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Season 1 – Animal Kingdom

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Animal Kingdom Jun 2016 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
After a heroin overdose kills his mom, Joshua "J" Cody moves to Southern California to live with his freewheeling relatives. The family's matriarch is J's estranged grandmother, Janine "Smurf" Cody, from whom he's been shielded for years. J soon finds out the reason for the isolation -- Smurf and "her boys" make their livings through carefully planned armed robberies and other criminal activities. Prominent perpetrators include Smurf's three sons: mentally disturbed ex-con Pope, hyperactive drug user Craig, and suspicious Deran. In order to stay alive, J must prove loyal to his beguiling grandmother, who rules with a borderline-incestuous love.
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Animal Kingdom — Season 1

Animal Kingdom — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Bolstered by Ellen Barkin's acting prowess, Animal Kingdom is a darkly intriguing, although occasionally predictable, twisted family drama.

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Critics Reviews

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Daniel D'Addario TIME Magazine Jun 15, 2016
Animal Kingdom does everything else well enough, and uses [Ellen Barkin's] shrewd, assessing eyes and unmannered delivery perfectly. Go to Full Review Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times Jun 14, 2016
As someone who distrusts the antiheroic attitude, and movies and TV shows in which people who are up to no good are made extra-glamorous... I take more convincing than some. But I went with this. Go to Full Review Tim Grierson TheWrap Jun 14, 2016
Adapted from the arresting 2010 Australian thriller, the series contains glimpses of the gritty, compelling series it could be, but judged on its first three episodes, this tale of a dysfunctional Southern California crime family is more bark than bite. Go to Full Review Nabila Hatimy The Star (Kenya) Jul 20, 2020
4/5
The show is definitely enthralling, intense and good enough to have been renewed for a second season amidst the first season. Go to Full Review Ángel S. Harguindey El Pais (Spain) Jul 9, 2018
In Animal Kingdom, the television action is much more exciting than the austere realization of the original feature film. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Mekeisha Madden Toby Black Girl Nerds Jun 27, 2018
If you want to be intrigued by a working-class crime family filled with pretty people and petty deeds, Animal Kingdom is the imperfect, but entertaining summer offering you need in your life. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Freya C @RT06161644 Mar 25, 2026 Brilliant crime drama with great acting by all. Smurf the vicious and manipulative matriarch played by 2 actresses is compelling to watch whilst her children are all broken characters which in some episodes is quite sad. This is an action packed series well worth watching. See more Nelly B @NellyB Feb 27, 2026 I'm late to the party and just finished the last season. I loved it! I'm normally a gritty thriller/true crime fanatic, however I fancied something different this time. I had never heard of this but I figured if Ellen Barkin is in it, it must be good. I wasn't wrong! The best way I can describe this is, it's like 6 seasons of Point Break, that early 90's cult classic. An emotionally dysfunctional yet criminally functioning family ruled by their psychopathic mother, this is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Yes, some of it is unrealistic but this is meant to be adrenaline packed entertainment. It's clever with its twists and turns and you find yourself feeling empathy for the characters raised by a matriarch of steel who ruled with a rod of iron. My only gripe is the casting of young Smurf. I could never buy it that that was her, despite an excellent performance from Leila George. I think they needed a Julia Garner for this role. A great series with a heart-wrenching finale. See more Frank E. @Franksmovies Feb 12, 2026 Fantastic. It'll be in your top 10, too. See more Daniel L @Hotchopeppa Dec 16, 2025 Amazing show. Great writing, great characters, great cast, tragic ending. See more Matt S. @monyzworth Dec 9, 2025 Took a chance on this because diet the title made me think this was a nature show. And then after watching the little automated clip Netflix shows you when you click on the icon I still wasn’t sure but I went for it. And I am SO glad I did! I asked my finance to give it a chance and even though she was hesitant she did. With low expectations. After about the first 15 minutes I’m not sure if I saw her blink! Next thing I know we are 5 episodes in that very night. We are now in the middle of season 5 and neither of us want to watch anything else. The twists and turns and misleading characters and events are phenomenal. It’s next to impossible to predict what is going to happen. A MUST WATCH!!! See more Matthew L. @Moviefanatic02 Oct 29, 2025 I was genuinely impressed See more Read all reviews
Animal Kingdom — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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John Wells

Director

Christopher Chulack

Director

Tim Southam

Director

Regina King

Director

Karen Gaviola

Director

Larry Teng

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jun 14, 2016 Pilot After his mother dies of a drug overdose, Joshua Cody moves in with his estranged grandmother in Southern California and is drawn into a dark world funded by criminal activities. Details Episode 2 Aired Jun 14, 2016 We Don't Hurt People The Codys must deal with the aftermath of a heist; Smurf sends her boys to tie up loose ends; Baz and Pope's rivalry continues to grow and J finds himself in the middle. Details Episode 3 Aired Jun 21, 2016 Stay Close, Stick Together Craig recovers from a wound; Baz and Craig deal with some old associates down in Mexico; Pope talks Deran and J into a job without Smurf's knowledge; Deran sends J a terrifying message. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 28, 2016 Dead to Me As the boys prepare for Pope's birthday, Smurf wants to know if they are playing by her rules; J learns about his mother's estrangement from the family. Details Episode 5 Aired Jul 5, 2016 Flesh Is Weak Pope goes to extreme measures when Deran will not come home; Baz gets an idea for the Codys' next job; J goes out with his teacher; Smurf confronts her past. Details Episode 6 Aired Jul 12, 2016 Child Care Smurf tries to keep the family intact when Pope tests positive for drugs; Baz convinces his brothers to rob a house as part of his plan; J faces a moral dilemma. Details Episode 7 Aired Jul 19, 2016 Animals Smurf takes care of unfinished business; Craig and Deran throw a party; Baz takes the final step in his long con; J makes a dangerous mistake. Details Episode 8 Aired Jul 26, 2016 Man In Tensions run high as the Codys prepare for their big heist; Catherine must decide what is best for her family; J faces pressure from the police. Details Episode 9 Aired Aug 2, 2016 Judas Kiss While the family goes after a big score, the police put J in an impossible position; Smurf is suspicious when Catherine tries to make amends; Smurf sends Pope to investigate. Details Episode 10 Aired Aug 9, 2016 What Have You Done Baz hunts down leads in Catherine's disappearance; the police close in on the Codys and threaten to take them all down. Details

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Animal Kingdom — Season 1

Animal Kingdom View more photos

Season Info

Director
John Wells, Christopher Chulack, Tim Southam, Regina King, Karen Gaviola, Larry Teng
Executive Producer
John Wells, Jonathan Lisco, Liz Watts, David Michôd
Screenwriter
Etan Frankel, Megan Martin, Eliza Clark, Jonathan Lisco, John Wells
Network
TNT
Rating
TV-MA (L)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jun 14, 2016
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