Disney+ has risen to become one of the better streaming platforms around. In recent months, many big movies have migrated to the service only a few weeks after hitting cinema screens, including Death On The Nile, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and Marvel’s Eternals. And there are loads of great shows on Disney’s streaming service too, including The Mandalorian, Hawkeye, and the recent addition of Moon Knight. This April, many more movies and shows will arrive and you can get a closer look at them below. Please note: This list is for Disney+ in the UK although some of the titles are likely to be released worldwide. The titles and dates are correct at the time of writing. Check back in for any new additions.
April 1st
Walk The Prank: Season 1 (2022) What better way to celebrate April Fool’s Day than with another prank show! This one is hosted by a group of kids so it’s likely one to watch with your own children. Warning: the junior members of your family might be inspired by what they see on screen so check your home for booby traps at regular intervals. The Reason I Jump (2020) Based on the best-selling book by Naoki Higashida, this documentary explores the theme of neurodiversity through the experiences of five, non-speaking autistic young people. Narrated passages from the book explore the author’s experiences of autism too.
Better Nate Than Ever (2022) Based on an award-winning novel, this tells the tale of 13-year old Nate Foster and his dreams of being on Broadway. But as he can’t even land a role in one of his school’s plays, the chances of his dreams coming true are slim. An encounter with his aunt looks set to turn his fortunes around, however. David Brent: Life On The Road (2016) Comedian Ricky Gervais returns as David Brent in this spin-off of the popular UK comedy series The Office. It never quite reaches the comedic heights of that classic BBC sitcom but fans of the show will want to tune in all the same.
April 6th
Single Drunk Female: Season 1 (2022) After an embarrassing public meltdown, 20-something alcoholic Samantha Fink is forced to move back in with her overbearing mother to sober up and avoid jail time. Some good reviews mean this could be one to watch, not only for the comedy but to get an honest look at alcohol addiction too. Terapia Alternativa: Season 1 (2021) Two ex-lovers try to put an end to their relationship with the help of an unorthodox psychologist. Why they can’t just say goodbye to one another, I don’t know, but you can find out for yourself if you decide to watch this Argentinian comedy. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011) The Chipmunks and the Chipettes end up on a deserted, tropical island and with any luck, they will stay there forevermore! The third in a series of not very good movies that only the youngest members of your family will be able to endure.
April 8th
Sex Appeal (2022) Teen comedy about a high school student whose long-distance boyfriend wants to take their relationship to the next level. This is raunchier than many of the teen movies on Disney’s streaming platform but whether or not it will stand out from others in the pack remains to be seen. A Monster Calls (2016) This dark fantasy drama based on the novel by Patrick Ness is well worth a watch. But as it deals with a young boy coming to terms with his mother’s terminal illness, you will need a box of tissues on standby. Another Year (2010) Lesley Manville and Jim Broadbent star in Mike Leigh’s brilliant comedy-drama film that chronicles the life of a retired, happily married couple as they experience the happenings of life over one year. It’s one of the director’s best so if you’re a fan of his work, you will want to seek this out if you haven’t done so already. I Robot (2004) Will Smith stars in this sci-action film as Detective Del Spooner, who is tasked with tracking down a robot who may have murdered a famous robopsychologist. Of course, you will likely know that already as you have probably seen this movie before. It’s a pretty good effort, although far removed from the Isacc Asimov story collection on which its title is based.
April 13th
The Mick: Seasons 1-2 (2017) Kaitlin Olson stars in this now-cancelled comedy about a woman who moves into a wealthy neighbourhood to look after her sister’s children. As her background is far different from their privileged upbringing, there are comedic mishaps aplenty. Highly recommended.
Ice Age Scrat Tales (2022) Six all-new animated shorts featuring Scrat, the clumsy sabre-toothed squirrel from the Ice Age movies. As Scrat was the best (and funniest) thing about the movie series, these short films are bound to be better than the feature films that have declined in quality since the 2002 original. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip (2015) Sadly, the Chipmunks made it off the island in the last film! If you’re a parent, you’ll probably dread the prospect of your kids watching this tired effort, especially if they make you watch it with them. It will be even worse if they demand a back-to-back viewing of all the movies in this uninspired series.
April 15th
The Three Musketeers (2011) This isn’t the best version of the classic Alexandre Dumas tale – that honour still goes to the 1973 adaptation – but the cast, including Logan Lerman and Orlando Bloom, help to elevate this fairly humdrum effort from director Paul Anderson. Speed (2004) You have never had a bus journey like this one! With a bomb set to go off if the bus falls below 50 miles per hour, it’s left to Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock to save the passengers and stop the terrorist. A classic. Unlike… Speed 2: Cruise Control (2007) You have never had a boat journey like this one! And neither has Keanu Reeves as he wisely sidestepped this abominable sequel to the original film. Sandra Bullock is back, however, and she is joined by Jason Patric as they try to stop the cruise ship from crashing into an island. The movie sank at the box office! Le Mans ’66 (2019) If it’s speed you want, look no further than James Mangold’s American sports drama that chronicles the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari at the 24-hour Le Mans race in 1966. Matt Damon and Christian Bale star as the racers who battle it out for each team. A stunning spectacle that doesn’t skimp on human drama.
