10 Best History Channels To Follow on YouTube In 2024

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

10 Best History Channels To Follow on YouTube In 2024

History channels on YouTube offer a wide variety of educational and informative videos, ranging from short clips and animated shorts to longer, documentary-style videos. Here are some common themes and types of history channels you might find on YouTube:

  • Educational history channels: These channels are dedicated to providing viewers with detailed and well-researched information about historical events, people, and cultures. Examples of these channels include Crash Course, which covers a variety of topics, and Extra History, which dives deep into specific historical events.

  • Documentary-style history channels: These channels produce longer videos that offer a more in-depth look at historical events and figures. Examples include History Matters, which offers detailed looks at various periods in history, and Timeline - World History Documentaries, which offers comprehensive documentaries on a range of historical topics.

  • Animated history channels: These channels use animation to bring history to life in a fun and engaging way. Examples include Oversimplified, which simplifies complex historical events into easy-to-understand animated videos, and Simple History, which uses animations to explain historical events and figures.

  • Historical reenactment channels: These channels create dramatizations of historical events or periods, often with actors in period costumes. Examples include English Heritage and History Time, which feature reenactments of historical events and periods in British history.

  • Archaeology channels: These channels focus on the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of artifacts and other physical remains. Examples include Archaeology Soup, which covers a wide range of topics related to archaeology, and The Archaeology Channel, which offers videos on archaeological discoveries and research.

Whether interested in a particular historical event or period or just want to learn more about the world around you, YouTube history channels offer a wealth of educational and engaging content.

Best Youtube Channels To Follow For History

Below, we list out the top 10 channels to follow for history and why you should follow them:

2. Epic History TV - Justin Harrison

  • Epic History TV is a YouTube channel that produces high-quality animated documentaries about various historical events and figures. The channel is hosted by a British historian named Justin, who combines his passion for history with his background in filmmaking and animation to create engaging and informative content.
  • The videos on the Epic History TV channel cover a wide range of topics, from the fall of Rome to the life of Julius Caesar, and from the First World War to the Cold War. Justin's videos are known for their stunning visuals, as well as their detailed research and engaging storytelling.
  • The Epic History TV channel is a great resource for anyone interested in history, and for those who appreciate high-quality animation and storytelling. Justin's passion for history, combined with his expertise in filmmaking and animation, makes Epic History TV one of the most engaging and informative channels on YouTube.

Epic History TV has 1.84M subscribers on YouTube.

3. Defunctland - Kevin Perjurer

  • Defunctland is a popular YouTube channel that explores the history of theme parks, rides, and other attractions that have since been retired or shut down. The channel is hosted by Kevin Perjurer, who uses his passion for theme parks and storytelling to create engaging and informative content.
  • The videos on the Defunctland channel cover a wide range of topics, from the history of classic Disney rides to the rise and fall of famous amusement parks like Six Flags and Coney Island.
  • Kevin's videos are known for their in-depth research and attention to detail, as well as his engaging storytelling style.
  • The channel also features interviews with former theme park employees, as well as behind-the-scenes tours of abandoned attractions.

Defunctland has 1.59M subscribers on YouTube.

4. Absolute History - Absolute History Team

  • Absolute History is a YouTube channel dedicated to bringing history to life through high-quality, informative, and entertaining videos. The channel is produced by a team of experienced filmmakers, writers, and historians, who work together to create engaging content that covers a wide range of historical topics.

  • Some of the most popular series on the Absolute History channel include "The Last Days of Anne Boleyn," "Secrets of the Tower of London," and "Unsolved History." The channel also features a range of one-off documentaries and shorter videos on a variety of historical topics, from ancient civilizations to modern world events.

  • The videos on the Absolute History channel are characterized by high production values, expert research, and a strong focus on storytelling. The channel often uses dramatic reenactments and expert interviews to bring historical events and figures to life, and the videos are generally well-researched and informative.

Absolute History has 1.78M subscribers on YouTube.

5. The Great War - Indy Neidell

  • The Great War is a popular YouTube channel that focuses on the history of World War I, also known as the First World War. The channel was created to coincide with the centenary of the war and is hosted by an Austrian historian named Indy Neidell and a team of researchers and writers.
  • The videos on The Great War channel cover the war in great detail, from the events that led up to the conflict to its aftermath and legacy. The channel is known for its use of rare archival footage and photographs, as well as its engaging storytelling and expert analysis.

The Great War has 1.6M subscribers on YouTube.

