Netflix Turns the Stanford Prison Experiment into a New Reality Series

Starting October 21, 2026, Netflix is rolling out a provocative new original series titled The New Stanford Prison Experiment. As the name suggests, it’s inspired by the infamous 1970s psychology study in which volunteers were assigned as “guards” and “prisoners” inside a mock jail. Netflix reimagines that premise as a reality‑competition format, placing participants in a sealed environment to see how power, obedience and group pressure reshape their behavior over time.

The first season consists of six episodes, each running roughly 40 to 60 minutes. Because the original experiment is still hotly debated for its ethics and methodology, critics are already asking how closely this show follows real events and where it crosses into scripted territory. Netflix is promising elaborate prison sets and tightly designed rules to keep the tension simmering, aiming for something that sits between psychological thriller and social‑experiment documentary. Expect the series to spark intense discussion about consent, entertainment and what happens when ordinary people are placed in extreme situations.