[03/03/26 - 09:01 AM] The History Channel Announces Global Rollout of Landmark Series "World War II with Tom Hanks" Launching This Memorial Day The landmark 20-episode documentary series reexamines World War II through the lens of a new century, offering a deeply human portrait of how the modern world was forged in the fires of global conflict.
[via press release from History]
THE HISTORY CHANNEL(TM) ANNOUNCES GLOBAL ROLLOUT OF LANDMARK SERIES "WORLD WAR II WITH TOM HANKS" LAUNCHING THIS MEMORIAL DAY
KICKING OFF WITH THREE BACK-TO-BACK EPISODES AT 8PM ET/PT IN THE U.S., THE 20-PART DOCUMENTARY WILL PREMIERE ACROSS 200 TERRITORIES WORLDWIDE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY TOM HANKS, GARY GOETZMAN, PULITZER PRIZE(R)-WINNING HISTORIAN JON MEACHAM, NUTOPIA AND A+E FACTUAL STUDIOS(TM) GROUP, THE SERIES REEXAMINES WORLD WAR II THROUGH THE LENS OF A NEW CENTURY
New York, NY - March 3, 2026 - The HISTORY Channel(TM) will premiere "World War II With Tom Hanks" on Monday, May 25 at 8pm ET/PT, launching with three back-to-back episodes and kicking off a global rollout across 200 territories in 40 languages, reaching nearly 400 million households worldwide. The landmark 20-episode documentary series reexamines World War II through the lens of a new century, offering a deeply human portrait of how the modern world was forged in the fires of global conflict. This series is executive produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman with Nutopia and A+E Factual Studios(TM) Group, alongside Pulitzer Prize(R)-winning historian Jon Meacham, in association with Motion Entertainment, a WPP Media company.
For more than eighty years, the Second World War has remained the most devastating and defining conflict in human history. "World War II With Tom Hanks" offers a sweeping and definitive retelling of the war, drawing on rarely seen archival material, evocative storytelling, and insights from leading historians. Narrated by Tom Hanks - whose lifelong passion for history has informed some of the most profound screen portrayals of the era - the series captures the full arc of the global conflict.
"World War II With Tom Hanks" spans the global conflict from the opening shock of Germany's invasion of Poland through the rise and fall of the Axis powers, capturing the ferocity of battles fought on land, sea, and air - from Stalingrad and Normandy to the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the jungles and islands of the Pacific. The series explores the human cost of total war, including the Holocaust, civilian resistance, and life on the home fronts, while also revealing the hidden wars of espionage, codebreaking, and industrial might that shaped the outcome of the conflict. Blending the actions and decisions of pivotal wartime leaders - among them Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Erwin Rommel, Joseph Stalin, Hideki Tojo and Adolf Hitler - with the experiences of soldiers and civilians across continents, the series culminates in the dawn of the atomic age and the uneasy aftermath that transformed wartime allies into Cold War adversaries, offering a comprehensive and deeply human portrait of the conflict that reshaped the modern world.
The HISTORY Channel collaborated with The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the series, incorporating guidance from museum historians and subject-matter experts, as well as supporting an upcoming educational outreach initiative. In addition, The HISTORY Channel produced short-form content featuring first-person stories from World War II as part of its "Save Our History" initiative, which will be featured across platforms.
"World War II With Tom Hanks" is part of the HISTORY Honors 250 campaign. Leading up to the landmark 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in July 2026, The HISTORY Channel is marking this historic milestone with HISTORY Honors 250, a dynamic, multiplatform initiative spanning nearly two years. The epic commemoration includes long-form and short-form programming, digital and social content, custom partnerships, premium events, and more. HISTORY Honors 250 highlights breakthrough innovations, major achievements, and unsung heroes that have shaped the United States since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For more information, visit history.com/250.
A+E Global Media holds worldwide distribution rights to "World War II With Tom Hanks."
"World War II with Tom Hanks" is produced for The HISTORY Channel(TM) by Nutopia and A+E Factual Studios(TM) group, in association with Motion Entertainment, a WPP Media company. Ben Goold, Jane Root and Steve Condie serve as executive producers for Nutopia. Sharon Scott, Steve Ascher, Matt Pearl and Andy Seestedt serve as executive producers for A+E Factual Studios. Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman serve as executive producers. Jon Meacham serves as executive producer. Chet Fenster serves as executive producer for Motion Entertainment. Eli Lehrer, Mary E. Donahue and Jennifer Wagman serve as executive producers for The HISTORY Channel.
About The HISTORY Channel(TM)
The HISTORY Channel(TM) is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based programming, The HISTORY Channel serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. The HISTORY Channel has been named the #1 U.S. TV network in buzz for several consecutive years by YouGov BrandIndex, and a top favorite TV network by Beta Research Corporation. For additional press materials visit the A+E Global Media Press Center at press.aegm.com.
For a deeper dive, visit history.com or follow @history on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. The HISTORY Channel(TM) is a division of A+E Global Media (aegm.com), a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation.
About Nutopia
Nutopia is known for producing award-winning series on a global scale, combining cinematic storytelling with premium documentary filmmaking and A-list talent. Founded by Jane Root, the company has created acclaimed series for leading networks and streamers worldwide, including National Geographic, Disney+, Netflix, HISTORY, PBS, and the BBC.
Recent projects include Pole to Pole with Will Smith for National Geographic and Disney+, Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember for National Geographic and Disney+, and two seasons of the National Geographic franchise Limitless, starring Chris Hemsworth. Other notable projects include the Emmy-nominated series The World According to Jeff Goldblum for National Geographic and Disney+, the Daytime Emmy-winning African Queens: Njinga for Netflix, and the landmark series America: The Story of Us for The HISTORY Channel.
About A+E Factual Studios(TM) group
A division of A+E Global Media, A+E Factual Studios(TM) group is an Emmy Award-winning nonfiction studio specializing in premium, scalable storytelling. Producing more than 200 hours annually, the studio combines bold creative vision with the infrastructure to deliver at volume - developing repeatable formats, breakout talent, and culturally relevant series that travel across platforms and territories. For more information, please visit www.aefactualstudios.com.
[03/12/26 - 09:00 AM] Video: "Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair" Trailer Revealed After shielding himself and his daughter from his family for over a decade, Malcolm is dragged back into their orbit when Hal and Lois demand his presence at their 40th anniversary party.
[03/12/26 - 08:01 AM] More "Bluey" Is Coming to Disney+ Announced today, "Bluey's Big Play - The Stage Show," a special televised version of the popular touring theatrical production, premieres March 16.
[03/12/26 - 06:01 AM] Video: "Thrash" - Official Trailer - Netflix When a catastrophic hurricane slams a coastal town, stranded residents must survive rapidly rising waters swarming with ravenous sharks.