Mar 25, 2024

5 Most Interesting Streaming Launches in April 2024

It's almost April, and there's a slew of new animated features headed to major streaming platforms, including two feature films from major studios, a new series from Arthur creator Mark Brown, a live-action/CG reboot of a classic cartoon character, and tons of animation.

Below, we've highlighted five high-profile titles that will debut on streaming platforms next month. Some because they are high-profile, some because they represent a trend, and some simply because they look interesting.

If there's anything we missed that you're looking forward to that will be available next month, let us know in the comments section below. Happy streaming!

Platform Hulu

Date: April 7

Based on the manga of the same name by Negi Haiba, this anime series is produced by Yostar Pictures (Ark Knights) and directed by Keiichi Sato (Tiger & Bunny, Gantz:0). The series revolves around a 13-year battle between invading monsters and the Earth's last line of defense, the Kamryu Rangers. In fact, the monsters were defeated by the rangers in the first year and are now sent out weekly to be defeated by the warriors. However, one monster, tired of being dominated, infiltrates the Rangers and attempts to defeat them from within.

Platform Max

Date: April 4

Max's new kids series "Hop" is a new show by Arthur's creator Mark Brown, in collaboration with Arthur's colleagues Peter K. Hirsch and Torlon Brown ... Produced by Epic Story Media and Rumi Animation, "Hop" will be a great boost to the company's kids and family catalog. Cartoon Network offers Max a number of shows for older children, but it lags far behind Disney+ and Netflix when it comes to content for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Platform Peacock

Date April 19

Benjamin Renner's "Migration," Illumination's first original animated feature since 2016's "Sing," is the first time the studio is still telling new stories and doing so proved that the studio is still fully capable of telling new stories and making a profit while doing so. The film has grossed $289 million on a $72 million budget and will almost certainly be one of the most popular films streaming next month.

Platform Netflix

Date April 12

Not so much a film we'd like to see, but we're curious to see how audiences perceive it. Kids and family content has long been a key driver for most of the major streaming platforms, and Netflix is no exception. If a (presumably) low-budget live-action/hybrid CG film with little marketing can prove popular among subscribers simply because it is kid-friendly and features familiar characters, surely this type of film will continue to get the green light.

Platform Disney+

Date April 3

Disney seems unable to escape the pandemic-era precedent it created among fans when it sent many movies straight to streaming. Families now seem content to patiently wait for Disney to release animated feature films on Disney+. While it probably won't reach the level of "The Elemental," one can expect the same thing to happen here. In just five days, "The Elemental" became the most-watched premiere film on Disney+ in 2023, and is in the top 10 streamers of all time.