A Brief History of Time

Name: A Brief History of Time
Genre: Documentary
Released: 1991-12-27
Duration: 1 h 20 min
Rating: 7.2
Cast: Stephen Hawking, Isobel Hawking, Janet Humphrey, Mary Hawking, Basil King

1991·Movie·G·80 min·★ 7.2(135)

Documentary More English titles

“Where did the universe come from? Will time ever come to an end? Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”

Partly adapted from cosmologist Stephen Hawking's popular book about his theories of the universe, this in-depth documentary also presents Hawking's daily life as he deals with the ALS that renders him virtually immobile and unable to speak without the use of a computer. Hawking's friends, family, former classmates and peers are interviewed about not only his theories but the man himself.

▶ Watch trailer

Where to watch A Brief History of Time in United States

Can I watch A Brief History of Time in United States? Yes — you can stream A Brief History of Time in United States on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, and HBO Max, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Stream

HBO Max Amazon Channel

Rent

Buy

Click a service to open A Brief History of Time there. Availability last verified on October 20, 2026.

Where is A Brief History of Time streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
Canada	Criterion Channel, Knowledge Network	Apple TV Store, YouTube

About A Brief History of Time

A Brief History of Time is a 1991 English-language documentary film directed by Errol Morris. The cast is led by Stephen Hawking, Isobel Hawking, Janet Humphrey. It has a runtime of 1h 20m. Viewers rate it 7.2/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.

A Brief History of Time was produced by TBS, NBC, and Anglia Television and made in Japan and United Kingdom. It was released on December 27, 1991, and carries a G certification. At the box office it grossed around $2 million worldwide.

Director: Errol Morris
Release date: December 27, 1991
Original language: English
Age rating: G
Status: Released
Country: Japan, United Kingdom
Box office: $2 million
Production: TBS, NBC, Anglia Television

#based on novel or book#physics#biography#paralysis#time#black hole#universe#cosmology#astronomy#oxford university#motor neuron disease#als#social & cultural documentary#cambridge university

A Brief History of Time cast & crew

A Brief History of Time was directed by Errol Morris.

The cast features Stephen Hawking as Self, Isobel Hawking as Self - Stephen Hawking's Mother, Janet Humphrey as Self - Stephen Hawking's Aunt, Mary Hawking as Self - Stephen Hawking's Sister, Basil King as Self - Childhood Friend, and Derek Powney as Self - Oxford Classmate.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Philip Glass, cinematography is by John Bailey, and it was produced by David Hickman and Rory Johnston.

Is A Brief History of Time worth watching?

A Brief History of Time holds an audience score of 7.2/10 from 135 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed documentary films.

At 1h 20m, it's an easy, time-light watch.

If you enjoy documentary, A Brief History of Time is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch A Brief History of Time

In United States, you can stream A Brief History of Time on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, and HBO Max, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.