Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Hits Netflix on September 17, All Eight Episodes at Once
Netflix has set Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story for 17 September 2026, and released the season's first full trailer on Thursday. All eight episodes land the same day, worldwide, with no weekly rollout.
This is the fourth season of the Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan anthology that previously covered Jeffrey Dahmer, the Menendez brothers and Ed Gein. Each run has been one of the platform's biggest viewing spikes of its year, and the pattern matters for planning: these seasons arrive complete, so the conversation online moves fast and spoilers follow within a day.
When does Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story come out?
The Monster Lizzie Borden Netflix release date is Thursday 17 September 2026. Netflix publishes new originals at midnight Pacific, which puts the drop at roughly 3am ET, 8am BST and 12:30pm IST the same day. Every episode unlocks in that window — there is nothing held back for later weeks.
Eight episodes is in line with the previous seasons of the anthology, and each entry stands alone. You do not need to have watched the Dahmer, Menendez or Gein seasons to follow this one; the only thread connecting them is the format.
What is the season actually about?
It covers the 1892 killings in Fall River, Massachusetts, where Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe and was acquitted at trial. Ella Beatty plays Borden. Rather than a straight procedural, the creators have described the season as a feminist and darkly comic reading of the case, built around a long-circulating theory that Borden and the family's live-in maid, Bridget Sullivan, were involved with each other.
The supporting cast is unusually deep for the anthology:
- Ella Beatty as Lizzie Borden
- Vicky Krieps as Bridget Sullivan
- Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden
- Rebecca Hall as Abby Borden
- Billie Lourd as Emma Borden
- Jessica Barden as Nance O'Neill, and Joey Pollari as John Morse
Hunnam is back a season after playing Ed Gein, which is a first for the anthology — it has not previously recast a lead in a different role.
What does the trailer show?
Mostly the Borden household closing in on itself: the family dinner table, the trial, and the tension between Lizzie and Bridget. The closing seconds are the part being picked over, because they confirm Sarah Paulson appears as Aileen Wuornos, the Florida serial killer convicted of seven murders in the early 1990s. Published reports describe her scenes as a framing device linking the season to other notorious cases rather than a running role, but Netflix has not detailed how much screen time she gets.
Do you need a specific Netflix plan to watch it?
No. It streams on every Netflix tier, including the ad-supported plan, which carries the same originals catalogue as the ad-free tiers. What the tier changes is picture quality and simultaneous streams, not access to this title. The one practical limit is downloads: the cheapest ad tier restricts offline saving on some devices, so check the download icon in the app before a flight rather than assuming.
The series is rated for adults and will carry a mature rating at launch, so it will sit behind PIN protection on profiles set to restricted maturity levels.
What else is landing on Netflix around it?
September is stacked. Stranger Things: Tales From '85 season 2 arrives on the same date, 17 September, which means two of the platform's larger titles are competing for the same evening. East of Eden follows on 1 October with all seven episodes, and A Different World lands on 24 September. If you are still catching up, Outer Banks season 5 is already out.
For a binge release this size, the sensible move is to set a reminder rather than rely on the app's row placement — Netflix's home screen reshuffles constantly, and a title that drops at 3am ET is often buried under recommendations by the time most people open the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story come out on Netflix?
Netflix drops new originals at midnight Pacific, so expect it at 12am PT on 17 September 2026 — around 3am ET, 8am BST and 12:30pm IST the same day.
How many episodes are in Monster season 4?
Eight, and all of them arrive on 17 September 2026. There is no weekly release schedule for this season.
Do I need to watch the earlier Monster seasons first?
No. Monster is an anthology, so the Dahmer, Menendez and Ed Gein seasons tell separate stories. The Lizzie Borden season stands entirely on its own.
Can I watch it on the Netflix ad-supported plan?
Yes. The ad tier carries the same originals catalogue as the ad-free plans. The tier affects streaming quality, simultaneous streams and some download limits, not whether you can watch this title.
Is Sarah Paulson playing Lizzie Borden?
No. Ella Beatty plays Lizzie Borden. Sarah Paulson appears as Aileen Wuornos, confirmed in the trailer's final moments; Netflix has not said how large the role is.
