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The War

8.120071 seasonTV-14TV SeriesDocumentaryWar & PoliticsCrime

The story of the Second World War through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women from four American towns. The war touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America and demonstrated that in extraordinary times, there are no ordinary lives.

DirectorsKen Burns·Lynn Novick
ProducersLynn Novick·Ken Burns

Where to watch

PBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelPBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelThirteenThirteenWETA+WETA+KanopyKanopy
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Seasons & Episodes

E1
A Necessary War
Sep 23, 2007 8.2
E2
When Things Get Tough
Sep 24, 2007 7.8
E3
A Deadly Calling
Sep 25, 2007 7.5
E4
Pride of Our Nation / A Volunteer Basis
Sep 26, 2007 7.5
E5
FUBAR
Sep 30, 2007 7.5
E6
The Ghost Front
Oct 1, 2007 7.5
E7
A World Without War
Oct 2, 2007 8.2

Cast · Directed by Ken Burns

KDKeith David
Keith David
Narrator (voice)
THTom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Narrator / Al McIntosh (voice)
JLJosh Lucas
Josh Lucas
Narrator (voice)
BCBobby Cannavale
Bobby Cannavale
Narrator / Babe Ciarlo (voice)
SJSamuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson
Narrator (voice)
EWEli Wallach
Eli Wallach
Narrator (voice)
RWRobert Wahlberg
Robert Wahlberg
Narrator / James A. Fahey (voice)
AAAdam Arkin
Adam Arkin
Reader (voice)
CMCarolyn McCormick
Carolyn McCormick
Reader (voice)
PF
Paul Fussell
Self
QA
Quentin Aanenson
Self
SW
Sascha Weinzheimer
Self

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The War — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The War?

The War is streaming on PBS Documentaries, Thirteen and WETA+ in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The War on Netflix?

No, The War is not on Netflix in United States as of August 2026. It's currently on PBS Documentaries and Thirteen.

Is The War on Amazon Prime Video?

The War isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch The War for free?

The War is available to stream free (with ads) on Kanopy in United States.

How many seasons are in The War?

The War has 1 season in total (7 episodes). The series concluded in 2007.

Are all episodes of The War out yet?

Yes — all 7 episodes across 1 season of The War are out and available to stream.

Is there a Season 2 of The War?

No — The War ended after 1 season, so there is no Season 2.