Watch
  • Netflix

Human Playground

  • 2022
  • Ended
  • Documentary
  • ~41m / ep
  • 1 season
  • 6.9/10

Narrated by Idris Elba, this docuseries explores the origins and evolution of play across the globe, from age-old rituals to billion-dollar businesses.

Latest: Season 1 · 2022

View all seasons
  1. E1. Breaking the Pain Barrier

    Sep 30, 2022 · 42m

    No pain, no gain: A marathon in the desert, bullfighting, a brutal bicycle race and ice swimming push people to the brink, mentally and physically.

  2. E2. An Ancient Ritual

    Sep 30, 2022 · 36m

    From a ritual war game to a nomadic hunting tradition, tests of bravery, skill and strength are fueled by the needs for food, survival and glory.

  3. E3. Rites of Passage

    Sep 30, 2022 · 42m

    Young men in Madagascar grapple with a zebu to enter adulthood as boys elsewhere try to master Kung Fu, sumo wrestling and reindeer racing.

  4. E4. In Pursuit of Perfection

    Sep 30, 2022 · 43m

    A surfer sets out to ride a massive wave. A diver attempts a deadly plunge. A female racer in Palestine and a wheelchair bodybuilder create spectacles.

  5. E5. God's Playground

    Sep 30, 2022 · 41m

    From mountaineering in the face of death to a game for a fruitful harvest, sports are spiritual experiences for those seeking signs from a higher power.

  6. E6. Big Business

    Sep 30, 2022 · 41m

    A popular combat sport in Senegal provides a payday for many, while technology gives rise to games that rake in millions for players and gamblers alike.

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