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Where to stream

The Civil War

8.019901 seasonTV-14TV SeriesDocumentaryWar & Politics

A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

ProducersStephen Ives·Catherine Yang Eisele

Where to watch

HooplaHooplaHISTORY Vault Apple TV channelHISTORY Vault Apple TV channelHISTORY Vault Amazon ChannelHISTORY Vault Amazon ChannelPBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelPBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelThirteenThirteenWETA+WETA+KQEDKQED
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Seasons & Episodes

E1
The Cause: 1861
Sep 23, 1990 6.3
E2
A Very Bloody Affair: 1862
Sep 24, 1990 5.9
E3
Forever Free: 1862
Sep 24, 1990 6.5
E4
Simply Murder: 1863
Sep 25, 1990 6.5
E5
The Universe of Battle: 1863
Sep 25, 1990 6.6
E6
Valley of the Shadow of Death: 1864
Sep 26, 1990 6.5
E7
Most Hallowed Ground: 1864
Sep 26, 1990 6.5
E8
War Is All Hell: 1865
Sep 27, 1990 6.8
E9
The Better Angels of Our Nature: 1865
Sep 27, 1990 6.7

Cast

DMDavid McCullough
David McCullough
Narrator (voice)
SWSam Waterston
Sam Waterston
Abraham Lincoln (voice)
JHJulie Harris
Julie Harris
Mary Chestnut (voice)
JRJason Robards
Jason Robards
Ulysses S. Grant (voice)
MFMorgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman
Frederick Douglass / John Boston (voice)
PRPaul Roebling
Paul Roebling
Joshua Chamberlain (voice)
GKGarrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor
Walt Whitman (voice)
GB
George Black
Robert E. Lee (voice)
AMArthur Miller
Arthur Miller
William Tecumseh Sherman (voice)
CMChristopher Murney
Christopher Murney
Elisha Hunt Rhodes (voice)
CM
Charles McDowell
Samuel R. Watkins (voice)
HFHorton Foote
Horton Foote
Jefferson Davis (voice)

More from David McCullough · Lead actor

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More from Sam Waterston · Co-star actor

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The Civil War — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Civil War?

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

Is The Civil War on Netflix?

No, The Civil War is not on Netflix in United States as of November 2026. It's currently on Hoopla and HISTORY Vault.

Is The Civil War on Amazon Prime Video?

The Civil 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 Civil War for free?

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

How many seasons are in The Civil War?

The Civil War has 1 season in total (9 episodes). The series concluded in 1990.

Are all episodes of The Civil War out yet?

Yes — all 9 episodes across 1 season of The Civil War are out and available to stream.

Is there a Season 2 of The Civil War?

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