25 Best Movies On Apple TV+ Right Now (July 2024)

Best Drama Movies On Apple TV+

Finch (2021)

Post-apocalyptic sci-fi movies are incredibly popular, and one of the most intriguing of the last few years, Finch, is available to stream on Apple TV+. Finch stars Tom Hanks as Finch Weinberg, a man living in a world that was all-but-destroyed fifteen years earlier when a solar flare wiped out the ozone layer. Finch is one of the few survivors, inhabiting the harsh wasteland Earth has become with his dog and a helper robot. Only venturing outside to find supplies, Finch learns that he’s dying, and so builds a second robot, named Jeff, to take care of his dog, Goodyear.

Finch is incredibly emotional as far as post-apocalyptic science-fiction goes, avoiding the action of franchises like Mad Max or movies like The Book of Eli to instead focus on a more emotionally-driven and heartwarming tale. The movie was responded to well by critics, especially because of the ability of director Miguel Sapochnik and writers Craig Luck and Ivor Powell to deliver an incredibly grounded tale in a subgenre that usually focuses on scope and spectacle.

Greyhound (2020)

Greyhound (2020)

Greyhound is a 2020 Apple TV+ war film starring and written by Tom Hanks. Hanks plays Captain Krause, a US Navy Commander who must lead his crew as they are hunted by the Germans during World War II. Elisabeth Shue, Stephen Graham, and Matt Helm star alongside Hanks in this Aaron Schneider-directed film.

Release Date

July 10, 2020

Director

Aaron Schneider

Runtime

91 minutes

If there’s one actor who’s cemented their reputation as being a masterful presence in war movies, it’s Tom Hanks, and one of the actors’ best recent ventures in the genre, Greyhound, is available to stream on Apple TV+. While not the critical hit that Saving Private Ryan was, Greyhound still stands as a solid entry into Tom Hank’s filmography. It was nominated for multiple awards, and won the Golden Reel for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing — Sound Effects and Foley for Feature Film (meaning it’s also one of the best movies on Apple TV+ to watch for subscribers who have a surround sound set-up).

In Greyhound, Tom Hanks plays Commander Ernie Krause, a Naval officer on his first assignment during WW2. Krause is put in charge of a group of escort ships charged with defending a convoy from Nazi U-boats. It’s an incredibly tense war movie in which Hanks shines, as do fellow cast members Stephen Graham and Elisabeth Shue.

CODA (2021)

CODA

Coda is a coming-of-age drama that was written and directed by Sian Heder. Its story centers around Ruby Rossi, a 17-year-old high school student who is the only member of her household who isn’t deaf. The movie was a huge hit with critics, picking up three Academy Awards including the highly coveted Best Picture prize.

Release Date

August 13, 2021

Director

Sian Heder

Cast

Emilia Jones , Eugenio Derbez , Troy Kotsur , Ferdia Walsh-Peelo , Daniel Durant , Marlee Matlin

Runtime

111 minutes

Perhaps the most celebrated original movie on Apple TV+, CODA was the first film distributed by a streaming service to win the Oscar for Best Picture. The movie follows 17-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones), the only hearing member of her family, who must navigate the difficulties of teenagehood with the sense of responsibility she feels towards her nearest and dearest.

While working on her father’s fishing boat and assisting as her brother’s and parents’ interpreter, she finds herself torn between exploring her dreams of singing and the obligations she feels to her family. The Apple TV+ movie holds a Certified Fresh 94% critic score and 91% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, proving its popularity isn’t confined to the Academy.

Killers Of The Flower Moon (2023)

Killers of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon is the next film from director Martin Scorsese, based on the non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, initially captured by David Grann. When members of the Osage tribe are murdered in the 1920s via mysterious circumstances shortly after the discovery of oil on Native-American soil, the FBI is established to uncover the true reason behind them.

Already hailed as a Martin Scorsese masterpiece, Killers of the Flower Moon is based on a true story and the David Grann book of the same name, Killers of the Flower Moon is about the 1920s Oklahoma murders of Osage people after oil was discovered on their land. At the center of it all is Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio), a WW1 vet whose rancher uncle, William King Hale (Robert De Niro), convinces him to marry an Osage woman named Mollie (Lily Gladstone), whose family is wealthy from oil money.

