10 Best Historical Web Series

Drunk History and other history web series offer fans a chance to learn about the past in ways that are full of humor and fascinating visuals.

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History web series offer a great way for viewers to engage with the history of particular regions, people, and events in a format suited for their needs. Whether fans like hour-long in-depth investigations on a specific subject, brief ten-minute crash courses on a broad time period, or pop-quiz style game shows, there’s a series for every preference.

Presented in styles that vary from celebrity historical re-enactment to dynamic animated sequences, these are some of the best history web series that combine strong research with engaging visuals to make niche history interesting and accessible for everyone.

Puppet History (2020) – Available On YouTube

What makes learning about the history of vaccines, smallpox, and demonic possessions more fun? Puppets! Puppet History, a relatively new historical web series examines some of history’s wildest moments using puppets while two guests compete against one another to achieve the title of “History Master.”

As contestants get quizzed about a wide variety of historical events by “The Professor,” they earn points as they go while viewers gain knowledge of subjects they might know nothing about. And unlike in the Puppet Master series, the puppets don’t turn violent on the losing guest.

Ruining History (2017) – Available On Prime

Comprised of a rotating panel of Buzzfeed contributors, Ruining History is a web series that puts its focus on the bizarre, awkward, and untold stories that wouldn’t find their way into the pages of a typical history textbook.

Like Drunk History, the series aims to make history engaging through uncomfortable humor, emphasizing historical facts that viewers would never hear coming out of the mouths of their history teachers. Like Wojtek, the cigarette-eating bear from Poland that had a surprising impact on WWII!

The Great War (2014 – present) – Available On YouTube

Considered by many to be one of the best historical web series available, The Great War doesn’t focus on history in a broad sense but rather targets one specific moment in world history — World War One. Host Indy Neidell takes fans through the history of “The Great War” week by week, with an emphasis on the movements of armed forces, prominent individuals, weapons, tactical strategies, and even the fashion of the period.

What makes the series so compelling is that it presents WWI as though it’s happening today. From 2014-2018, fans find out what happened during a particular week during the conflicts, throughout the countries it encompassed, and how it affected them on political, geographical, and personal levels. From 2018 to the present, it’s similarly focused on longer format episodes about the events that happened after WWI ended.

It’s History (2015) – Available On YouTube

For fans of in-depth, completely engrossing historical accounts, It’s History provides an excellent opportunity to learn about topics ranging from the Industrial Revolution to the Cold War. Viewers are presented with a different topic every season, giving them the opportunity to become experts on whatever they’re most interested in.

Because of the series’ format, viewers can choose what they want to concentrate on and what they want to skip. Although the series hasn’t produced any new content for a while, what’s offered is still significant for those who are interested in one of its myriad historical foci.

Drunk History (2007 – 2010, 2010 – 2019) – Available On Hulu

A beloved history show that started out as a web series, Drunk History involves celebrities re-enacting a moment in history as told by an inebriated guest. It began on YouTube in 2007 but after a few years transitioned to HBO’s Funny or Die Presents and then Comedy Central.

Aside from learning about both the large and small moments in world history, the A-list actors give the series an elevated feel, while at the same time offering them a chance to engage in broad — and often uncouth — comedy.

Simple History (2014 – present) – Available On YouTube

With its colorful animation style and fanciful voice-over approach, Simple History might seem like it’s specifically aimed at children, but creator Daniel Turner has ensured that there’s enough to keep all viewers absorbed. Each animated video explores a different historical topic, from niche subjects like toilet deaths to soldiers in the trenches of WWI so anyone can “learn history in no time.”

Anyone looking to introduce children to history can’t go wrong with this series, but it’s also excellent for viewers just looking to gain a cursory knowledge of a certain historical event or topic, and then explore it in more depth elsewhere. Its “simple,” accessible approach is one of the reasons it’s so successful (and its accompanying series of Simple History books!).

Crash Course (2012 – present) – Available On YouTube

As one of the fundamental history web series on YouTube, Crash Course delivers on its name, giving viewers a no-holds-barred look at different regions and periods with every episode, split between world history and U.S. history.

Creators John and Hank Green, known for their rapid-fire delivery, manage to cram a lot of historical facts and anecdotes into each episode, with each brother tackling the humanities and sciences. Fans might consider taking their time with the series so they can really pay attention to the material.

The School Of Life (2010 – present) – Available On YouTube

Rather than focusing solely on certain regions, people, and events, The School Of Life historical web series focuses on psychology, religion, rituals, etiquette, and even art history. The “history of ideas” is one of the main focuses of its curriculum, and each episode draws from different experts to provide a holistic interpretation.

Philosophers, psychologists, behavioral specialists, and more lend their expertise to create weekly videos, many of which are designed to promote understanding and critical thinking as viewers learn how certain perspectives came into being. Videos such as “History of Consumerism,” exploring the origins of concepts like wealth and virtue in the Western world, are sure to inspire provocative discussions. Anyone interested in their approach can also try the online classes, read the e-books, or even visit one of their 12 physical hubs to really call themselves a “student of life.”

Epic History TV (2015 – present) – Available On YouTube

Founder Toby Groom set out to make history even more epic than it already is, and Epic History TV delivers. Aimed at fans who want their history short, full of facts, and dramatic, each episode tends to focus on dynamic conflicts like the Franco-Prussian War and real pirate history involving Blackbeard and the British Navy.

Using high-quality images, carefully crafted scripts, and the sort of animated maps found in an Indiana Jones adventure, it’s an engrossing series that will make even the most casual history fan want to be a buff. Groom (who used to write and produce documentaries for the History Channel) brings all of his expertise into a series that is both professional and fun.

Feature History (2016 – present) – Available On YouTube

Much like Simple History, Feature History has a colorful animated style that’s easily approachable, but that’s where the series differ. This Australian historical web series investigates lesser-known topics involving the Chechen Wars, the Emu War, and even the Opium Wars.

The episodes of this series range from as short and sweet as five minutes to around twenty minutes, but they’re all equally thoughtful and thorough. For those history fans who are big on interest but short on time, it’s a perfect way to get facts on the go.

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