This year marks 25 years since Band of Brothers was released, but Tom Hanks will soon have another WWII series for viewers to dive into. Band of Brothers is considered one of the best shows ever made, and Hanks was a major factor in the show’s success. Though Hanks didn’t star in the series, only appearing in an uncredited cameo, he co-created the war drama with Steven Spielberg.

Before Band of Brothers debuted on HBO in 2001, Tom Hanks was already recognized for his work in another WWII title: Saving Private Ryan. Hanks led Saving Private Ryan‘s impressive cast as John H. Miller in the Oscar-winning film directed by Spielberg, which ultimately led to their reunion for Band of Brothers.

Though Band of Brothers spawned two companion series that saw Hanks serve as an executive producer, it has been a while since Hanks was so heavily involved in a WWII series. Granted, that will soon change.

Tom Hanks’ Next WWII Project Is A Documentary Series For The History Channel

In the years that followed Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers, Hanks became commonly linked to the war genre of movies and TV shows due to his passion for history, and specifically, WWII. That passion has expanded with Hanks’ involvement in campaigns that support war veterans, memorials, and museums. He also has experience with documentaries, including Ken Burns’ WWII series, The War.

Later this year, Tom Hanks will lead a brand new documentary series for the History Channel titled World War II with Tom Hanks. The 20-episode docuseries will reexamine all aspects of WWII, beginning with Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939, which will be the focus of the first episode. Here’s the official synopsis for the docuseries:

For 80 years, World War II has remained the most devastating and defining conflict in human history. Coming in May 2026, The HISTORY Channel’s World War II with Tom Hanks is a landmark documentary event that reexamines the war through the lens of a new century.

Told over 20 hours and guided by Hanks, whose lifelong passion for this history has shaped some of the most profound screen portrayals of the era, the series captures the full arc of the war—from the rise of fascism in Europe to the fall of Berlin, from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, and the uneasy peace that follows. Each episode uncovers new dimensions of the conflict: the decisions that shaped the battlefield, the unseen networks that sustained the war effort, and the aftershocks that still shape our world today.

World War II with Tom Hanks is the definitive retelling of that story for a new generation: a sweeping, deeply human portrait of how the modern world was forged in the fires of global war.

World War II with Tom Hanks is set to debut this Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, at 8/7c on The History Channel. Though the full release schedule is still unclear, episodes will be available to stream the day after their initial release. The release, which is being billed as a “landmark documentary event,” is also part of The History Channel’s special programming as the network’s History Honors 250 campaign.

Why The Upcoming WWII Docuseries Is Perfect For Fans Of Band Of Brothers (& The Companion Shows)

By now, Tom Hanks has proven himself to be the perfect candidate to lead an epic WWII documentary series. Despite a sprawling filmography, Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers will always be two of the biggest titles connected to his name. While there have been two Band of Brothers companion shows since its 2001 release, with The Pacific and Masters of the Air, World War II with Tom Hanks can become the latest WWII show for fans to get immersed in.

The fact that the docuseries, which was made for the new generation, will span over 20 hours promises that World War II with Tom Hanks will truly be something beyond your average war doc. For one, the documentary is meant to share the full arc of the war, so it will show aspects previously seen in Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Masters of the Air, in addition to other event retellings and lesser-known stories.

Related

Tom Hanks Secretly Released A 4th Band Of Brothers Project

Following the release of Band of Brothers, two WW2 companion shows have been made. However, Tom Hanks also has an unofficial fourth project.

Fittingly, the documentary partnered with The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, for expert research, interview coordination, and efforts to provide archival footage. Aside from Hanks, who is also executive producing the series in addition to narration duties, it also involves Pulitzer-Prize winning historian Jon Meacha​​​​​m. Therefore, it’s safe to say World War II with Tom Hanks is in good hands.

Hanks, of course, is no stranger to The National WWII Museum. He’s been an avid supporter of the museum for decades, even serving as a speaker for its recent expansion. Hanks narrates the museum’s 4D theater experience, Beyond All Boundaries, a project he also helped produce.

Tom Hanks Also Has Another WWII Movie Coming Soon

Following the release of the documentary series, fans of Tom Hanks can start looking forward to his next WWII project on the way. Greyhound 2, the sequel to Apple TV’s WWII drama from 2020, is currently in development. In fact, filming for Greyhound 2 began in February 2026.

Along with writing the sequel, Hanks will reprise his role as Commander Ernest Krause from the first movie. Despite releasing in 2020, the first Greyhound is still trending worldwide on Apple TV, according to FlixPatrol.

As of now, there’s no release date attached to Greyhound 2, but the movie plans to follow Krause and his crew as they take on missions in the Pacific. Until more updates are provided, the focus and excitement surrounding a new Tom Hanks-led WWII project can remain on the upcoming docuseries.

Release Date

2001 – 2001

Network

HBO

Directors

David Frankel, David Nutter, Mikael Salomon, Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Tom Hanks

Writers

Bruce C. McKenna, Graham Yost, John Orloff

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  Damian Lewis

  Richard D. Winters

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  Donnie Wahlberg

  C. Carwood Lipton