Best historical documentaries about World War II

Despite its age, this 26-part British series remains one of the most comprehensive WWII documentaries ever made, offering unparalleled depth. Its extensive archival footage and firsthand accounts make it a timeless and essential viewing for understanding the conflict.

This six-part French documentary stands out for its stunning visual quality, utilizing colorized and digitally remastered footage, much of it from citizen and troop perspectives. Its clear narrative makes it an engaging and informative series for a broad audience.

Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, this documentary offers a deeply personal and emotional perspective on WWII. It tells the story through the intimate accounts of men and women from four American towns, emphasizing the war's profound impact on ordinary lives.

This film offers a harrowing and deeply personal look at the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare, told through the voices of those directly affected. It features interviews with both survivors and American soldiers involved in the atomic bombings.

This Netflix series aims to depict World War II in an immersive and dark way through enhanced archival footage. It takes viewers through pivotal moments, offering a modern and compelling viewing experience of the conflict.

This 10-episode series provides a vivid and immersive experience of the war through its use of high-definition, often colorized, footage. It effectively incorporates first-hand stories from various perspectives, brought to life by voice actors.

This Netflix series provides a comprehensive examination of the Nazi regime, its leaders, and its ultimate collapse. It offers crucial historical context and expert analysis through in-depth interviews and a mix of archival footage and reenactments.

This Netflix series provides a visually engaging and expert-driven account of key moments in the war, building on the success of earlier 'in color' documentaries. It features enhanced historical footage of decisive turning points, accompanied by insightful commentary.

This four-part Netflix series offers a dramatic and insightful look into Winston Churchill's pivotal wartime leadership. It effectively blends real archival footage with cinematic re-enactments, featuring Christian McKay's compelling portrayal of Churchill.

This upcoming 20-hour documentary event is poised to be a definitive retelling of WWII for a new generation, offering a sweeping and deeply human portrait of how the modern world was forged. Guided by Tom Hanks, it promises to re-examine the war through a fresh lens, exploring decisions, unseen networks, and lasting aftershocks.

This documentary provides a gripping historical journey through critical moments of the European theater, highlighting the Allied efforts against Nazi Germany. It chronicles key turning points, from Dunkirk to Normandy, and the final push to liberate Europe.

This nine-and-a-half-hour film is considered the definitive documentary about the Holocaust, offering an unparalleled historical record. Its unique approach, relying solely on extensive interviews with survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators, provides a powerful and essential testimony.

This documentary sheds light on the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust and the initial attempts to document and expose its horrors to the world. It tells the compelling story of British filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchcock, creating a documentary from discovered footage.