How many seasons of Expedition Unknown are there?

Expedition Unknown has aired 17 seasons so far.

How many episodes of Expedition Unknown are there?

There are 162 episodes of Expedition Unknown across 17 seasons.

Where can I watch Expedition Unknown?

Expedition Unknown is available to stream on Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Discovery+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Philo, Discovery, HBO Max, Discovery +, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home.

What is Expedition Unknown's IMDb rating?

Expedition Unknown holds an IMDb rating of 8.2/10 from 4,534 votes.

Documentary

When Does Expedition Unknown Season 18 Come Out? Is It Renewed?

Expedition Unknown Season 18 doesn't have an official release date yet. Based on the roughly 7-month gap between previous seasons, expect it around June 2026.

IMDb

8.2/10

Seasons

Episodes

162

Diagnostics

Network: Travel Channel
Genres: Documentary, Reality, Action & Adventure
First aired: 2015-01-08
Last aired: 2025-12-10
Runtime: 48 min
Rated: TV-14

Awards 1 nomination total

Search interestRising ↗

Predictive Logic Analysis

At 17 seasons and 162 episodes, Expedition Unknown is one of Discovery's most durable franchises. The network has not let a significant gap develop between seasons in years, and the fact that Season 17 aired as recently as late 2025, with multiple new seasons confirmed and launched during 2025 alone, shows Discovery is still actively investing in the show. Josh Gates is essentially the face of the network's adventure programming, which makes dropping the series a much bigger decision than cancelling a typical reality show.

The ratings picture is slightly softer than before. Season 17 averaged 6.7 on IMDb versus 7.0 the prior season, which is a mild downward tick, though the episode-to-episode trajectory within the season was flat rather than collapsing. An 8.2 overall series rating with over 4,500 votes is solid for this type of documentary-reality hybrid. Trakt active watchers sit at 8,238 with steady momentum, and search interest is actually rising, even if the absolute number (7/100) reflects a niche but loyal audience rather than a mass one. None of these audience signals suggest a show in freefall.

The only real uncertainty here is the absence of any formal renewal announcement. With the last season airing through December 2025, it is still early in the renewal window. Discovery tends to quietly greenlight these long-running franchises without a lot of public fanfare, so the lack of a headline is not alarming at this stage. The companion series Expedition Files also received a new season simultaneously in late 2025, reinforcing that Discovery sees the Gates brand as a package worth keeping on the schedule.

What is Expedition Unknown about?

Expedition Unknown follows intrepid host Josh Gates as he traverses the globe in pursuit of history's most compelling unsolved mysteries and legendary tales. Each episode takes viewers on a genuine investigation into iconic stories—from lost civilizations and hidden archaeological sites to cryptids and unexplained phenomena—with Gates serving as the audience's surrogate, asking the questions viewers themselves would pose. What makes the show resonate is its balance between genuine curiosity and accessible storytelling; Gates approaches each mystery not as a showman looking for definitive answers, but as an intelligent explorer willing to follow leads wherever they take him, whether that leads to archaeological breakthroughs or humbling dead ends. The show's appeal lies in its fundamental promise: the adventure itself, not necessarily the resolution, carries the narrative weight.

The program distinguishes itself within the travel and mystery documentary space through its kinetic energy and production value. Rather than relying solely on talking heads or archival footage, Gates physically embeds himself in each investigation, climbing mountains, diving in unexplored caves, and interviewing locals who hold pieces of these larger puzzles. The tone remains grounded and respectful toward its subjects, avoiding the sensationalism that plagues lesser paranormal shows. This approach—combining legitimate investigative methodology with genuine adventure—has made Expedition Unknown feel like a premium travel experience rather than pure spectacle.

The series has sustained a devoted following over its seventeen-season run, evidenced by its strong IMDb rating of 8.2 and its longevity on the Travel Channel. Viewers consistently praise Gates' charisma and authenticity, as well as the show's willingness to present evidence thoughtfully rather than manufacture drama. It occupies a sweet spot in the documentary landscape, appealing to both casual adventure seekers and those genuinely interested in historical mysteries and archaeological investigation.

Expedition Unknown has become a flagship program for the Travel Channel, representing a template for prestige adventure programming on cable. Its cultural footprint extends beyond typical genre audiences; the show has earned respect from both mainstream viewers and documentary enthusiasts who appreciate its intellectual rigor. With seventeen seasons and 162 episodes produced, it stands as one of cable's most durable and consistent series, proving there remains genuine appetite for intelligent, globe-trotting storytelling that honors both entertainment and investigative substance.

Themes

treasure hunt

Is Expedition Unknown renewed or cancelled?

Working toward renewal

high

17-season run with no cancellation signals; Discovery continues to schedule new seasons consistently

high

Two separate new seasons aired in 2025 (June and November premieres), showing active network commitment

Source

high

Josh Gates is central to Discovery's adventure brand identity, raising the cost of cancellation

medium

Strong overall series IMDb rating of 8.2 across 4,500+ votes

medium

Companion series Expedition Files also renewed for 2025, reinforcing Discovery's commitment to the Gates franchise

Source

low

Rising search interest trend

low

Trakt active watchers steady at 8,238

Working against it

medium

No official renewal announcement in the renewal signals

medium

Season 17 IMDb average (6.7) down from prior season (7.0), a mild negative trajectory

low

Low absolute search interest volume (7/100), indicating a niche rather than broad audience

Expedition Unknown Season 18 Release Date

If renewed, Season 18 would most likely premiere in mid-to-late 2026. The 2025 cycle saw one season start in June and another in November, suggesting Discovery is comfortable running the show in multiple windows per year. A summer 2026 premiere in the June-July range would fit that pattern, with a potential second run in fall 2026 if production timelines allow.

That said, production for a globe-trotting expedition show takes time, and Josh Gates' schedule is already stretched across multiple properties. A realistic base case is one new season in 2026, probably arriving around the same mid-year slot Discovery used in 2025.