New on Netflix This Week: April 13-19, 2026
TL;DR
This week on Netflix, BEEF Season 2 is the main event (April 16). Also new: David Attenborough's "180, A Gorilla Story," Thrash, Running Point Season 2, Roommates, and a handful of licensed titles. Here is what is actually worth your time, with IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Install CineMan AI to see these ratings live on your Netflix homepage.
Netflix's April release calendar is front-loaded with one genuinely great prestige drama, a couple of solid documentaries, and a bunch of filler. If you only have time to watch one thing this week, it is BEEF Season 2. If you want the full picture, here is everything that is new, in order of how good it is — not just what Netflix is pushing on your homepage.
The Top Pick: BEEF Season 2
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Released | April 16, 2026 (all 8 episodes) |
| IMDb | 8.3 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 92% |
| Best for | Fans of White Lotus, Severance, Succession |
Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan in a Lee Sung Jin anthology. Different story from Season 1, but unmistakably the same show in DNA. Read our full BEEF Season 2 review for the deeper take.
The Full New-Release Calendar
| Release date | Title | Format | Ratings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13 | Running Point S2 | Comedy series | IMDb 7.2 / RT 84% | Solid S1 followup; lighter watch |
| Apr 14 | Thrash | Action film | IMDb 5.9 / RT 41% | Skip unless you love shark movies |
| Apr 15 | Tyson Fury vs. Makhmudov | Sports event | N/A | Live boxing, for fans only |
| Apr 16 | BEEF Season 2 | Prestige drama | IMDb 8.3 / RT 92% | Must watch |
| Apr 16 | Apex | Thriller | IMDb 6.4 / RT 58% | Serviceable; fine for background |
| Apr 17 | 180, A Gorilla Story | Documentary | IMDb 8.0 / RT 94% | Attenborough does it again |
| Apr 17 | Alpha Males Season 5 | Comedy series | IMDb 7.4 / RT 79% | Consistent if you already watch |
| Apr 17 | Roommates | Comedy series | IMDb 6.1 / RT 52% | Skip |
| Apr 18 | Stranger Things: Tales From '85 (theatrical preview) | Animated series | TBD | Full drop April 23 |
| Apr 19 | Licensed library additions | Various | Varies | See below |
Pick of the Week by Category
Best Prestige Drama: BEEF Season 2
Nothing else is close. See above.
Best Documentary: 180, A Gorilla Story
A David Attenborough-narrated 90-minute documentary following a Silverback gorilla troop over 18 months in Rwanda. Cinematography is staggering. Early Rotten Tomatoes reviews are among the best of any 2026 Netflix doc so far.
Best Light Watch: Running Point Season 2
Mindy Kaling's sports comedy returns. Not reinventing anything, but Kate Hudson is charming, the supporting cast is deep, and it is the kind of show you can actually enjoy while folding laundry. 84 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Skip: Thrash, Roommates
Thrash is a Category 5 hurricane / shark hybrid that leans more silly than fun. Roommates is a lower-tier comedy with limited laughs. Netflix will put both on your homepage. Do not let them.
Next Week's Headline: Stranger Things Tales From '85
The biggest animated release of the month drops April 23. A theatrical preview of Episodes 1 and 2 screens April 18 in select U.S. cities. The full eight-episode season hits Netflix on April 23. Read our Tales From '85 preview for full details.
How to Decide What to Watch
A weekly release calendar like this is a start, but if you are deciding in the moment on your couch with the Netflix homepage open, you need real-time ratings on the actual tiles. The free CineMan AI Chrome extension overlays IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and a personal taste match score on every Netflix title, so you can triage the homepage in under 60 seconds instead of 40 minutes of trailer-hopping. That is true whether you use Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+.
Leaving Netflix Soon
A quick heads up: a few major licensed titles are set to leave Netflix at the end of April — watch them this week if they are on your list. We will cover those in our end-of-month post.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest new Netflix release this week?
BEEF Season 2, which dropped on April 16 with all eight episodes.
What family-friendly new releases are on Netflix this week?
"180, A Gorilla Story" (Attenborough documentary) and Alpha Males Season 5 are both suitable family picks. Stranger Things: Tales From '85 arrives April 23.
How do I see IMDb ratings on these new Netflix titles?
The CineMan AI Chrome extension overlays IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores on every Netflix tile. Free, 30-second install.
When does Stranger Things: Tales From '85 release?
Globally on Netflix on April 23, 2026, with a theatrical preview on April 18.
Stop Scrolling, Start Watching
IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and a personal taste match on every Netflix title. Decide in seconds.
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