Hulu has been stuck in the third place position when it comes to movie streaming behind Netflix and Amazon Prime because most people still see them strictly as a home for next-day television. They have movies too, though, and more than a few of them are terrific gems that make Hulu a destination beyond last night’s TV shows.
The complete list of new movies hitting Hulu this month — April 2019 — is below, but I wanted to highlight the best of the bunch along with several others worth seeking out.
Hulu Pick of the Month
While Hulu’s game is that they typically get TV shows the day after they’ve aired, some special programming requires a slightly longer wait. I Am the Night (premieres 4/18) is a six-episode limited series that aired on TNT, and while it’s unclear if a second season will be coming the first is a wholly contained and satisfying tale. Chris Pine headlines this period mystery about murder and corruption, and a third of its run is directed by his Wonder Woman director, Patti Jenkins.
Movies You Missed
There are so many movies arriving each year that it’s impossible to see them all, but two smaller films deserving of attention are landing on Hulu this month so you can play catch-up. Destroyer (premieres 4/9) sees Nicole Kidman dress down for the role of an angry, alcoholic detective who’s seen far better days. It’s a hit and miss watch, but Kidman and director Karyn Kusama are a compelling duo. Pledge (premieres 4/12) is an even smaller title that manages to somehow be far better for it. It’s a familiar enough tale as hopeful pledges find trouble, but the film keeps the suspense fresh thanks to a smart script and some engaging performances.
Foreign Fun
2015’s The Wave is an entertaining disaster flick from Norway that sees a family survive against the odds, but like John McClane before them they just can’t help but be in the wrong place at the right time. The Quake (premieres 4/18) sees the same family facing a new challenge as an earthquake pummels the country and leaves their world in dangerous shambles. Border (premieres 4/24) comes courtesy of their regional brethren in Sweden with a wholly different kind of tale. It’s a dark fable of sorts involving TSA, trauma, and trolls, and while it’s something of a slow burn the grim nature of its story is a fresh and original watch.
This Month’s Into the Dark
Hulu’s monthly collaboration with Blumhouse has been the epitome of a mixed bag so far, but while Into the Dark has stumbled more than once with bland entries their last two showed that good fun and thrills are more than just possible. While both Down and Treehouse fill their stories with commentary on the sexes the latest entry looks to be more of a straightforward romp. Themed to April’s biggest “holiday” — is April Fool’s Day a holiday? — I’m Just F*cking With You is the story of siblings who suffer a night of escalating practical jokes.
The Complete List
April 1
1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)
The Addams Family (1991)
Addams Family Values (1993)
Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
Alone: Complete Season 5 (History Channel)
America’s Prince: The John F. Kennedy Jr. Story (2003)
Ancient Aliens: Complete Seasons 1, 2, 3, 13 (History Channel)
At Close Range (1986)
Barton Fink (1991)
Beethoven (1992)
Beethoven’s 2nd (1993)
Beethoven’s 3rd (1999)
Behind Bars: Rookie Year: Complete Season 1 (A&E)
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
Big Fat Liar (2002)
Blow (2001)
Blown Away (1994)
Born Behind Bars: Complete Season 1 (A&E)
Bounce (2000)
The Cable Guy (1996)
Case 39 (2009)
The Clearing (2002)
Cold Mountain (2003)
Cults and Extreme Belief: Complete Season 1 (A&E)
Curious George: Follow that Monkey (2009)
Darkness (2002)
The Dark Mile (2017)
Days of Thunder (1990)
Diamonds are Forever (1971)
Die Another Day (2002)
Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief (2007)
Dragonslayer (1981)
Eastern Promises (2007)
Escape from L.A. (1996)
An Everlasting Piece (2000)
Everything Must Go (2011)
