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No telescope required. These documentaries take you to the surface of Mars, inside a black hole, and to the edge of the observable universe — all from your couch.
We’ve ranked the 15 best space documentaries of all time, with streaming links so you can watch tonight.
The Best Space Documentaries Ever Made
1. *Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey* (2014) — Neil deGrasse Tyson
Where to watch: Cosmos Spacetime Odyssey Prime Video
The sequel to Carl Sagan’s original Cosmos is one of the most visually stunning television events ever produced. Neil deGrasse Tyson guides viewers through 13.8 billion years of cosmic history, with groundbreaking visual effects and deeply moving storytelling.
If you watch only one thing on this list, make it this.
Episodes: 13 | Rating: 9.3/10 IMDb
2. *Apollo 11* (2019)
Where to watch: Apollo 11 Documentary Prime Video
Assembled entirely from newly discovered 65mm film footage and audio recordings, this documentary drops you directly into the Apollo 11 mission in a way nothing else has. No narration, no talking heads — just the raw, unmediated experience of humanity’s greatest achievement.
Breathtaking.
Runtime: 93 minutes | Rating: 8.2/10 IMDb
3. *For All Mankind* (1989)
Where to watch: For All Mankind Documentary
A masterfully edited film using actual NASA footage from the Apollo program. The film intercuts missions to create a single, seamless lunar journey, accompanied by Brian Eno’s haunting score. One of the most beautifully made documentaries in existence.
Runtime: 80 minutes
4. *The Farthest: Voyager in Space* (2017)
Where to watch: The Farthest Documentary Prime Video
The story of Voyager 1 and 2 — the most distant human-made objects in existence. Scientists and engineers who built the spacecraft tell the story of humanity’s greatest exploration mission. Emotional, inspiring, and scientifically rich.
Runtime: 122 minutes | Rating: 8.4/10 IMDb
5. *Hubble* (2010) — IMAX
Where to watch: Hubble IMAX Documentary
Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, this IMAX film follows the final Space Shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. The footage of the spacewalks is extraordinary — and the Hubble images at the end will leave you speechless.
Runtime: 44 minutes
6. *Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know* (2020)
Where to watch: Black Holes Documentary Prime Video
Follow the Event Horizon Telescope team as they attempt the first-ever photograph of a black hole. The film captures two years of work by over 200 scientists — and the moment they see the image for the first time is genuinely moving.
Runtime: 99 minutes | Rating: 7.4/10 IMDb
7. *One Strange Rock* (2018) — National Geographic
Where to watch: One Strange Rock National Geographic Prime Video
Eight astronauts explain why Earth is the most extraordinary planet in the universe. Narrated by Will Smith and produced with some of the most beautiful nature cinematography ever filmed, it’s a love letter to our home planet told from orbit.
Episodes: 10
8. *Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight* (2024) — Netflix
An emotionally devastating four-part Netflix documentary about the Columbia disaster of 2003. Told through never-before-seen footage and new interviews with the crew’s families and NASA engineers, it’s a profound meditation on courage and loss.
Episodes: 4 | Where to watch: Netflix
9. *Return to Space* (2022) — Netflix
Ron Howard’s documentary follows Elon Musk and SpaceX through the development of the Crew Dragon capsule and the first crewed commercial spaceflight. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how private spaceflight works.
Runtime: 2 hours | Where to watch: Netflix
10. *The Last Man on the Moon* (2014)
Where to watch: Last Man on the Moon Documentary
Gene Cernan — the last human to walk on the Moon — tells his remarkable story. Honest, emotional, and often surprising. A deeply personal counterpart to the grand sweep of Apollo 11.
Runtime: 99 minutes | Rating: 7.8/10 IMDb
11. *Overview Effect* (2012) — Free on Vimeo
A short but profound 19-minute film about the “overview effect” — the cognitive shift experienced by astronauts when they see Earth from space for the first time. Watch this one when you need to reset your perspective on everything.
Runtime: 19 minutes | Where to watch: Free (Vimeo)
12. *The Search for Life in Space* (2016) — IMAX
Where to watch: Search for Life in Space IMAX
A visually breathtaking IMAX film exploring the search for habitable worlds — from Mars to Europa to exoplanets thousands of light years away. Features stunning imagery from NASA missions and telescopes.
Runtime: 40 minutes
13. *Cosmos: Possible Worlds* (2020) — Season 3
Where to watch: Cosmos Possible Worlds Prime Video
The third season of Cosmos continues Neil deGrasse Tyson’s journey — exploring the deep history of science, future possibilities for humanity, and the stories of scientific pioneers throughout history. Every bit as beautiful as the first season.
Episodes: 13
14. *In the Shadow of the Moon* (2007)
Where to watch: In the Shadow of the Moon Documentary
Direct interviews with nine of the 12 men who walked on the Moon — recorded while they were still alive to tell their stories. An irreplaceable historical document as much as a film.
Runtime: 100 minutes | Rating: 8.1/10 IMDb
15. *Lucy in the Sky with Plasma* — James Webb Space Telescope Collection
Where to watch: YouTube (NASA official channel — free)
Not a single documentary but NASA’s official collection of James Webb Space Telescope reveals and explanations on their YouTube channel. Watching the first Webb images being unveiled in real time is one of the most extraordinary things you can experience as a space fan. Search “NASA Webb first images” on YouTube.
Honourable Mentions
- Gravity (fiction, but technically accurate in many ways) — Gravity Film
- Interstellar (fiction) — Interstellar Film
- The Martian (fiction) — The Martian Film
- Hidden Figures (based on true story) — Hidden Figures Film
Where to Watch Space Content Right Now
| Platform | Best Content |
|---|---|
| Netflix | SpaceX docs, Columbia documentary |
| Amazon Prime Video | Cosmos, Apollo 11, Voyager docs |
| YouTube (free) | NASA official channel, Kurzgesagt |
| Disney+ / Nat Geo | One Strange Rock |
| Vimeo (free) | Overview Effect short film |
The Bottom Line
Start with Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014) — it’s the most complete, beautiful, and mind-expanding space documentary ever made. Then watch Apollo 11 (2019) for raw, visceral history. Then The Farthest for genuine emotion.
You’ll never look at the night sky the same way again.
Streaming availability may vary by region. Amazon Prime Video affiliate links may earn The Scientuit a commission at no cost to you.
Related: [Where Is Voyager 1 Right Now?] | [James Webb Telescope Discoveries] | [SpaceX Starship Explained]
