As anticipation builds for The Rip, which we’ll see on Netflix in January 2026, the well-tested duo made up of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon is working on another Netflix-branded title that promises pure adrenaline. Affleck is not only the lead, he’s also in the director’s chair, marking another major project in his career. Matt Damon, on the other hand, won’t act in it but is producing it (together with Affleck) through their company Artists Equity.
After all, when these Hollywood stars decide to push themselves further, the result is often excellent: just think, as a screenwriter, of the Oscar Award in 1998 received by Ben Affleck for Good Will Hunting, whose lead was Damon himself. But let’s take a look at everything we know so far about this project and when we’ll see it on Netflix. [ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO at the bottom]
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The film, titled Animals, tells a dark and intense story, as it is a thriller centered on a kidnapping that turns into something much more dangerous and intricate than one might imagine. Netflix still keeps the plot details under wraps, and not even TUDUM, the platform’s official outlet, has revealed them yet. But the involvement of Affleck, known for his talent both in front of and behind the camera, suggests a film with tight direction and a high-impact narrative. Filming will take place in Los Angeles, a city that will play a central role in the story.
The cast of Animals
Ben Affleck quickly became one of the faces of mainstream cinema between the late ’90s and early 2000s. But the real turning point came behind the camera. As a director, Affleck shows remarkable discipline and a classic sensitivity for American storytelling: Gone Girl, The Town and especially Argo (Oscar for Best Picture) reveal a filmmaker capable of combining narrative tension with moral nuance. Even in his most iconic roles as a mature actor, such as Batman, he has brought a twilight, more psychological than heroic, interpretation.
Alongside Ben Affleck we find top-tier names: Emmy winner Gillian Anderson (The Crown, Scoop), the talented Kerry Washington (The Six Triple Eight, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery) and Oscar nominee Steven Yeun (BEEF, Minari). The film was written by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray.
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Ben Affleck and Matt Damon: an enduring partnership
Animals, the new thriller about a not-better-specified kidnapping, brings with it an extraordinary cast and a plot that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The film also marks a new collaboration between Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, through their studio Artists Equity, which we recently discussed when talking about another film still in production: Rip.
The two have known each other since high school in Boston and have collaborated on many film projects. As mentioned above, Affleck won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1998, and the lead in Good Will Hunting was Matt Damon himself, who was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Their production company has already brought to life other successful films such as Air, the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told, Small Things Like These, The Instigators, and Unstoppable.
When is Animals coming out on Netflix?
The film Animals will be available soon on Netflix: beyond that, for now, we don’t know any more regarding its release. Filming began on March 7, 2025 in Los Angeles. At the moment, Netflix hasn’t announced an official release date. Based on when shooting began and typical post-production timelines, the platform will likely release the film in 2026. We’ll keep you constantly updated, including through our Facebook page.
