# Chernobyl (2019) — Celluloid TV fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/shows/chernobyl/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 89% |
| Celluloid Editorial Rating | 95/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 97% |
| Metascore | 83/100 |
| IMDb | 9.3/10 |
| Fan Score | 85% |
| Creator | Craig Mazin |
| Platform | HBO Max |
| Genres | Drama, History, Thriller |
| Seasons | 1 (5 episodes) |
| Language | English |
| Country | United States |

## Quick answer

Chernobyl (2019) is a Drama, History, Thriller series created by Craig Mazin, streaming on HBO Max. It holds a 89% Celluloid Score — Recommended — from Celluloid editorial (95%), Metascore (83/100), IMDb (9.3/10), TMDB fan (85%) across 1 season. Audience snapshot (not in the composite): 97%.

## Celluloid verdict

A monumental miniseries — procedural, terrifying and morally exacting — that turns bureaucratic catastrophe into some of the most gripping television ever made.

## Synopsis

In April 1986 a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant explodes, and a scientist, a party official and countless unnamed workers are thrown against a catastrophe the state refuses to admit is happening — a five-hour anatomy of disaster, denial and the cost of lies.

## Cast

Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Most searched questions

**Is Chernobyl worth watching?**
Yes — Chernobyl earns a 89% Celluloid Score (Recommended), from editorial 95%, Metascore 83/100, IMDb 9.3/10, TMDB fan 85%. Audience snapshot is separate (97%). A monumental miniseries — procedural, terrifying and morally exacting — that turns bureaucratic catastrophe into some of the most gripping television ever made.

**Why is Chernobyl so highly rated?**
Chernobyl scores 89% from four inputs: Celluloid editorial 95/100, Metacritic 83/100, IMDb 9.3/10 and TMDB fan rating 85%. The separate audience snapshot is 97%. A monumental miniseries — procedural, terrifying and morally exacting — that turns bureaucratic catastrophe into some of the most gripping television ever made. See the full breakdown on the Chernobyl series page.

**Is Chernobyl a movie or a series?**
Chernobyl is a five-episode limited series (not a feature film). Watch episodes 1–5 in order for the full disaster timeline.

**Is Chernobyl on HBO Max?**
Yes — Chernobyl is available on HBO Max in many regions (catalogued under HBO Max on Celluloid). Rights differ by country; confirm in the HBO Max app or the where-to-watch notes.

**Is Chernobyl on Netflix?**
No — Chernobyl is not on Netflix. It streams on HBO Max, and on Celluloid it is catalogued under HBO Max. Streaming rights rotate by country, so confirm in your region before subscribing.

**What year did Chernobyl come out?**
Chernobyl first aired in 2019 (2019). Created by Craig Mazin; it streams on HBO Max today.

**How many seasons of Chernobyl are there?**
Chernobyl has 1 season across 5 episodes (2019). Status: ended / complete.

**How long does it take to watch Chernobyl?**
At roughly 40–50 minutes per episode, Chernobyl’s 5 episodes take around 4 hours of runtime (plus credits). Binge pace depends on season breaks.

**Where can I watch Chernobyl?**
Chernobyl streams on HBO Max in supported regions. On Celluloid it is catalogued under HBO Max. Rights rotate — confirm in your country on the platform app.

**Who is in the cast of Chernobyl?**
Chernobyl stars Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson. Created by Craig Mazin.

**How many episodes are in Chernobyl?**
Chernobyl has 5 episodes across 1 season (2019).

**What is Chernobyl about?**
In April 1986 a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant explodes, and a scientist, a party official and countless unnamed workers are thrown against a catastrophe the state refuses to admit is happening — a five-hour anatomy of disaster, denial and the cost of lies.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

Markdown mirror: https://celluloidscore.com/shows/chernobyl.md