Best Mars Documentaries of 2026: 10 Ultimate Films to Watch Before Humans Land on the Red Planet

Table of Contents

Introduction

Finding the best Mars documentaries of 2026 means sorting through a genuinely extraordinary library of content. With humanity closer than ever to landing on Mars, documentary filmmakers have risen to the moment — producing stunning, scientifically rigorous films that capture both the science and the soul of this planetary mission.

Whether you want to understand the geology, the missions, the risks, or the human stories behind them, there’s a documentary on this list for you.

Watch these before humans set foot on the Red Planet.

Why 2026 Is the Best Year to Watch Mars Documentaries

The best Mars documentaries 2026 are arriving at a genuinely pivotal moment in Mars exploration history.

Perseverance is finding potential biosignatures. SpaceX is advancing Starship. JAXA’s MMX is en route to Phobos. And the first crewed Mars missions are now within a decade’s realistic reach.

Understanding what these documentaries cover will make the actual landing — when it comes — infinitely more meaningful.

1- “Return to Mars” (National Geographic, 2026)

Topping the best Mars documentaries 2026 list is National Geographic’s latest feature-length film.

This documentary follows the Perseverance science team through their most significant year of findings, with stunning animated visualizations of ancient Jezero Crater and intimate access to the scientists behind the discoveries.

What Makes It Essential Viewing

Direct access to NASA Perseverance scientists during real-time discovery
Photorealistic 3D reconstructions of ancient Mars with liquid water
Interviews with astrobiologists on the biosignature findings
No dumbing-down — it treats the viewer as an adult

Runtime: 98 minutes. Available on Disney+/National Geographic.

2-“Red Planet Rising” (PBS NOVA, 2025)

One of the most scientifically precise entries in any best Mars documentaries 2026 roundup is PBS NOVA’s two-part series.

NOVA is famous for its rigorous scientific accuracy, and this series — covering the full arc of robotic Mars exploration from Mariner to Perseverance — delivers.

Highlights

Expert commentary from planetary scientists at JPL, Caltech, and MIT
Detailed coverage of Mars Sample Return mission planning
Compelling section on the history of failed Mars missions and what was learned
Excellent for viewers who want the full scientific context

3-“The Martian Year” (ESA/CNES Co-Production, 2025)

A European perspective distinguishes this entry in the best Mars documentaries 2026 catalog.

Produced in partnership with ESA and CNES, this documentary focuses on Europe’s contributions to Mars science — particularly the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover and the JAXA MMX mission.

What Makes It Stand Out

Behind-the-scenes access to Rosalind Franklin rover testing in Sardinia’s Mars-analog terrain
Exclusive interviews with JAXA MMX scientists
Stunning drone photography of Mars analog locations in Iceland and the Atacama Desert
Multilingual production with excellent English subtitles

4-“Starship” (SpaceX Documentary Series, 2024–2026)

For those interested in the engineering and entrepreneurial side of Mars exploration, this multi-episode documentary series belongs near the top of any best Mars documentaries 2026 list.

SpaceX provided unprecedented access to Boca Chica facilities, engine test stands, and senior engineering teams.

Why It’s Required Watching for Space Enthusiasts

Real footage of Starship test flights including spectacular failures and subsequent successes
Candid discussions of engineering challenges and solutions
Access to propulsion, thermal, and avionics teams
Gives a genuine sense of what going to Mars actually requires technologically

Available on YouTube (official SpaceX channel) and streaming platforms.

5-“Ancient Mars” (Smithsonian Channel, 2025)

Geology and paleoclimatology take center stage in this visually spectacular entry in the best Mars documentaries 2026 collection.

“Ancient Mars” reconstructs what the planet looked like 3–4 billion years ago — with flowing rivers, coastal seas, and a thicker atmosphere — using the latest orbital and rover data.

Key Features

Photo-realistic computer generated imagery of ancient Mars with liquid water
Expert commentary from planetary geologists and climate scientists
Coverage of the 2026 biosignature findings in geological context
Excellent primer on Mars’s transition from warm-wet to cold-dry

6-“Mars: The Next Giant Leap” (NASA Documentary, 2025)

Produced by NASA’s own documentary team, this entry in our best Mars documentaries 2026 list provides the most authoritative inside look at the agency’s long-term Mars strategy.

It’s simultaneously a history of what’s been achieved and a roadmap for what’s planned.

