by Alex Billington
July 17, 2026
Source: YouTube
“We wanted the most rare and unusual – no matter the consequences.” HBO Max has revealed the official trailer for a new animal documentary series titled Monsters of God, set for a streaming debut starting in August this summer. This is the next true crime doc series following “Tiger King” and “Chimp Crazy” made by the same filmmaker behind those two doc series previously. This time it’s about the exotic reptile world and the people obsessed with various reptiles: snakes, alligators, crocodiles, iguanas, lizards, turtles, and so much more. A gripping documentary explores the shadowy world of exotic reptile smuggling, following two rival kingpins whose lucrative global operation supplied rare species to US zoos until a betrayal sparked a devastating vendetta. A thrilling exposé of a hidden underworld, Monsters of God warns of the devastating impact of the insatiable desire for the forbidden, and how this mad obsession is pushing some species to the brink of extinction. “People are going to continue to want that which is forbidden.” This looks totally crazy! Even more crazy & intense than “Tiger King” as the folks obsessed with reptiles are really, really wild ones.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for HBO Max’s doc series Monsters of God, from YouTube:
Director Eric Goode follows his first love – reptiles – into the dark & gonzo underworld of exotic animal smuggling. In this global network, everyone is chasing the ultimate prize, whether it be owning the rarest of species, claiming the biggest fortunes, or taking down the most elusive criminals. The reptile criminal enterprise is fueled by extreme obsession for these creatures, driving many to push the boundaries of laws and environmental ethics. As he digs deeper, Goode uncovers a labyrinth of outlaw traffickers, bombastic collectors, and the dogged law enforcement agents on their tails. Unfolding over decades, Monsters of God traces the evolution of the reptile trade as it skirts the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and grows into a secretive, high-stakes world of backroom dealings and fanatical collectors. With unprecedented access to the major players, from traffickers to animal enthusiasts to federal agents, Eric Goode unravels a web of larger-than-life characters who run a complex international crime ring. 🐍🐊 “It’s a cold-blooded world.”
Monsters of God is a doc series directed by American conservationist / filmmaker Eric Goode, the same director on the “Tiger King” & “Chimp Crazy” series. Made by A24, Goode Films, HBO Documentary Films. Executive produced by Eric Goode, Jeremy McBride, Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Harry Go, Emily Osborne, Nicole Stott, Kevin Turen, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Tina Nguyen. The series premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award in the TV Premiere section. HBO debuts Goode’s Monsters of God series streaming on HBO Max starting August 6th, 2026 this summer. Who’s in?
