Here’s what’s coming to Netflix this month!
Some people spend their days arguing over the merits of Netflix and how it’s “killing cinema” as we know it, but the rest of us know better. It’s just one more way to re-watch the movies we already love and find new ones to cherish. This month sees plenty of both hitting the service.
The complete list of movies and shows hitting Netflix this month — April 2018 — is below, but first I’m going to highlight a few that stand apart from the bunch.
Netflix Pick of the Month
Yeon Sang-ho’s Train to Busan (2016) is a ridiculously tense and thrilling take on zombie movies, but his second live-action feature looks to be going a different route. Psychokinesis (a Netflix Original premiering April 25th) is a superhero origin story of sorts, and while it looks to be lighter fare it’s worth remembering that Korean filmmakers give zero shits about your tonal shift expectations. They will turn from fart gags to tragedy in a heartbeat and then be back to prat falls thirty seconds later. And we love them for it.
The Horror of It All
Eli Roth’s career seems to be idling these days, but even if he revs it back up again it’s doubtful he’ll ever top the body horror mayhem of Cabin Fever (2002). And by mayhem I of course mean the ludicrously entertaining pancakes and karate boy. Ti West didn’t find the same kind of success with his turn at bat, but Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009) is now available too. If your horror interests lean more towards sexy vampires then you can hardly do better than The Lost Boys (1987) and Queen of the Damned (2002). I’ll go to bat for the former any day of the week, but while the latter isn’t nearly as good it’s hard to argue with its visual appeal.
More Originals
Psychokinesis may be my most anticipated of Netflix’s Originals this month, but it’s far from the only one. The highest profile one looks to be their new in-house series reboot of Lost In Space (premiering on the 13th). It looks interesting and fun, but if you need another reason to tune in just know that Neil Marshall (The Descent) appears to have directed half of this first season. Dude (April 20th) doesn’t have quite the same cachet, but writer/director Olivia Milch also wrote the upcoming Ocean’s 8 so we’re already interested. Also landing on the 20th is Kodachrome which despite the fairly generic road trip plot is high on our watch list thanks to a cast that includes Ed Harris, Bruce Greenwood, Elizabeth Olsen, and Jason Sudeikis. Finally, Netflix’s devilish pact with Adam Sandler continues with the release of The Week Of on the 27th. It’s co-written and directed by Robert Smigel (Triumph the Insult Comic Dog), but before that gets you too excited just remember that he also wrote Sandler’s Jack and Jill and You Don’t Mess With the Zohan.
Aaand Action!
Action junkies will get their fill this month too with the arrival of Michael Bay’s Bad Boys (1995), the video game adaptation Mortal Kombat (1995), and the unfairly maligned Terminator: Rise of the Machines (2003). A couple newer titles are also hitting Netflix this month, and while there’s a good chance you haven’t heard of either one I’m happy to say both are worth your time. 24 Hours to Live (2017) hits on the 7th and features Ethan Hawke as a bad guy trying to make good. Chasing the Dragon (2017) is a Hong Kong gangster epic arriving on the 19th that stars Donny Yen and Andy Lau on opposite sides of the law.
The Complete List
April 1st
Along Came Polly (2004)
Bad Boys (1995)
Battlefield Earth (2000)
Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (2011)
Big Time (1988)
Body of Lies (2008)
Cabin Fever (2002)
Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009)
Cats & Dogs (2001)
Cold Mountain (2003)
Dare to Be Wild (2015)
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
The Duchess (2008)
The Family Man (2000)
Fish People (2001)
The Flintstones (1994)
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000)
Friday Night Lights (2004)
The Iron Giant (1999)
Jackass 2.5 (2007)
The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale (Netflix Original Series)
Life Is Beautiful (1997)
Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
The Lost Boys (1997)
Mortal Kombat (1995)
Nancy Drew (2007)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
The Queen of the Damned (2002)
Scarface (1983)
Seven (1995)
Sin City (2005)
A Sort of Family (2017)
Speed Racer (2008)
The Spy Next Door (2010)
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Wakfu: Season 3 (Netflix Original Series)
April 2nd
La Piloto: Season 1 (2017)
April 3rd
Fary is the New Black (Netflix Original)
April 4th
Behind The Curtain: Todrick Hall (2017)
Despicable Me 3 (2017)
April 6th
The 4th Company (Netflix Original)
6 Balloons (Netflix Original)
Amateur (Netflix Original)
The Boss Baby: Back in Business: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
Fastest Car: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
Money Heist: Part 2 (Netflix Original)
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman: JAY-Z (Netflix Original Series)
Orbiter 9 (Netflix Original)
Ram Dass, Going Home (Netflix Original)
Sun Dogs (Netflix Original)
Todo lo que sería de Lucas Lauriente (Netflix Original)
Troy: Fall of a City: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
April 7th
24 Hours to Live (2017)
April 9th
AMO: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
April 10th
Greg Davies: You Magnificent Beast (Netflix Original Stand-Up)
April 12th
Pickpockets (Netflix Original)
April 13th
Chef’s Table: Pastry (Netflix Original Series)
Come Sunday (Netflix Original)
I Am Not An Easy Man (Netflix Original)
Lost in Space: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Season 2 (Netflix Original Series)
April 15th
Lakeview Terrace (2008)
Seven Pounds (2008)
April 17th
The Chalet: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
The Honeymoon Stand Up Special: Collection (Netflix Original)
April 18th
Friend Request
Pelé
April 19th
Charité: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
Chasing The Dragon (2017)
April 20th
Aggretsuko: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
Dope: Season 2 (Netflix Original Series)
Dude (Netflix Original)
Kodachrome (Netflix Original)
Mercury 13 (Netflix Original Documentary)
Spy Kids: Mission Critical: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
April 21st
The Letdown: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
April 24th
Call the Midwife: Series 6: “Christmas Special 2017” (Netflix Original Series)
Kevin James: Never Don’t Give Up (Netflix Original Stand-Up)
April 25th
Bill Nye: Science Guy (2017)
Psychokinesis (Netflix Original)
April 27th
3%: Season 2 (Netflix Original Series)
Bobby Kennedy for President (Netflix Original Documentary)
Candy Jar (Netflix Original)
Holy Goalie (2017)
The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)
The New Legends of Monkey: Season 1 (Netflix Original Series)
The Week Of (Netflix Original)