What to Expect

Rare archival footage from every Mars mission since 1965
Access to current Mars mission directors and flight operations teams
Detailed section on Mars Sample Return logistics and timeline
Optimistic but honest about challenges remaining

Free to stream on NASA’s YouTube channel.

7-“The Ice Below” (Discovery Channel, 2026)

One of the newest entries in best Mars documentaries 2026 specifically covers the groundbreaking water ice discovery — and its implications for human survival on Mars.

This documentary takes a dual approach: exploring the science of the ice deposits and visiting Earth-analog environments where researchers prepare for Martian water extraction.

Why It’s Unique

Field coverage from Arctic ice mining operations used as Mars analogs
Detailed look at ISRU (in-situ resource utilization) technology development
Interviews with engineers designing Martian water extraction systems
Accessible to non-scientific viewers without losing technical integrity

8-“Humans to Mars: The Mission Builders” (HBO Documentary, 2025)

The human stories behind the best Mars documentaries’ 2026 subject matter come alive in this HBO production, which focuses on the people — not the machines.

Meet the astronaut candidates training for Mars, the psychologists preparing crews for deep-space isolation, and the families who understand they may say goodbye for three years.

What Makes It Emotionally Resonant

Intimate portraits of astronaut candidates at SpaceX and NASA
Honest discussions of psychological risks of 18-month Mars surface stays
Family perspectives on the human cost of exploration
Rare access to astronaut selection and training processes

For more context on the human factors of Mars missions, see the NASA Human Research Program and The Mars Society.

9-“Red Neighbors” (BBC Earth, 2024)

BBC Earth’s contribution to the best Mars documentaries 2026 landscape is perhaps the most visually stunning on this list.

Combining ultra-high-definition Mars imagery from orbital cameras and rovers with David Attenborough-style narration, “Red Neighbors,” treats Mars as a world in its own right—not merely a destination.

Visual Highlights

8K imagery from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter color camera
Perseverance rover footage edited for cinematic effect
Time-lapse reconstructions of Martian seasons and dust storms
Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer collaborators—genuinely moving

10-“Elon’s Mars” (Vice/Paramount, 2025)

Controversial and compelling in equal measure, this documentary rounds out our best Mars documentaries of 2026 selection by tackling the personality, vision, and contradictions of the man most responsible for accelerating humanity’s path to Mars.

What the Documentary Covers

SpaceX founding history and the near-bankruptcy moments of 2008
Musk’s stated motivations for Mars colonization
Critical perspectives from scientists, ethicists, and competitors
A balanced assessment of what SpaceX has achieved and what remains uncertain

This is not a hagiography. It’s a fair-minded portrait of the most consequential figure in 21st-century space exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Where can I watch the best Mars documentaries in 2026? The documentaries on this list are available across Disney+, PBS.org, HBO Max, Discovery+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube (NASA official channel), and streaming platforms. Availability varies by region.

Q2: Are there any Mars documentaries suitable for children? Yes. NASA’s free YouTube documentaries are family-friendly and scientifically accurate. “Ancient Mars” on Smithsonian Channel also has educational segments appropriate for older children and teenagers.

Q3: What’s the best Mars documentary for someone new to the topic? Start with PBS NOVA’s “Red Planet Rising” for comprehensive context, then watch “Return to Mars” by National Geographic for the latest 2026 discoveries.

Q4: Are there any Mars fiction films worth watching alongside these documentaries? The Martian (2015) remains the most scientifically accurate Mars fiction film ever made. Watch it alongside “Humans to Mars: The Mission Builders” for an interesting contrast between fiction and reality.

Q5: Is there a documentary covering the JAXA MMX Phobos mission? ESA/CNES’s “The Martian Year” includes substantial coverage of the MMX mission. A dedicated MMX documentary is reportedly in development for release around the mission’s sample collection phase in 2026.

Conclusion

The best Mars documentaries of 2026 represent a golden age of Mars content—fueled by the most exciting period of actual Mars exploration in history. From stunning visual reconstructions of ancient wet Mars to intimate portraits of the engineers and astronauts building the first crewed missions, these films will transform how you understand what’s coming.

Watch them now. Because when humans actually land on Mars, you’ll want to have understood every step that got them there.

Start watching tonight. Bookmark this guide and work your way through the list — by the time the first human footprint appears on Martian soil, you’ll understand exactly what it took.