In the age of Coronavirus quarantines, lockdowns and self-isolation, many more of us are relying on streaming platforms in search of distraction, escape and just plain entertainment. Luckily April certainly doesn't look to disappoint with an exciting new set of streaming releases offering a wide range of stories. From trippy sci-fi anthologies to a new comedy from Mindy Kaling to a Chris Hemsworth-led action thriller to more Four More Shots Please, here are our picks of what's releasing this month across platforms.
When: April 27th
Mindy Kaling's newest television endeavour is based on her own childhood and follows the complicated life of a modern-day first-generation Indian-American teenage girl. We certainly can't wait to meet our 'favourite Hindu girl from the San Fernando valley' in what looks to be a charming comedy.
When: April 24th
The latest Netflix action blockbuster stars Chris Hemsworth as a fearless black market mercenary with nothing left to lose whose skills are solicited to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. Written by the MCU's Joe Russo, the film was extensively shot in India and also features Randeep Hooda and Manoj Bajpayee in supporting roles.
When: April 17th
Nikkhil Advani and Vir Das come together as creators for a dark comedy about a stand-up comedian who's also a serial killer. The intriguing series sees Das in the lead and also stars Ranvir Shorey and Manoj Pahwa.
When: April 3rd
One of the streaming giant's most popular show returns for more heart-pounding thrills. As our favourite Professor's plan begins to unravel, the thieves must fend off enemies from both inside and outside the Bank of Spain. Prepare to get your binge-watching on.
When: April 24th
Top comic Kanan Gill becomes the latest Indian comedian to get his own stand-up special after Vir Das, Aditi Mittal and Amit Tandon. The new special sees Gill measuring his adult life against the goals he set as a teenager and we certainly can't wait.
When: April 3rd
Taraji P Henson and The Hangover's Ed Helms star in exactly the kind of insane comedy we need right now. The raunchy, buddy-cop comedy sees twelve-year-old Kareem hiring a criminal to scare his mom's new boyfriend. Until of course, it all hilariously backfires forcing Coffee and Kareem to team up in order to save themselves from Detroit's most ruthless drug kingpin.
When: April 24th
Ricky Gervais' poignant dramedy about a foul-mouthed journalist reeling from the loss of his wife returns for more laughs, life lessons and savage one-liners.
When: April 14th
The popular comedian brings you his third Netflix special. This time around, he's sharing his thoughts on everything from self-censorship to inappropriate Dolphins. We're sold.
When: April 17th
After Black-ish, Grown-ish and Mixed-Ish, Kenya Barris creates yet another show, this time with him in the lead. His latest TV project sees him star across Rashida Jones in this comedy inspired by Barris' real life.
When: April 1st
Comedian Iliza Shlesinger leads an ensemble cast in a hilarious, satire-filled series packed with outrageous characters and sketches.
When: March 27th
Okay, so granted it technically came out in March. But when arguably the best movie of last year comes out at a time of anxiety, I think it gives us some leeway, don't you? Bong Joon-Ho's history-making masterpiece finally makes its streaming debut for the world to see.
When: April 3rd
The latest from TVF is a fish-out-water story which sees city boy Abishek (Jitendra Kumar) who takes a job as secretary of a panchayat office in a remote village. Stuck between crazy characters and alien traditions, he struggles with adjusting to village life in series which also stars Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav.
When: April 17th
The hit show about a group of four friends (Sayani Gupta, Maanvi Gagroo, Kriti Kulhari and Gurbani) returns, and this time they hit the road with season 2 seeing the group travel to Istanbul. Expect more laughs, career crises, camaraderie and whole lot more tequila.
When: April 3rd
Inspired by the paintings of Simon Stålenhag, the mind-bending sci-fi series follows the adventures of the people who live above the Loop – a machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe.
When: April 1st
Anwar Rasheed's highly anticipated Malayalam film has an all-star cast including Fahadh Faasil, Nazriya Nazim, Gautham Menon, Dileesh Pothan and Soubin Shahir, among others. A motivational speaker moves to Mumbai for better opportunities, until things start to take an ugly turn. We'll let the trippy trailer do the rest of the talking.
