5 Must-Watch Episodes If You Want to Understand the Hadean Eon
If you’ve ever stared at a picture of early Earth — all molten rock, constant meteor impacts, and zero chance of life — and thought, “Yeah, I want to know more about that,” then welcome. The Hadean Eon (4.6–4.0 billion years ago) is one of the most mysterious and fascinating periods in our planet’s history. There are no rocks from it, no fossils, no eyewitness accounts (obviously), just clues locked in minerals, meteorites, and computer simulations.
Luckily, a few science creators have done outstanding work distilling this chaotic chapter of Earth’s origin into engaging, bingeable episodes. Here are five of the best starting points if you want to go full proto-Earth nerd.
1. Ancient Planet Trilogy: Hadean Eon
If you only watch one thing on this list, make it this. This documentary-style episode is the most comprehensive visual tour of the Hadean you’ll find anywhere. It covers the violent formation of Earth, the magma ocean phase, the Moon-forming impact, and the slow cooling that eventually set the stage for life. It’s cinematic, accessible, and worth bookmarking for rewatching — especially if you like imagining Earth as an interstellar demolition derby.
2. Eons — “How Asteroids Set the Stage for Life on Earth” (S7 E12)
During the Hadean, asteroids weren’t just smashing into Earth — they were delivering ingredients. This episode explains how repeated bombardment may have brought key elements, triggered chemical reactions, and even helped shape early oceans. If you’ve ever wondered how constant cosmic violence could lead to something as delicate as life, this episode connects those dots beautifully.
3. Eons — “Where Did Water Come From?” (S5 E1)
Early Earth wasn’t born with oceans; they had to arrive somehow. This episode breaks down the leading theories behind our planet’s water supply, from volcanic outgassing to icy asteroid delivery. It’s a perfect companion to any Hadean deep dive — clear, concise, and packed with mind-bending visuals about a time before water, weather, or even a solid crust existed.
4. Eons — “The Search for the Earliest Life” (S1 E20)
While technically dipping into the Archean Eon, this episode roots its story in the aftermath of the Hadean. It explores the oldest chemical signatures of life — traces that may reach back further than we once thought. This one is ideal for anyone curious about how scientists even begin to look for biological breadcrumbs that survived billions of years of continental churn and planetary chaos.
5. Eons — “A Brief History of Geologic Time” (S1 E19)
To really understand the Hadean Eon, you need to understand where it fits into Earth’s 4.6-billion-year timeline. This foundational episode walks you through the major eons and eras with humor and clarity, anchoring the Hadean in the larger story of our planet’s evolution. Think of it as your geologic-history crash course — the perfect primer before diving deeper into the Hadean’s wildest moments.
Where to Start?
If you're brand new to early-Earth science, I recommend watching them in the order listed above. Start with a big-picture overview, then dig into the specifics: impacts, water, earliest life, and finally the grand timeline.
By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how a hellish young planet — literally named after Hades — became the home of oceans, continents, and everything alive today.
Happy time traveling to the very beginning.
