Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults — 2020-2020 · 1 season · 4 eps

★ 7.2

Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults

Name: Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults
Genre: Crime, Documentary
Released: 2020
Rating: 7.2

2020-2020 1 season 4 episodes

★ 7.2 (3,496 votes) Bottom 38%

IMDb

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.

Episode Ratings Grid

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Size: M

7.2

7.4

7.7

Avg

7.4

Good

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🏆 Top Episodes

#1 7.7

S1E4 The Exit: 1996-1997

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.

S1E3 7.4

The Second Harvest: 1991-1995

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.

S1E1 7.2

The Awakening: 1975

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.

4. S1E2 "The Chrysalis" 7.2

📉 Bottom Episodes

S1E2 7.2

The Chrysalis

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.

3. S1E1 "The Awakening: 1975" 7.2
2. S1E3 "The Second Harvest: 1991-1995" 7.4
1. S1E4 "The Exit: 1996-1997" 7.7

The Quality Arc

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Episode Engagement

Vote count shows how many people cared enough to rate. High votes + high rating = beloved classic. High votes + low rating = notorious stinker. Low votes + high rating = hidden gem.

Rating threshold:

1 Standouts

1 Infamous

0 Hidden Gems

2 Forgettable

Top Standout: S1E4 The Exit: 1996-1997

Most Infamous: S1E1 The Awakening: 1975

Episodes plotted by rating vs. vote count. The vertical line marks the rating threshold (7.5). More votes = more engagement. Toggle above to compare against global or show-specific median.