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New TV shows and movies for April 2026 have already arrived: the strongest U.S. streaming picks were Netflix’s survival thriller APEX (April 24), Prime Video’s The Boys Season 5 (April 8) and The House of the Spirits (April 29), plus Disney+’s Star Wars: Maul–Shadow Lord; The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was the key theatrical family option.
April 2026 is no longer an upcoming month, so this is a retrospective guide to what arrived rather than a preview of future releases. The release dates are U.S.-oriented, and streaming availability can differ by region or change after publication.
The strongest choices depend on what you want to watch: APEX for survival action, The Boys for a returning franchise, The House of the Spirits for literary drama, Killing Grounds: The Gilgo Beach Murders or Full Swing Season 4 for documentaries, and Maul–Shadow Lord for franchise animation.
Key takeaways
- APEX was Netflix’s main April 2026 movie pick, arriving in the U.S. on April 24 as a Charlize Theron survival thriller.
- The Boys Season 5 premiered on Prime Video on April 8, and Amazon identified the season as the series’ fifth and final chapter.
- The House of the Spirits arrived on Prime Video on April 29 as an eight-episode adaptation following three generations of a family through political upheaval, class conflict, disaster, and magic.
- Disney+’s U.S. April schedule mixed original animation, returning dramas, Hulu programming, live television, and next-day episodes, including Star Wars: Maul–Shadow Lord, Perfect Crown, and American Idol.
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was the clearest family-oriented theatrical entry, but viewers should verify the local release date and showtimes because theatrical schedules vary by territory and exhibitor.
What new TV shows and movies were released in April 2026?
April 2026 is over, so “coming next” should be read as an archival release-calendar question rather than a forward-looking forecast. The most prominent U.S. streaming entries were spread across Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, while theatrical availability required local verification.
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The table separates exact dates supplied by the official schedules from titles that were listed for April without a specific date in the research. Streaming libraries and release dates can vary by region and can change; Amazon’s Prime Video April schedule and Disney+’s U.S. April schedule are the best references for those services.
| Title | Where | U.S. timing | Format and appeal | New or returning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APEX | Netflix | April 24, 2026 | Survival thriller set in the Australian wilderness | New film |
| Full Swing Season 4 | Netflix | April 2026 entry; specific day not supplied | Sports documentary series | Returning season |
| The Boys Season 5 | Prime Video | April 8, 2026 | Franchise television series | Returning; fifth and final season |
| American Gladiators | Prime Video | April 17, 2026 | Competition reboot with updated physical challenges | Reboot |
| Kevin | Prime Video | April 20, 2026 | Animated comedy about a cat caught between former owners | New series |
| Killing Grounds: The Gilgo Beach Murders | Prime Video | April 22, 2026 | True-crime documentary series | New series |
| The House of the Spirits | Prime Video | April 29, 2026 | Eight-episode literary family saga | New adaptation |
| Dear Killer Nannies | Disney+ | April 1, 2026 | Hulu Original with all episodes streaming at premiere | New title |
| The Prep School Disappearance | Disney+ | April 24, 2026 | Title included in Disney+’s U.S. April schedule | New schedule entry |
| Perfect Crown | Disney+ | New episodes during April; specific dates not supplied | Korean romantic drama | Returning or continuing episodes |
| American Idol Season 9 | Disney+ and ABC | Live Mondays, with next-day streaming described | Competition reality television | Returning season |
| Star Wars: Maul–Shadow Lord | Disney+ | Included in the April schedule; specific date not supplied | Animated Star Wars original set after The Clone Wars | New franchise series |
| Songs in Sign Language | Disney+ | April project; specific date not supplied | American Sign Language reimaginings of songs from Frozen 2, Encanto, and Moana 2 | New project |
| The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | Theaters | Exact date requires local verification | Family-oriented animated theatrical movie | New film |
What was new on Netflix in April 2026?
Netflix’s strongest April 2026 movie entry was APEX, while Full Swing Season 4 supplied the main documentary option in the service’s April television guide.
