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Monsterland (TV series)

Monsterland is an American horror drama anthology television series created by Mary Laws and based on Nathan Ballingrud’s short story collection North American Lake Monsters: Stories.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Monsterland is an American horror drama anthology television series created by Mary Laws and based on Nathan Ballingrud’s short story collection North American Lake Monsters: Stories. It premiered on Hulu on October 2, 2020, and consists of eight episodes. Each episode presents a standalone story involving supernatural or monstrous elements and troubled characters.

Premise

Monsterland follows different characters across separate episodes, with stories involving mermaids, fallen angels, and other supernatural beings. The anthology format allows each episode to stand alone while exploring themes of desperation, alienation, and transformation.

Production and release

The series was developed by Mary Laws and adapted from Ballingrud’s short story collection. It was released in October 2020 as a Hulu original series and later appeared on other streaming platforms, including Disney+ in some regions.

Cast and episodes

The series features a rotating cast across its episodes rather than a single continuing ensemble. Rotten Tomatoes and streaming listings identify multiple directors and screenwriters across the season, reflecting the anthology structure.

Reception and availability

Promotional and listing pages describe the show as a horror anthology aimed at viewers interested in supernatural and psychological horror. It is available through Hulu and, in some markets, related Disney streaming services.

Key facts

  • Monsterland is an American horror drama anthology series created by Mary Laws.
  • It is based on Nathan Ballingrud’s short story collection North American Lake Monsters: Stories.
  • The series premiered on Hulu on October 2, 2020, with eight episodes.
  • Each episode is a standalone story featuring supernatural elements and troubled characters.
  • The cast includes Adepero Oduye, Adria Arjona, Bill Camp, Charlie Tahan, Hamish Linklater, and Jonathan Tucker.
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Canadian context

Monsterland is available on Apple TV in Canada, and Disney+ listings indicate broader streaming access in some regions.[8][5]

Frequently asked questions

What is Monsterland?
Monsterland is a U.S. horror drama anthology TV series created by Mary Laws and adapted from Nathan Ballingrud’s short story collection.
When did Monsterland premiere?
It premiered on October 2, 2020, on Hulu.
How many episodes does Monsterland have?
The first season has eight episodes.
What is Monsterland based on?
It is based on North American Lake Monsters: Stories by Nathan Ballingrud.
Is Monsterland an anthology series?
Yes. Each episode is a standalone story rather than part of one continuous plot.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsterland
    Supports: Series creator, format, source material, episode count, and premiere date.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt10404698/
    Supports: Creator, country of origin, language, release date, and filming location.
  3. TV Guidehttps://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/monsterland/1000826828/
    Supports: Anthology premise and episode-level plot description.
  4. Google Playhttps://play.google.com/store/tv/show/Monsterland?id=BAF5F54B71B1E33ASH&hl=es
    Supports: Series description, creator, source material, episode count, and premiere date.
  5. Disney+https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-f280152e-5044-4e84-936a-8dc7e13f84f1
    Supports: Series description, release year, genre, and featured cast.
  6. YouTube (Hulu official trailer)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kgtaf-KxeA
    Supports: Official release promotion and premiere date mention.
  7. Huluhttps://www.hulu.com/series/monsterland-f280152e-5044-4e84-936a-8dc7e13f84f1
    Supports: Official synopsis and series format.
  8. Apple TVhttps://tv.apple.com/ca/show/monsterland/umc.cmc.1r0vcozgc7ertvplz20n60vpt
    Supports: Canada availability and synopsis.