Netflix Will Release Crime Thriller Animals on October 9

The upcoming Netflix film starring Ben Affleck and Steven Yeun follows a high-stakes kidnapping during a mayoral campaign.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Dogs

Netflix Will Release Crime Thriller Animals on October 9

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Netflix is set to release the crime thriller Animals on October 9, 2026. Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, the film focuses on a kidnapping that disrupts a mayoral campaign.

Why it matters

This release represents the fourth collaboration between Netflix and Ben Affleck, following previous projects like Triple Frontier and The Last Thing He Wanted.

Animals marks the fourth partnership between Netflix and Ben Affleck, who plays the character Mark Kimball. The film serves as a crime thriller centered on a kidnapping plot.

The players

Ben Affleck

He is an American actor, director, and filmmaker who is credited with directing, co-writing, and producing the film Animals.

Steven Yeun

He is an acclaimed actor known for his roles in various film and television projects who joins the cast of the film Animals.

Netflix

It is a global streaming service that is distributing the crime thriller Animals as its fourth collaboration with Ben Affleck.

The details

Ben Affleck directed, co-wrote, and produced the project, which also features actor Steven Yeun in the cast. The narrative is set in Los Angeles and revolves around a criminal abduction during an active mayoral race.

2019: Affleck and Netflix partnered for Triple Frontier.
2020: Affleck starred in The Last Thing He Wanted.
First half of 2026: The film The Rip amassed 136 million hours watched.
October 9, 2026: Netflix releases the film Animals.

Culture Shift

The release of Animals follows the recent industry success of titles like The Rip, which topped streaming charts for three consecutive weeks. This trend highlights the ongoing competition for viewer engagement hours on major subscription platforms.

Viewers can access the crime thriller starting on its October 9 premiere date through their existing Netflix subscription. No additional purchase or rental fee is required to watch the film upon its digital release.

The takeaway

Audience demand for crime thrillers continues to drive significant streaming traffic, as evidenced by recent hits reaching over 136 million hours watched. Viewers can prepare for the October release by revisiting the filmography of Ben Affleck on the platform.