HBO's 'Monsters of God' Docuseries on Global Reptile Smuggling Debuts August

HBO Max will launch the five‑episode documentary series "Monsters of God" (Portuguese: "Monstros de Deus") on August 6, 2026. Directed by Eric Goode, who previously created "Tiger King" and "Chimp Crazy," the series investigates the illegal international trade in exotic reptiles, following traffickers, collectors, federal agents and the species affected. The show blends investigative journalism with suspenseful storytelling, tracing the network from the 1973 Endangered Species Act to today’s high‑stakes black market.

The series, produced by HBO Documentary Films in partnership with A24 and Central Pictures, was screened at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival where it won the TV Premiere Audience Award. It highlights the environmental impact of capturing and commercialising threatened reptile species and exposes a criminal enterprise that spans multiple continents.