Ben Affleck’s ‘Animals’ Shrugs Off Harsh Reviews To Become Netflix’s No. 1 Title

Ben Affleck has had a busy year on Netflix, and his latest directing effort, ‘Animals’, was always going to draw attention. The crime thriller, which Affleck directed, co-wrote, and stars in, arrived on the streamer on October 9 after a limited theatrical release the same day.

The story follows Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball, whose seemingly perfect life is shattered when his son is kidnapped. As Mark and his wife Abigail, played by Kerry Washington, scramble to raise the ransom, they’re forced into choices and revelations that could tear their world apart.

Now the viewership numbers are in, and they’re impressive. ‘Animals’ launched at No. 1 overall on Netflix, topping the weekly English-language movie chart with 23.8 million views for its opening 3-day weekend through October 11.

According to FlixPatrol, the film quickly became the streamer’s top title both in the U.S. and worldwide. That strong start came despite a wave of negative reviews ahead of its release.

ANIMALS is the #1 show on Netflix this week, opening to 23.8M views. https://t.co/M3rut2t0IR

— What’s on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) October 13, 2026

The thriller has struggled with critics, landing around 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. Forbes went as far as comparing it unfavorably to Affleck’s ‘Live By Night’, calling it one of his weakest efforts behind the camera.

Not every review was brutal, though. Some critics found the kidnapping story didn’t fully hold together but still described the film as guilty pleasure entertainment, crediting Affleck’s skills as a filmmaker.

The debut naturally invites comparisons with Affleck’s other big Netflix hit this year. ‘The Rip’, which starred Affleck alongside Matt Damon, opened with 41.6 million views in its first 3 days in January.

New trailer for ‘ANIMALS’, directed by & starring Ben Affleck. The film follows a mayoral candidate who must steal money to pay a ransom after his son is kidnapped. Releasing October 9 on Netflix. https://t.co/bWPQvlZJTd

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 15, 2026

That film went on to earn about 104 million views across its first 35 days and has since passed 108 million total. Collider noted that ‘Animals’ will now be chasing that same 100 million views benchmark. Alongside Affleck and Washington, the film features Gillian Anderson as Dayle Burton, Steven Yeun, Adriana Paz and Luis Gerardo Méndez. Ray Fisher also appears in the cast.

Affleck explained to Netflix Tudum that he was mindful of how viewers perceive familiar faces when casting the film. “I’m a big believer that the audience has expectations of me, of Kerry [Washington], of Steven [Yeun], of everyone,” he said.

Affleck co-wrote the screenplay with Connor O. McIntyre and Billy Ray, while Robert Elswit served as cinematographer. The movie was produced in partnership with Artists Equity, the studio Affleck founded with Damon and Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital, along with Fifth Season.

Producers include Brad Weston, Collin Creighton, Affleck, Damon, Dani Bernfeld and Luciana Damon. After teaming up on screen in ‘The Rip’, Affleck and Damon shifted to producing roles together for this project.

The success of ‘Animals’ is another reminder that critical reception doesn’t always dictate streaming performance. A recognizable cast, a tense kidnapping premise, and Affleck’s name attached appear to have been more than enough to draw viewers in.

The film’s political backdrop and family-in-peril setup also give it broad appeal. Netflix lists it among dark, suspenseful slow-burn thrillers centered on politics and secrets, a mix that clearly resonated with subscribers.

The real test will come over the next few weeks. Having captured a huge audience in just 3 days, the film will need strong word of mouth to keep climbing toward the totals ‘The Rip’ reached.

For now, Affleck has another Netflix hit on his hands. Whether ‘Animals’ can match his previous success on the platform remains one of the more intriguing streaming stories to watch this fall.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!