{"id":585742,"date":"2026-04-06T11:43:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T11:43:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/585742\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T11:43:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T11:43:18","slug":"7-best-netflix-shows-in-april-2026-full-list-top-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/585742\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Best Netflix Shows in April 2026 \u2014\u00a0Full List + Top Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"

There was a time when TV awards experts agreed that one of the best ways to gain an advantage at the Emmys<\/a> was for shows to be released as close to voting as possible. At first, that meant series would premiere at the end of May and episodes would keep rolling out through June. Then, when the rules required at least half the season to be available before the eligibility deadline, those premiere dates shifted a bit earlier. Now the Television Academy requires all episodes to be out before May 31 to qualify for the same year\u2019s Emmys, so April and May are as busy<\/a> \u2014\u00a0if not busier \u2014 than ever.<\/p>\n

None of these rule adjustments affected Netflix. The streaming king invented the binge-drop, and by releasing full seasons on the same day, Netflix originals could premiere on May 31 without worrying about violating the rulebook. And they did! Oh, boy, did they ever.<\/p>\n

So why is this April not only stacked with potential Emmy contenders<\/a>, but arguably more stacked than Netflix\u2019s May slate? Because conventional wisdom has changed. Instead of angling for those last few days or weeks in May, networks now want to give voters enough time to discover new shows and catch up on returning ones, both of which take time. <\/p>\n

Marketing can only do so much to raise awareness. Word of mouth travels fast, but people have to watch the show before positive buzz can spread. And with so much entertainment competing for our attention \u2014\u00a0not only other eligible Emmy contenders, but also movies, sports, live events, etc. \u2014 Emmy voters can\u2019t be expected to consume everything the second it comes out. They watch at their own pace, based on their own preferences, just like the rest of us. I mean, if you\u2019re tearing through \u201cThe Comeback\u201d Season 3<\/a>, are you really going to hit pause so you can try out a new show? I wouldn\u2019t. (OK, I would, but only because my job as a critic requires me to \u2014\u00a0left to my own devices, I\u2019d still be watching Valerie Cherish.) <\/p>\n

So what does that mean for you, my curious readers? It means you\u2019re getting \u201cBeef\u201d Season 2, Dany Levy\u2019s first series since \u201cSchitt\u2019s Creek,\u201d and an animated version of \u201cStranger Things\u201d<\/a> this month. You\u2019re also getting recent Oscar nominee Kate Hudson\u2019s return to \u201cRunning Point,\u201d and an NBC sitcom hoping to boost awareness by debuting on Netflix (which, as you may know, has a much wider reach than Peacock). Some of these are overt Emmy plays, others are hopeful, and still others have little illusions about their awards prospects. (\u201cMan on Fire\u201d might be a tough sell.) But I\u2019d expect to hear more of these titles when nominations are announced in July than the names coming next month. And that wasn\u2019t always the case. <\/p>\n

