru Nakagawa, Akira KoremotoCast Aoi Yûki, Emi Lo, Takeo Otsuka, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kaiji TangNetflixHuluMore details on IMDb → -
03
Shōgun
Won 18 Emmys Outstanding Drama Series (2024) · 25 nominations
action · adventure · drama · history · war
In Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village.
Why watch: If you want a big historical drama with war and action, this is an easy pick. Its 1600 Japan setting and civil-war backdrop should appeal to viewers who like high-stakes political conflict.
Directed by Frederick E.O. Toye, Jonathan van Tulleken, Charlotte Brändström, Takeshi Fukunaga, Hiromi KamataCast Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Hiroyuki Sanada, Yûki KedôinHuluMore details on IMDb → -
04
The Great
Won 2 Emmys Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (2020) · 7 nominations
biography · comedy · drama · history
A genre-bending, anti-historical ride through 18th century Russia following the rise of Catherine the Nothing to Catherine the Great and her explosive relationship with husband Peter, the emperor of Russia.
Why watch: If you prefer history with a lighter, satirical tone, this is a strong option. The biography, comedy, drama, and history mix suggests a playful take on a famous ruler’s rise.
Directed by Colin Bucksey, Matthew Moore, Ben Chessell, Bertie Ellwood, Geeta Vasant PatelCast Elle Fanning, Phoebe Fox, Gwilym Lee, Adam Godley, Douglas HodgeHuluMore details on IMDb → -
05
Ghost Adventures
documentary · history · reality-tv
Paranormal investigator Zak Bagans and his crew, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin, search for haunted locations both domestically and internationally. During their investigations, Zak and crew acquaint themselves with the general area; interview locals about the hauntings; and go face-to-face with the evil spirits who reportedly haunt these locations.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to documentary-style shows with a paranormal angle, this could be your pick. The history and reality-TV blend gives it a travel-and-investigation feel centered on haunted locations.
Directed by Nick Groff, Zak Bagans, Milton Lage, Lauren QuinnCast Deanna Jaxine Stinson, Janice Oberding, Ciaron Davies, Adrian Alexander Gamez, Dustin AremburgHuluMaxMore details on IMDb →
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06
Vinland Saga
animation · action · adventure · drama · history
For a thousand years, the Vikings have made quite a name and reputation for themselves as the strongest families with a thirst for violence. Thorfinn, the son of one of the Vikings' greatest warriors, spends his boyhood in a battlefield enhancing his skills in his adventure to redeem his most-desired revenge after his father was murdered.
Why watch: If you like animated historical epics with action and revenge, this one should fit. Its drama, adventure, and history elements point to a serious Viking story with plenty of momentum.
Directed by Shûhei Yabuta, Kazuya Murata, Yoji Sato, Michiru Itabisashi, Yôsuke YamamotoCast Shin'ya Takahashi, Yûto Uemura, Mike Haimoto, Hiroki Gotô, Tsuguo MogamiNetflixAmazon Prime VideoHuluMore details on IMDb → -
07
Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston
documentary · drama · history
A historical exploration about the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. and the preserved Roman city it left behind.
Why watch: If you’re interested in Roman history and documentary storytelling, this title is a natural fit. The history and drama mix suggests a focused look at Vesuvius and the city it preserved.
Directed by Tom Barbor-MightCast Frankie Treadaway, Madeleine Walker, Theo Ogundipe, Angelina Chudi, Lubna AzabalHuluMore details on IMDb → -
08
Dark Side of the Ring
documentary · drama · history · sport
Finding truth at the intersection of fantasy and reality in the veiled world of professional wrestling.
Why watch: If you enjoy documentaries about the hidden side of sports entertainment, this is a good match. The history and sport labels point to a series that looks at professional wrestling from a truth-seeking angle.
Directed by Jason Eisener, Stuart Stone, Andrew AppelleCast Chris Jericho, Steve Kasan, Rob Thomson, Felipe Aukai, Eric BischoffHuluTubiMore details on IMDb → -
09
Say Nothing
1 Emmy nomination
drama · history · thriller
Through the eyes of various Irish Republican Army (IRA) members, explore the extremes some people will go to in the name of their beliefs, the way a deeply divided society can suddenly tip over into armed conflict, the long shadow of radical violence for both victims and perpetrators, and the emotional and psychological costs of a code of silence.
Why watch: If you like political drama with thriller tension, this one may be for you. Its focus on belief, conflict, and the costs of silence should appeal to viewers who want a serious historical story.
Directed by Michael Lennox, Anthony Byrne, Mary Nighy, Alice SeabrightCast Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Emily Healy, Maxine Peake, Rylee Neilly-LargeHuluMore details on IMDb → -
10
Mrs. America
Won 1 Emmy 10 nominations
biography · drama · history
The true story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman named Phyllis Schlafly, aka “the sweetheart of the silent majority.”
Why watch: If you’re interested in American political history and biography-led drama, this is worth a look. It centers on the fight over the Equal Rights Amendment and the backlash around it.
Directed by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Amma Asante, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Janicza BravoCast Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Elizabeth Banks, Uzo Aduba, Kayli CarterHuluMore details on IMDb → -
11
Dark Side of Comedy
documentary · history
Featuring different comics and their personal journeys, explores the internal battles, unexpected fame and societal pressures in the comedy world.
Why watch: If you want a documentary that explores fame and pressure through comedy, this is a solid choice. It’s especially suited to viewers who like personal stories told through a historical lens.
Directed by Marshall Jay Kaplan, John Choi, Michelle Métivier, Rachel Browne, Ashley JaneCast Dave Foley, Allan Stephan, Howie Mandel, Lisa Ann Walter, Carol NovakHuluMore details on IMDb → -
12
9/11: One Day in America
1 BAFTA TV Award nomination
documentary · history
In official collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, this documentary series takes viewers through harrowing moments of the historic morning of September 11, 2001.
