Will Smith Takes an Epic Journey From the North Pole to the South Pole
2026
Documentary, Nature Documentary
7 episodes
TheNextHint Score
8.2
8.2 / 10
Overview
The series centers on Will Smith as he journeys from the South Pole to the North Pole across 100 days. Rather than just watching each place, Smith takes part in challenging expeditions together with scientists, explorers, and local experts.
The journey covers harsh Antarctic conditions, dangerous wildlife in the Amazon, a hunt for a giant green anaconda, a trek through the Himalayas in Bhutan, a stop at Pacific islands threatened by rising seas, a meeting with the San people in the Kalahari, and a concluding scientific expedition beneath the ice at the North Pole.
Quick Verdict
Pole to Pole with Will Smith is an excellent choice for viewers who appreciate travel documentaries, extreme expeditions, nature, science, and cultural exploration. Its main appeal lies in the combination of stunning locations and Smith's readiness to take part in the challenges rather than just narrate them. It also offers viewers access to scientists and local experts who provide context for the adventure.
Where to Watch Pole to Pole with Will Smith in the US
Pole to Pole with Will Smith follows Smith’s 100-day journey covering over 26,000 miles, seven continents, and several of the most extreme environments on Earth. This seven-part National Geographic docuseries starts at the South Pole and moves through Antarctica, the Amazon, the Himalayas, the Pacific Islands, the Kalahari Desert, and at last the North Pole. Throughout the journey, Smith collaborates with scientists, explorers, local guides, and community members as he takes on challenges ranging from skiing over Antarctic icefields and hunting venomous tarantulas in caves to tracking down a giant green anaconda and diving under Arctic ice.
The series, however, is not limited to physical adventure. Smith delves into scientific research, climate change, local cultures, traditional knowledge, and personal questions surrounding fear, happiness, resilience, and human connection. The production took five years to complete and was made by Westbrook Studios, Nutopia, and Protozoa for National Geographic.
Its combination of sweeping landscapes, scientific findings, personal challenges, and Smith’s conversational hosting style gives the series the feel of a travel documentary rather than a typical wildlife program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pole to Pole with Will Smith about?
Over 100 days Will Smith travels with scientists and explorers to the Antarctic, the Amazon jungles, the Himalayas, the Kalahari Desert, a remote Pacific island and the Arctic in the seven-part docuseries.
How many episodes does Pole to Pole with Will Smith have?
Season 1 has seven episodes.
Is Pole to Pole with Will Smith a documentary?
Yes. It is a National Geographic documentary/adventure series combining exploration, science, environmental storytelling, and travel.
Where can I watch it in India?
The series is currently listed as available on JioHotstar in India.
Story — Spoiler Free
Will Smith sets out on a 100-day journey from the South Pole to the North Pole, crossing seven continents and encountering environments ranging from Antarctic icefields and Amazonian caves to Himalayan mountains, Pacific islands, African deserts, and Arctic ice. Each stop introduces a different challenge and a different group of experts, while Smith uses the journey to explore science, culture, nature, and personal questions about fear, resilience, and human connection.
8.2
TheNextHint Score
8.2 / 10
Pole to Pole with Will Smith is an excellent choice for viewers who appreciate travel documentaries, extreme expeditions, nature, science, and cultural exploration. Its main appeal lies in the combination of stunning locations and Smith's readiness to take part in the challenges rather than just narrate them. It also offers viewers access to scientists and local experts who provide context for the adventure.
Rating breakdown
Story
8.0
Acting
8.0
Direction
8.0
Visuals
9.0
Sound
8.0
Entertainment
8.0
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
The series combines spectacular locations, genuine scientific exploration, cultural encounters, personal challenges, and Will Smith's approachable hosting into a visually ambitious documentary.
Cons
Viewers looking for a traditional wildlife documentary may find the celebrity-hosted format and personal storyline more prominent than the science in some episodes.
Who Should Watch
Documentary Lovers
Nature Fans
Will Smith Fans
Adventure Viewers
Who Should Skip
Slow Documentary Viewers
Crime/Drama Fans
Release Date
2026-01-13
Runtime
29–46 minutes per episode
Director
Tom Barbor-Might, Dionne Bromfield, Tom Williams
Producer
Hannah Joy Cooney, Oliver Page, Beki Henderson; executive producers include Will Smith, Darren Aronofsky, Terence Carter, Miguel Melendez, Peter Lovering, Jane Root
Cast
Will Smith, Carla Perez, Brian Fry, Richard Parks, Heitor Evangelista, Penti Baihua, Mary Walworth, John Aini
Leads the expedition and participates in the challenges across the seven episodes.
Carla Perez
as
Expedition Leader
Joins Smith during the Amazon expedition.
Brian Fry
as
Toxicologist & National Geographic Explorer
Helps Smith investigate venomous creatures.
Richard Parks
as
Polar Athlete
Supports Smith during the South Pole expedition.
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
7 episodes January 13, 2026Completed
Will Smith travels from the South Pole to the North Pole over a 100-day expedition, exploring extreme environments, scientific research, wildlife, cultures, and personal challenges.
1The South Pole
46 min January 13, 2026
Smith travels to the South Pole, meets remote scientists, and tackles extreme Antarctic conditions.
2The Amazon: Deadly Creatures
29 min January 13, 2026
Smith explores the Ecuadorian Amazon and confronts his fear of spiders while investigating dangerous creatures.
3The Amazon: Dark Waters
43 min January 20, 2026
Smith ventures deep into the Amazon in search of a giant green anaconda.
4The Himalayas
45 min January 20, 2026
Smith travels through Bhutan while exploring the question of what creates happiness.
7.8
5The Pacific Islands
44 min January 27, 2026
Smith visits a South Pacific island threatened by rising seas and helps document a lost language.
6The Kalahari Desert
35 min January 27, 2026
Smith meets the San people and joins a hunt to learn about their survival knowledge.
7The North Pole
37 min February 3, 2026
Smith undertakes the expedition's final and most dangerous mission beneath the North Pole ice.
Leave a Reply