'The Babadook,' 'Hot Fuzz' and More on Netflix This April (Plus Indiewire's Picks)

READ MORE: The Indiewire Springboard: ‘The Babadook’ Writer-Director Jennifer Kent on Telling Horror Stories from a Female Perspective

If one thing is clear from the April roster of Netflix additions below, it’s that next month is much stronger than usual when it comes to new titles on the streaming platform. While fan-favorite classics such as “Get Shorty,” “Mystic Pizza,” “The Karate Kid” and more will be signing off at the start of the month, some of last year’s most auspicious debut films and daring experiments will be making their Netflix debuts. From filmmaking newcomers (Jennifer Kent) to esteemed icons (Jean-Luc Godard), here are all the new titles heading to Netflix this April, plus Indiewire’s personal picks of what to stream.



Update: Available now



Indiewire Pick: “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby” (2014)

All three versions of Ned Benson’s stunning relationship drama are now available to stream on Netflix. Starring Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy, “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her” follows the story from the POV of Chastain’s character, while “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him” follows McAvoy’s. “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them” combines the two into a chronological feature.



Available 4/1

“The Beautician and the Beast” (1997)

Available 4/2

“Life Partners” (2014)

Available 4/3

“Starry Eyes” (2014)

“The Quiet Ones” (2014)

Available 4/4

“Delta Farce” (2007)

Available 4/9

“Crank” (2006)

“Pioneer” (2013)

Available 4/10

“October 1” (2015)

“Finding Mercy” (2013)

“Confusion Na Wa” (2013)

“Onye Ozi” (2013)

Available 4/14

Indiewire Pick: “Goodbye to Language” (2014)

French New Wave icon Jean-Luc Godard returned to theaters last year with a daring 3D experiment that won acclaim across a handful of film festivals and earned the Best Picture title from the National Society of Film Critics. While the extra dimension may be lost on Netflix, Godard’s missive against contemporary society is still an enjoyable provocation whose narrative ambiguities will only be easier to navigate upon multiple streams.

Indiewire Pick: “The Babadook” (2014)

Jennifer Kent’s terrifying debut was the horror breakout of last year, riding a wave of critical acclaim from its Sundance premiere all the way to multiple award wins come December. Cracking the lid off the atmospheric family horror films of the 1970s (think “The Exorcist” and “Rosemary’s Baby”), “The Babadook” features plenty of unnerving psychodrama and a remarkable performance from Essie Davis that cannot be missed. Had the film been released in the 70s, Davis would’ve no doubt found herself in the thick of the Best Actress race. Just don’t watch it alone.

Available 4/16

“Hot Fuzz” (2007)

Available 4/17

“They Came Together” (2014)

Available 4/18

“Noah” (2014)

Available 4/21

Indiewire Pick: “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” (2014)

It’s easy to label Ana Lily Amirpour’s mesmerizing debut as an “Iranian black-and-white vampire western,” but that only touches the surface of this wondrous fusion of deadpan comedy, thrilling music choices and small intimate moments that say far more than the generally soft-spoken, forlorn characters. Amirpour’s slow-burn technique makes it impossible to predict any given moment, which gives even the slightest tonal shift a revelatory feeling. It’s a movie that gets under your skin without scaring you off. Don’t miss it.

Available 4/27

“National Treasure” (2004)

READ MORE: 7 New Netflix Shows to Binge Watch in March 2015 (And the Best Episodes of Each)

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