\t\u201cBeef\u201d Season 2<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Beef
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of Netflix\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Release Date: Thursday, April 16
Creator: Lee Sung Jin<\/a>
Directors: Lee Sung Jin, Jake Schreier
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Cailee Spaeny, Charles Melton, Song Kang-ho, Youn Yuh-jung, Seoyeon Jang
Synopsis: \u201cA young couple witnesses an alarming fight between their boss and his wife, triggering chess moves of favors and coercion in the elitist world of a country club and its Korean billionaire owner.\u201d
Best Reason to Watch: The first season of \u201cBeef\u201d<\/a> became a breakout hit on the back of its relatable premise, blistering performances, and tenacious, twisty, half-hour episodes. Season 2<\/a> introduces a new story and a new cast to tell it, while hoping to retain the core elements that elevate the series above more easily dismissed anthologies. But the real reason to watch is Carey Mulligan. You always watch Carey Mulligan. Always.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThis Is a Gardening Show\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"'This
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of Netflix\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Release Date: Wednesday, April 22
Director: Brook Linder
EPs: Zach Galifianakis<\/a>, Frank Schema, Jon Kamen
Host: Zach Galifianakis
Synopsis: \u201c\u2019This Is A Gardening Show\u2019 is a refreshing and whimsical take on gardening, hosted by Zach Galifianakis. Rather than positioning himself as an expert, Galifianakis approaches the subject with curiosity and self-effacing humor, with the goal of learning alongside his audience and giving viewers valuable, accessible, and educational tools to use in their own gardens. The series blends lighthearted comedy with a sincere appreciation for people and the planet, and is ultimately about the joy of connecting with the earth.\u201d
Best Reason to Watch: What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with Zach Galifianakis<\/a> hosting a gardening show where he mocks kids and tries to give them the tools they need for a better, healthier future? Honestly, I don\u2019t know what this show is going to be, but the first season consists of just six episodes lasting 15-20 minutes each. So worst case, you lost an hour. Best case, you\u2019re left wanting more.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cBig Mistakes\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"BIG
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Spencer Pazer\/Netflix \u00a9 2025\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Release Date: Thursday, April 9
Creators: Dan Levy, Rachel Sennott
Cast: Dan Levy, Taylor Ortega, Laurie Metcalf, Abby Quinn, Boran Kuzum, Jack Innanen, Elizabeth Perkins, Mark Ivanir, Ilia Volok, Jacob Gutierrez, Joe Barbara, Darren Goldstein
Synopsis: \u201cFrom Dan Levy comes a bold, new comedic family saga within a high-stakes crime thriller. \u2018Big Mistakes\u2019 follows Nicky (Levy) and Morgan (Taylor Ortega), two deeply incapable siblings who are in over their heads when a misguided theft for their dying grandmother accidentally pulls them into the world of organized crime. Blackmailed into increasingly dangerous assignments, they clumsily fail upwards, sinking deeper into chaos they\u2019re ill-equipped to handle.\u201d
Best Reason to Watch: Dan Levy<\/a> and Rachel Sennott<\/a> make a tempting duo behind an hour-long thriller about a brother-sister duo who get in way over their heads. Can they strike the right balance between comedy and suspense? Can they keep the episodes taut and lag free? Can they make good use of Laurie Metcalf, preferably so good that we forget about \u201cMonster: The Ed Gein Story\u201d<\/a>? OK, maybe that\u2019s too much to ask, but there\u2019s plenty of reasonably high hopes here.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cMan on Fire\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"MAN
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of Juan Rosas \/ Netflix\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Release Date: Thursday, April 30
Creator: Kyle Killen
Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II<\/a>, Billie Boullet, Alice Braga, Scoot McNairy, Paul Ben-Victor, Bobby Cannavale
Synopsis: \u201cBased on A.J. Quinnell\u2019s book series,\u00a0\u2018Man on Fire\u2019\u00a0tells the story of John Creasy. Once a high-functioning and skilled Special Forces Mercenary, known for surviving even the most desolate of situations, Creasy is now plagued with intense PTSD. Determined to overcome his personal demons, he sets out on a path to redemption. But, before he can adjust to this new life, he finds himself back in the fire, fighting harder than ever.\u201d
Best Reason to Watch: Yahya<\/a>, baby! It\u2019s always Yahya! Not too many young actors would dare follow in the footsteps of Denzel, and even fewer (maybe none?) could potentially match his magnitude in the same role. But Yahya has shown incredible presence, range, and emotional resonance in everything from \u201cWatchmen\u201d and \u201cWonder Man\u201d<\/a> to \u201cUs\u201d and \u201cThe Matrix Resurrections\u201d<\/a> (not to mention his stage work). So let\u2019s see what more he\u2019s got in store for us.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cStranger Things: Tales from \u201985\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"'Stranger
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of Netflix\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Release Date: Thursday, April 23
Showrunner: Eric Robles
Cast: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha \u201cEJ\u201d Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Ben Plessala as Will, Brett Gipson as Hopper, Odessa A\u2019zion as Nikki Baxer, Jeremy Jordan as Steve, Janeane Garofalo as Anna Baxter, and Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer
Synopsis: \u201cIn the winter of 1985, snow blankets the town and the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading. Our heroes Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max have settled back into a normal life of D&D, snowball fights, and quiet days. But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. Could it be from the Upside Down? From the depths of Hawkins Lab? Or from somewhere else entirely? Our heroes must race to solve this mystery and save Hawkins in this new story set in the Stranger Things universe.\u201d
Best Reason to Watch: I mean, the animation looks pretty cool? \u201cStranger Things\u201d<\/a> seems like a good fit for the medium, too. But until proven otherwise, this is for superfans only.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cSt. Denis Medical\u201d Season 1<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"ST.
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of Justin Lubin \/ NBC\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Release Date: Wednesday, April 1
Creators: Eric Ledgin, Justin Spitzer
Cast: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Allison Tolman, Josh Lawson, Kahyun Kim, Mekki Leeper, David Alan Grier, Kaliko Kauahi
Synopsis: \u201c\u2019St. Denis Medical\u2019 is a mockumentary about an underfunded, understaffed Oregon hospital where the dedicated doctors and nurses try their best to treat patients while maintaining their own sanity.\u201d
Best Reason to Watch: It\u2019s really funny<\/a>! The cast is great, the jokes are crisp, and the writers aren\u2019t afraid to delve into the many, many issues facing hospitals and healthcare in America. Sure, the first season takes a bit to gel, but there\u2019s still plenty of fun to be had as it comes together.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cRunning Point\u201d Season 2<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"RUNNING
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of Netflix\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Release Date: Thursday, April 23
Showrunner: David Stassen<\/a>
Cast: Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Brenda Song, Scott MacArthur, Fabrizio Guido, Chet Hanks, Toby Sandeman, Uche Agada, Justin Theroux
Synopsis: \u201cIsla Gordon (Kate Hudson) is no longer the surprise choice to lead the Los Angeles Waves, she\u2019s the one everyone is watching. With the franchise finally rebounding after last year\u2019s scandal, Isla is determined to prove she\u2019s not just keeping the seat warm for her brother Cam (Justin Theroux). What she doesn\u2019t know is that Cam is quietly maneuvering behind the scenes to reclaim his post, turning every misstep into ammunition. As she tries to balance the pressure of running a franchise with devoting time to her personal life, every decision on and off the court counts. To survive the family power plays and the scrutiny of the board, she\u2019ll have to rip up last season\u2019s game plan and come up with a whole new playbook if she wants to close out the season on top.\u201d
Best Reason to Watch: Did you like Season 1? I\u2019m happy for you<\/a>. (Really!) Season 2 looks to be more of the same, and more of Kate Hudson (and Justin Theroux) is rarely a bad thing.<\/p>\n

