'' American Animals '' is a 2018 crime drama film written and directed by Bart Layton . The film stars Evan Peters , Barry Keoghan , Blake Jenner , Jared Abrahamson , and Ann Dowd . It is based on a real life library heist at Transylvania University in Lexington , Kentucky in 2004 . The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival on January 19 , 2018 and was released in the United States on June 1 , 2018 , by The Orchard and MoviePass Ventures . It was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on September 7 , 2018 , by STX International . The film received positive reviews from critics , with many praising the performances
2018 Sundance Film Festival
2018 Sundance Film Festival
American Animals