2026 Documentaries

1. A revolution in transplant medicine

January 3, 2026 · 43m

More donor organs are needed, but too few are available. Could the future of transplant medicine be found in the laboratory? Doctors and scientists around the world are researching ways to produce organs artificially.

2. Dictators, drugs, discord - Latin America and the USA (1/3)

January 10, 2026 · 43m

3. Dictators, drugs, discord - Latin America and the USA (2/3)

January 10, 2026 · 43m

4. Dictators, drugs, discord - Latin America and the USA (3/3)

January 10, 2026 · 43m

5. The War of the Worlds - The prophetic novel

January 11, 2026 · 52m

H.G. Wells redefined science fiction. "The War of the Worlds” was the first story about an invasion by aliens that simultaneously managed to raise questions about human progress, immortalize Martians, and inspire countless adaptations. This documentary traces how Wells used science fiction as a moral and political fable to criticize colonialism and modernity. Wells also warned of the dangers associated with industrial, scientific, and technological progress.

6. Inside the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' protest movement in Iran

January 15, 2026 · 43m

7. Cities on the ocean

January 23, 2026 · 43m

Cities, floating on the ocean. It sounds like science fiction, but could soon become reality. Researchers are developing concepts for life on water - on a grand scale. Initial tests are promising. Is success a genuine possibility?

8. Wildlife in the city

February 6, 2026 · 43m

Nature often struggles in the concrete jungles of growing cities. But many animals manage to adapt to the new conditions, thanks to changes in behavior, new survival strategies and, sometimes, even genetic changes.

9. Opioid crisis in the US - Business & addiction (1/2)

February 7, 2026 · 52m

The United States has a huge drug problem: cheap opioids, thousands of deaths. President Trump blames Latin American cartels. But it all began 30 years ago, quite legally, in the United States. Through exclusive interviews, insider accounts and previously unpublished archive material, this two-part documentary reveals how the Sacklers bribed regulators, pushed Oxy and evaded justice despite overwhelming evidence. The two-part documentary tells the story of a crisis that continues to devastate parts of American society to this day.

10. Martinique: The deadliest volcanic eruption of the 20th century

February 11, 2026 · 43m

There are around 1,500 known active volcanoes worldwide. A volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years. Around 40 to 60 volcanoes erupt every year.

11. Liberland: Crypto paradise or libertarian illusion?

February 12, 2026 · 43m

Liberland is a country that doesn’t officially exist. A country that promises voluntary taxes and a lean state. It’s a libertarian utopia that’s finding more supporters worldwide. The Liberland experiment may seem like an oddity, but it also raises serious questions: Cryptocurrencies and decentralized networks are undermining traditional national borders, and radical market ideas are gaining influence. Parallel structures are emerging. Critics see them as a threat to democracy. Others, of course, sense opportunity.

12. Humanity in the midst of war - Survival and loss in Ukraine

February 13, 2026 · 1h 26m

13. Opioid crisis in the US - Business & addiction (2/2)

February 14, 2026 · 51m

14. What distinguishes humans from animals?

February 16, 2026 · 52m

What made our ancestors evolve in such an extraordinary way? This film presents the latest scientific theories on how the human species evolved and looks at the shadow side of our unique abilities.

15. The raw materials dilemma: Europe, China, and the Green Deal

February 18, 2026 · 43m

Europe wants to encourage economic growth, while also saving our planet from climate collapse. The name of the plan to do this is the "Green Deal.” Under the Green Deal, electric cars are supposed to replace combustion engines, and renewable energies will be used instead of coal, oil, and gas. But green technologies require many critical raw materials, like lithium and rare earths. But these raw materials are rarely mined in Europe anymore. Currently, they come from faraway places like Africa, South America, Russia, and above all, China.

16. Toxic colonialism - Secret chemical warfare in Algeria

February 21, 2026 · 54m

17. The Canary Islands paradox- Desalination plants

February 25, 2026 · 43m

Sixty years ago, Europe's first seawater desalination plant was built in the Canary Islands. This technology for producing fresh water was a blessing for the islands. Now, it could prove to be a curse for the ecosystem. This water treatment system is essential for life in the area - but is it compatible with the principles of sustainable development?

