Executive Producer, Host and narrator Tom Hanks of 20-episode series "WWII With Tom Hanks"
Legendary actor and WWII history buff Tom Hanks brings history to life with an all-new 20-part documentary, World War II With Tom Hanks.
As America approaches its 250th birthday, History is celebrating the milestone with their History Honors 250 campaign. The commemoration will feature all-new content that highlights the achievements of the country, including breakthrough innovations, incredible achievements and all of the heroes that have played a huge role in the founding of the nation.
According to the History press release, the series will launch “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.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the new series.
World War II With Tom Hanks premiere date
World War II With Tom Hanks premieres on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026. Three episodes will debut on May 25, and then new episodes will roll out weekly thereafter.
What is World War II With Tom Hanks about?
Here’s the official synopsis from History Channel:
“For eighty years, the Second World War has remained the most devastating and defining conflict in human history. World War II with Tom Hanks is a landmark documentary event that reexamines the war through the lens of a new century. Told over twenty hours and guided by Tom Hanks, whose lifelong passion for this history has shaped some of the most profound screen portrayals of the era, the series captures the full arc of the war — from the rise of fascism in Europe to the fall of Berlin, from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, and the uneasy peace that follows. Each episode uncovers new dimensions of the conflict: the decisions that shaped the battlefield, the unseen networks that sustained the war effort, and the aftershocks that still shape our world today. World War II with Tom Hanks is the definitive retelling of that story for a new generation: a sweeping, deeply human portrait of how the modern world was forged in the fires of global war.”
Who is in it?
The series features Academy Award winner Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump) wearing three hats as the host, narrator and executive producer of the landmark project.
How to watch World War II With Tom Hanks
World War II With Tom Hanks will air Mondays at 8pm ET/PT on History. New episodes will be available to stream the next day on the History app, or you can watch online at history.com.
History is included in many cable TV packages, but if you’ve cut the cord, there are a few other options to help you watch. You can access History via Frndly TV, Sling TV, Philo, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV.
Watch the trailer
You can take a look at the exciting teaser for the new series below.
