Animals Netflix is a new crime thriller starring Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington, arriving on Netflix on October 9, 2026. Directed and co-written by Affleck, the film follows a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife after their son is kidnapped, forcing them into a desperate race to raise the ransom and confront dangerous secrets.
With a tense kidnapping storyline, a high-profile cast, and political drama at its center, Animals is one of the notable Netflix movie releases this October. Here is everything to know about the Animals Netflix release date, cast, plot, trailer, and where to watch.
When Is Animals Coming to Netflix?
Animals premieres on Netflix on October 9, 2026. The thriller is also scheduled to open in select theaters in the United States on the same date.
Netflix has confirmed the release date through its official Animals release announcement.
The movie has a reported runtime of approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes and is rated R. Viewers looking for more upcoming releases can also explore FilmRadarās Upcoming Movies 2026 guide for other films to watch this year.
What Is Animals About?
Animals follows Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose carefully constructed life begins to collapse when his son is kidnapped.
Mark and his wife, Abigail, must find a way to raise the ransom while dealing with an increasingly dangerous situation. As pressure mounts, the couple discovers that the crisis may expose secrets and decisions capable of destroying their family.
The story places the characters in a desperate moral dilemma: how far would they go to save their child, and what would they be willing to sacrifice to protect their future?
Rather than focusing only on the kidnapping itself, Animals explores the strain that an extreme crisis places on a marriage. Markās public image as a successful politician also contrasts with the private decisions he must make when his family is threatened.
The result is a crime thriller that combines suspense, family drama, political ambition, and questions about trust.
Animals Netflix Cast
The main Animals cast includes:
- Ben Affleck as Mark Kimball
- Kerry Washington as Abigail Kimball
- Gillian Anderson as Dayle
- Steven Yeun
- Adriana Paz
- Luis Gerardo MĆ©ndez
- Ray Fisher
- Christopher Woodley as Denny
- Matt Gerald
- Mark Kassen
The ensemble brings together actors known for their work in film and television, with Affleck and Washington leading the story as parents caught in a life-changing crisis.
Ben Affleck as Mark Kimball
Ben Affleck plays Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose political ambitions are suddenly overshadowed by his sonās kidnapping.
Affleck also directs and co-writes the film. His character must navigate the demands of his public life while making increasingly difficult decisions to protect his family.
Kerry Washington as Abigail Kimball
Kerry Washington plays Abigail, Markās wife and the mother of their kidnapped son.
As the situation becomes more dangerous, Abigail must work with Mark to respond to the threat. Their relationship faces enormous pressure as the couple struggles to raise the ransom and deal with secrets that emerge during the crisis.
Gillian Andersonās Role
Gillian Anderson plays Dayle, a mysterious fixer who becomes involved in the unfolding crisis.
Her presence adds another layer of uncertainty as Mark and Abigail try to determine whom they can trust and what their next move should be.
Steven Yeun and the Supporting Cast
Steven Yeun joins the ensemble alongside Adriana Paz, Luis Gerardo MĆ©ndez, Ray Fisher, Matt Gerald, and other cast members.
The supporting roles contribute to the wider network of relationships and tensions surrounding the Kimball family.
Who Directed Animals?
Ben Affleck directed and co-wrote Animals.
The screenplay was co-written by Affleck, Connor McIntyre, and Billy Ray. The film was produced in partnership with Artists Equity, the production company founded by Affleck, Matt Damon, and Gerry Cardinale.
Affleckās involvement behind the camera is an important part of the filmās appeal. In addition to playing the lead role, he shapes the thrillerās atmosphere and its examination of marriage, public image, and moral choices.
Is There an Animals Netflix Trailer?
Yes. Netflix has released an official trailer for Animals.
The trailer introduces Mark Kimball as a successful politician and family man before the kidnapping shatters his seemingly stable life. As the couple struggles to respond, the footage hints at secrets, growing distrust, and the difficult choices awaiting them.
The promotional footage also emphasizes the emotional conflict at the center of the story: what happens when protecting your family requires decisions that could change your life forever?
You can watch the official Animals trailer on Netflix.
Where Was Animals Filmed?
Animals was filmed in and around Los Angeles, California.
The city is an important part of the filmās setting because Markās political campaign and public image are closely connected to his life in Los Angeles. The contrast between the cityās polished public-facing world and the familyās private crisis helps establish the filmās tense atmosphere.
Is Animals a Movie or a TV Series?
Animals is a feature film, not a television series.
The 2026 thriller has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes. It tells a contained story about a kidnapping, a family under pressure, and the secrets that surface when its main characters are forced to make difficult choices.
Unlike a series with multiple episodes, the film presents its central crisis as one continuous story.
Where Can You Watch Animals?
You can watch Animals on Netflix starting October 9, 2026. The film is also scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the United States on that date.
Availability outside the United States may vary by territory. Check the official Animals page on Netflix for the listing and availability in your region.
Why Is Animals One to Watch in October 2026?
Several elements make Animals worth keeping on your radar.
First, Ben Affleck takes on the combined roles of lead actor, director, and co-writer. Second, the film brings together Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, and Steven Yeun in a story built around a high-stakes family emergency.
The kidnapping plot also gives the thriller an immediate central conflict. As the parents struggle to secure their sonās return, the story raises questions about trust, ambition, marriage, and the choices people make under pressure.
For viewers who enjoy crime dramas with psychological tension and complicated characters, Animals could be an appealing addition to Octoberās streaming lineup.
Readers interested in other character-driven mysteries can also check FilmRadarās The Girlfriend ending explained for another thriller-focused read.
Final Thoughts
Animals Netflix brings together Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, and Steven Yeun in a tense kidnapping thriller about family, secrets, and moral compromise.
The story follows a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife as they race to raise a ransom after their son is kidnapped. With Affleck directing and co-writing the film, Animals combines a high-stakes crime plot with an examination of what a crisis can reveal about a relationship.
The Animals release date is October 9, 2026, with the movie arriving on Netflix and in select U.S. theaters.
If you enjoy suspenseful crime dramas centered on difficult decisions and family secrets, Animals is one title to consider adding to your October watchlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Animals come out on Netflix?
Animals premieres on Netflix on October 9, 2026.
Who stars in Animals?
The main cast includes Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, Adriana Paz, Luis Gerardo MĆ©ndez, and Ray Fisher.
What is Animals about?
The film follows a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife after their son is kidnapped. They must raise the ransom while confronting dangerous secrets and difficult choices.
Is Ben Affleck directing Animals?
Yes. Ben Affleck directs and co-writes the film, in addition to starring as Mark Kimball.
Is Animals based on a true story?
The film is presented as a fictional crime thriller. Its story centers on a kidnapping and the consequences for a family under extreme pressure.
How long is Animals?
The film has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Can I watch Animals in theaters?
Yes. Animals is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the United States on October 9, 2026, the same day it arrives on Netflix.
Is Animals a series?
No. Animals is a feature-length thriller film, not a television series.