Top 10 Shows Similar to All The Light We Cannot See

Article Overview

Netflix's limited series "All the Light We Cannot See" is a compelling WWII drama that explores themes of hope, heartbreak, and connection.

For viewers seeking additional historical war dramas, acclaimed shows such as "Band of Brothers," "The Pacific," and "Transatlantic" provide similar captivating storytelling.

While "All the Light We Cannot See" offers a shorter binge-watch option, other series like "Outlander" and "Poldark" delve into longer, more immersive narratives that explore various wartime periods and perspectives.

Netflix premiered the limited series All the Light We Cannot See on November 2, 2023, consisting of four episodes. After a compelling binge-watch, viewers may find themselves yearning for more. Luckily, there are a plethora of historical war dramas available for streaming. Based on Anthony Doerr's 2014 novel, All the Light We Cannot See delves into the lives of two individuals who develop a connection through a radio broadcast amidst the backdrop of World War II. Filled with moments of hope, heartbreak, and everything in between, this series shares similarities with other war-themed shows.

Set during the height of World War II, All the Light We Cannot See centers around Marie-Laure LeBlanc (portrayed by Aria Mia Loberti) and Werner Pfennig (played by Louis Hofmann). Marie-Laure, a French girl who relocates from Paris to Saint-Malo with her father after the Nazi invasion, meets Werner, a young German soldier compelled to enlist with the Nazis due to circumstances. Both characters confront unimaginable challenges, akin to the struggles endured by figures in other historical war dramas.

10. Band Of Brothers

Stream on Netflix or Max

Band of Brothers is widely regarded as one of the most exceptional historical war drama television shows ever produced. This 2001 miniseries, which received numerous accolades, was co-created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. It offers a compelling and dramatized account of the true story of the "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in the United States Army during World War II. The series follows the soldiers from their rigorous training to the culmination of the war. Noteworthy actors, including David Schwimmer, Colin Hanks, Ron Livingston, Donnie Wahlberg, Michael Fassbender, and many others, form an impressive ensemble cast in Band of Brothers.

9. The Pacific

Stream on Netflix or Max

The Pacific, a war drama miniseries that premiered on HBO in March 2010, received critical acclaim and is regarded as a companion piece to Band of Brothers. This television show, set during the turmoil of World War II, distinguishes itself from its sister series by focusing on the experiences of three United States Marines from different regiments of the 1st Marine Division. Robert Leckie, Eugene Sledge, and John Basilone, the three Marines featured in The Pacific, fought in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War. The show captivates its audience by delving into the traumatic encounters faced by these individuals on the battlefield.

8. Transatlantic

Stream on Netflix

The war drama Transatlantic, a limited series on Netflix in 2019, is set during World War II. Set in Marseilles, France, in 1940, when the Nazis were gaining power throughout Europe, the series focuses on the Emergency Rescue Committee. This group played a pivotal role in assisting refugees escape France and the German military. The miniseries, based on Julie Orringer's novel The Flight Portfolio published in 2019, draws inspiration from actual events. The characters, such as Mary Jayne Gold portrayed by Gillian Jacobs, Albert Hirschman played by Lucas Englander, and Varian Fry played by Cory Michael Smith, are based on real individuals.

7. War Sailor

Stream on Netflix

War Sailor is a Norwegian war drama, set during World War II, that focuses on the contribution of 30,000 Norwegian sailors who participated in Allied convoys. Their pivotal role in assisting the Allied powers, which include Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union, in securing victory is showcased in this three-episode Netflix limited series, based on a true story. The cast features Kristoffer Joner, Pål Sverre Hagen, and Ine Marie Wilmann.

6. Outlander

Stream on Netflix

While All the Light We Cannot See spans just four episodes, making it a relatively short series to binge-watch, Outlander demands more of a viewer's time. With seven seasons and a total of 83 episodes (at the time of writing this article), this Starz historical drama is a commitment. The narrative revolves around the characters Claire Randall (portrayed by Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (portrayed by Sam Heughan), who find themselves in an unlikely romance. Claire, a military nurse who served during World War II in Scotland, unexpectedly travels through time to 1743 where she encounters Jamie, a tacksman from Clan Fraser of Lovat.

5. The Plot Against America

Stream on Max

The Plot Against America, a gripping six-episode history drama miniseries that aired on HBO in 2020, presents an alternate version of American history. Set during World War II, the show revolves around a Jewish family residing in New Jersey. However, in this reimagined narrative, a xenophobic populist ascends to power and becomes president of the United States. Consequently, fascism creeps into the nation, posing a grave threat to the lives of the aforementioned Jewish family and others facing similar circumstances.

4. Women At War

Stream on Netflix

Contrary to most of the shows on this list that are set during the Second World War, Women at War takes us back to 1914, during the First World War. This 2022 Franco-Belgian historical limited series revolves around the lives of four remarkably contrasting women: Marguerite de Lancastel, brilliantly portrayed by Audrey Fleurot; Sofia Essaïdi bringing Caroline Dewitt to life; the remarkable Julie de Bona embodied Mother Agnès; and Camille Lou's portrayal of Suzanne Faure. While the men of their nation fight in a horrifying war, these women bravely hold down the fort on the home front.

3. Poldark

Stream on Amazon Prime Video

Poldark, created by BBC One, aired for five seasons and consisted of 43 episodes. The series is set in the aftermath of the American Revolutionary War, where Captain Ross Vennor Poldark, portrayed by Aidan Turner, returns to England after serving in the war. However, upon his arrival in Cornwall, Poldark discovers significant changes that have taken place during his three-year absence. Despite its post-war setting, the television show incorporates historical elements and themes similar to those found in the Netflix series All the Light We Cannot See.

2. Turn: Washington's Spies

Stream on Amazon Prime Video

1. World On Fire

Washington's Spies is a television series based on the 2007 book Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring by Alexander Rose. This period drama is set during the American Revolutionary War and consists of four seasons and 40 episodes, providing an in-depth look into the Culper Ring, a network of spies established by General George Washington for the Continental Army. The show explores significant historical events that took place between 1776 and 1781.

Stream on Amazon Prime Video

World on Fire shifts its focus from soldiers to ordinary European citizens, offering a glimpse into their lives during wartime. This 2019 British historical war drama series, set at the onset of World War II in 1939, features characters from various European cities including Paris, Warsaw, Manchester, Berlin, and Dunkirk. Similar to All the Light We Cannot See, World on Fire is a concise watch with 13 episodes spread across two seasons. Stream all episodes of All the Light We Cannot See on Netflix.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan, I am thrilled to share my opinions and feelings about the top 10 shows similar to All The Light We Cannot See. This captivating series has left me yearning for more historical war dramas that explore themes of hope, heartbreak, and connection.

Among the recommended shows, Band of Brothers and The Pacific stand out as exceptional historical war drama television shows. Both series provide compelling and dramatized accounts of true stories, immersing viewers in the realities of World War II. The impressive ensemble casts in these shows bring depth and authenticity to the characters, making their struggles and triumphs all the more impactful.

Furthermore, Transatlantic offers a unique perspective on the war by focusing on the Emergency Rescue Committee's efforts to assist refugees escape Nazi-occupied France. The series sheds light on the bravery and resilience of individuals who risked their lives to save others.

Overall, these top 10 shows offer a diverse range of historical war dramas that explore various wartime periods and perspectives. Each show brings its own unique storytelling and captivating characters to the forefront, providing viewers with an opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of this significant era in history.