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The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story

How to Watch The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story on HBO Max (Oct. 11 Premiere Guide)

For readers in the United States

Author: Shivam Das · Independent coverage. Corrections / Contact

Official HBO image for The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story, premiering October 11
Official HBO image for The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story, premiering October 11

If you’re wondering how to watch The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story, HBO’s new three-part true-crime documentary is scheduled to premiere in the United States on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max. New episodes are scheduled for the next two Sundays, October 18 and October 25. The series revisits the 1985 killing of Louisiana pet-cemetery owner Dorothy Lou Thompson and the investigation that was reopened decades later.

Quick answer: U.S. viewers can watch the premiere on the HBO television channel at 9 p.m. ET/PT or stream it through HBO Max with an eligible subscription. Check the service’s listing and your TV provider’s local schedule before airtime in case availability or scheduling changes.

When does The Pet Cemetery Murders premiere?

The first episode is listed for Sunday, October 11, from 9:00 to 9:46 p.m. ET/PT. HBO’s published schedule lists two further episodes, each debuting on Sunday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The documentary is a three-part series, not a feature-length movie.

  • Episode 1: Sunday, October 11, 2026, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
  • Episode 2: Sunday, October 18, 2026, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
  • Episode 3: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Archival photograph identified by the source as Dorothy Thompson and Brandon Nodier at the Louisiana pet cemetery in the early 1980s
Archival photograph described by Autopsy of Architecture as Dorothy Thompson and Brandon Nodier at the property in the early 1980s. Image credit and context: Autopsy of Architecture.

How to stream it on HBO Max

  1. Open HBO Max in a supported browser or launch the official app on your compatible TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device.
  2. Sign in with an eligible HBO Max account. If your access comes through a TV or internet provider, follow that provider’s sign-in or activation steps.
  3. Search for The Pet Cemetery Murders: A Ghost Story when the episode becomes available on October 11.
  4. Open the series page and select Episode 1. Availability can vary by subscription, provider, device, and region.

If the title does not appear immediately at 9 p.m. in your time zone, refresh the app, check the official series page, and confirm the listing with HBO Max support or your provider. Do not rely on unofficial streaming sites that may offer unauthorized or unsafe copies.

Can you watch it on regular HBO?

Yes. HBO’s published announcement says the series debuts on the HBO channel as well as HBO Max, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on October 11. Cable and live-TV viewers should check their local provider’s HBO channel and program guide. Streaming viewers should use the HBO Max listing for the title.

Archival mugshot of Grace Wynne, Dorothy Thompson’s mother, reproduced in a historical account of the Azalea Original Pet Cemetery
Historical image identified as Grace Wynne in the cemetery’s history. Source: Autopsy of Architecture.

What is the documentary about?

The series follows the disappearance and killing of Dorothy Lou Thompson, who operated the Azalea Original Pet Cemetery in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. Her body was found in the Mississippi River in 1985. The case remained unresolved for years before Detective John Doran reopened the investigation in 2009 after new witness information emerged. The documentary also examines the community’s history and witnesses’ claims that supernatural experiences prompted them to speak. Those ghost accounts are claims made by witnesses, not independently verified evidence of paranormal activity.

Archival photograph of Grace Wynne with her pet macaw Jerry, included in a historical account of the pet cemetery
Archival photograph captioned “Jerry and I by the bird bath” in the historical source. Source: Autopsy of Architecture.

Watch the official trailer

Watch the official trailer below for a preview of the documentary’s subject and tone. The trailer is embedded from YouTube; use the official platform if you prefer to watch it there.

Overgrown ground and a memorial marker at the former Azalea Original Pet Cemetery in Louisiana
Photograph of a memorial marker at the former cemetery. Photo credit: David Bulit, via Autopsy of Architecture.

Where to find official updates

For the most reliable schedule and title information, check Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max October programming announcement, the official HBO series page, and HBO Max. These are preferable to reposts that may have outdated dates or unofficial links.

Frequently asked questions

What time does The Pet Cemetery Murders start?

The published U.S. premiere time is 9 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

How many episodes are there?

HBO lists three episodes, scheduled weekly on Sundays, October 11, 18, and 25.

Do I need HBO Max to watch?

No, not necessarily. The series is also scheduled to air on the HBO television channel. Streaming through HBO Max requires eligible access.

Is the documentary available outside the United States?

Release timing and platform availability can differ by country. Check the local HBO Max or licensed streaming service listing for your region.

Is the ghost story proven to be real?

The documentary includes witnesses’ claims about ghostly encounters. Those claims should be understood as reported accounts, not proof that ghosts exist.

Weathered Buddy Boy pet memorial marker resting among green groundcover
Historic site photograph by David Bulit, reproduced in the Abandoned Atlas Foundation’s Azalea Original Pet Cemetery photo history. Image documents the cemetery grounds; it is not an image of the crime itself.

Sources

By Shivam Das. Updated October 10, 2026. Schedule information is based on published programming announcements and may be subject to change.

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