New Movies Streaming in April

2025’s cinematic offerings have kicked off, with “One of Them Days,” Sony’s charming buddy comedy featuring Keke Palmer and SZA, already available for streaming. This film, which raked in an impressive $49 million at the domestic box office upon its January release and garnered positive reviews, is now accessible on Netflix. With the captivating on-screen chemistry of its leading ladies, it’s expected to be a favorite among viewers.

This month, “Babygirl” on Max and “Mufasa: The Lion King” on Disney+ are highly anticipated additions to streaming services. “Babygirl”, an A24 erotic drama starring Nicole Kidman, garnered over $30 million at the domestic box office during the holiday season following her winning acting accolades at the Venice Film Festival, National Board of Review, and more. Meanwhile, “Mufasa: The Lion King” is expected to captivate family audiences throughout April after its release on Disney+ at the end of March.

Check out a rundown below of the biggest movies new to streaming this April.

One of Them Days (Netflix)

Babygirl (April 25 on Max)

In 2023, Nicole Kidman received top acting accolades at both the Venice Film Festival and the National Board of Review for her daring portrayal in the provocative drama “Babygirl.” As a high-powered CEO, her life unravels when she embarks on a passionate affair with her office intern. EbMaster’s Owen Gleiberman ranked “Babygirl” as the 8th best film of 2024, stating in his review: “Kidman’s powerful performance evokes Diane Lane’s in ‘Unfaithful.’ She portrays this dangerous recklessness as a genuine human trait: the manifestation of a woman who is too divided to integrate the different aspects of herself.

Wolf Man (April 18 on Peacock)

The revamped “Wolf Man” from Blumhouse is set to premiere on Peacock this month, having grossed $20 million domestically and an additional $34 million globally earlier in the year. This latest take hails from the director of “The Invisible Man,” Leigh Whannell, with Christopher Abbott portraying a family man who tries to shield his wife (played by Julia Garner) and daughter from a werewolf, eventually getting infected himself.

Mufasa: The Lion King (Disney+)

Beginning March 26, “The Lion King: Mufasa” officially started streaming on Disney+. However, it’s April where we can expect its full-fledged presence, promising a significant streaming success for Disney following its impressive $719 million earnings at the box office during the holiday season. Barry Jenkins, winner of an Oscar for “Moonlight,” directs this prequel tale focusing on Mufasa’s journey to become the king of the Pride Lands.

Havoc (April 25 on Netflix)

Director Gareth Evans, known for “The Raid,” is back on Netflix with the original action film “Havoc.” Starring Tom Hardy, this gritty movie follows a detective named Walker who’s battling the criminal element threatening to consume his city. After a failed drug deal, Walker finds himself pursued by several groups: a vindictive crime organization, a corrupt politician, and even his fellow officers. When he attempts to rescue the corrupt politician’s runaway son, whose role in the drug deal begins to uncover a vast network of corruption and conspiracy, he is compelled to confront the ghosts of his past.

G20 (April 10 on Prime Video)

Viola Davis takes on the role of an action hero in Prime Video’s original film “G20.” Directed by Patricia Riggen, the action-packed thriller finds Academy Award winner Viola Davis portraying U.S. President Danielle Sutton, who faces an attack during the annual G20 summit of world leaders. However, this president is ready to take matters into her own hands; stand aside, Secret Service!

Viola Davis takes on a brand-new role, displaying heroic action like never before, in the globe-trotting adventure ‘G20’. In crafting this film, I aimed to create a traditional, pulse-pounding action movie that resonates with my passion. ‘G20’ combines the adrenaline of classic action films with the high-stakes realities of our contemporary and technologically advanced world. My hope is to deliver an unforgettable experience that grips viewers from the opening scene to the very end.

The Order (April 18 on Hulu)

In simple terms, Justin Kurzel’s film “The Order” delves into the chilling world of the American white supremacist movement in the 1980s. Jude Law portrays an FBI agent pursuing a string of crimes, unknowingly venturing into the domain of a disheveled gang of right-wing extremists from the Pacific Northwest. These extremists, who are secretly racist terrorists, are covertly gathering funds for what they call an “army,” intending to launch a rebellion against the U.S. government.

In his review, Owen Gleiberman points out that the movie’s relevance lies in illustrating how the notion of viewing the U.S. government as an enemy is deeply intertwined with the emotional and historical aspects of white supremacist ideology.

The Return (April 21 on Paramount+)

Currently, Christopher Nolan is giving a fresh interpretation to Homer’s “The Odyssey,” a role previously undertaken by Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche last year. These actors joined forces again since their collaboration on “The English Patient” for this retelling of the latter part of the Greek epic. In this adaptation, Fiennes portrays Odysseus as he returns to his native island of Ithaca after 20 years away due to the Trojan War. Binoche takes on the role of Penelope, Odysseus’ wife who has spent two decades preserving her family’s legacy and now finds herself in a position where she is effectively held captive within her own home.

Y2K (April 4 on Max)

Kyle Mooney, who is known for his work on ‘SNL’, directed the sci-fi horror comedy movie titled ‘Y2K’. He co-wrote the script with Evan Winter. Jonah Hill was a producer for this film. The storyline revolves around two high school students attending a New Year’s Eve party in 1999, but instead of celebrating, they end up battling to survive in a chaotic situation reminiscent of dial-up technology. This A24 production stars Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler and Julian Dennison.

