Curiosity Stream

What If: Cosmos

12 episodes 88%4KCC

Step into bold thought experiments at the edge of the universe.

This series explores black holes, alternate realities, and cosmic mysteries through imaginative what-if scenarios. Each episode turns big scientific questions into vivid possibilities, inviting you to think deeper about how the universe works. Sign up to watch a distinctive exploration of ideas that expands curiosity with every new question.

Episode guide

12 episodes
1
1Opposite Day
Imagine a world where everything works in reverse. Discover how flipped laws of nature, biology and society could transform life as we know it.
21 min
2
2Size Matters: Shrinking Giants Into Atoms
Shrink giants to the size of atoms and uncover how scale influences physics, biology and the fundamental structure of the universe.
21 min
3
3Unwanted Visitors: Black Holes, Killer Whales and Cosmic Collisions
Encounter black holes, deadly predators and cosmic impacts as surprising threats reveal how fragile worlds can be.
25 min
4
4Double or Nothing: Spinning Earth and Growing Planets
What if Earth spun faster and planets grew larger? Discover how dramatic changes in motion and scale could reshape life across the cosmos.
28 min
5
5Not From Around Here: Humanity in Space
Travel into humanity's future beyond Earth and explore the challenges, opportunities and possibilities of life in space.
27 min
6
6New Is the New New: Humanity’s Next Frontier
Discover the technologies and bold ideas that could define humanity's next frontier and reshape the future of civilization.
18 min
7
7Collision Course: Interstellar Impacts
Witness the power of interstellar collisions and explore how cosmic impacts can alter planets, stars and entire solar systems.
22 min
8
8Universal Shifts
Investigate the forces transforming the universe, from shifting galaxies to cosmic events that redefine the nature of existence.
24 min
9
9The Trouble With Hypervelocity...
Race alongside hypervelocity stars and objects as they streak through space, disrupting galaxies and creating cosmic chaos.
18 min
10
10From the Arctic to the Event Horizon
Journey from the frozen Arctic to the edge of a black hole, exploring some of the most extreme environments in existence.
21 min
11
11The Entire Kardashev Scale Explained in 20 Minutes
Unlock the Kardashev Scale and discover how advanced civilizations could harness energy on planetary, stellar and galactic scales.
22 min
12
12Black Hole in One
Dive into the mysteries of black holes, exploring how they form, evolve and shape the universe around them.
20 min
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Thousands of the world's best documentaries and factual programming — nature, history, science, technology, and biography — including exclusive Curiosity Originals like What If: Cosmos. Stream it all ad-free, anytime.

Plans are billed annually — every plan streams in 4K. The Smart Bundle adds four partner services. There are no contracts — cancel anytime.

Watch on the web, iOS and Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, and most smart TVs. Start on one device and pick up right where you left off on another.

Yes. The library is full of family-friendly nature and science programming, and the Smart Bundle includes Kidstream — carefully chosen, ad-free shows kids will love and parents can trust.

Absolutely. There are no contracts and no cancellation fees — manage or cancel your plan anytime from your account settings.

Curiosity Stream is our streaming service — thousands of documentaries and originals. The Smart Bundle is Curiosity Stream plus four other independent streaming services (Tastemade, Kidstream, Curiosity University, and SOMM TV) on a single subscription.

Yes. Start on any plan and move up to the Smart Bundle whenever you like — the change takes effect right away, and your billing is simply prorated from your account settings.

Got your answer? Pick a plan and start streaming.Start streaming
Available now

Start watching What If: Cosmos today

Stream thousands of award-winning documentaries. Cancel anytime.