This "Breaking Bad Clone" Just Became Netflix's Hottest Rewatch
Netflix's latest "surprise hit" isn't new, isn't flashy, and isn't even original programming. But it is climbing the charts like it just dropped yesterday.
Animal Kingdom, a gritty crime drama often dismissed as a "Breaking Bad clone," has become one of the most-watched shows on the platform right now — not because of a flashy marketing campaign, but because people are binge-watching it and then immediately starting over.
The show first aired on TNT and ran for six seasons, but since being added to Netflix last month, it's suddenly found a massive second life. According to Nielsen, Animal Kingdom racked up over 19 million viewing hours in its first week alone on the platform.
Fans in Facebook groups like "Netflix Bangers" have dubbed it the "best binge-watch on Netflix," with multiple users claiming they rewatched it right after finishing it.
One post simply read: "Watching this for the second time as we speak! Love !!!"
Another added: "Because of this page I started Animal Kingdom last night and let me tell you it doesn't disappoint!! What a great show…"
So what's the appeal? The plot is pure cable-era crime drama: A teenager named Josh (played by Peaky Blinders actor Finn Cole) moves in with his grandmother after his mom dies from an overdose — only to discover granny is running a crime empire. Naturally, things escalate from there. Guns, heists, family dysfunction — you know the drill.
For those keeping score: IMDb rating: 8.2, Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76%.
Critic quotes:
- "Enthralling, intense," said RT critic Nabila Hatimy.
- Robert Lloyd (LA Times): "I distrust antihero shows... but I went with this."
- IMDb reviewer: "A Breaking Bad-level achievement, possibly exceeding it at times."
And sure, the comparisons to Breaking Bad are a stretch — but not completely baseless. There's the slow-burn storytelling, morally collapsing characters, and an aesthetic that starts off trashy before gradually turning prestige. It's the kind of show that makes you feel slightly guilty for enjoying it… right before you hit "Next Episode."
Whether Animal Kingdom truly deserves the "best Netflix binge" title is up for debate, but one thing's clear: people aren't just watching it — they're devouring it twice. And in a streaming landscape oversaturated with forgettable originals, that's saying something.
If you're curious (or just between binges), Animal Kingdom is streaming now on Netflix. Just don't expect to stop after six seasons.