2073 (April 7 on Max)

In the gripping documentary, “2073,” directed by Asif Kapadia, I find myself reflecting on a chilling scenario: Ivanka Trump marks her 30th year as leader of what was once America, now a hauntingly nightmarish fascist police state. This thought-provoking film seamlessly interweaves interviews with journalists and authentic news clips from the past with a fictional narrative featuring Samatha Morton, painting a dystopian future that, regrettably, feels alarmingly close to our reality.

The movie is influenced by Chris Marker’s 1962 short film “La Jetée,” which revolves around a time traveler endeavoring to alter the direction of history and preserve humanity’s future. “2073” centers on Morton, a character who is a survivor of a disaster brought about by AI, climate change, oppressive authoritarianism, and widespread surveillance in the coming years. Morton’s persona inhabits a dystopian America ruled by a brutal police state.

Bullet Japanese Explosion (April 23 on Netflix)

In “Bullet Japanese Explosion,” Shinji Higuchi, who worked alongside Hideaki Anno on “Shin Godzilla,” takes up directorial duties. Netflix is anticipating this film to be its next big hit from Asia, as it follows the action-packed formula of a classic like “Speed.” The narrative revolves around a bullet train traveling towards Tokyo that faces a bomb threat – if the train slows down below 100 km/h, the bomb will explode. To prevent this catastrophe, the crew must act swiftly to disarm the explosive device before time runs out.

Heat (Netflix)

Michael Mann has recently announced that he’s handed over the script for “Heat 2” to Warner Bros., implying that now could be the perfect moment for the original “Heat” movie to stream on Netflix this month. This classic film, marking its 30th anniversary this year, is a gripping thriller centered around an intense confrontation between two powerful characters – an LAPD detective portrayed by Al Pacino and a prominent criminal played by Robert De Niro. The movie additionally features the late Val Kilmer in its cast.

Magpie (April 11 on Hulu)

The story revolves around a couple, Anette (played by Daisy Ridley) and Ben (Shazad Latif). Their peaceful life is disrupted when their daughter gets cast alongside a charismatic actress, Alicia (Matilda Lutz), in a movie. As Anette starts to suspect that Ben may be developing feelings for Alicia, tension rises between them. Hidden truths and deceit start to unravel, leading to a shocking climax.

In a Violent Nature (April 22 on Hulu)

Last year, the slasher film “In a Violent Nature” garnered immense popularity among horror enthusiasts, leading to a sequel being planned. Directed by Chris Nash, the movie offers a fresh take on the horror sub-genre by narrating a chilling cabin-in-the-woods horror tale from the killer’s point of view. Originally released for streaming through Shudder last year, it will soon be accessible for streaming on Hulu later this month.

Not Just a Goof (April 7 on Disney+)

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say: “On Disney+, you can find ‘Not Just A Goof’: An Unveiling of the Untold Tale Behind ‘A Goofy Movie.’ This documentary delves into the journey of a budding creative team embarking on their first Disney feature, navigating its initial setbacks and eventual reemergence years later. It’s packed with insightful interviews and never-before-seen footage, shedding light on the film’s enduring influence and the reasons why it continues to captivate a generation as a cherished classic.

The Abyss 4K (April 11 on Disney+)

As a devoted admirer of James Cameron’s cinematic masterpieces, I must say that the making of “The Abyss” was an extraordinary challenge even among his notoriously demanding projects. While “Titanic” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” required lengthy filming periods of nine months and three years respectively, “The Abyss,” released in 1989, stands out as particularly arduous due to its almost entirely underwater shooting locations.

This was no easy feat for the cast and crew, many of whom were unaccustomed to operating diving equipment during filming. The movie stars Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn, who all immersed themselves in this challenging production.

“The Abyss” is a gripping thriller centered around a team tasked with recovering a sunken U.S. submarine. However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when they encounter an enigmatic aquatic alien species lurking deep beneath the ocean’s surface.

Pets (April 11 on Disney+)

Titled “Pets,” this documentary by Bryce Dallas Howard presents an in-depth look at the extraordinary bonds shared between humans and animals worldwide. As showcased through various species such as dogs, cats, pigs, goats, and even birds of prey, this film guides us on a heartwarming and amusing journey that honors love, loss, and affection in all its forms.

Oppenheimer (April 16 on Peacock)

This month, Christopher Nolan’s Academy Award-winning film “Oppenheimer” is back on Peacock. This biographical drama amassed an impressive $955 million at the global box office in 2023 and took home seven Oscars, among them best picture, director, actor for Cillian Murphy, and supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr.

2023’s top film was dubbed “the best” by EbMaster critic Owen Gleiberman. In his review, he stated that Christopher Nolan’s captivating drama serves as proof that thoughtful movies intended for adults will continue to thrive in theaters. He describes ‘Oppenheimer’ as a brilliant and intricate portrayal of history, visually stunning at every turn. The film has an irresistible pull, even as it both honors and questions the legendary figure of J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy as a charismatic intellectual whose scientific prowess is rivaled only by his self-assured arrogance.

2025-04-05 00:48