Spring is in the air! As well as the buttery smell of popcorn and movies.Nicolas Cagebears his fangsalongsideNicholas HoultinRenfield, the dark comedy about Dracula’s henchman who has had it up toherewith his boss.Brooke Shieldsis sharing her storyinPretty Baby: Brooke Shields, a definitive documentary about her intense childhood fame. Nintendo’s plumbing brothers Mario and Luigi are battling Bowser in the aptly titledThe Super Mario Bros. Movie.Horror movie guruAri Astergets his weird on inBeau Is Afraid, a movie starringJoaquin Phoenixas a fellow with mommy issues.Ben AffleckandMatt Damongive us the footwear origin story we didn’t know we needed inAir, a star-studded film about the origins of the Air Jordan sneaker. Plus,Owen Wilsongets colorful,Russell Crowegets holy, andToni Collettemeans business.
Grab your popcorn and put fresh batteries in your remote! Let’s take a closer look at what movies will be hitting the big and small screens in April.
RELATED:All The New Movies Coming to Streaming This Week: ‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’ ‘Murder Mystery 2,’ ‘Tetris,’ and More
Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields
Release Date:April 3 on Hulu
She’s ready to share her truth. The ‘80s were all about one person and one person only: Brooke Shields. The world-famous model got her start in the industry at a very young age, often against her wishes and morals, as she was aggressively managed by her fame-obsessed motherTeri Shields. Now in the Sundance Film Festival Official SelectionPretty Baby: Brooke Shields, directed byTaylor Swift’sMiss AmericanadirectorLana Wilson, Brooke can tell her complicated story of perseverance and triumph, and empower others in the process.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Release Date:April 5 in Theaters
Let’s a-go! Everyone’s favorite plumbing brothers are finally getting the (proper) movie treatment. Colors and characters collide inThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, a film that follows Nintendo fan-favoritesMario (Chris Pratt) and his nervous brother Luigi (Charlie Day)as they journey by foot and kart through Princess Peach’s (Anya Taylor-Joy) Mushroom Kingdom in the hopes of taking down the fiery threat of Bowser (Jack Black). The animated adventure features a number of iconic characters, such as Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen), Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), Cranky Kong (Fred Armisen), Penguin King (Khary Payton), and Spike (Sebastian Maniscalco).
It’s time to lace up. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon team up once again forAir, the origin story for the mega-popular Nike shoes known as Air Jordans.Directed by Ben Affleckand written byAlex Convery, the historical drama is based on the real-life story ofSonny Vaccaro(Matt Damon), a shoe salesman who would go on to not only convince Nike to create the iconic shoe, but to take a chance on the then-unknown basketball legendMichael Jordan. The film also starsViola Davis,Jason Bateman,Chris Tucker, andChris Messina.
One Day as a Lion
Release Date:April 7 in Theaters
Money, lawyers, and horses.J.K. SimmonsandScott Caanface off inOne Day as a Lion, part dark comedy, part hit-man adventure about Jackie Powers (Caan) a not-so-good hit-man in charge of seeking out the steely Walter Boggs (Simmons), only to massively fail. In a panic, he takes waitress Lola (Marianne Rendón) hostage, gets mixed up with some more bad guys, and tries to get his son out of jail. The film, which also starsFrank GrilloandVirginia Madsen, was directed byJohn Swaband written by Scott Caan himself.
So,Paintis aboutBob Ross, right? No. It’s about Carl Nargle (Owen Wilson), a Vermont painter with quite a head of hair with a knack for painting nature scenes and talking calmly into the television. He’s the number one TV personality and painter…until he isn’t. His ego and future are tested when the new-painter-on-the-block Ambrosia (Ciara Renée) starts to make a name for herself doing the same thing. Who will have the better brush stroke, and who will paint the better tree?
On a Wing and a Prayer
Release Date:April 7 on Prime Video
Love, hope, and faith are in the air.Dennis Quaidstars in the faith and family-forward filmOn a Wing and a Prayer. Directed bySean McNamaraand written byBrian Egeston, the true-story drama followsDoug White(Quaid), a father on a private plane with his family who must take over when the pilot suddenly dies in the driver seat.
One True Loves
What if they are both “the one”?Daisy Jones & the SixauthorTaylor Jenkins Reid’s latest book adaptationOne True Lovesis all about, well, love.HamiltonstarPhillipa Soo’s Emma found the perfect match in her husband Jesse (Luke Bracey), but when he goes missing for years in a crash, she attempts to start over. She meets and falls for music teacher Sam (Simu Liu) and their relationship rekindles her zest for life, but is quickly disrupted when Emma finds out that Jesse is still alive. Who will she choose?
Showing Up
Life imitates art, or, art imitates life? Recent Oscar nomineesMichelle WilliamsandHong Chaustar inShowing Up, a dramedy that follows the reserved sculptor Lizzy (Williams) as she prepares for her big art exhibition. Her creative endeavors are constantly interrupted by family drama, life, and chaos. Thankfully, that chaos is a source of inspiration. The film, which competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, was directed byKelly Reichardtwho co-wrote it withJonathan Raymond.
How to Blow Up a Pipeline
They want to make some noise. And some change.The crime thrillerHow to Blow Up a Pipelineposes a lot of questions that will challenge the way you see environmental advocacy and fighting for what you believe in. Based on the nonfiction book of the same name byAndreas Malm, the film follows a group of young environmental activists who go to destructive and potentially violent lengths to prevent an oil pipeline from being built. The climate heist film starsAriela Barer,Kristine Froseth,Lukas Gage,Forrest Goodluck, andMarcus Scribner.
The Pope’s Exorcist
Release Date:April 14 in Theaters
Ah, yes, prepare to not sleep. Oscar winner Russell Crowe gets spiritual asFather Gabriele Amorth, the real-life Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, in directorJulius Avery’sThe Pope’s Exorcist. Based on Amorth’s actual files and booksAn Exorcist Tells His StoryandAn Exorcist: More Stories, the horror film follows the head exorcist as he tries to solve the disturbing possession of a young boy, which ultimately leads him to exhume a conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep buried.