Killers of the Flower Moon is a film so harrowing and engrossing that viewers will forget its three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Scorsese doesn’t shy away from the injustices and brutalities committed against the Osage by white men like Hale, and members of the Osage were consulted when filming the movie, providing the story with the authenticity it needs. From the heart-wrenching performances by the Killers of the Moon cast (particularly Gladstone) to Robbie Robertson’s heart-pulsing score, the movie is a searing critique of an ugly chapter in American history and easily one of the best dramas on Apple TV+.

Napoleon (2023)

Napoleon

From director Ridley Scott and writer David Scarpa comes Napoleon, a dramatic historical-epic film that follows the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte as he embarks on a lengthy French campaign of conquest. The film also focuses on his relationship with Josephine, his Empress and the love of his life, a relationship that was equal parts romantically intense and self-destructive.

Release Date

November 22, 2023

Runtime

158 Minutes

Ridley Scott’s 2023 epic Napoleon is now available to stream on AppleTV+. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular French general and, later, Emperor, Napoleon is a historical biopic that rival’s Scott’s seminal work, 2000’s Gladiator. With solid performances throughout and some truly breathtaking scenes, there are few new movies on AppleTV+ — or any other streaming platforms for that matter — that are quite as grand in scale or scope as Napoleon.

2023 was a solid year for film, and the fact Napoleon didn’t win more awards is purely a testament to its competition, which included the likes of Barbie and Oppenheimer. However, as far as movies available to watch on AppleTV+ right now go, Napoleon stands out as one of the absolute best.

Causeway (2022)

Causeway

Causeway follows the story of a U.S. soldier (Jennifer Lawrence), who struggles to adjust to civilian life after returning home from Afghanistan with a traumatic brain injury. The film delves into her emotional and physical recovery, highlighting the challenges and support systems that come into play during her rehabilitation. Directed by Lila Neugebauer, Causeway offers a poignant look at personal resilience and healing.

Release Date

November 4, 2022

Director

Lila Neugebauer

Runtime

92 minutes

Bryan Tyree Henry earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2023 Oscars for his performance in Causeway, which is a much-deserved recognition of his centrality to the movie’s success. Also starring Jennifer Lawrence in a gripping lead performance, the Apple TV+ Original movie follows Lawrence’s Lynsay, a soldier who struggles to adjust to life back home after she returns to New Orleans. Causeway deservedly ranks among the best Apple TV+ movies, proving a hit with both casual viewers and professional critics alike.

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Swan Song (2021)

Swan Song

Set in the near future, Swan Song is a powerful, emotional journey told through the eyes of Cameron (Mahershala Ali), a loving husband and father who is expecting his second child with his wife Poppy (Naomie Harris). When Cameron is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he is presented with an alternative solution by his doctor (Glenn Close) to shield his family from grief. 

Release Date

December 17, 2021

Director

Benjamin Cleary

Cast

Adam Beach , Awkwafina , Glenn Close , Mahershala Ali , Naomie Harris

Runtime

112 minutes

Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali stars alongside Glenn Close, Naomie Harris, and Awkwafina in Swan Song, a romantic sci-fi film that raises existential questions about what it means to be human. The movie tells the story of a terminally ill man given the option to replace himself with a clone and spare his family’s grief, leaving him to contemplate whether to discuss the offer with his wife.

Apple TV+’s Swan Song has been praised for its cast, particularly Ali, who was nominated for a BAFTA Film Award and a Golden Globe for his performance, and deservedly ranks as one of the best movies on Apple TV+.

Tetris (2023)

Tetris

Tetris is the nigh unbelievable retelling of the true story behind Tetris, the video game that swept the world up in the late 80s and early 90s. Taaron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers, a man who discovers the game and heads to the Soviet Union to meet with its inventor, AlexeyPajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to turn the game into a worldwide phenomenon. However, Henk soon realizes that even something as simple as trying to get a video game published can be dangerous during a Cold War between the U.S. and U.S.S.R.

Release Date

March 31, 2023

Director

Jon S. Baird

Cast

Taron Egerton , Toby Jones , Nikita Yefremov , Roger Allam , Anthony Boyle , Togo Igawa

Runtime

118 minutes

Part biopic, part Cold War thriller, Tetris is more than a video game movie adaptation. The Apple TV+ movie tells the surprisingly dark story of how the titular game became a global phenomenon. In 1988, US-based entrepreneur and video game designer Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) worked to obtain the rights to Tetris from its programmer Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Yefremov).

