The new HBO documentary series Monsters of God is arriving very soon. The show comes from Eric Goode, the filmmaker behind Tiger King and Chimp Crazy. This five-part series takes viewers into the hidden world of exotic reptile smuggling. It is a billion-dollar criminal trade that operates across the globe. The series will premiere on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Every new episode will also be available to stream on HBO Max at the same time.
The series already has a lot of buzz. It had its world premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival. There, it won the TV Premiere Audience Award. The official trailer has also been released. The tagline for the trailer is “It’s a cold-blooded world”.
Complete Episode Release Schedule
Monsters of God has five episodes in total. New episodes will debut each Thursday. The schedule is very straightforward for viewers to follow.
Episode 1: “The Fever” (August 6)
The first episode sets up the entire story. It looks at the obsessive “fever” to own rare and dangerous animals. This obsession has pushed the illegal reptile trade further underground. The episode starts with a fierce rivalry between two reptile dealers, Hank Molt and Tommy Crutchfield. Their conflict escalates into a strange iguana trafficking case. This is when the United States Fish and Wildlife Service starts its early efforts to stop them.
Episode 2: “Operation Cobra” (August 13)
The second episode brings in a new player. Florida reptile dealer Ray Van Nostrand enters the trade. He takes the business into a much darker world. The episode connects reptile smuggling with Miami’s drug smuggling and gun running. Van Nostrand had ties to a known cocaine cowboy named Mario Tabraue. As the operation becomes more dangerous, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) starts closing in.
Episode 3: “Smuggler’s Inn” (August 20)
This episode focuses on the next generation. Ray’s son, Mike Van Nostrand, tries to legitimize the family business. He builds a massive import and export empire. He turns reptiles into a booming global commodity. However, his father Ray returns and pulls Mike back into the illicit trade. This time, the stakes are even higher. They get involved with a dangerous international dealer named Anson Wong.
Episode 4: “Operation Chameleon” (August 27)
The fourth episode shows the cycle of the trade continuing. Tommy Crutchfield is fresh out of prison. He returns to the reptile trade. This prompts authorities to launch “Operation Chameleon.” The goal is to take down a sprawling international trafficking network.
Episode 5: “Head of the Snake” (September 3)
The final episode is the climax of the series. Federal agents launch a risky undercover operation. Their target is the elusive wildlife trafficker Anson Wong. However, the investigation takes an unexpected turn, leading to a dramatic conclusion.
The Story Behind the Series
Monsters of God is not just a simple crime story. It is a deep investigation into a world that most people do not know exists. Filmmaker Eric Goode follows his lifelong love for reptiles into the dark underworld of exotic animal smuggling. In this global network, everyone is chasing something. Some want to own the rarest species. Others are after the biggest fortunes. And some are trying to take down the most elusive criminals.
The series unfolds over several decades. It traces how the reptile trade evolved. It shows how the trade managed to work around the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Over time, it grew into a secretive world of backroom deals and fanatical collectors. Goode got unprecedented access to the major players. This includes traffickers, animal enthusiasts, and federal agents. He unravels a web of larger-than-life characters who run a complex international crime ring.
The series also serves as a warning. It shows the devastating impact of the desire for the forbidden. This mad obsession is pushing some species to the brink of extinction.
Director Eric Goode on the Project
Eric Goode is no stranger to documentaries about exotic animals. He rose to fame with the hit Netflix series Tiger King. He also directed HBO’s Chimp Crazy. For Goode, Monsters of God is a very personal project.
“The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion–dollar industry, but most people have no idea the reptile trade is a big part of it. It’s a world I’ve been involved in my entire life. I am a reptile guy, obsessed with the forbidden, the rarest of the rare, willing to pay almost anything. It’s been a lifelong fascination.”
He also explained why this story is different from his previous work.
“It’s a story about obsession, and the most personal story I’ve been able to tell. In many ways, it’s my story.”
Where to Watch Monsters of God
Viewers have two ways to watch the series. The show will air on HBO every Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. It will also be available to stream on HBO Max at the same time. This means people can watch it live on TV or stream it on-demand on the platform.
For international viewers, the series is expected to be available on HBO’s partner networks and streaming services in different regions. However, the primary release is on HBO and HBO Max in the United States.
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What Viewers Can Expect
The series features a cast of real-life characters. Key participants include Tommy Crutchfield, Hank Molt, Anson Wong, Ray and Mike Van Nostrand, Mario Tabraue, and author Bryan Christy. The documentary also includes interviews with federal agents, prosecutors, customs officials, reptile handlers, zoo officials, and investigative journalist Steve Chao.
The series is a production from Goode Films, A24, and Central Pictures. It is directed, written, and executive produced by Eric Goode. Jeremy McBride also serves as a producer on the project.
The official synopsis for the series gives a clear picture of what to expect.
“Most people fear reptiles. A few are fascinated. And a handful will stop at nothing to have them. Collectors call it ‘the fever’ — the relentless drive to chase what is bigger, rarer, deadlier. That fever created a billion-dollar criminal enterprise that spanned six continents over 50 years.”
This series promises to be a wild ride for fans of true crime and investigative documentaries. It combines the thrill of a crime story with the important issue of wildlife conservation.
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