7 new movies and TV shows to watch on Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, and more this weekend (April 17)
After last week’s bumper list of streaming recommendations, it’s back down to the usual seven entries for our mid-April round-up.
That doesn’t mean that there aren’t as many fantastic new movies and TV shows to watch, though. From the return of a multi-award-winning Netflix series to a new R-rated Prime Video movie and more besides, there’s something for every kind of genre fan below. So, take a look and see which of the best streaming services has got you covered on the new releases front. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
Beef season 2 (Netflix)
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You thought season 1 of this multi-award-winning show was messy? Oh honey, you’ve got another thing coming. Beef season 2 has a complete tonal and narrative switch from what we’ve seen before.
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This time, it follows the slow-burn chaos at an country club run by slimy manager Josh (Oscar Isaacs) and his wife Lindsay (Carey Mulligan). After witnessing one of their boss’ fights, young employees Ashley (Cailee Spaeny) and Austin (Charles Melton) decide to blackmail Josh to get health insurance… and it’s all downhill from there.
Amazingly, I’ve not even mentioned the real star of the show: Youn Yuh-jung as the villainous Chairwoman. She hardly speaks but, when she does, it’s scathing gold. Once you’ve streamed it, read my Beef season 2 ending explained piece. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter
Balls Up (Prime Video)
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Where has Marky Dubs (that’s my new nickname for Mark Wahlberg) been of late? Thankfully, he’s returned in new raunchy Amazon sports comedy film Balls Up.
After causing an international incident at the World Cup Final, rival co-workers (Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser) must find a way out of Brazil alive.
As the name suggests, we’re in for a hefty dose of downright sports silliness with this movie. In their defense, who really knows how football works anyway? Kick a ball and be done with it. [editor’s note: I hope you’re ready for emails from aggrieved soccer fans over that comment, Jasmine!] — JV
Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV)
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Elle Fanning leads the cast of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, a new Apple TV dramady that’s been praised for its funny yet heartfelt story.
The aforementioned star plays the show’s eponymous character, who ends up unexpectedly pregnant after an affair with her married English professor. Desperate to support herself, Margo turns to OnlyFans to support herself and her baby, all the while receiving unexpected advice from her ex-pro wrestler father (Nick Offerman), an ex-pro wrestler and her former Hooters waitress mother (Michelle Pfeiffer),
Episodes 1 to 3 of this Apple TV Original are out now, and they’re worth seeing if you’re looking for a raunchy yet endearing comedy. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
Rental Family (Disney+)
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Following its launch on Hulu in the US earlier this year, Brendan Fraser’s latest film has finally made its international streaming debut on Disney+.
In Rental Family, Fraser plays Phillip, a struggling American actor who lives in Japan. Seven years on from his one and only break in the entertainment business, Phillip lands a job at the eponymous company, which tasks its employees with playing a stand-in family member for strangers young and old alike.
Armed with another incredible likeable and typically emotional performance from Fraser, who’s ably backed up by the Searchlight Pictures’ supporting cast, Rental Family will have you laughing one moment and crying the next. A must-see for any Fraser fanatic. — TP
Roommates (Netflix)
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This new Netflix movie stars Sadie Sandler as hopeful and naive college freshman Devon, who asks the cool and confident Celeste (Chloe East) to be her new roommate. However, their blossoming friendship soon takes a bad turn.
The two end up in a “war of passive aggression” according to the synopsis, so we can expect plenty of drama as Devon’s plans for an easy semester are ruined.
Roommates has a great supporting cast, including Sadie’s famous dad Adam Sandler, Natasha Lyonne, and Storm Reid, who all witness the huge fallout between the two leading women Will it have enough to join the Mount Olympus crowd of must-see college-set comedies? You’ll be the judge of that. — LB
Roofman (Paramount+)
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What if I told you that a man who was imprisoned for robbing up to 60 McDonald’s restaurants, and later escaped from prison by hiding out in a local Toys ‘R’ Us for six months, was a true story?
Well, it is, and Channing Tatum’s hit film Roofman , which has finally made its Paramount+ debut internationally following its December 2025 launch in the US, is proof of that. In it, he plays Jeffrey Manchester, a man on the run in the most ridiculous way. If you’re a 90s kid, be prepared for a lot of childhood throwbacks.
Roofman is disarming, goofy and a whole lot of fun, though I’m worried for Tatum’s liver if he really had to eat that amount of M&Ms. Interested in checking it out? Read my Roofman review first to see if it’s worth your time. — JV
The Dark Wizard (HBO Max)
The Dark Wizard is a new HBO Max docuseries that explores the life of legendary free climber Dean Potter, who’s known for completing many hard first ascents, free solo ascents, and speed ascents in his career before his untimely death aged just 43.
Across its four episodes, we learn about Potter’s extraordinary feats, personal connections, and many rivalries, including with fellow free solo climber Alex Honnold, who recently climbed the tallest’s skyscraper in the world live on Netflix. — LB
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