20 Best History TV Shows on Hulu 2026
Stream the best history TV shows on Hulu, from Shōgun and Mrs. America to 9/11: One Day in America, Say Nothing, and more top picks.
If you’re hunting for the best history TV shows on Hulu, this list brings together gripping true stories, sharp period drama, and standout docuseries that make the past feel immediate. You’ll find prestige picks like Mrs. America, Shōgun, and The Great, plus hard-hitting nonfiction such as 9/11: One Day in America, Say Nothing, and Dark Side of the Ring. There’s also room for genre-bending favorites like The Apothecary Diaries, which adds an animated twist to historical storytelling. With 20 titles on the page, this roundup makes it easy to jump from major political moments to royal intrigue, cultural history, and real-life stories that still resonate.
-
01
9/11: One Day in America
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.
Directed by Daniel BogadoCast Joseph Pfeifer, Jason Thomas, Ron DiFrancesco, William TotiHulu -
02
Shōgun
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.
Directed by Frederick E.O. Toye, Jonathan van Tulleken, Charlotte Brändström, Takeshi Fukunaga, Hiromi KamataCast Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Hiroyuki Sanada, Yûki KedôinHulu -
03
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.
Directed by Sterlin Harjo, Macon Blair, Danis GouletCast Ethan Hawke, Keith David, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyle MacLachlanHulu -
04
Say Nothing
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.
Directed by Michael Lennox, Anthony Byrne, Mary Nighy, Alice SeabrightCast Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Emily Healy, Maxine Peake, Rylee Neilly-LargeHulu -
05
The Great
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.
Directed by Colin Bucksey, Matthew Moore, Ben Chessell, Bertie Ellwood, Geeta Vasant PatelCast Elle Fanning, Phoebe Fox, Gwilym Lee, Adam Godley, Douglas HodgeHulu -
06
The Looming Tower
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.
Directed by Craig Zisk, John Dahl, Ali Selim, Michael Slovis, Alex GibneyCast Jeff Daniels, Tahar Rahim, Wrenn Schmidt, Bill Camp, Louis CancelmiHulu -
07
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!
Directed by Norihiro Naganuma, Akinori Fudesaka, Jun Ôwada, Wataru Nakagawa, Akira KoremotoCast Aoi Yûki, Emi Lo, Takeo Otsuka, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kaiji TangNetflixHulu -
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.
Directed by Jason Eisener, Stuart Stone, Andrew AppelleCast Chris Jericho, Steve Kasan, Rob Thomson, Felipe Aukai, Eric BischoffHulu -
09
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.
Directed by Tom Barbor-MightCast Frankie Treadaway, Madeleine Walker, Theo Ogundipe, Angelina Chudi, Lubna AzabalHulu -
10
9/11 Reunited
documentary · history
The story of September 11 through the eyes of survivors who experienced life-or-death moments with strangers that day and now want to meet again.
Directed by Julian JonesHulu -
11
Mrs. America
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.”
Directed by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Amma Asante, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Janicza BravoCast Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Elizabeth Banks, Uzo Aduba, Kayli CarterHulu -
12
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.
Directed by Marshall Jay Kaplan, John Choi, Michelle Métivier, Rachel Browne, Ashley JaneCast Dave Foley, Allan Stephan, Howie Mandel, Lisa Ann Walter, Carol NovakHulu -
13
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.
Directed by Shûhei Yabuta, Kazuya Murata, Yoji Sato, Michiru Itabisashi, Yôsuke YamamotoCast Shin'ya Takahashi, Yûto Uemura, Mike Haimoto, Hiroki Gotô, Tsuguo MogamiNetflixAmazon Prime VideoHulu -
14
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.
Directed by Malcolm VenvilleCast Rufus Jones, Marco Mintaka, Mark Elderkin, Shane John Kruger, Greg KriekNetflixAmazon Prime VideoHulu -
15
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.
Directed by Brad Grimm, Elle Schneider, Richard Lopez, Drew Painter, Nick WhiteCast Campbell Scott, Alex Biestek, Woodrow Proctor, Dan Eberle, James ZeissAmazon Prime VideoHulu -
16
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.
Directed by Paul Andrew WilliamsCast Max Beesley, Conleth Hill, Russell Tovey, David Michaels, Edison AlcaideHulu -
17
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.”
Directed by Matthew Ginsburg, Roel ReinéCast Nicholas Rowe, Nia Roberts, Hainsley Lloyd Bennett, Josh Taylor, James RobinsonNetflixAmazon Prime VideoHulu -
18
Titanic Sinks Tonight
documentary · drama · history
This docuseries aims to provide a complete picture of the most famous 160 minutes in maritime history, telling the astonishing story of the sinking of the Titanic in real time. From the crucial seconds just before the ship hits the iceberg, to the moment the hull sinks beneath the waves, this boxset series pieces together the events, minute by minute, to reveal exactly what happened to the 2240 passengers and crew on 14 and 15 April, 1912.
Directed by Hugh Ballantyne, Rebecca FairbankCast Hannah Wengård, Gerry O'Brien, Sara Diab, Adam Rhys-Charles, Lisa Dwyer HoggHulu -
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.
Directed by David Klassen, Daniel ZagayerCast Marc Polymeropoulos, Robert Anderson, Costa Nicholas, Jake Laney, Kevin ClarkeHuluMax -
20
History of the World: Part II
comedy · history
Sketches depicting key moments from prehistoric times through modern day, showing human civilization's major developments and cultural shifts across different regions and eras.
Directed by Alice Mathias, David Stassen, Lance Bangs, Nick KrollCast Mel Brooks, Ike Barinholtz, Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Edgar BlackmonHulu
Wrapping Up
Whether you want sweeping battles, intimate biographies, or a documentary that digs into a defining event, these Hulu picks cover the many ways history can be told on screen. From Mrs. America and Shōgun to Say Nothing and The Lowdown, each title offers a different angle on the past while keeping the storytelling entertaining. Bookmark this guide so you can come back when you need a new period drama or a true-story binge. We update this page regularly, so the lineup stays current as Hulu’s library 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.
Related Guides
Last updated: September 10, 2026