Netflix set to add iconic slasher film in April 2026

There's no denying that Netflix is the go-to streaming service for millions around the world, but we have to admit that its track record with original horror is a mixed bag at best. Time and again, Netflix original horror movies arrive with hype and flashy trailers. But more often than not, they fall short.

Promising ideas are often undermined by predictable jump scares, uneven pacing, or stories that fail to leave a lasting impression. This is where Netflix’s licensed horror catalog truly shines. Unlike some original productions, licensed titles come fully realized, battle-tested, and ready to deliver the chills. This April, the streaming giant will be giving horror fans exactly what they've been craving. That's a solid slasher film that has already earned its place in horror history.

Scream (2022) is set for an April 2026 release on Netflix

Netflix typically reveals its full lineup of shows and movies scheduled to arrive on the platform for the upcoming month at the end of each month. The April 2026 list is finally out, and Scream is among the highlights. Now, don't get this iconic slasher confused with the original Scream from 1996. This is the 2022 entry in the Scream franchise, a modern reinvention that pays homage to the franchise’s roots while delivering fresh twists and high-stakes terror for a new generation.

Netflix will be adding Scream to its platform on Friday, April 10, 2026. No, we're not joking around. The streaming giant has even included this release date on the movie's title page on the platform. That said, this is confirmation of its impending arrival.

While it's unclear exactly what time the film will drop, we could be looking at a release at 12:00 a.m. PT/3:00 a.m. ET. This is when Netflix usually releases new content. However, it could also be released at a different time. Either way, fans can rest assured that Scream will be hitting Netflix very soon!

It's been many years since the original Scream terrified audiences, and Woodsboro is once again under siege. Scream, which serves as the fifth installment in the iconic franchise, brings the terror back with a modern twist. Directed by Matt Bettinelli‑Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and penned by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, the film proves that the legacy of Ghostface is far from finished.

The story kicks off when high school student Tara Carpenter is home alone and receives a mysterious phone call. Forced to answer horror trivia, she gets a question wrong and Ghostface attacks. Tara survives, but the harrowing experience draws her estranged sister, Sam Carpenter, back to Woodsboro with her boyfriend, Richie Kirsch.

What starts as a routine reunion quickly spirals into chaos, as a new wave of murders begins targeting Tara’s friends and classmates. Among those in danger are Wes, Liv, Amber, and the Meeks‑Martin twins. Meanwhile, franchise veterans Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers, and Dewey Riley return to help stop the killer.

Melissa Barerra and Jenna Ortega take on the lead roles as Sam and Tara Carpenter, respectively. Also in the cast are Mason Gooding, Jack Quaid, Mikey Madison, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and many others.

April looks to be a good month overall for horror fans. Besides Scream, we'll also see other licensed horror films like Beast, A Quiet Place Part II, and Him added to Netflix. Halloween Ends is also set to land on Netflix in April, but that movie is not worth watching at all.