There's no better way to celebrate the start of a new month than checking out what's new on the best streaming services. It can be overwhelming keeping up with all these releases, so I've done the hard work and picked out some great new movies you shouldn't miss on Netflix in April 2026.
If you're a fan of creature features, then Netflix is the place to be, as it does seem to be a theme for the streamer this month. Whether you want to see Idris Elba going head-to-head with a lion, or a group of unlucky humans trying to avoid becoming shark bait, there's plenty to enjoy.
Check out my top thriller recommendations to keep an eye out for in April.
Beast
When: April 7
Who would win in a fight: Idris Elba or a lion? If you want the answer to that question, look no further than Beast. This was originally released in 2022, but it's new to Netflix in April.
Elba plays a recently widowed man, Nate, and his two daughters as they travel to a South African game reserve managed by an old family friend. They're there to honor Nate's late wife, but their trip takes a terrifying turn when they end up being stalked and attacked by a ferocious, rogue lion.
Thrash
When: April 10
There are so many shark movies out there, and Thrash is the latest one to focus on the terrifying ocean-dwellers. Just when you thought sharks couldn't get any scarier, this thriller sees a catastrophic hurricane bringing sharks with it, thanks to rapidly rising waters.
It does sound a bit like Sharknado, but perhaps less silly, as natural disaster meets apex predator. Phoebe Dynevor and Djimon Hounsou are among the cast here, playing a pregnant woman and a marine researcher doing their best to survive.
Apex
When: April 24
Finally, Apex differs from the others as it doesn't feature a creature per se, but it's no less terrifying. Here, Charlize Theron plays a rock climber who finds herself being targeted by a hunter (played by Taron Egerton) in the wild.
Judging by the trailer, Egerton is absolutely terrifying and I'm excited to watch this thriller unfold. Anyone looking for a gripping new survival movie might just find it here, but you'll have to be patient as the movie is released at the end of April.
