The Best TV Shows on Science

Every Science Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Science has delivered an expansive roster of over 20 shows, dating from 2001 all the way to 2020. Highlighting Science’s quality programming, How It's Made and How does it work? stand out, premiering in 2001 and 2008. Discover the best of Science with our list of over 20 series, meticulously updated for January 2026.

  • How The Earth Works
    How The Earth Works (2013)10.0

    Biologist Liz Bonnin and geologist Martin Pepper set out on a global expedition to answer the most thought-provoking questions in earth science today. Throughout history, such geologic events as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, tectonic plate motion, earthquakes, and asteroid impacts have continually reshaped Earth's surface, spreading chaos across the planet. By performing experiments, making observations in the field, and consulting expert scientists, the eight-part series works to uncover Earth's immeasurable capacity to create and destroy.

  • 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.

  • Secrets in the Ice
    Secrets in the Ice (2020)8.3

    Mysterious frozen lakes filled with bones, mummified bodies hanging from inside a glacier, and a 30,000-year-old virus frozen in ice brought back to life in a laboratory. In an all new Science Channel series, SECRETS IN THE ICE, experts and scientists are exposing dark secrets, forgotten treasures and lost relics from some of the coldest places on Earth. Using state of the art archaeological technologies and cutting-edge CGI animation, SECRETS IN THE ICE spotlights the mysteries that have been locked away in icy tombs all over the world for centuries. At the base of a massive glacier in Southern Greenland, Danish archeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient stone hut. Was this site the home to a Viking seer practicing black magic? In Siberia, archeologists have excavated a mummy with fantastical tattoos against the many warnings of locals. Have they uncovered buried treasure, or unleashed an ancient curse?

  • How to Build... Everything
    How to Build... Everything (2016)8.0

    Welcome to the do-it-yourself instruction manual for humanity’s greatest modern-day inventions. You will need: a ton of curiosity, a healthy dose of awe and a sense of humor. Sit back and join an awesome cast of brilliant scientists (and people who just love science) on HOW TO BUILD… EVERYTHING while they break down the most complicated tech and machines into a few simple steps. Structured in the spirit of a home installation guide, each half hour episode of HOW TO BUILD… EVERYTHING breaks down the step-by-step process behind some of the world’s most complex apparatuses in a way that armchair engineers and curious minds can follow. From an Apache helicopter to a hovercraft, a cruise ship or a satellite, each episode features three machines as part of a tongue-in-cheek instruction manual.

  • Strip the Cosmos
    Strip the Cosmos (2014)7.8

    Reveals worlds never seen before; stunning CGI animation peels back the layers, revealing alien landscapes of fragile lava caves, roiling plasma seas, cosmic platinum mines, and the hungry black hole at the center of our galaxy – cosmological wonders that play a surprising role defining our place in the universe.

  • Prophets of Science Fiction
    Prophets of Science Fiction (2011)7.7

    The series covers the life and work of leading science fiction authors of the last couple of centuries. It depicts how they predicted and, accordingly, influenced the development of scientific advancements by inspiring many readers to assist in transforming those futuristic visions into everyday reality.

  • 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.

  • Through the Wormhole
    Through the Wormhole (2010)7.6

    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.

  • Egypt's Unexplained Files
    Egypt's Unexplained Files (2019)7.6

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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)7.0

    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?

  • Secret Nazi Bases
    Secret Nazi Bases (2019)5.5

    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?

  • How does it work?
    How does it work? (2008)N/A