Ben Affleck's Animals lands on Netflix Oct. 9

Ben Affleck's sixth film as a director, Animals, reaches Netflix on Oct. 9.

The kidnapping crime drama is going directly to streaming, Variety reported on Oct. 8. It is listed among Netflix's new releases for October 2026.

Affleck also takes the lead role. He plays Mark Kimball, a wealthy Los Angeles attorney running for mayor, with Kerry Washington as his wife Abigail, according to Variety.

The campaign collapses into a family crisis. The couple's young son Denny, played by Christopher Woodley, is kidnapped. The price: $7 million.

The ransom demand forces Mark to make fast choices. Money, politics and fatherhood collide over one night of pressure.

The supporting cast fills out both worlds. Steven Yeun plays Sam, Mark's campaign manager. Adriana Paz plays Cecilia, the family's Mexican nanny, and Luis Gerardo Méndez plays Ramon, Cecilia's boyfriend.

Gillian Anderson also appears alongside Affleck, Washington and Yeun, Netflix confirmed in its line-up notice. Netflix describes the film as a political thriller, a story built around power and public life.

The screenplay was written by Affleck with Billy Ray and Connor O. McIntyre, Variety reported. Netflix has billed it separately as a kidnapping crime drama in its trailer materials, Netflix Tudum reported on Sept. 15.

A teaser released by the streamer shows Affleck and Washington facing a mysterious threat, according to Netflix Tudum. Full details, including photos and the release date, were set out on Tudum, the company's editorial site, which explains new films and series in plain terms for viewers.

For fans, this means no cinema ticket is needed. The film lands on Netflix worldwide on Oct. 9 and streams from that date.