World War II from 1939 to 1945, reshaped the world with its profound geopolitical and human consequences. The war’s harrowing tales not only transformed nations but also deeply affected the lives of millions.
In recent years, a resurgence of interest in personal stories from the era has taken shape in various forms of media, most notably from the steaming giants like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Stan releasing a number of World World II series.
From the deeply moving tale of a blind French girl and a German soldier in “All the Light We Cannot See,” to the suspenseful saga of survival in “We Were The Lucky Ones,” the intense air battles portrayed in “Masters of the Air,” the intersection of war and fashion in “The New Look,” and the poignant story of “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” each series offers a unique lens into the complexities and the enduring impact of the war. These stories remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the indelible mark left by the war not only on the world but also on individuals.
Must Watch World War II Series
Here are five World War II series
“All the Light We Cannot See” – Netflix
“All the Light We Cannot See” brings to life the intertwining paths of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner Pfennig, a German soldier, against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied France. Marie-Laure, who flees to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo with her father, possesses a valuable jewel that others are desperate to find. Meanwhile, Werner, a gifted young German engineer, becomes increasingly aware of the human cost of his intelligence work. Their stories converge in a poignant exploration of fate, human capacity for cruelty, and the redemptive power of hope.
“We Were The Lucky Ones” – Disney+
“We Were The Lucky Ones” inspired by true events from the author’s own family history, this series follows the Kurc family, a Jewish family living in Poland in 1939 who are soon scattered across the globe as World War II begins. Each family member faces overwhelming odds to not just survive let alone the hope to reunite. From the ghettos of Poland to the lavish coasts of Rio de Janeiro, the series traces each family member’s disparate yet intertwining paths, portraying an unrelenting fight for survival and the power of family bonds in the face of the unimaginable circumstances of war.
“Masters of the Air” – Apple TV+
Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, “Masters of the Air” focuses on the American bomber boys of the Eighth Air Force who were based in England. It highlights their heroic air battles against Nazi Germany, depicting both the physical and psychological tolls these missions took on the men. The series delves into the lives of these young airmen as they face life-or-death decisions and form a brotherhood in their fight against the Axis powers, providing a close look at the courage and camaraderie that defined a generation.
“The New Look” – Apple TV+
“The New Look” illuminates an intriguing chapter of World War II history, the impact of the war on Paris’s fashion industry, with a special focus on the rivalry between designers Christian Dior and Coco Chanel. Set during the Nazi occupation of Paris, the series explores how Dior’s revolutionary designs came to define Parisian fashion post-war, and how both designers navigated through restrictions, loyalties, and the challenges of maintaining their creative visions in a time of conflict.
“The Tattooist of Auschwitz” – Stan
Based on a true story, “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” tells the harrowing tale of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, who is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover his multilingual skills, he is put to work as the Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with marking his fellow prisoners. Amidst the horrors, he uses his position to secure food for his fellow prisoners and falls in love with a fellow inmate, Gita. This series not only reflects on the atrocities of the Holocaust but also on an incredible story of love and survival against all odds.