The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)
Foxfire (1996)
Funny About Love (1990)
Funny Cow (2017)
Gloves Off (2017)
Goldfinger (1964)
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
Happy Feet (2006)
Hollywood Homicide (2003)
Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)
I Think I Love My Wife (2007)
In A World … (2013)
Intervention: Complete Season 20 (A&E)
Into The Dark: I’m Just F*cking With You: Episode 7 Premiere (Hulu Original)
The Jerk (1979)
Jersey Girl (2004)
Kill the Irishman (2011)
Law of the Lawless (1964)
Liberty Stands Still (2002)
License to Drive (1988)
Like Mike (2002)
Little Monsters (1989)
Little Women: LA: Complete Season 4 (Lifetime)
Live and Let Die (1973)
The Living Daylights (1987)
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
The Minus Man (1999)
Mountain Men: Complete Season 1 (History Channel)
Never Say Never Again (1983)
Octopussy (1983)
One Million American Dreams (2018)
Painkillers (2018)
Penelope (2006)
Playing By Heart (1998)
Practical Magic (1998)
Primal Fear (1996)
Project Nim (2011)
Racing with the Moon (1984)
Raising Tourettes: Complete Season 1 (A&E)
The Real Housewives of Potomac: Complete Season 3 (Bravo)
Scary Movie 2 (2001)
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Sex Drive (2008)
The Shining (1980)
Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
The Spy who Loved Me (1977)
Stories We Tell (2013)
Sunshine Cleaning (2009)
The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
Ultraviolet (2006)
Undisputed (2002)
Uninvited Guest (1999)
Up in Smoke (1978)
Up in the Air (2009)
White Noise (2005)
The World is Not Enough (1999)
You Only Live Twice (1967)
April 2
A Quiet Place (2018)
Air Strike (2018)
One Punch Man: Catch-up Special (Viz)
Weightless (2018)
April 5
Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger: Season 2 Premiere (Freeform)
April 7
Rick Steves’ Europe: Complete Season 10 (PBS)
April 8
Finding Your Feet (2018)
Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)
April 9
Destroyer (2018)
One-Punch Man: Season 2 Premiere (Viz)
April 10
The Bold Type: Season 3 Premiere (Freeform)
Chio’s School Road: Season 1 (Dubbed) (Funimation)
How Not to Summon a Demon Lord: Season 1 (Dubbed) (Funimation)
April 11
The Last Ship: Season 5 Premiere (TNT)
Tyrel (2018)
April 12
Pledge (2019)
April 14
Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015)
April 15
90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?: Complete Season 3 (TLC)
Ayesha’s Home Kitchen: Complete Seasons 1&2 (Food Network)
Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics: Complete Seasons 11-13 (Food Network)
Dr. Pimple Popper: Complete Season 1 (TLC)
Enchanted April (1991)
Fixer Upper: Complete Season 5 (HGTV)
How the Earth Works: Complete Season 1 (Science Channel)
The Last Alaskans: Complete Seasons 2&3 (Discovery Channel)
Master of Disguise (2002)
Obsession: Dark Desires: Complete Season 2 (ID)
Pamela Smart: An American Murder Mystery: Complete Season 1 (ID)
Treehouse Masters: Complete Seasons 8-10 (Animal Planet)
Unearthed: Complete Seasons 2 & 3 (Science Channel)
We Are Columbine (2018)
What on Earth: Complete Seasons 2 & 3 (Science Channel)
Yukon Men: Complete Season 6 (Discovery Channel)
April 17
Overboard (2018)
Bless This Mess: Series Premiere (ABC)
April 18
I Am the Night: Complete Season 1 (TNT)
The Quake (2019)
April 19
Ramy: Complete Season 1 Premiere (Hulu Original)
April 21
Book Club (2018)
Noma — My Perfect Storm (2015)
April 22
The Posh Frock Shop: Complete Season 1 (Banijay)
The Next Three Days (2010)
The Sisters Brothers (2018)
April 23
Arcadia (2019)
Beast of the Water (2019)
Overlord: Episode 1-13 (Dubbed) (Funimation)
April 24
Border (2019)
Don’t Go (2018)
April 27
Welcome to the Rileys (2010)
April 28
Attack on Titan: Season 3, Part 2 Premiere (Funimation)
April 29
Fairy Tail: Season 9, Episodes 291-303 (Dubbed) (Funimation)
Waiting for Superman (2010)
April 30
Vikings: Complete Season 5B (History Channel)
Hunting Evil (2019)