Tom Hanks' 12-Part HBO Space Series From 26 Years Ago Quietly Returns As Streaming Success At The Perfect Time

1 week ago 11

Astronauts in the suits in From The Earth To The Moon

Published Apr 6, 2026, 11:24 AM EDT

Matthew Biggin joined the Screen Rant team as a News Writer in 2021. He has also worked as a screenwriter and script editor, as well as contributing to various movie and TV blogs. Matt is a movie buff, Twin Dad, and football (soccer) enthusiast, who knows with absolute, categorical, iron-clad certainty, that Han shot first.

Tom Hanks' nineties space series scores streaming success against the backdrop of new NASA missions.

Space travel and exploration have been a common thematic topic of exploration across film and television for decades, with some truly iconic astronaut movies and TV shows being created. The epic, sprawling nature of space travel and the space program makes it a compelling choice for both dramatization and documentary, and Hanks' series straddles both effectively.

Per FlixPatrol, From the Earth to the Moon, a 1998 docudrama series executive produced by Hanks, has surged into the top 10 on the Apple TV Store's VOD charts. The series chronicles the story of the Apollo program, across the 1960s and 1970s and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries.

The 12-part series features an ensemble cast, including Hanks, Jay Mohr, Clint Howard, and Lane Smith, and each episode has a different director, including Hanks, Frank Marshall, and John Turtletaub. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer also co-produce, both of whom, along with Hanks, were involved in the Oscar-winning 1996 movie Apollo 13.

Space travel is often a popular topic, and the nostalgia element of looking back at former glories, such as the Space Race and putting a man on the moon, is a subject bound to resonate with viewers. Furthermore, the current NASA Artemis II moon flyby missions will no doubt have seen a spike in interest in space pursuits and will likely have helped the show surge on streaming.

The Artemis II launches are set to continue through April 11, which could see the show continue to perform well on streaming throughout this time. From the Earth to the Moon has drawn comparisons with Band of Brothers, another prominent historical series produced by Hanks that has received widespread critical acclaim.

The show was a huge success critically upon release, but in recent decades has become something of an undiscovered gem for a lot of viewers. That the show would become a streaming hit almost 30 years after first being released is a testament to the ageless magic of space, and the sense of wonder and escapism it is able to stir in people.

Though the show was always intended as a miniseries, renewed interest in From the Earth to the Moon could lead to possible discussions of a remake, revival, or even a follow-up series with some of the same names involved. Regardless of what the future holds, right now the show seems to be enjoying strong viewership, and while Artemis continues to inspire, the miniseries could have a strong few weeks on the Apple TV charts.