Where could viewers watch APEX?
APEX was released on Netflix in the U.S. on April 24, 2026. Netflix’s official title description presents the film as a survivalist thriller starring Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana.
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The story follows a grieving woman whose solo trip into the Australian wilderness turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse contest with a ruthless predator. That premise makes APEX the clearest choice for viewers who wanted a contained survival film rather than a serialized television commitment. Netflix lists the film’s cast, release date, premise, and production details in its official APEX release guide.
As post-release context rather than a forecast, Netflix reported in 2026 that APEX opened with 38.2 million views. The figure belongs to Netflix’s reporting and should not be treated as an independent audience measurement or a review of the film.
What documentary was new on Netflix?
Full Swing Season 4 appeared among Netflix’s April 2026 television entries. The supplied schedule identifies the season as an April option but does not provide a specific release day, so viewers should use Netflix’s current listing rather than infer a date from another territory. Netflix’s broader 2026 television guide is the relevant source for the entry.
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What was new on Prime Video in April 2026?
Prime Video’s U.S. April 2026 slate combined a final-season franchise event, a competition reboot, an animated comedy, a true-crime documentary series, and a literary adaptation.
- The Boys Season 5 — April 8: Amazon described the fifth season as the show’s final season, making it the month’s major returning-series event for viewers following the franchise.
- American Gladiators — April 17: The reboot is hosted by Mike “The Miz” Mizanin and Rocsi Diaz. Contestants compete in updated versions of the physical challenges associated with the classic format.
- Kevin — April 20: This animated comedy begins with a breakup and a cat caught between its former owners before the cat ends up at a pet rescue in Queens.
- Killing Grounds: The Gilgo Beach Murders — April 22: The documentary series examines the Gilgo Beach investigation. Amazon’s schedule description says the case involved the discovery of 11 bodies between 1996 and 2011.
- The House of the Spirits — April 29: Prime Video lists the title as an eight-episode family saga following Clara, Blanca, and Alba across half a century in a conservative South American country shaped by class conflict, political upheaval, disaster, and magic.
Amazon’s official April schedule also included NBA playoff programming. Sports coverage is outside the main movie-and-TV roundup, but it explains why Prime Video’s monthly list is broader than its scripted and documentary premieres.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRelease dates above come from Amazon’s official April 2026 Prime Video schedule. The The House of the Spirits title page provides additional information about the series and its connection to Isabel Allende’s novel.
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What came to Disney+ in April 2026?
Disney+’s U.S. April 2026 schedule was more varied than a conventional scripted-premiere list: it included a Hulu Original, a scheduled mystery title, continuing Korean drama episodes, live and next-day reality television, a new Star Wars animation, and an American Sign Language music project.
- Dear Killer Nannies — April 1: Disney+ Press lists the Hulu Original as a premiere with all episodes streaming.
- The Prep School Disappearance — April 24: The title appears in Disney+ Press’s U.S. April schedule. The supplied schedule does not provide enough information to classify it more specifically here.
- Perfect Crown: Disney+ listed new episodes of the Korean romantic drama during April. The supplied schedule does not give a single release date for the episodes.
- American Idol Season 9: The April schedule describes live Monday streaming on Disney+ alongside ABC, with next-day availability also provided. The live and next-day options are different release patterns, so viewers should check the local service listing for the relevant episode.
- Star Wars: Maul–Shadow Lord: Disney+ identifies the animated original as taking place after The Clone Wars. Maul attempts to rebuild his criminal syndicate and encounters a young Jedi Padawan.
- Songs in Sign Language: Disney Animation’s project reimagines three songs from Frozen 2, Encanto, and Moana 2 in American Sign Language and includes a behind-the-scenes featurette.
Disney+ warns that library availability can differ by region and change over time. The Disney+ Press April 2026 schedule is therefore more reliable than a generic international release list.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What movie played in theaters in April 2026?
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the most obvious family-oriented theatrical title to include in an April 2026 roundup. The title is listed in official Universal Pictures material, but the supplied research does not establish a single date that should be presented as universal for every U.S. market.
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Theatrical release dates, opening-weekend schedules, and showtimes can vary by country, territory, and exhibitor. Before recommending The Super Mario Galaxy Movie for a particular reader, verify the current local listing through the theater or studio information. The Universal Pictures releases page is the relevant studio source, but it is not a substitute for a local showtime search.
How should viewers compare the April 2026 releases?
The most useful comparison is not simply which title has the biggest franchise. Viewers should compare the platform, release pattern, audience, whether the title is new or returning, and whether the story is an adaptation or an original.
| Decision | Best April 2026 matches | Why the match works |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is available | Netflix: APEX and Full Swing; Prime Video: The Boys and The House of the Spirits; Disney+: Maul–Shadow Lord and Perfect Crown; theaters: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | The major entries are divided among three streaming services and theatrical distribution rather than concentrated on one platform. |
| Release pattern | Dear Killer Nannies: all episodes; American Idol: live Monday and next-day availability; Perfect Crown: recurring April episodes; The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: theatrical run | Viewers who prefer a complete binge, scheduled weekly viewing, live television, or a cinema outing have different choices. |
| New versus returning | New: APEX and The House of the Spirits; returning: The Boys Season 5, Full Swing Season 4, and American Idol Season 9 | A returning season rewards familiarity with earlier episodes, while a new title offers a lower entry barrier. |
| Genre and audience | Survival: APEX; franchise action: The Boys and Maul–Shadow Lord; documentary: Full Swing and Killing Grounds; competition: American Gladiators and American Idol; family: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | The April slate covers scripted thrillers, franchise animation, sports and true-crime documentaries, reality competition, and family entertainment. |
| Adaptation versus original | Adaptation: The House of the Spirits; franchise expansion: Maul–Shadow Lord; new thriller: APEX | Readers can choose between comparing a screen version with its literary source, returning to an established universe, or trying a standalone premise. |
What should documentary fans watch in April 2026?
Documentary-focused viewers have two especially clear options: Killing Grounds: The Gilgo Beach Murders for investigative true crime and Full Swing Season 4 for sports documentary storytelling. Killing Grounds is the stronger choice for viewers interested in a specific criminal investigation, while Full Swing is the better fit for viewers following professional golf and an established documentary series.
Neither entry should be treated as a neutral replacement for reporting about the underlying events. Amazon’s description supplies the Gilgo Beach case framing, while Netflix’s guide identifies Full Swing as part of its documentary slate; the platform descriptions establish what the programs cover, not an independent critical verdict.
Is The House of the Spirits based on a book?
The House of the Spirits is connected to Isabel Allende’s novel of the same name. Prime Video describes the series as a multigenerational family saga, and Penguin Random House describes the source novel as a three-generation Trueba family story involving political power struggles and mystical elements.
Readers who want the literary source can Read Isabel Allende’s original novel, The House of the Spirits before or after watching the Prime Video adaptation. The book is a natural companion rather than a claim that the series is scene-for-scene faithful. Prime Video’s official series page and the publisher’s book listing support the adaptation-and-source-book connection.
How should the dates be read?
- The dates in this guide are U.S.-oriented unless a listing says otherwise.
- A date listed for a streaming platform does not guarantee the same catalog availability in every country.
- “New episodes during April” does not mean that every episode premiered on the same day; Perfect Crown and American Idol use continuing or scheduled-release language in the supplied material.
- Theatrical dates and showtimes are territory- and exhibitor-sensitive, so The Super Mario Galaxy Movie requires a local check.
- Titles without a precise date in the research should not be assigned an invented release day.
The Bottom Line
For a focused U.S. April 2026 watchlist, start with APEX on Netflix, The Boys Season 5 or The House of the Spirits on Prime Video, and Star Wars: Maul–Shadow Lord on Disney+. Documentary viewers should add Killing Grounds: The Gilgo Beach Murders and Full Swing Season 4, while families should verify local theatrical listings for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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