Netflix is adding 3 unmissable thriller movies in April 2026 — and fans of creature features will be pleased

A screenshot of Phoebe Dynevor in the water screaming, with a shark fin and blood in the background
(Image credit: Netflix)

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.

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Beast

Beast | Official Trailer - YouTube Beast | Official Trailer - YouTube
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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

Thrash | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube Thrash | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
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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

Apex | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube Apex | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
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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.


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Lucy Buglass
Senior Entertainment Writer

Lucy is a long-time movie and television lover who is an approved critic on Rotten Tomatoes. She has written several reviews in her time, starting with a small self-ran blog called Lucy Goes to Hollywood before moving onto bigger websites such as What's on TV and What to Watch, with TechRadar being her most recent venture. Her interests primarily lie within horror and thriller, loving nothing more than a chilling story that keeps her thinking moments after the credits have rolled. Many of these creepy tales can be found on the streaming services she covers regularly.

When she’s not scaring herself half to death with the various shows and movies she watches, she likes to unwind by playing video games on Easy Mode and has no shame in admitting she’s terrible at them. She also quotes The Simpsons religiously and has a Blinky the Fish tattoo, solidifying her position as a complete nerd. 

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