DW Documentary – 2026 Documentaries

A revolution in transplant medicine

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.

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

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

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

The War of the Worlds - The prophetic novel

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.

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

Cities on the ocean

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?

Wildlife in the city

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.

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

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 Through exclusive interviews, insider accounts and previously unpublished archive material, this two-part documentary reveals how the Sacklers bribed regulators, pushed Oxy and evaded justice despite overwhelming evidence.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.

Martinique: The deadliest volcanic eruption of the 20th century

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.

Liberland: Crypto paradise or libertarian illusion?

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.

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

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

What distinguishes humans from animals?

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.

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

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.

Toxic colonialism - Secret chemical warfare in Algeria

The Canary Islands paradox- Desalination plants

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?

Violence against women in India

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.

Neutrinos: Do they reveal the secrets of the universe?

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.

India - Nuclear Power, space power, economic power?

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?

The secrets of lightning

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.

How sugar created slavery (1/2)

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.

How sugar created slavery (2/2)

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.

The story of our planet

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.

The heart- The most powerful organ in our body?

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.

Octopus under threat

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.

The Da Vinci Code - Has the mystery been solved?

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?

Gothic architecture

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?

The German obsession with cars

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.

Sudan: The world's biggest humanitarian crisis

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.

Nano- and microplastics: The invisible danger to the body

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.

The secret to concentration

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.

Dangerous apps- In the web of data brokers

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.