A new Stephen King thriller is about to take over your summer
A new Stephen King thriller is about to take over your summer
‘The Institute’ premieres Sunday, July 13 with a double-episode debut on MGM+.
I’ve been on a full-blown Stephen King reading kick this year. Just finished “Pet Sematary” (easily one of the best books I’ve ever read), and now I’m deep into “The Shining.” Once I make it through a few more of the big ones, I’m planning an adaptation binge — and right at the top of that list is the newest one: “The Institute.” This one’s about a kidnapped kid genius who wakes up in a creepy facility full of children with powers, all being controlled by some seriously shady adults. Meanwhile, in a nearby town, a former cop starts to piece together what’s really going on… and let’s just say, their stories are bound to collide. “The Institute” premieres Sunday, July 13 at 9 p.m. ET on MGM+ with the first two episodes.
How to watch ‘The Institute’
- When: Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET
- TV: MGM+
- Stream: Watch with a subscription to MGM+
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about ‘The Institute’
When will episodes of ‘The Institute’ come on MGM+?
“The Institute” kicks off Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on MGM+, and you’re getting a double premiere right out of the gate with the first two eps. After that, new episodes drop every Sunday, leading up to the finale sometime in late August. The season’s got eight episodes total, so you’ve got a solid summer of creepy twists ahead.
Why do we recommend MGM+ for watching ‘The Institute’?
Simple — it’s the only place to watch it. “The Institute” is exclusive to MGM+, so if you’re planning to stream it, that’s where you’ll need to go. The good news? MGM+ is one of the cheaper streamers out there at just $7 a month, and you won’t have to deal with ads.
MGM+ App
MGM+ is a premium subscription streaming service from Amazon MGM Studios that features a curated library of theatrical films, original series, and classic entertainment. It focuses on high-quality, cinematic programming with an emphasis on Hollywood movies, prestige dramas, and action-oriented storytelling.
Can you watch episodes of ‘The Institute’ for free?
Sort of. MGM+ offers a seven-day free trial, so you can stream the first couple episodes of “The Institute” without paying a dime. You could even wait until all eight episodes are out and binge the whole thing during your trial — just don’t forget to cancel before the week’s up if you don’t want to get charged. After that, MGM+ costs $7 per month and gives you ad-free access to everything on the platform, which is pretty good value for the price.
About ‘The Institute’
“The Institute” centers on Luke Ellis, a teen genius with telekinetic powers who’s snatched from his home and wakes up in a locked room at a facility known only as The Institute. He’s not alone… every kid there got there the same way, and they all have strange abilities the staff wants to exploit. Overseeing it all is Ms. Sigsby (Mary-Louise Parker), who runs the place with a mix of fake warmth and ruthless control. The goal? Use these kids’ powers for something dark and deeply secretive.
Meanwhile, in a nearby town, Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes), an ex-cop trying to rebuild his life, starts picking up on the strange things happening just outside his quiet new home. As Luke fights to escape, their two stories are on a crash course — one that could expose the Institute’s twisted mission for good.
After you watch the first episode of ‘The Institute,’ let us know what you think in the comments below.
Is ‘The Institute’ based on a book?
Yep — “The Institute” is based on the 2019 novel by Stephen King. The limited series sticks closely to the book’s core premise: kids with supernatural abilities trapped inside a secret facility run by people with dark motives. King is an executive producer on the show, so his fingerprints are all over it. If you’ve read the book, you’ll definitely recognize the tone, but the series also adds a few twists of its own.
The Institute
When 14 year old genius Luke Ellis is kidnapped, he awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children who all got there the same way he did, and who are all possessed of unusual abilities. In a nearby town, haunted former police officer Tim Jamieson has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide.