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American Experience

1988 – nowShow37 seasons396 episodesTV-PG

Documentary
75
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.6

A nostalgic, slow-burning documentary series about history and a real life story.

Good for family movie night · friends night · kids

Skip it if you want something to laugh at

Where to watch

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Not for laughs, scares or adrenaline.

Shows with

Episodes

37 seasons · 396 episodes · best: S31E7 "Chasing the Moon: Earthrise" 8.6

Episodes

7.4
7.0
7.7
7.0
7.8
7.6
8.0
7.7
7.6
7.7
7.3
7.8
8.0
7.5
7.7
7.6
7.3
7.6
7.2
7.3
7.9
7.8
7.7
7.6
7.9
7.7
7.4
7.8
7.6
7.6
8.1
7.8
7.7
7.4
7.3
7.8
7.5
7.0

Story

TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

Feels like

  • Definitive Historical Documentary
  • Ken Burns Style
  • Educational & Authoritative
  • Archival Footage Mastery
  • American History Focus
  • Biographical Depth
  • Slow-Paced Narrative
  • Sociopolitical Commentary
  • High Production Value
  • Intellectual Engagement

Cast

24 of 255 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
David Grubin, Rob Rapley, Stephen Ives
Written by
Mark Zwonitzer, Michelle Ferrari, Marcia Smith
Produced by
Thomas Lennon, Susan Bellows, Sharon Grimberg
Music by
Peter Rundquist, Gary Lionelli, Tom Phillips

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 4, 1988 · January 6, 2026 · Still running

First aired
October 4, 1988
Latest episode
January 6, 2026
Status
Still running
Length
37 seasons · 396 episodes
Age rating
TV-PG
Content
Violence
Genres
Documentary
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
28 countries

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream American Experience?"

Questions about American Experience

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream American Experience?

YouTube TVPBSPBS Documentaries

In the United States, American Experience streams on YouTube TV, PBS, and PBS Documentaries. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. It also streams in 5 other countries.

Is American Experience worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75 (IMDb 8.6).

Which season of American Experience is best?

Season 31, with an IMDb average of 8.1. Seasons 2, 4, and 38 are the weakest at 7.0. The highest-rated episode is Chasing the Moon: Earthrise (season 31, episode 7) at 8.6, and the lowest is Murder at Harvard (season 15, episode 13) at 5.8.

Is American Experience okay for kids?

TV-PGViolence

Yes: it's rated TV-PG in the United States for violence, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

How long does it take to watch American Experience?

363 h

About 363 hours: 396 episodes in 37 seasons of about 55 minutes each since 1988, and it's still in production.

Is American Experience plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (8 of 10) and dialogue centrality (8 of 10) more than on its plot.