The five most impressive series about WW2

Every year around this time we celebrate freedom and remember those who gave their lives for it. Much has been said, written, sung and filmed about it. Also in the series world there are countless series about war and freedom. This year I would like to highlight five series that each tell a story about World War II in their own way. They are all critically acclaimed productions — chosen based on historical accuracy, a strong storyline and the positive reception from critics and viewers.

1. Band of Brothers (2001) – Netflix & HBO Max
Band of Brothers is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning miniseries that follows Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division as they navigate Europe. The series is praised for its realistic and emotional take on true stories. An absolute classic.

2. The Pacific (2010) – HBO Max
The Pacific is a companion series to Band of Brothers that focuses on the war in the Pacific against Japan. The tone is grittier and psychologically heavier, and shows a very different face of the war.

3. Das Boot (1985 / 2018) – NPO Start & Plus, SkyShowtime
The original miniseries Das Boot (1985), the feature-length version of the film of the same name, is a claustrophobic and intense portrait of life aboard a German U-boat. The 2018 Das Boot builds on this, offering suspenseful storylines, technical precision, and a rare German perspective.

4. Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter (2013) – KPN TV
Our Mothers, Our Fathers is a German miniseries that follows five young friends in different roles – soldiers, nurses, resistance fighters – during the war. It is a confrontational and layered series that shows how ordinary people were faced with impossible choices.

5. World on Fire (2019) – NPO Start & Plus
World on Fire shows the beginning of the war through the eyes of people in England, Poland, France and Germany. Thanks to the strong acting and the diverse perspectives it is a compelling and layered series.

In addition to this top 5, there are of course many more impressive series about the Second World War, each with its own approach. Think of: Such as The Man in the High Castle (Prime Video), Catch-22 (Disney+), Masters of the Air (Apple TV+), The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Prime Video), We Were the Lucky Ones (Disney+), The Tattooist of Auschwitz (SkyShowtime), De Joodse Raad (NPO), De Vlucht (NPO Start), De Stamhouder (NPO Plus), Oorlogswinter (1975).