When: April 4th
Vidhu Vinod Chopra's love saga starring newcomers Sadia and Aadil Khan follows the turbulent journey of a married couple who become refugees overnight after being thrown out of their homes as a result of the biggest forced migration in independent India whereby Kashmiri Pandits had to flee from their homes.
When: April 26th
With a cast comprising Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney and Ray Romano, Bad Education tells the true story of a school district head who's on the verge of the shining political career until an embezzlement scheme surfaces that threatens to destroy everything he's built.
When: April 16th
Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne and Sarah Paulson star in a drama about the Equal Right Amendment and the war for gender equality in the 70s and how those events forever shifted the political landscape.
When: April 16th
The hilarious mockumentary series about a group of vampires returns for more cringe comedy and supernatural antics. Set in New York City, the show follows three vampires who have been roommates for hundreds and hundreds of years.
When: April 28th
Based on the 1998 bestselling novel by Wally Lamb, the limited series follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers, played by Mark Ruffalo in a family saga that tells a story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness set against the backdrop of 20th-century America.
When: April 13th
A woman's mundane life is thrown upside down when she receives a text from her college sweetheart inviting her to drop everything and meet him in New York to fulfil the pact they made 17 years ago.
When: April 10th
Voot Select's latest original is a thriller centred on a turbulent family which risks being torn apart when a series of shocking truths come to the light. The series stars Neil Bhoopalam, Atul Kulkarni and Parul Gulati among others.
When: TBC
From producer Vikram Bhatt comes a legal drama that questions whether all lawyers are merely mercenaries who give in to greed, ambition and power. Illegal stars Kubra Sait, Akshay Oberoi and others.
When: April 3rd
Starring The Florida Project's adorable young Brookly Prince, Home Before Dark is a mystery inspired by the reporting of a real nine-year-old journalist. When a young girl and her family move back to the small town her father left behind, her pursuit of the truth leads to the unearthing of a long-buried cold case.
When: April 24th
A young boy is accused of murder. But did he do it? And how far will the parents go to defend their son? Based on the 2012 New York Times best-selling novel of the same name, this limited drama series stars Chris Evans and Michelle Dockery.
When: April 16th
Tom Hanks' latest Oscar-nominated film finally makes its way to streaming. The biopic sees him essay the role of American National treasure and children's entertainer Mr Rogers and his relationship with a cynical journalist. A film about finding hope in dark places might just be what we need right now.
When: April 27th
The acclaimed cat and mouse spy thriller from writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge is back. Killing Eve centres on an MI5 security officer who goes head to head with a talented killer.
When: April 2nd
Curious to know about his real mother, Tidda goes to his father Soggy and discovers the shocking truth about his father's colourful past. What more do you really need to know? The series stars Rahul Dev, Harsh Beniwal and Nikhil Bhambri among others and will be available on both ZEE5 and ALTBalaji.
When: April 3rd
A gangster thriller which revolves around a mysterious man named Japan who joins a criminal gang, the Tamil series stars Dhruva, Aishwarya Dutta and Saranya Ponvannan.
When: April 7th
From writer-director Raana, Naan Sirthal is an unlikely comedy which stars Hiphop Tamizha and Iswarya.
When: April 10th
A Tamil horror film centres on a murdered couple who return as ghosts to seek vengeance on their killers.
When: April 23rd
Urvashi Rautela stars in a family comedy that explores the relationship between youngsters and their families.
When: April 3rd
Described as a 'stalker thriller' from Vikram Bhatt, Hacked stars Rohan Shah as an obsessive 19-year old hacker who falls for an older woman played by Hina Khan.
When: April 1st
The 10-episode series from director Vikas Chandra follows 21-year-old girl Binny who dreams of a world outside her restricted life in Allahabad, but her plans to escape to the big city encounter a series of unlikely obstacles.
When: April 6th
Inspired by real events, Ek Thi Begum is a revenge drama which follows a woman's quest to avenge her husband who was murdered by the local mafia.