Will Smith’s newest Disney+ series, Pole to Pole With Will Smith, is a seven-part National Geographic docuseries that premiered on Disney+ on January 16, 2026.
On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently sits at a 100% critics’ score, placing it in rare company on the service and instantly turning it into a watchlist magnet for people who usually skip celebrity-fronted nonfiction.
A 100% score always triggers the same two reactions: people treat it like a crown, and people treat it like bait. The skeptical side is not wrong to ask questions, because a perfect rating can be fragile early on.
ScreenRant notes that the score is based on only a small number of reviews so far, meaning it could shift as more critics weigh in. Rotten Tomatoes also shows an audience score that is notably lower than the critic score, which is a useful reminder that critical consensus and casual enjoyment do not always line up.
Still, a perfect score is not automatically meaningless. Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ score simply indicates that all counted reviews to date are positive, not that the show is flawless or universally adored.
In that context, “deserves” is less about claiming perfection and more about whether the series earns its early momentum through craft, clarity, and intent rather than hype.
Why Critics Are Buying What This Show Sells
Pole to Pole sells a huge premise fas t: Will Smith travels across all seven continents, guided by scientists, experts, and local voices, with the camera chasing extremes from polar cold to deep water.
That structure matters because it gives the show a built-in sense of progress and stakes, even for viewers who do not usually watch nature docs. When a series has a simple spine like that, each episode can feel like a chapter instead of a detour, which is exactly what binge-friendly streaming needs right now.
The strongest reviews have not framed it as a celebrity flex, and that is the make-or-break factor for this kind of project. ScreenRant’s read is that Smith’s on-screen presence comes off more humble than self-congratulatory, with the places and people taking priority rather than a star vehicle vibe.
That tone helps the series avoid the “influencer travel” trap, where the camera never stops admiring the host more than the world.
Craft is doing heavy lifting here, too. Multiple write-ups highlight the visuals and filming as a major reason the show lands, with the photography presenting Earth’s extremes in a way that feels big-screen even on a phone.
National Geographic’s brand promise has always been image-first storytelling, and this series leans into that without turning every scene into empty postcard content.
Another reason the early reviews are so positive is the human framing. ScreenRant emphasizes the inclusion of scientists, explorers, and local experts, which gives the episodes a sense of credibility and texture beyond the standard “host reacts to stunning view” beats.
Will Smith (Credit: NBC)
It also signals that the series wants to share knowledge, not just locations, and that approach tends to play well with critics who want documentaries to have a point of view and not just a passport stamp.
If any part of the show feels strategically designed for 2026 streaming habits, it is the pacing. Seven episodes are long enough to feel substantial but short enough to finish in a weekend, and that sweet spot often helps docuseries avoid mid-season fatigue.
Even the headlines around it are built for quick discovery, with Rotten Tomatoes browse pages surfacing it prominently among Disney+ titles because the score stands out.
Disney+ Strategy, Will Smith’s Image, and What Comes Next
A National Geographic series with a world-famous host fits that strategy cleanly, and Rotten Tomatoes visibility gives it extra oxygen without Disney needing to manufacture controversy.
The platform also benefits from the “easy recommendation” factor: it is not niche sci-fi, not heavy true crime, not a grim limited drama, so it has broad household appeal.
For Will Smith, the timing is just as important as the content. The last few years have seen his public narrative swing between blockbuster legacy, awards-season memory, and personal controversy, so a warm, informational travel series offers a different kind of headline.
The show is also not his first collaboration of this type on Disney+. ScreenRant points out that Smith previously fronted Welcome to Earth, another Disney+ National Geographic docuseries that also earned a 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
This is where the score conversation gets more interesting. A perfect rating can be a fleeting moment, but a back-to-back strong reception suggests a pattern: Smith is effective in nonfiction when he plays learner rather than legend.
That matters because celebrity documentaries often fail not due to budget or access, but due to posture, where the host performs importance instead of curiosity.
If Pole to Pole sustains its buzz, Disney+ and National Geographic have a clear incentive to keep building event-style docuseries with recognizable faces, especially when the format travels well across markets.
The only real risk is that the score becomes the story. Early perfection can set expectations too high, and ScreenRant’s caution about the limited number of reviews is worth keeping in mind if more critics later add mixed takes.
Even then, the existence of a strong early consensus already tells viewers something practical: if this show is your kind of nonfiction, there is a good chance it will satisfy.
