The Congress poster
Where to stream

The Congress

7.619891h 29mGMovieDocumentaryHistory

For 200 years, the United States Congress has been one of the country's most important and least understood institutions. In this elegant, thoughtful and often touching portrait, Ken Burns explores the history and promise of this unique…

DirectorKen Burns
WritersBernard Weisberger·David McCullough

Where to watch

PBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelPBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelHooplaHoopla
Availability shown for Canada · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Ken Burns

DMDavid McCullough
David McCullough
Self - Writer / Narrator
CRCokie Roberts
Cokie Roberts
Self - Journalist
ACAlistair Cooke
Alistair Cooke
Self - Journalist
AMArthur Miller
Arthur Miller
Self
CM
Charles McDowell
Self - Newspaperman
BF
Barbara Fields
Self - Historian
JS
John C. Stennis
Self - Former Senator
DB
David S. Broder
Self - Reporter
GT
George Tames
Self - Photographer
JB
James MacGregor Burns
Self - Historian
JD
Jerome Dempsey
(voice)
SF
Shelby Foote
(voice)

More from David McCullough · Lead actor

American Experience
American Experience
1988 · 6.5
The Civil War
The Civil War
1990 · 8.0
Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit
2003 · 7.1
The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God
The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God
1984 · 7.1
FDR
FDR
1994
The Donner Party
The Donner Party
1992 · 7.0
The Hurricane of '38
The Hurricane of '38
1993
Ike
Ike
1993
Napoleon
Napoleon
2000 · 8.0
George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King
George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King
1992 · 9.0
See all fromDavid McCullough

More from Ken Burns · Director

The Civil War
The Civil War
1990 · 8.0
Baseball
Baseball
1994 · 7.6
The American Revolution
The American Revolution
2025 · 6.1
The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War
2017 · 8.3
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
2009 · 7.9
Jazz
Jazz
2001 · 7.5
The War
The War
2007 · 8.2
Prohibition
Prohibition
2011 · 7.9
Country Music
Country Music
2019 · 7.5
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
2024 · 7.8
See all fromKen Burns

More like this

The Untold History Of The United States
The Untold History Of The United States
2012 · 8.2
I Am Heath Ledger
I Am Heath Ledger
2017 · 7.4
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
2019 · 6.9
The Princess
The Princess
2022 · 6.5
9/11: Inside the President's War Room
9/11: Inside the President's War Room
2021 · 6.9
Red Army
Red Army
2015 · 7.4
RBG
RBG
2018 · 7.5
Downloaded
Downloaded
2013 · 6.5
Keith Richards: Under the Influence
Keith Richards: Under the Influence
2015 · 6.8
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20
2022 · 7.2
John Candy: I Like Me
John Candy: I Like Me
2025 · 7.9
The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story
The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story
2019 · 7.3

The Congress — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Congress?

The Congress is streaming on PBS Documentaries and Hoopla in Canada. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The Congress on Netflix?

No, The Congress is not on Netflix in Canada as of November 2026. It's currently on PBS Documentaries and Hoopla.

Is The Congress on Amazon Prime Video?

No, The Congress isn't on Amazon Prime Video in Canada right now. It's on PBS Documentaries and Hoopla instead.

Where can I watch The Congress for free?

The Congress is available to stream free (with ads) on Hoopla in Canada.

Is The Congress based on a true story?

Yes — The Congress is based on true events, dramatising real people and events (some details may be fictionalised for the screen).