Why watch: If you want a deeply serious documentary about a defining modern event, this is a standout. Its official collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum gives it a clear historical focus.
Directed by Daniel BogadoCast Joseph Pfeifer, Jason Thomas, Ron DiFrancesco, William TotiHuluMore details on IMDb → -
13
The Looming Tower
4 Emmy nominations
drama · history
While Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda become a global threat, the rivalry between the CIA and FBI inadvertently sets the stage for the tragedy of 9/11 and the Iraq War.
Why watch: If you’re interested in the buildup to 9/11 and the institutional rivalry behind it, this series should fit. The drama and history blend makes it good for viewers who like tense, procedural storytelling.
Directed by Craig Zisk, John Dahl, Ali Selim, Michael Slovis, Alex GibneyCast Jeff Daniels, Tahar Rahim, Wrenn Schmidt, Bill Camp, Louis CancelmiHuluMore details on IMDb → -
14
American Crime Story
Won 17 Emmys 45 nominations
biography · crime · drama · history
An anthology series centered around some of history's most famous criminal investigations.
Why watch: If you like crime stories told through historical events, this anthology is a strong option. Its biography, crime, drama, and history mix works well for viewers who enjoy famous real-world cases.
Directed by Ryan Murphy, Anthony Hemingway, Michael Uppendahl, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Daniel MinahanCast Sarah Paulson, Annaleigh Ashford, Sterling K. Brown, Kenneth Choi, Beanie FeldsteinHuluMore details on IMDb → -
15
Theodore Roosevelt
documentary · biography · history
The two-part premium miniseries event on Theodore Roosevelt, the first modern President of the United States, will provide a rich, panoramic biography weaving Roosevelt's captivating personal story while revealing little-known truths behind his expansive curiosity, restless spirit and the profound, lasting impact he has had on the country.
Why watch: If you want a concise historical biography, this two-part series is a good pick. It’s aimed at viewers who want a broad portrait of Theodore Roosevelt with historical context.
Directed by Malcolm VenvilleCast Rufus Jones, Marco Mintaka, Mark Elderkin, Shane John Kruger, Greg KriekNetflixAmazon Prime VideoHuluTubiMore details on IMDb → -
16
Washington
documentary · biography · drama · history
The story of how a fatherless young soldier full of personal ambition becomes a leader of men willing to sacrifice all for the common cause. How a once-loyal British subject rises to battle an empire in a liberty-or-death campaign to forge a new nation. And then how, at the zenith of his power, the victorious general voluntarily steps down, becoming what King George III would call “the greatest man in the world.”
Why watch: If you like American founding stories told as biography and drama, this could be a fit. It follows Washington from soldier to leader, so it suits viewers who want a classic historical figure study.
Directed by Matthew Ginsburg, Roel ReinéCast Nicholas Rowe, Nia Roberts, Hainsley Lloyd Bennett, Josh Taylor, James RobinsonNetflixAmazon Prime VideoHuluTubiMore details on IMDb → -
17
Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes
crime · drama · history
London is rocked by terrorist attacks as armed police shoot dead an innocent man on his way to work.
Why watch: If you prefer history-driven crime drama based on a tragic real event, this is a compelling choice. The thriller element should appeal to viewers who want tension alongside the historical context.
Directed by Paul Andrew WilliamsCast Max Beesley, Conleth Hill, Russell Tovey, David Michaels, Edison AlcaideHuluMore details on IMDb → -
18
The Food That Built America
documentary · history
The fascinating stories of the families behind the food that built America, those who used brains, muscle, blood, sweat and tears to get to America's heart through its stomach, those who invented new technologies and helped win wars.
Why watch: If you enjoy documentary series about the origins of everyday American culture, this is a smart pick. It connects food history with the families and innovations behind major brands and changes.
Directed by Brad Grimm, Elle Schneider, Richard Lopez, Drew Painter, Nick WhiteCast Campbell Scott, Alex Biestek, Woodrow Proctor, Dan Eberle, James ZeissAmazon Prime VideoHuluTubiMore details on IMDb → -
19
Expedition Files
documentary · adventure · history · mystery
Josh Gates travels through history on a search to uncover new evidence and answers to the world's most captivating unexplained mysteries, and true stories that defy explanation, offering stunning revelations and surprising new insights.
Why watch: If you like history mixed with adventure and unsolved questions, this one should appeal to you. The mystery angle suggests a series built around investigation, evidence, and surprising answers.
Directed by David Klassen, Daniel ZagayerCast Marc Polymeropoulos, Robert Anderson, Costa Nicholas, Jake Laney, Kevin ClarkeHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
20
Abraham Lincoln
documentary · biography · drama · history · war
The true story of America's iconic 16th president as told by weaving together both scripted dramatizations of important moments in his life and commentary by authoritative historians and public figures.
Why watch: If you’re looking for a presidential biography that blends dramatization with historical commentary, this is a strong match. Its war, biography, and history tags make it a good fit for viewers who want context and detail.
Directed by Malcolm VenvilleCast Graham Sibley, Stefan Adegbola, Jenny Stead, Andre Jacobs, Colin MossNetflixAmazon Prime VideoHuluTubiMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
From major political eras to personal stories shaped by history, this lineup makes it easy to find a series that matches your mood. You can come back for documentaries, dramatized true stories, or animated picks that still fit the historical theme. Bookmark this page and check back when you want a fresh way to explore the past through TV. It’s updated regularly so you can keep discovering new options as the selection changes.
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 Hulu subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Hulu. 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.