18. Violence against women in India

February 27, 2026 · 43m

In India, more than 80 women are raped every day. This number is probably just the tip of the iceberg. In most cases, the crimes are not reported - whether out of shame, fear of the perpetrator, or mistrust of the police and the justice system. For six months, a camera crew accompanied Kinjal and her family in their search for justice. A glimpse behind the scenes in India, where the violence of the caste system and the weight of tradition determine the lives of hundreds of millions of women.

19. Neutrinos: Do they reveal the secrets of the universe?

March 4, 2026 · 44m

Smaller than an atom, and able to race through objects at the speed of light: these mysterious particles are called neutrinos. They could possibly hold the key to the existence of all matter. To observe them, scientists must venture into the eerie silence that reigns only in the most remote places on Earth - or at the bottom of the deepest mines. Using computer animations and access to underground observatories in Canada, Japan, and Antarctica, the documentary follows the interstellar journey of a neutrino crossing our planet from the other side of a black hole. This fascinating and metaphysical film provides insight into the history of Earth and reveals how the secrets of the universe could be unlocked if we listen to our planet.

20. India - Nuclear Power, space power, economic power?

March 7, 2026 · 43m

India has set its sights on becoming an economic global power. For western entrepreneurs, the country could be a feasible alternative to China. But how sustainable is the current boom?

21. The secrets of lightning

March 11, 2026 · 44m

Lightning is a force of nature. Traveling at a speed of 100,000 km/h, with a temperature five times that of the Sun's surface, it strikes the Earth millions of times a day. But what makes lightning? Does it have a purpose? The phenomenon has puzzled generations of scientists for centuries, from Benjamin Franklin to Nikola Tesla. Today, in a bid to unravel its true nature, researchers are trying to achieve something once thought to be impossible: capturing lightning.

22. How sugar created slavery (1/2)

March 12, 2026 · 43m

Sugar has long played a central role in the global economy. But this lucrative business was also a major driver of both colonialism and slavery. To this day, workers are systematically exploited for sugar production.

23. How sugar created slavery (2/2)

March 12, 2026 · 43m

Sugar has long played a central role in the global economy. But this lucrative business was also a major driver of both colonialism and slavery. To this day, workers are systematically exploited for sugar production.

24. The story of our planet

March 13, 2026 · 1h 26m

The documentary shows the evolutionary history of our planet, in which the history of humankind represents only a brief moment. Rocks existed on our planet long before the oceans, forests, plants, and even air came into being. From the very beginning, the earth itself was the foundation of creation. The documentary looks at how inanimate matter created life, shaped landscapes, and gave rise to civilizations.

25. The heart- The most powerful organ in our body?

March 19, 2026 · 43m

Women's hearts differ from men's, and often present subtler heart attack symptoms. This can lead to dangerously late diagnoses. Every minute counts in a heart attack: as soon as the blood supply stops, heart tissue begins to die, irretrievably.

26. Octopus under threat

March 27, 2026 · 42m

Octopus is considered a delicacy - grilled, boiled, or fried. But rising demand has consequences, and in several regions of Europe, this intelligent cephalopod is already considered overfished. The ecological consequences of octopus overfishing are already visible: in Italy, the invasive blue crab is spreading uncontrollably. It is one of the octopus's favorite foods - but without natural enemies, it is now destroying mussel farming in the Po Delta and thus posing a threat to livelihoods.

27. The Da Vinci Code - Has the mystery been solved?

April 1, 2026 · 52m

Dan Brown's novel "The Da Vinci Code” is one of the century’s most successful thrillers worldwide. But how much truth is behind the claims made in the book - and what is pure fiction?

28. Gothic architecture

April 3, 2026 · 45m

Gothic architecture emerged in France in the 12th century. This architectural style revolutionized church construction, creating cathedrals that soared skywards. But where did the knowledge and technology for building these monuments come from?