\tThe Rest of Incoming TV<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"'Dandelion'
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of Netflix\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\u201cDandelion\u201d (available in April)
\u201cIf Wishes Could Kill\u201d (available in April)
\u201cLove on the Spectrum\u201d Season 4 (available April 1)
\u201cHappy\u2019s Place\u201d Season 1 (available April 1)
\u201cAgent from the Above\u201d (available April 2)
\u201cAlkhallat+ The Series: Desert Rules\u201d (available April 2)
\u201cThe Bad Guys: The Series\u201d Season 2 (available April 2)
\u201cThe Ramparts of Ice\u201d (available April 2)
\u201cSins of Kujo\u201d (available April 2)
\u201cXO, Kitty\u201d Season 3 (available April 2)
\u201cBloodhounds\u201d Season 2 (available April 3)
\u201cGangs of Galicia\u201d Season 2 (available April 3)
\u201cHigh Tides\u201d Season 3 (available April 3)
\u201cMaamla Legal Hai\u201d Season 2 (available April 3)
\u201cUntold: Chess Mates\u201d (available April 7)
\u201cBandi\u201d (available April 9)
\u201cTemptation Island\u2019 Season 2 (available April 10)
\u201cTurn on the Tide\u201d Season 3 (available April 10)
\u201cAt Home with the Furys\u201d Season 2 (available April 12)
\u201cCrooks\u201d Season 2 (available April 14)
\u201cUntold: Jail Blazers\u201d (available April 14)
\u201cFake Profile\u201d Season 3 (available April 15)
\u201cMade with Love\u201d (available April 15)
\u201cMillion Dollar Secret\u201d Season 2 (available April 15)
\u201cThe Law According to Lidia Po\u00ebt\u201d Season 3 (available April 15)
\u201cAlpha Male\u201d Season 5 (available April 17)
\u201cWe Are All Trying Here\u201d (available April 18)
\u201cCoComelon Lane\u201d Season 7 (available April 20)
\u201cFunny AF with Kevin Hart\u201d (available April 20)
\u201cUnchosen\u201d (available April 21)
\u201cUntold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill\u201d (available April 21)
\u201cSantita\u201d (available April 22)
\u201cSold Out on You\u201d (available April 22)
\u201cFlunked\u201d (available April 23)
\u201cStraight to Hell\u201d (available April 27)<\/p>\n

\tTV Leaving Netflix in April<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"VAN
\n\t\t\t\t\tImage Credit: Courtesy of Dan Power\/Helsing S1 Productions\/Syfy\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\u201cQueen of the South\u201d Seasons 1-5 (leaving April 7)
\u201cVan Helsing\u201d Seasons 1-5 (leaving April 16)
\u201cBlack Sails\u201d Seasons 1-4 (leaving April 17)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There was a time when TV awards experts agreed that one of the best ways to gain an…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":585743,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[7986,49,48,184765,75,1316,348,99786,216335],"class_list":{"0":"post-585742","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tv","8":"tag-beef","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-dan-levy","12":"tag-entertainment","13":"tag-netflix","14":"tag-tv","15":"tag-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii","16":"tag-zach-galifianakis"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=585742"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585742\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/585743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=585742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=585742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=585742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}