As September draws to a close, the Netflix charts are dominated by a polarizing new true-crime biopic and a highly acclaimed anime theatrical release. For the week of September 21–27, 2026, the original film Unabomber took the top spot on the English-language film list, drawing in 16.4 million views during its debut window.
The film’s rapid ascent to the number one position illustrates a common trend on the platform: high viewership for controversial subject matter despite tepid critical reception. While official Netflix data confirms the movie’s massive reach, Unabomber has been described by some critics as poorly reviewed, highlighting a divide between audience interest and critical acclaim.
The Unabomber and the Breadwinner
Unabomber stars Jacob Tremblay as a teenage Ted Kaczynski, with Russell Crowe portraying a manipulative Harvard professor during the period of Kaczynski’s life that preceded his transition into a domestic terrorist. The film aims to explore the psychological origins of its subject, a narrative choice that has sparked significant conversation across social media and streaming forums.
Following closely in the second position is The Breadwinner, which continues to hold strong as a high-performing title on the daily charts. The contrast between these top two films—one a gritty psychological drama and the other a visually distinct narrative—suggests a diverse appetite among subscribers as the fall season begins.
High Scores for Demon Slayer
In the third spot, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part I has made a significant impact since its arrival on the service. Unlike the top-ranked Unabomber, the Demon Slayer film arrives with near-universal praise. According to reporting from Forbes, the film currently maintains a dual 98% Rotten Tomatoes score from both critics and audiences.
The film’s success on Netflix follows a massive theatrical run that saw it earn roughly $793 million at the global box office. Its high ranking reinforces the growing power of licensed anime content to compete directly with Netflix’s own big-budget originals.
Licensed Blockbusters and Seasonal Favorites
The remainder of the Top 10 is currently filled with a mix of heavy-hitting licensed acquisitions and seasonal classics. As of late September, the daily trending list includes:
- Top Gun: Maverick (No. 4): The Tom Cruise-led sequel remains a staple for home viewers long after its theatrical release.
- The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (No. 5): Guy Ritchie’s historical action-comedy continues to find an audience following its initial debut.
- Jaws: Steven Spielberg’s classic thriller has seen a resurgence in views as subscribers begin their “spooky season” marathons.
- Knock at the Cabin: The M. Night Shyamalan thriller is also trending as viewers lean into horror and suspense titles ahead of October.
The current lineup demonstrates Netflix’s reliance on a “barbell” strategy: using high-profile, often controversial original biopics to drive initial conversation and massive debut numbers, while relying on critically acclaimed licensed hits and library classics to maintain steady engagement throughout the month.
