The Civil War (1990)
Kernel Score: 86% · 122 TMDB ratings
Genres: Documentary, War & Politics
First aired: 1990-09-23
Seasons: 1 · 9 episodes
Where to watch The Civil War
- Stream: Hoopla, HISTORY Vault Apple TV channel, Thirteen, WETA+
- Free with ads: WETA+, KQED
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
US availability, updated 2026-11-12.
Overview
A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
The Civil War parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Civil War is a documentary depicting the historical realities of slavery and war, including war violence.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Documentary covers Civil War battles and the historical brutality of slavery.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-14 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Shows like The Civil War
If you liked The Civil War, these are the shows we'd watch next.
- The World at War (1973) — 89%
- World War II in Colour (2009) — 85%
- Top Gear (1978) — 87%
Cast
- David McCullough as Narrator
- Sam Waterston as Abraham Lincoln
- Julie Harris as Mary Chestnut
- Jason Robards as Ulysses S. Grant
- Morgan Freeman as Frederick Douglass
- Paul Roebling as Joshua Chamberlain
- Garrison Keillor as Walt Whitman
- George Black as Robert E. Lee
- Arthur Miller as William Tecumseh Sherman
- Christopher Murney as Elisha Hunt Rhodes
The Civil War FAQ
Is The Civil War good?
The Civil War has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels, our own critic-informed editorial score.
Where can I watch The Civil War?
In the US you can stream The Civil War on Hoopla, HISTORY Vault Apple TV channel, Thirteen and WETA+, watch it free with ads on WETA+ and KQED and buy it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is The Civil War OK for kids?
The Civil War is rated TV-14. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Civil War is a documentary depicting the historical realities of slavery and war, including war violence.
What shows are like The Civil War?
If you liked The Civil War, try The World at War, World War II in Colour and Top Gear.