The Best TV Shows on Science

Every Science Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Science’s extensive portfolio includes more than 20 shows, spanning the years from 2001 to 2019. Icons of Science, How It's Made and Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible made their debut in 2001 and 2009, setting industry standards. As of August 2026, our compilation of Science’s top-rated series boasts over 20 unique shows.

  • How the Universe Works
    How the Universe Works (2010)8.3

    A users' guide to the cosmos, from the Big Bang to galaxies, stars, planets and moons: where did it all come from and how does it all fit together? A primer for anyone who has ever looked up at the night sky and wondered.

  • Life Force
    Life Force (2010)8.3

    Extraordinary show that reveals how forces of nature through sheer power of evolution shaped life in all it's unexpected and glorious forms, and filled our planet with amazing diversity of animals and plants.

  • Egypt's Unexplained Files
    Egypt's Unexplained Files (2019)7.9

    Experts dive deep into the secrets of Ancient Egypt, and use cutting-edge archaeological technology to reveal the hidden truths that could potentially answer questions that have befuddled Egyptologists for generations.

  • Through the Wormhole
    Through the Wormhole (2010)7.7

    Hosted by Morgan Freeman, Through the Wormhole explores the deepest mysteries of existence - the questions that have puzzled mankind for eternity. What are we made of? What was there before the beginning? Are we really alone? Is there a creator? These questions have been pondered by the most exquisite minds of the human race. Now, science has evolved to the point where hard facts and evidence may be able to provide us with answers instead of philosophical theories. Through the Wormhole brings together the brightest minds and best ideas from the very edges of science - Astrophysics, Astrobiology, Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and more - to reveal the extraordinary truth of our Universe.

  • Building Giants
    Building Giants (2018)7.7

    This documentary series showcases how key technological innovations enable giant superstructures to be built. Footage filmed during construction along with CGI reveal the building process with astonishing detail.

  • How It's Made
    How It's Made (2001)7.6

    Have you ever wondered how the products you use every day are made? How It's Made leads you through the process of how everyday products, such as apple juice, skateboards, engines, contact lenses, and many more objects are manufactured.

  • Dark Matters: Twisted But True
    Dark Matters: Twisted But True (2011)7.4

    Hosted by actor John Noble of Fringe and Lord of the Rings, the show takes the viewer inside the laboratory to profile strange science and expose some of history's most bizarre experiments. This show uses narration and reenactments to portray the stories in this show. A new season of episodes, under the title Dark Matters: Extra Twisted, premiered on January 23, 2013. The episodes revisit previous stories with "deeper insight and new information."

  • Unearthed
    Unearthed (2016)7.4

    Unearthed decodes mysteries and combines scientific investigations with CGI animation to reveal the hidden secrets of iconic structures and monuments from around the globe to discover how they were designed, built, used, and in some cases, lost and rediscovered.

  • Mysteries of the Abandoned
    Mysteries of the Abandoned (2017)7.3

    Documentary series investigating why some of the world's most advanced architectural achievements were abandoned.

  • NASA's Unexplained Files
    NASA's Unexplained Files (2012)7.1

    Dive into the mysteries of some of NASA’s most curious missions and explore stories of engineering achievement and human endurance. Each episode offers first hand testimony from astronauts, NASA mission footage, plus beautifully rendered CGI to bring to life these voyages that reveal unexplained sightings that have dogged many of NASA’s most famous missions.

  • How It's Made: Dream Cars
    How It's Made: Dream Cars (2013)7.1

    Join the legendary ‘How It's Made' crew as they immerse themselves in automobile heaven, and discover how incredible machines are designed and created. From a Maserati to the Audi R8, from a Morgan Aero Coupe to a Porsche 911, the team travel around the world to visit the birthplaces of a host of dream cars. Each half hour episode will reveal the car's inner workings and gorgeous exteriors, which is enhanced with unprecedented access to the factories and test labs that are integral to their conception and creation.

  • Impossible Engineering
    Impossible Engineering (2015)7.1

    Behind every seemingly impossible marvel of modern engineering is a cast of historic trailblazers who designed new building techniques, took risks on untested materials and revolutionised their field. Each episode details how giant structures, record-beating buildings, war ships and spacecraft are built and work. As the show revels in these modern day creations, it also leaps back in time to recount the stories of the exceptional engineers whose technological advances made it all possible.

  • Street Science
    Street Science (2017)7.0

    Kevin Delaney leaves his lab behind to hit the streets for experiments that are so unusual, offbeat, and so unexpected they will blow your mind.

  • Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible
    Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible (2009)6.9

    Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible is an American documentary television series on Science which first aired in the United States on December 1, 2009. The series is hosted by theoretical physicist Michio Kaku and is based on his book Physics of the Impossible. In each episode, Dr. Kaku addresses a technological concept from science fiction and designs his own theoretical version of the technology using currently-known science. He also visits scientists developing technology related to the episode's concept.

  • Outrageous Acts of Science
    Outrageous Acts of Science (2013)6.4

    Scientists and amateurs conduct experiments and post their exploits online. Each episode counts down 20 popular Internet videos and explains the science behind them.

  • What on Earth?
    What on Earth? (2015)6.4

    Satellites orbit Earth at 17,000 miles an hour, capturing images of our world that are breathtaking, but some are bizarre. This unique perspective reveals objects that seem to make no sense & phenomena that defy explanation. Such images force the question, what on Earth is that?

  • Engineering Catastrophes
    Engineering Catastrophes (2018)6.2

    From the hilarious to the mind-boggling, from the deadly to the bank-busting, witness some of the most outrageous structural disasters and the genius resolutions to get things back on track.

  • Secret Nazi Bases
    Secret Nazi Bases (2019)6.1

    From tunnels to towers, artillery sites, resistance nests and communication centers, Nazi Germany left their footprint throughout the world. To this day, silent remains still exist, sentinels guarding clues about plots that Hitler was unable to carry out. The collapse of the Third Reich left as many secrets as it did relics. Still today, remnants of the Nazi's schemes lie concealed in structures scattered across the globe. Skeletons of projects give way to mysteries. Conspiracies abound about science fiction scenarios. The Nazis were nothing if not methodical, and a deeper look reveals even darker plans. From tunnels to towers, artillery sites and communication centers; the remains of these schemes lie waiting to reveal truths about the Fuhrer's tactics and dreams in Secret Nazi Bases. What did Hitler have planned?

  • Strange Evidence
    Strange Evidence (2017)6.0

    Worldwide, 300 million surveillance cameras are watching us, on our streets, at work, and in our homes. At times, they capture images that don't seem to follow the normal laws of physics. A new Science Channel series investigates mysteries caught on tape and uncovers the science behind some of the most bizarre occurrences ever recorded. With a team of experts analyzing footage that seems to defy explanation, including levitating cars on a freeway, a statue that appears to move on its own, and a spontaneous burst of flames.

  • Tomorrow's World Today
    Tomorrow's World Today (2018)N/A

    "Tomorrow's World Today" presents a cutting-edge approach to exploring concepts in science and technology that are changing lives today and making a difference tomorrow. The series introduces innovative pioneers around the world who are forming new ways to utilize natural and technological resources to create a more sustainable society. One of those pioneers is host George Davison, an author/tech ambassador and creator of Inventionland, an immersive work environment for entrepreneurs to design products of the future. Actress/writer Tamara Krinsky reports from the field.