Josh Hartnett’s ‘Below’ and Ben Affleck’s ‘Animals’ Conquer Netflix Charts

The streaming wars continue to heat up, and this week, Netflix's Top 10 charts for October 5th to October 11th, 2026, reveal some clear winners. Leading the charge on the English TV side is Josh Hartnett's new limited series, ‘Below’, which has officially landed at the number one spot. The horror-thriller, which has been a bright spot for the genre on the platform, garnered an impressive 17 million views. Meanwhile, Ben Affleck’s new thriller, ‘Animals’, has also made a significant splash, debuting at the top of the English Movies chart. The film's performance comes amidst some pre-release buzz related to Affleck's involvement with an AI company he sold to Netflix, a narrative that has certainly added a layer of complexity to its reception.

Beyond these high-profile debuts, the charts also showcase the enduring power of licensed content. The Ice Age movies, recently added as part of a new Disney licensing deal, have completely dominated the movie side, occupying half of the available spots on the English-language list. This dominance underscores how familiar, beloved franchises can still command massive viewership, even in an era of abundant original content. It will be interesting to see how long these animated favorites can maintain their grip on the charts.

A Mixed Bag of Fan Reception

While ‘Below’ is a chart-topper, its critical reception appears to be more divisive. Online discussions reveal a spectrum of opinions, with some viewers praising its tight, mystery-driven narrative in a confined setting, while others are less impressed. One particularly blunt review on IMDb stated, "Everything about this show sucks. I'm giving it a 2/10 only because the ending of episode 5 was the only good thing about the entire show." Another viewer questioned the show's logic, citing an implausible scene involving a boat moving a massive block of ice, and critiquing the acting. This mixed feedback suggests that while ‘Below’ has captured a significant audience, its narrative and execution may not resonate universally, despite its number one ranking.

What's Next for Netflix's Top Performers

This week's chart performance for ‘Below’ and ‘Animals’ certainly sets a strong precedent for their future on the platform. While renewal details for limited series like ‘Below’ are typically not announced, its strong viewership numbers could influence future genre projects. For ‘Animals’, its debut success will likely be closely monitored by Netflix executives as they assess the performance of high-profile star vehicles. Meanwhile, the continued dominance of licensed content like the Ice Age franchise highlights ongoing strategic decisions regarding content acquisition.