HBO Original documentary series Monsters of God debuts 7 August – HBO Original five-part documentary series Monsters of God debuts Friday, 7 August on HBO Max.
The series is directed by Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker Eric Goode. His credits include HBO’s Chimp Crazy and Tiger King.
Inside a hidden trade
Monsters of God follows Goode into the world of exotic animal smuggling. The release describes a trade driven by rare reptiles, big money and obsession.
Across the series, collectors, traffickers and law enforcement agents all chase different prizes. Some want rare species. Others want fortunes or arrests.
The series also traces the reptile trade across decades. It shows how the market skirts the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and grows into a secretive world of backroom deals.
In addition, the documentary includes access to traffickers, animal enthusiasts, federal agents, prosecutors, customs officials, reptile handlers, zoo officials and investigative journalist Steve Chao.
A festival-winning premiere
Monsters of God had its world premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival. There, it won the TV Premiere Audience Award.
Featured participants include Tommy Crutchfield, Hank Molt, Anson Wong, Ray and Mike Van Nostrand, Mario Tabraue, Beau Lee Lewis and author Bryan Christy.
HBO Documentary Films presents the series as a Goode Films Production and A24 Production, in association with Central Pictures.
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