TV series
The history they don't teach you in school.
Based on the best-selling children's books and liberally splattered with guts, blood and poo, a group of British comedians offer an anarchic and unconventional take on some of history's most gruesome and funny moments, with topics including the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, the Egyptians and the Romans, among others.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Horrible Histories is available to stream on Prime Video, Amazon Freevee, and Pluto TV in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Based on the best-selling children's books and liberally splattered with guts, blood and poo, a group of British comedians offer an anarchic and unconventional take on some of history's most gruesome and funny moments, with topics including the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, the Egyptians and the Romans, among others.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Horrible Histories charts the contribution of Black people to British life throughout history. How did African soldiers come to be guarding Hadrian’s Wall? Why was a West African diver asked to help salvage Henry VIII's ship, the Mary Rose? And the actor Ira Aldridge tells us how he came to leave New York to find fame in 19th-century England.
Written by James McNicholas
Episode 2
Life wasn’t always fun for children in the past. Horrible Histories delves into the not-so-easy lives of children throughout history, from the strict parenting of ancient civilisations, to the terrible fights the young King Louis XIV had with his little brother - even weeing on each other's beds! And find out just why Henry VIII was so keen for his son Edward VI to stay inside.
Written by James McNicholas
Episode 3
Protests about inequality or environmental damage are common today, but how have people protested in the past? Emmeline Pankhurst is our guide through this history of protest, from Cato the Younger’s talkative protest in ancient Rome to the cheese riots of 18th-century Nottingham. Also, how will the Luddites cope with the newfangled technology of a video call?
Written by James McNicholas
Episode 4
Charles Darwin presents a special show, as Horrible Histories takes a timely look at our planet and how we’ve behaved towards it throughout history. We look at how we’ve not always treated the planet's resources with the utmost care, from the 19th-century gold rush, to Henry VIII enjoying a little too much deforestation to build his warships.
Guest stars James McNicholas
Episode 5
Strictly’s Shirley Ballas joins Rattus for a waltz through the history of dance, with Bruno Tonioli as Nero, who had his dance teacher killed, and Queen Vic’s Highland reel!
Guest stars James McNicholas
Episode 6
Horrible Histories brings you a cracking Christmas special, delving into the origins of the festive season.
Guest stars James McNicholas
Episode 7
Horrible Histories serves up the history of foul feasting, from Stone Age lentils to Queen Victoria’s anti-fart bread.
Guest stars James McNicholas
Episode 8
From Cleopatra’s hairdo to Elizabeth I’s flushing loo, meet history’s biggest Influencers.
Guest stars James McNicholas
Episode 9
From Henry VIII’s wine fountain, to Empress Dowager’s marble boat, Horrible Histories talks money, jewellery and untold treasures.
Where to watch Horrible Histories
Episode 10
Daily life can be a bit of a grind, but not as much as it was in the past! Rattus takes us round the clock, revealing daily routines throughout history, from waking in Ancient Egypt to Medieval Loo Man.
Guest stars James McNicholas, Jasper Alveranga-Hall
Episode 11
Count Rattula guides us through some of history’s greatest myths and monsters, including Henry VIII’s Robin Hood obsession and ancient ghostbusters.
Where to watch Horrible Histories
Episode 12
Terrible Tudors King Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I bicker about who was the best ruler. Henry had a mechanical dragon kite, but Liz had a flushing toilet.
Where to watch Horrible Histories
Episode 13
Rattus considers a career change, and luckily he has the whole of history to look through for ideas. Could he be an inventor like Babbage, or is the pirate life for him?
Where to watch Horrible Histories
Episode 14
Rattus has an idea that might make him millions – he is going to launch a streaming service. However, to make Ratify a success, he is going to need some great songs from history.
Where to watch Horrible Histories
Episode 15
Horrible Histories celebrates 100 years of the BBC with this special episode. What was the secret of looking great on a 1930s TV show? How did the BBC try to defeat the Nazis using regional accents? And just what was a kangaroo doing at the launch of BBC Two? Our end song takes us through the history of children’s TV.
Where to watch Horrible HistoriesEpisode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Ben Willbond
Mathew Baynton
Laurence Rickard
Jessica Ransom
Jess RobinsonAdditional Voices
Jim Howick
Gemma Whelan
CBBCUnited Kingdom
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