Prime cuts: All the best shows and movies on Amazon in April
Amazon Prime Video keeps the calendar lively with fresh arrivals every month. April brings a fresh slate of cult favorites, prestige dramas, and high-profile original series that reward long sessions. The mix runs from gritty thrillers to anime, animated comedy, and an epic family saga, giving viewers plenty of reasons to stay inside even when the weather turns pleasant. Here are the standout titles landing this month.
A Simple Plan (1998)
This cunning neo-noir from Sam Raimi (Army of Darkness) boasts gripping performances from a terrific cast including Billy Bob Thornton (Fargo), Bridget Fonda (Jackie Brown), and the late great Bill Paxton (Aliens). The movie follows three friends who discover nothing but misery, mistrust, and complications when they stumble upon millions of dollars and make a plan to hide it from authorities.
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
Starring Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction) as a bored housewife who gets mistaken for a free-spirited drifter (played not-so-well by Madonna), Desperately Seeking Susan is a vivid burst of 80s kitsch with a banging soundtrack and some spectacular fashion on show.
Escape from New York (1981)
John Carpenter’s classic post-apocalyptic thriller is reportedly being remade by Robert Rodriguez. Remind yourself why this remake is unnecessary by watching the only Snake Plissken we will ever care about (Kurt Russell) save the President from a walled off maximum-security Manhattan full of scheming conmen. Zack Snyder is now attached to write and direct a reimagining intended for theatrical release.
Red State (2011)
With a cast including John Goodman (10 Cloverfield Lane), Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Michael Parks (Tusk), and Kevin Pollak (The Usual Suspects), Kevin Smith’s sinister take on the most hated family in America – the Westboro Baptist Church – still holds up as one of the best (and most surprising) of the offbeat director’s career.
The Missing: Season 2 (2014-)
The second season of the British crime series explores another missing child case. However, this time the story focuses on what happens when the child makes an unexpected and terrifying return. Starring David Morrissey (The Walking Dead), Tchéky Karyo (The Core), and Keeley Hawes (The Bank Job), this season is taut, tense, and full of twists.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Yorgos Lanthimos’s mysterious horror is so obscure and beguiling, it demands multiple rewatches. With phenomenal performances from Nicole Kidman (The Others) & Colin Farrell (The Lobster), the movie is as gripping and terrifying as it is utterly and irresistibly mesmerising.
The Florida Project (2017)
Widely considered to be one of the most underrated movies of 2017, Sean Baker’s poignant tale of imagined childhood utopia is intimate, funny, and incredibly moving. With Willem Dafoe (The Grand Budapest Hotel) delivering one of the most lowkey performances of his career alongside a slew of breakthrough performances by young local kids, The Florida Project offers a must-see depiction of poverty from a child’s perspective. Ranked on 2025 “best movies of the 21st century” lists from The New York Times and Rolling Stone, the film continues to gain recognition.
Bosch: Season 4 (2014-)
The Emmy-nominated cop drama is back and this time Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) is investigating the murder of an attorney who was due to fight a civil rights case against the LAPD. Bosch: Start of Watch prequel series filming in 2026 with Cameron Monaghan as young Harry Bosch keeps the franchise alive for longtime fans.
Aida’s Secrets (2017)
Exploring post-Holocaust genealogy and the hidden depths of the unknown, this documentary unspools an emotional array of familial revelations beginning with the horrors of World War II. Aida’s Secrets is mysterious and moving, making it a truly captivating watch.
Vikings: Season 5 (2013-)
The fifth season of the violent historical drama returns, bringing more blood & battles back to the small screen. Original series concluded after Season 6 in 2020; new Bloodaxe series planned for 2026 shows the saga still resonates with audiences.
All Or Nothing: Dallas Cowboys (2016-)
The Cowboys’ disappointing (and at times tumultuous) 2017 season will be showcased in S3 of Amazon’s sport docuseries. The show is an obvious choice for fans of the sport but even those who’ve never thrown a pigskin in their life can find plenty of intrigue and passion in this well-made dramatic show. Season 3 documents the Cowboys’ 2017 season.
The Boys: Season 5
Final season premieres April 8, 2026, on Prime Video. Centers on ultimate confrontation with Homelander’s erratic rule. The long-running superhero satire wraps with the kind of spectacle that made the series appointment viewing for millions of subscribers.
The House of the Spirits
Based on Isabel Allende’s bestselling novel. Premieres April 29, 2026. This eight-episode family saga brings prestige drama and literary pedigree to the lineup, promising sweeping emotion and political intrigue across generations.
Nippon Sangoku
Original series set in a divided near-future Japan. Premieres April 5, 2026. The new anime expands Prime Video’s genre range with geopolitical tension and striking visuals that stand apart from the month’s live-action offerings.
Kevin
New Prime Video animated comedy. Premieres April 20, 2026. The lighter tone provides welcome contrast to the heavier thrillers and dramas arriving elsewhere in the month, making it an easy pick for quick laughs between bigger commitments.
Whether you prefer 80s cult classics, prestige dramas, or the latest from Prime Video’s original slate, April delivers a balanced mix that rewards both casual browsing and full-day binges. The platform continues to refresh its catalog with titles that span decades and styles, giving subscribers a steady stream of options without leaving the couch.
