One Strange Rock

A mind-bending, thrilling journey exploring the fragility and wonder of planet Earth, one of the most peculiar, unique places in the entire universe, brought to life by the only people to have left it behind – the world’s most well known and leading astronauts.

One Strange Rock (2018) is an American documentary miniseries for National Geographic, executive produced by Darren Aronofsky and presented by Will Smith. Across ten episodes of roughly forty-seven minutes each, Smith hosts a group of astronauts who have seen the planet from orbit, including astrophysicist Felipe Gómez Gómez, glaciologist Heïdi Sevestre and Inuit elder Lukasi Nappaaluk, who appear as principal voices on the ground. Each episode follows one of these figures into a specific corner of Earth, from a glacier to a salt trade route or a Peruvian mining town, and uses that journey to unpack a branch of earth science such as weather, resources, and evolution. The engine is curiosity: how the planet's improbable chemistry produced life and how fragile that balance remains. The tone is awe-filled and warm, with a hopeful, reflective pull rather than alarm. Its visuals are sweeping and cinematic, and its lessons are delivered plainly and with obvious affection. Fans of Planet Earth II, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey and Cosmic Voyage will find resonance in its blend of spectacle and scientific wonder. Viewers who want a family-friendly nature series with a sense of cosmic perspective will find it rewarding.

Acclaimed as a visually stunning, awe-inspiring documentary that uses astronaut perspectives to reframe Earth science and the planet's fragility.

• Planet Earth IIshared awe-driven nature documentary tone and planetary scale science
• Cosmic Voyageshared astronaut perspective on Earth and cosmic wonder
• Cosmos: A Spacetime Odysseyshared earnest science explainer format with a charismatic host

Release Date

2018-03-26

Episode runtime

47 min

Rating

8.7 / 10 (91)

What is One Strange Rock about?

Eight astronauts who have seen Earth from orbit guide viewers through the planet's fragile, improbable story.

What is One Strange Rock like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of One Strange Rock as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is One Strange Rock violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in One Strange Rock.

What did critics think of One Strange Rock?

Acclaimed as a visually stunning, awe-inspiring documentary that uses astronaut perspectives to reframe Earth science and the planet's fragility.

Which shows are like One Strange Rock?

Shows with a similar feel include Planet Earth II, Cosmic Voyage, and Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey.

How long is One Strange Rock?

One Strange Rock: 1 season, 10 episodes.

Is One Strange Rock still running?

No, One Strange Rock has ended.

Where can I watch One Strange Rock?

In United States, One Strange Rock streams on Disney Plus, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Spectrum On Demand.