29. The German obsession with cars

April 10, 2026 · 1h 26m

More than 140 years after its invention, the car remains a source of fascination for many people. In Germany, for example, there are more vehicles on the road than ever before. For some, the car is a cult object. But it also deeply polarizing. Germany is considered the birthplace of the automobile. Here, cars are like the family's favorite child. Many Germans maintain an emotional relationship with motorized vehicles - one explored in this film.

30. Sudan: The world's biggest humanitarian crisis

April 11, 2026 · 52m

In Sudan, the government is waging a bloody civil war against rebels. An estimated 12 million people have fled their homes, either to destinations within the country or to neighboring states. Many of them are seeking help in Chad. It is arguably the world's biggest humanitarian crisis - yet the civil war in Sudan has received little attention from the international community.

31. Nano- and microplastics: The invisible danger to the body

April 15, 2026 · 56m

All organisms harbor an invisible, omnipresent enemy: plastic. Researchers worldwide have shown that plastic particles can also be detected in humans - in organs and bodily fluids. The documentary shows the current state of research on the harmfulness of microplastics and the consequences for the human species. Micro- and nanoplastics pollute the environment and pose a threat to humans and animals.

32. The secret to concentration

April 16, 2026 · 43m

Constant stimuli, digital distractions - how can we stay focused these days? Does talent, training, or technology help? Neuroscientists and mental coaches show how concentration works in the brain. In an increasingly demanding world, we seem to be able to concentrate less and less. How does our brain manage to focus, even when we’re constantly exposed to distractions? This documentary accompanies a top athlete, an air traffic controller trainee, and an e-sports professional on their journeys in search of maximum focus.

33. Dangerous apps- In the web of data brokers

April 18, 2026 · 52m

What many smartphone users know: the apps on their phones collect detailed location data. What few people know: the information often ends up with a global network of data brokers and advertising companies.

34. Axolotl

April 30, 2026 · 43m

The axolotl, a tailed amphibian, is a marvel of evolution. It can regenerate injured body parts and is exceptionally long-lived. However, the axolotl's habitat is now under serious threat. The latest census revealed that fewer than a hundred specimens exist in the wild.

35. Will AI lead to the death of the internet?

May 20, 2026 · 52m

The internet is being flooded with AI-generated garbage. Disinformation, propaganda, a flood of synthetic images and sounds. Will we soon only be getting information that AI feeds us?

36. The sushi hype- Ravenous appetites and species extinction

May 22, 2026 · 43m

Sushi: Once an expensive gourmet food, now a global fast-food phenomenon. Whether you get it from an Asian snack bar or a supermarket to-go box, sushi is trendy. But sushi consumption also brings problems. Overfishing through aggressive fishing methods, factory farming and modern slave labor are all part of the dark side of the great sushi craze.

37. Our memory- A phenomenal storage system

May 29, 2026 · 43m

Our memory also makes us who we are. The experiences and feelings we’ve stored, the knowledge we’ve retained - all of this connects us to ourselves and our past. But how can we improve our memory and make it more efficient? How can we keep it fit and healthy? What happens when it fails us?

38. Peru- Life at extreme altitudes above 4,000 meters

June 5, 2026 · 44m

The Peruvian Altiplano is one of the most extreme habitats in the world. Located over 4,000 meters above sea level, the region attracts millions of visitors - and pushes many of them to their physical limits. But for tens of thousands of people, the highlands are everyday life.

39. The dark side of AI- Exploitation of humans and nature

June 10, 2026 · 54m

While tech companies promise us a better future, AI is already causing serious harm. Huge data centers and server farms are required for AI programs to function. These are paving over landscapes and consuming immense amounts of water and electricity — mostly from fossil fuels, and thus dirty energy sources. Millions of low-wage workers worldwide are busy feeding data to, and training, the algorithms for AI programs — often at the expense of their mental and emotional health. These workers, many of them young and living in the Global South, are exposed to all manner of harmful content to train AI models to detect such material.