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Trailer+1 trailer

Frontline

1983 – nowShow45 seasons857 episodesTV-PG

DocumentaryNews
77
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.6Metacritic–8.0

A layered, moving documentary series about society and everyday modern life.

Good for family movie night · friends night · teens

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Not for laughs, comfort or warmth.

Shows with

Episodes

45 seasons · 857 episodes · best: S19E14 "Dangerous Straits" 9.6

Episodes

7.0
8.4
8.5
8.5
8.1
7.7
8.1
8.2
7.6
7.8
8.3
7.7
8.4
7.2
8.3
8.1
8.2
7.9
7.7
8.0
8.3
7.9
7.9
7.9
8.0
7.7
7.7
7.2
7.8
7.7
7.9
7.6
7.5
7.2
7.5
7.5
7.5
7.4
7.6
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.2
7.1

Story

Since it began in 1983, Frontline has been airing public-affairs documentaries that explore a wide scope of the complex human experience. Frontline's goal is to extend the impact of the documentary beyond its initial broadcast by serving as a catalyst for change.

Feels like

  • Investigative Journalism
  • Societal Mirror
  • Documentary Series
  • Political Analysis
  • Human Rights Focus
  • Educational Resource
  • Real-World Impact
  • Complex Narrative
  • Public Affairs

Cast

24 of 131 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Michael Kirk, Gabrielle Schonder, Daffodil Altan
Written by
Ric Esther Bienstock, Neil Docherty, Michael Kirk
Produced by
Neil Docherty, Lisa Ellenwood, Raney Aronson-Rath
Music by
John Dragonetti, Jocelyn Pook, John E. Low

Everyone

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

Facts

January 17, 1983 · September 29, 2026 · Still running

First aired
January 17, 1983
Latest episode
September 29, 2026
Status
Still running
Length
45 seasons · 857 episodes
Age rating
TV-PG
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Documentary, News
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
4 countries

Tropes

Cannot Tell Fiction from Reality, Celebrity Casualty, I Can't Believe I'm Saying This +9

  • Cannot Tell Fiction from Reality
  • Celebrity Casualty
  • I Can't Believe I'm Saying This
  • Deadpan Snarker
  • Intoxication Ensues
  • Convenient Replacement Character
  • Running Gag
  • Because I'm Good At It
  • The Bus Came Back
  • Took a Level in Dumbass
  • Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism
  • Pointless Civic Project

12 of 54 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Frontline?"

Questions about Frontline

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Frontline?

PBSPBS Documentaries

In the United States, Frontline streams on PBS Documentaries, and it is free with ads on PBS. It also streams in 2 other countries.

Is Frontline worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77 (IMDb 8.6). Season 1 is the weak spot, with an IMDb average of 7.0 against 8.5 for the best season.

Does Frontline get better after season 1?

Yes: season 1 has an IMDb average of 7.0, and seasons 3 and 4 peak at 8.5. The highest-rated episode is Dangerous Straits (season 19, episode 14) at 9.6, and the lowest is The Two Nations of Black America (season 16, episode 3) at 4.5.

Is Frontline okay for kids?

TV-PGViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

Yes: it's rated TV-PG in the United States for violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

How long does it take to watch Frontline?

786 h

About 786 hours: 857 episodes in 45 seasons of about 55 minutes each since 1983, and it's still in production.

Is Frontline plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (8 of 10) and pathos (7 of 10) more than on its plot.

What tropes does Frontline use?

Cannot Tell Fiction from RealityCelebrity CasualtyI Can't Believe I'm Saying ThisDeadpan SnarkerIntoxication EnsuesConvenient Replacement CharacterRunning GagBecause I'm Good At ItThe Bus Came BackTook a Level in DumbassSliding Scale of Idealism Versus CynicismPointless Civic Projectand 42 more

TV Tropes lists 54 tropes for it, including Cannot Tell Fiction from Reality, Celebrity Casualty, and I Can't Believe I'm Saying This.