Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Nostradamus Effect (2009)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

Nostradamus Effect
Nostradamus Effect is an American television series that aired on the History Channel starting September 9, 2009. The series focuses on various historical apocalyptic prophecies, including the 2012 phenomenon, and is named after the French seer Michel de Nostredame, commonly known as Nostradamus. It ran for a single season and presented its content in a documentary style, although it was not a true documentary. The show includes a disclaimer stating it does not take sides on the apocalyptic prophecies, claiming to merely present evidence. The series has been criticized for presenting exaggerated or incorrect interpretations of prophecies. For instance, it claims that the Mayan Long Count calendar predicts the end of the world on December 21, 2012, whereas it actually marks the beginning of the 14th b'ak'tun era. Critics have pointed out that the show employs vague phrases and misleading suggestions, and Nostradamus specialist Peter Lemesurier describes its content as largely fictional and nonsensical. The series was also released on DVD in 2010.

Why Watch

  • •See how Nostradamus is interpreted in modern media.
  • •Find out about the 2012 phenomenon and its misconceptions.
  • •Meet the critics who call the series misleading.

Did You Know

•Nostradamus Effect premiered on September 9, 2009.
•The series ran for a single season.
•The show claims the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world on December 21, 2012.
•It was released on DVD in 2010.

Perfect For

Apocalyptic propheciesMayan calendarNostradamus studies