25 best new Netflix movies coming in April 2019

24. The Sapphires

Release Year: 2012

Directed By: Wayne Blair

Starring: Chris O’Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell, Don Battee, Tory Kittles, Eka Darville, Kylie Belling, Judith Lucy, Georgina Haig, Rhys Muldoon, Barry Southgate, Meyne Wyatt, Beau Brady

Release Date: Friday, April 26

Sometimes, the films you see while scrolling through Netflix aren’t always ones you have heard of or would have ever had any interest in without access to them. But that’s the great thing about streaming service: the opportunity to fill your time with entertainment that’s not necessarily catered to your culture or interests. This April, the Australian musical dramedy The Sapphires sings its way onto the watch lists of fans of Dreamgirls, Hairspray, and all musicals.

Based on the stage play of the name from 2004, which was in turn based on a true story, The Sapphires takes place in 1968 as four indigenous Australian women travel to Vietnam to entertain the troops. Gail (Deborah Mailman), Julie (Jessica Mauboy), Kay (Shari Sebbens), and Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell) form a music group called The Sapphires after being discover by talent scout Dave Lovelace (Chris O’Dowd). The group learns a lot about life, music, and war.

Upon release, The Sapphires received mostly positive reviews from critics, landing at an impressive 91% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is also recognized as a commercial hit for Australia, pulling in a $20.4 million gross against an estimated budget of $8-10 million. The Sapphires was nominated for 12 AACTA Awards, Australia’s Oscars counterpart, and won a whopping 11 awards. Obviously, there’s something magical about this movie. See for yourself when it begins streaming on Netflix at the end of the month.