A 100% badge does not guarantee a personal favorite, and it does not settle debates about what “great” means. What it can do is spotlight a series that might otherwise be dismissed as another celebrity travel project. In this case, the early evidence suggests the acclaim is coming from execution, not just enthusiasm.
Paramount+ kicked off 2026 with a bang last week as Star Trek: Starfleet Academy hit screens on January 15. The series, set in the 32nd century, follows cadets finding their way through a rebuilt Federation after the Burn catastrophe.
Right in the first trailer, sharp-eyed viewers caught a class listing that nods straight to Captain Benjamin Sisko from Deep Space Nine. Titled something along the lines of “The Ultimate Fate of Benjamin Sisko,” it pops up amid shoutouts to Kirk, Crusher, and Paris, tying academy history to franchise legends.
This isn’t random fan service. Producers have teased Deep Space Nine influences since production buzz started last year. The showrunners, in recent interviews, hinted at layered callbacks for longtime watchers while keeping things accessible for newcomers.
Sisko’s arc ended ambiguously in DS9’s 1999 finale, with him vanishing into the Celestial Temple after defeating the Dominion. Fans have debated his return for decades, from Lower Decks hints to fan theories about Prophets pulling strings.
Online forums lit up immediately. Reddit threads dissected the trailer’s frame, with users pausing to confirm the text. One post asked if it’s safe for DS9 mid-watchers, fearing spoilers, while others celebrated the nod as peak Trek continuity.
The timing feels perfect, coinciding with DS9’s PVOD chart resurgence this month, proving the 1993-1999 series still draws crowds.
Fandom Freaks Over Emissary Echoes
Deep Space Nine always stood apart in Trek lore. Stationed near a wormhole, it swapped exploration for war, religion, and politics, with Sisko as the Bajoran “Emissary.”
Avery Brooks’ captain balanced commander grit and spiritual weight, making him a fan favorite. That trailer class pokes at his unresolved story, fueling talks of recasting or holograms in future episodes.
Veteran fans point to patterns. Lower Decks dropped Sisko name-drops and DS9 visuals in recent seasons, like Kira eyeing his baseball by the wormhole. Prodigy and others layered similar breadcrumbs. Now, S tarfleet Academy, under Alex Kurtzman, amps it up .
The executive producers confirmed in Yahoo chats that they’re packing episodes with such gems, rewarding rewatches. One full episode reportedly channels DS9 vibes outright.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Credit: Paramount+)
Reactions split generations. Older viewers hail it as respectful legacy-building; DS9’s serialized style influenced modern Trek. Younger ones, weaned on Discovery’s pace, discover Sisko’s depth via streaming spikes.
Social media buzz ties into broader Trek health. With DS9 hitting top streaming lists on January 14, the Easter egg boosts cross-era hype. TikTok edits mash trailer clips with Sisko speeches, racking up views. Some worry overexposure dilutes mystery, but most see it as smart nostalgia in a crowded TV market.
Academy’s Bold Trek Legacy Play
Starfleet Academy arrives amid franchise fatigue debates. Post-Picard finale, Paramount bets on youth-focused stories, but Sisko’s inclusion grounds it in its roots.
The show’s premise, training future officers amid alien threats, mirrors DS9’s station-under-siege tension. Producers frame Easter eggs as bridges, not crutches, per Engadget trailer breakdowns from mid-2025.
Future episodes could expand the gag. Will the class reveal canon on Sisko’s post-finale life? Fan sites speculate on Prophets’ involvement or Jake Sisko ties. Showrunners dodge specifics but promise more DS9 flavor, including possible Ferengi schemes or Bajoran mysticism.
This fits Kurtzman-era Trek’s interconnected web, from Strange New Worlds crossovers to Section 31 spinoffs.
Business angles shine too. DS9’s chart climb proves evergreen appeal; the Easter egg drives dual viewership. Paramount+ subs get Academy fresh, while curious newcomers binge Sisko’s run. Reddit praises DS9’s ahead-of-its-time arcs, blending episodes with seasons-long wars, a model for today’s streamers.
Controversy simmers lightly. Spoiler-phobes urge trailer skips, especially for season 6 DS9 folks. Yet the nod avoids outright reveals, preserving the final punch. Cast diversity nods to Sisko as Trek’s first Black lead captain, a milestone still resonant. Brooks’ promo to captain mid-series broke molds.
Word count aside, this Easter egg spotlights Trek’s secret weapon: shared universe depth. The Academy doesn’t just train cadets; it honors architects like Sisko who built the Federation’s soul. As episodes roll out weekly, expect more station ghosts to wander those halls, keeping the wormhole open for all.