April 20th
Mrs America (2020) Mini-series starring Cate Blanchett as Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly who unexpectedly fought against the Equal Rights Amendment movement during the 1970s. This worthy drama was well-received by critics so should be worth a look.
April 22nd
Mr Popper’s Penguins (2011) Not Jim Carrey’s best or funniest movie but seeing him interact with the penguins his character has inherited does provoke a few chuckles.
April 27th
The Passage: Season 1 (2019) Set in a post-apocalyptic vampire future, this American television series was cancelled after one season. This is a shame, as the books on which the series was based were pretty good. If you’re a fan of the genre, you might still want to give this one a go. Sketchbook (2022) Do you think you have what it takes to draw iconic Disney characters? If so, you will want to check in with this one as talented artists from the Disney studio are here to give you a few tips.
April 29th
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011) Rupert Wyatt’s reboot of the classic film franchise is surprisingly good. James Franco is the lead actor but it’s Andy Serkis who deserves special mention as he provides the motion capture for Caesar the ape. If you haven’t seen the earlier films from the 60s and 70s, a small selection of them are being released on this day too.
Other titles coming this April
April 1st Step Into the Movies With Derek and Julianne Hough (2022) Amelie (2001) The Sweeney (2012) Welcome To The Punch (2013) Operation Orangutan Wild Portugal April 4th The Walking Dead: Season 11 Episode 15 April 6th The Ghost and Molly Mcgee: Season 1 Episodes 11-16 Life Bites: Seasons 1-7 Disney Junior Music Lullabies Wild Australia: Season 1 Africa’s Deadliest: Seasons 5-6 Lion Kingdom: Season 1 Platiki: 12000 Bottle Boat: Season 1 NCIS: Seasons 1-18 Harrow: Season 3 Moon Knight: Episode 2 The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder: Episode 8 The Dropout: Season Finale Queens: Episode 13 Our Kind of People: Episode 8 The Resident: Season 5 Episode 12 The Great North: Season 2 Episode 7 Bob’s Burgers: Season 12: Episode 9 April 8th Miss You Already (2015) Suite Francaise (2014) Like Mike (2002) Headhunters (2011) Wild Ways Of the Vikings April 11th The Walking Dead: Season 11 Finale April 13th Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: Season 4 Episodes: 21-26 Ghostforce: Season 1 Episodes 1-10 T.O.T.S. Season 3 Episodes 12-17 Spidey and his Amazing Friends: Season 1 Episodes 18-21 BabyTV: Giggle Wiggle, Ahoy Pirates, Rocco, Stitches, Dino & The Egg, Toto’s Kindergarten Parched: Season 1 Superstructures Engineering Marvels Season 1 Air Crash Investigation: Season 20 The Missing: Seasons 1-2 Moon Knight: Episode 3 The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder – Episode 9 The Resident: Season 5 Episode 13 Our Kind Of People: Episode 9 Queens: Season Finale The Great North: Season 2 Episode 8 NCIS: Season 19 Episode 4 Bob’s Burgers: Season 12 Episode 10 Family Guy: Season 20 Episode 10 April 14th The Kardashians: Season 1 Episode 1 This Is Us: Season 6 Episode 12 April 15th Drain Alcatraz Drain the Bermuda Triangle The Young Victoria (2009) Superstar: Season 1 April 20th Club Mickey Mouse: Season 4 Hacking the System: Season 1 Wild Russia: Season 1 Wild Central America: Season 1 Wild Hawaii: Season 1 Trust Me: Seasons 1-2 Moon Knight: Episode 4 The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder: Season Finale The Resident: Season 5 Episode 14 Our Kind of People: Episode 10 The Great North: Season 2 Episode 9 NCIS: Season 19 Episode 5 Bob’s Burgers: Season 12 Episode 11 Family Guy: Season 20 Episode 11 April 21st Captive Audience: Season 1 The Kardashians: Season 1 Episode 2 This Is Us: Season 6 Episode 13 April 22nd Polar Bear Bear Witness The Biggest Little Farm: The Return Explorer: The Last Tepui Okavango: River of Dreams Wild Lapland America’s Greatest Animals April 27th Big City Greens: Season 3 Episodes 1-5 Dino Ranch: Season 1 Episodes 23-26 Mere et Fille: Seasons 1-2 Mounirs Marokko: Een Smakelijk Avontuur: Season 1 Wild Colombia: Season 1 India’s Lost Worlds: Season 1 Port Protection Alaska: Season 2 Wicked Tuna: North vs South: Season 7 Extreme Rescues: Season 1 Dollface: Season 2 Moon Knight: Episode 5 Our Kind of People: Episode 11 The Great North: Season 2 Episode 10 The Resident: Season 5 Episode 15 NCIS: Season 9 Episode 16 Bob’s Burgers: Season 12 Episode 12 Family Guy: Season 10 Episode 12 April 28th The Kardashians: Season 1 Episode 3 This Is Us: Series 6 Episode 14 April 29th Mere et Fille: California Dream Back to the Titanic Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) Mars: One Day on the Red Planet