Where to start withAnimal Kingdom
2 versions · originally a film, 2010
Themes: Moral Ambiguity, Dysfunctional Family, Coming of Age, Criminal Indoctrination, Loyalty vs. Self-preservation.
Start with Animal Kingdom (David Michôd, 2010) — the film. Animal Kingdom exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a film in 2010; each is ranked below by what it does best.
Animal Kingdom is a tense, claustrophobic exploration of a young man caught between his survival instincts and criminal loyalty.
✦ Most fans start here
Animal Kingdom (2010)
The original movie
✦ Start hereAnimal Kingdom
David Michôd · Film · 2010
Animal Kingdom (2010) offers a gritty, Australian-noir cinematic experience that prioritizes atmospheric tension and the moral decay of a crime family, perfect for viewers favoring precise, punchy storytelling.
2016 series
Animal Kingdom
Jonathan Lisco · Series · 2016
Animal Kingdom (2016) expands the premise into a sprawling Southern California saga, offering deeper character development and a sun-drenched, high-stakes aesthetic ideal for those seeking a long-form family drama.
Common questions
Is the Animal Kingdom television series a direct remake of the 2010 movie?
The 2016 Animal Kingdom television series is inspired by the 2010 Animal Kingdom movie. While both feature a crime family navigating criminal activities, the television adaptation reimagines the characters and setting rather than serving as a direct scene-for-scene remake of the original film.
Should I watch the 2010 Animal Kingdom movie before starting the television series?
You do not need to watch the 2010 Animal Kingdom movie to understand the 2016 television series. Each version functions as a standalone project, though watching the original film provides context for the source material that inspired the expanded narrative of the television adaptation.
How long is the Animal Kingdom movie compared to the television series?
The 2010 Animal Kingdom movie is a feature-length film with a runtime of approximately 113 minutes. In contrast, the Animal Kingdom television series consists of multiple seasons, offering a significantly longer and more detailed exploration of the crime family dynamics established in the source material.
What order should I consume the Animal Kingdom titles in?
There is no required viewing order for the Animal Kingdom titles. You can watch the 2010 Animal Kingdom movie as a self-contained story or begin the 2016 Animal Kingdom television series independently. Both titles are separate adaptations of the same core premise regarding a criminal family.