I'm spending the long weekend streaming 3 new box office hits on Netflix (April 3-5)

The start of a new month is here, which means Netflix has added dozens of new films and series to its service, and as luck would have it, it's also a long weekend because of the Easter holiday, making it a great time to plop down on the couch and catch up on some films you may have missed while they were in theaters. From a 1970s-set thriller starring Denzel Washington to a futuristic sci-fi action movie starring Scarlett Johansson, these movies were all big hits when they debuted, and can now be enjoyed from the comfort of your couch. American Gangster A true story about power and corruption in the criminal underworld One of the biggest hits of 2007, American Gangster is based on a true story and stars Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe as Frank Lucas, a 1970s gangster from La Grange, North Carolina who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War, and Russell Crowe as Newark Detective Richie Roberts, who is working to bring him down. The film was a critical and commercial hit, grossing over $260 million at the box office and earning two Academy Award nominations. Though it has been nearly 20 years since the film's initial release, this tale of power, corruption, and the shifting criminal underworld of the 1970s is definitely worth revisiting in 2026. Atonement A poignant tale of love and loss Another film from 2007, Atonement stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy as Cecelia and Robbie, a pair of lovers who find themselves separated by family misunderstandings and then war. The bittersweet tale shows how the two continue to miss their chances at happy endings in a harsh world where love is a luxury most cannot afford. The film was directed by Joe Wright (of Pride and Prejudice fame) and despite its darker subject matter, grossed over $130 million at the worldwide box office. It also went on to be nominated for six Academy Awards, winning one for its heartbreaking score. Lucy A high-octane action movie about expanding your mind If you're looking for a fun action movie to watch, Lucy, a 2014 sci-fi film starring Scarlett Johansson as the title character might be your best bet this weekend on Netflix. The film follows a seemingly normal woman who acquires special abilities after accidentally ingesting a drug that she was tasked with transporting following the death of her boyfriend. Among these abilities are increased physical prowess, telepathy, telekinesis, mental time travel, and the ability to turn off her pain receptors. This film was a box office smash when it was released, earning over $460 million worldwide and cementing Scarlett Johansson as a bona fide action star. Though the film's premise is a little silly, and it didn't win any awards, if you're looking for a stylish sci-fi action film with plenty of exciting stunts and sequences, you'll find a lot to like with Lucy.

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