6. Atlas Pro - Nick

  • Atlas Pro is a YouTube channel that explores history and culture through the lens of travel and adventure. The channel is hosted by Nick, a travel vlogger and history enthusiast, who uses his love of exploration to bring history and culture to life in his videos.
  • The videos on the Atlas Pro channel cover a wide range of topics, from ancient civilizations and medieval castles to modern cities and cultural festivals. Nick often visits lesser-known destinations and hidden gems, and he uses his travels as an opportunity to share interesting facts and stories about the places he visits.
  • Some of the most popular videos on the Atlas Pro channel include "Exploring the Medieval City of Tallinn, Estonia," "The Ancient Ruins of Pompeii," and "The Mysterious Megaliths of Malta." The channel also features a range of travel tips and advice, as well as reviews of hotels, restaurants, and other travel-related topics.

Atlas Pro has 1.1M subscribers on YouTube.

7. Dark Docs - Jack

  • Dark Docs is a YouTube channel dedicated to exploring the dark and mysterious side of history. The channel features a wide range of content, including documentaries, interviews, and analyses of unsolved mysteries and paranormal phenomena.

  • The Dark Docs channel is a great resource for anyone interested in the darker side of history, and for those who are fascinated by unsolved mysteries and paranormal phenomena. The channel's combination of detailed research and expert analysis makes it a compelling and informative resource for anyone looking to explore the darker corners of human history.

Dark Docs has 982K subscribers on YouTube.

8. Historia Civilis - Historia Civilis Team

  • Historia Civilis is a YouTube channel that focuses on the history of the Roman Republic, with a particular emphasis on the political and military history of the period. The channel is hosted by an anonymous creator who goes by the pseudonym "Historia Civilis."
  • Some of the most popular videos on the Historia Civilis channel include "The Roman Army - The Evolution of Rome's Military," "The Roman Republic - Crisis and Collapse," and "The Roman Senate - Structure and Organization." The channel also features a number of in-depth series on specific topics, such as the Roman Civil Wars and the life of Julius Caesar.
  • Overall, the Historia Civilis channel is a great resource for anyone interested in the history of the Roman Republic, and for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the political and military systems of ancient Rome. The anonymous creator's passion for the subject matter, combined with their expert knowledge and engaging style, make Historia Civilis one of the most popular and informative history channels on YouTube.

Historia Civilis has 908K subscribers on YouTube.

9. Ancient Architects - Jonny Kennedy

  • The Ancient Architects channel is a YouTube channel dedicated to exploring the mysteries of ancient architecture and engineering. The channel is hosted by Jonny Kennedy, a self-proclaimed "ancient architecture enthusiast" and former stonemason from the United Kingdom.

  • Kennedy uses his experience as a stonemason to offer unique insights into the construction techniques and materials used in ancient architecture, and he often presents alternative theories about the purpose and meaning behind these structures.

  • The Ancient Architects channel is a great resource for anyone interested in the mysteries of ancient architecture and engineering, and for those who want to learn more about the history of human civilization.

Ancient Architects has 510K subscribers on YouTube.

10. Drachinifel - Toby Drachinifel

  • Drachinifel is a popular YouTube channel that focuses on the history of naval warfare, with a particular emphasis on warships and naval technology. The channel is hosted by a British historian named Toby, who goes by the username Drachinifel.

  • The videos on the Drachinifel channel cover a wide range of topics, from the development of modern naval technology to the history of famous naval battles like the Battle of Jutland and the Battle of Trafalgar. Toby's videos are known for their detailed research and informative analysis, as well as his engaging and accessible style of presenting complex historical topics.

  • Some of the most popular videos on the Drachinifel channel include "The Battle of Jutland in 100 Seconds," "The Evolution of the Dreadnought Battleship," and "The Life and Death of HMS Hood." The channel also features a number of in-depth series on specific topics, such as the history of battleships and the development of naval technology during World War II.

Drachinifel has 407K subscribers on YouTube.

11. History with Cy - Cyrus J. Taylor

  • History with Cy is a YouTube channel dedicated to exploring historical events and figures through the lens of modern culture and current events. The channel is hosted by Cy, a historian, and writer who uses his knowledge and expertise to create engaging and thought-provoking content.

  • This history channel is a great resource for anyone interested in history and current events, and for those who want to explore the connections between the past and present. Cy's unique perspective and engaging style make his videos both entertaining and informative, and his channel is a great place to learn more about the fascinating and complex world of history.

History with Cy has 162K subscribers on YouTube.

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.