Russell Crowe’s Netflix crime thriller Unabomber has reportedly drawn around 40 million views in its first two weeks, emerging as one of the platform’s biggest hits of 2026 despite a poor critical reception. The film stars Jacob Tremblay as Ted Kaczynski. Russell Crowe and Jacob Tremblay in stills from Unabomber.(Netflix) Russell Crowe’s latest Netflix thriller, Unabomber, has emerged as one of the streaming platform’s biggest hits of 2026, attracting approximately 40 million views within its first two weeks of release. Russell Crowe’s Unabomber tops Netflix charts The film, which explores the life of notorious American domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski, has found a sizeable audience despite receiving largely unfavourable reviews from critics. According to a report by Collider published on src0 October, the crime drama has continued to draw viewers since its release on 25 September. Its performance highlights the continuing appetite for true-crime stories, particularly those that revisit notorious criminal cases and examine the circumstances surrounding them
The film is directed by Janus Metz Pedersen and features Crowe alongside Jacob Tremblay, Shailene Woodley and Annabelle Wallis.
Unabomber reportedly attracted around src6 million views in its first week before reaching approximately 40 million views across its first two weeks, according to Collider. The figures place it among Netflix’s notable original releases this year. Its popularity has come even as the film struggles to win over critics. Collider reported that Unabomber held a 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers questioning its central argument despite acknowledging the performances. The contrast between its critical reception and streaming numbers is notable. While unfavourable reviews can affect a film’s reputation, they do not always prevent audiences from watching a story built around a widely recognised real-life criminal case.
What is ‘Unabomber’ about? Released on Netflix on 25 September 2026, Unabomber dramatises the life of Kaczynski, a Harvard-educated mathematician who carried out a mail-bombing campaign across the United States over nearly two decades. The attacks killed three people and injured 23 others, prompting an extensive FBI investigation that ultimately led to his capture.
The film follows two interconnected timelines, exploring Kaczynski’s formative years and the investigation that eventually brought his bombing campaign to an end. It examines how his experiences as a young academic intersected with the events that preceded his crimes, without removing the consequences of his actions from the story. Meet the cast and characters
Tremblay plays Kaczynski, while Crowe portrays Harvard psychologist Henry Murray, whose controversial experiments involving the young student form an important part of the film’s narrative.
Woodley appears as FBI agent Joanne Miller, who is involved in the investigation, while Wallis plays Christiana Morgan, Murray’s academic collaborator and love interest. Written by Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves, the film draws inspiration from real events. Its approach combines psychological drama with the investigative elements of a crime thriller. The performance of Unabomber adds to Netflix’s run of successful mid-budget genre films.
Collider noted that other releases, including The Rip, Thrash and Apex, have also crossed the src00-million-view mark. About the Author Trisha Bhattacharya
Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis.
Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing.
Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.
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