TV series

Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults

2020TV-MA1 season6.8 / 10

What do you believe?

What started in 1975 with the disappearance of 20 people from a small town in Oregon, ended in 1997 with the largest suicide on US soil and changed the face of modern New Age religion forever. This four-part docuseries uses never-before-seen footage and first-person accounts to explore the infamous UFO cult that shocked the nation with their out-of-this-world beliefs.

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Checked Jul 22, 2026

Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults is available to stream on HBO (Via Hulu), HBO Max, and Max (Via Amazon Prime) in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

The Awakening

Dec 3, 202051m7.0 / 10

March 1997. Thirty-nine members of the Heaven’s Gate cult are found dead in a Southern California mansion - the largest mass suicide in U.S. history. The inception of this mysterious group dates back to 1970s Oregon, where founding members Bonnie Nettles and Marshall Applewhite begin to recruit individuals interested in end-of-the-world Christianity, new age religion, and UFOs - but the disappearance of new members soon drives media attention and family concerns.

Episode credits

Directed by J. Clay TweelGuest stars Kelly Cooke, Neely Bruce, Reza Aslan, Terrie Nettles, David Taylor, Leslie Light

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Episode 2

The Chrysalis

Dec 3, 202051m6.5 / 10

As the Heaven’s Gate "Classroom" begins, Bonnie and Marshall - who call themselves "Ti" and "Do" or "The Two" - enforce strict rules of no family communication. After Ti dies from cancer in 1985, a distraught Do briefly allows members to visit their families, and a few consider leaving the group for good. When the members return, Do becomes much more controlling - and opens the door to group suicide.

Episode credits

Directed by J. Clay TweelGuest stars Michael Conyers, Reza Aslan, Terrie Nettles, David Taylor, Leslie Light

Where to watch Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults

Episode 3

The Second Harvest

Dec 3, 202051m6.5 / 10

Using a popular sci-fi TV series to help bolster his teachings, Do encourages asexuality and individual submission for the benefit of the collective - and even initiates voluntary castrations. Having dwindled in number, the group starts recruiting again, but they’re met largely with derision and skepticism. Seeing this as a sign, Do begins planning their exit to the next level.

Episode credits

Directed by J. Clay TweelGuest stars Kelly Cooke, Steve Hassan, Jason Bartel, Deb Simpson, David Koresh

Where to watch Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults

Episode 4

The Exit

Dec 3, 202051m7.2 / 10finale

The 1997 arrival of the Hale-Bopp comet spurs the group to prepare for their departure, though their plan to commit mass suicide goes undetected. After an anonymous 911 caller alerts the authorities, Heaven’s Gate, deemed the first "internet cult," becomes a media and pop culture phenomenon - but the suicides have a very different effect on those closest to them. Today, former members, loved ones, and experts reflect on the legacy of Heaven’s Gate, offering a chilling reminder that indoctrination can happen to anyone.

Episode credits

Directed by J. Clay TweelGuest stars Kelly Cooke, Steve Hassan, Jason Bartel, Deb Simpson, Terrie Nettles, David Taylor, Calvin Vine, Nichelle Nichols

Where to watch Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults

Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026

More about Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults

Watch trailerHeaven’s Gate: The Cult of Cults | Official Trailer | HBO Max

Cast

Marshall ApplewhiteSelf - Co-Leader of Heaven’s Gate (archive footage)

Bonnie NettlesSelf - Co-Leader of Heaven’s Gate (archive footage)

SawyerSelf - Former Member

Frank LyfordSelf - Former Member

Benjamin ZellerSelf - Religious Studies Professor

Janja LalichSelf - Sociologist

Robert BalchSelf - Sociologist

Kelly CookeSelf - Daughter of Members

Production details

Status: Ended
Series type: Miniseries
Episodes: 4
Original language: English

Networks & production

HBO Max
CNN Original SeriesUnited States
Campfire StudiosUnited States

Themes

alienascensionbarbituratescastrationcultcultistsdoomsdaymass suicide

Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults

Where to watch in United States

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Synopsis

Season 1 episodes

The Awakening

The Chrysalis

The Second Harvest

The Exit

More about Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults

Cast

Production details

Networks & production

Themes

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