Enamored with what he believes to be the greatest game ever, Rogers risks his life to cross the Iron Curtain and contact the game’s creator itself, eventually finding a way into Russia when tensions between the two nations are at their highest. For true gamers, lovers of history, and viewers looking for compelling, real-life political intrigue, Tetris is one of the best Apple TV+ movies in any genre.

The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)

The Greatest Beer Run Ever

The Greatest Beer Run Ever is the strange but true story of John Donohue, portrayed by Zac Efron, and his time after a stint in the Marine Corp back in 1967. One night at a bar with other seafaring merchants, he’s challenged to do something unthinkable – sneak into Vietnam and find his friends amid combat to deliver letters, a friendly face, and a ton of beer. John decides to take this challenge head-on and charts a course across enemy lines with help from various people, including Arthur Coates (Russell Crowe), a war journalist who wants John to understand the media’s coverage of the war and how flawed it is. John’s journey into the heat of battle will reveal the horrors of war and give him a new perspective on life. The Greatest Beer Run Ever airs exclusively on Apple TV+ on September 30 2022.

Release Date

September 30, 2022

Director

Peter Farrelly

Runtime

126 minutes

Starring Zac Efron and Russell Crowe, Peter Farrelly’s The Greatest Beer Run Ever is a biographical war dramedy that depicts the extraordinary true story of John “Chickie” Donahue. Efron plays the young war veteran who snuck into the Vietnam War to deliver beer to his on-duty friends. Although The Greatest Beer Run Ever‘s true story adaptation received mixed reviews from critics, it was among the top 10 most popular streaming movies after its release — speaking to its charming reinvention of many traditional war movie tropes.

The Greatest Beer Run Ever‘s popularity made it one of the platform’s biggest movie premieres and decidedly one of the most enjoyable drama movies on Apple TV+.

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Cherry (2021)

Cherry

Created for Apple TV+, Cherry is a film adaptation of the drama novel that sees Tom Holland play the role of “Cherry,” a young man who meets the love of his life but continues to make destructive life decisions, jeopardizing his happiness and relationship. After returning from the Iraq war, Cherry’s adjustment to citizen life is marked with PTSD and addiction as he continues to enter a life of complete self-destruction. 

Release Date

February 26, 2021

Cast

Tom Holland , Jamie Brewer , Jeff Wahlberg , Kelli Berglund , Adam Long , Jack Reynor , Fionn O’Shea , Forrest Goodluck , Ciara Bravo , Jose Pablo Cantillo , Pooch Hall , Suhail Dabbach , Nicole Forester , Thomas Lennon , Michael Gandolfini

Runtime

142 Minutes

Expand

A welcome departure for Spider-Man star Tom Holland, Cherry is a poignant story of trauma, love, and addiction. Holland stars as the titular Cherry, a young man struggling with PTSD and opioid addiction who meets the love of his life but risks losing her due to poor decisions and life changes. While the Apple TV+ movie initially received negative reviews from critics, Cherry is notable for its striking visuals from Anthony and Joe Russo.

Holland’s performance in Cherry’s title role also won popular acclaim among critics, making it a must-watch for fans of the Spider-Man actor who want to see his versatility outside the MCU.

Best Comedy Movies On Apple TV+

On The Rocks (2020)

Lost in Translation director Sofia Coppola teamed up with Bill Murray once again in 2020 for the grounded father-daughter comedy On The Rocks. Murray leads the cast alongside The Office and Parks and Recreation star Rashida Jones. Bill Murray plays Felix Keane, with Jones as his adult daughter Laura, and the two conspire to find out the truth about Laura’s husband, Dean (Marlon Wayans). Both suspect that Dean may not be faithful, and so they set out to find evidence of his infidelity.

Just like Lost in Translation, Coppola has woven together an incredibly emotional and complex comedy with On The Rocks (which she also wrote the script for). It was received well by most critics, and was nominated for a slew of awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for Bill Murray in 2021. While not as successful as Murray and Coppola’s venture in Lost in Translation, Apple TV+ subscribers will certainly find that On The Rocks hits the same notes incredibly well.

The Family Plan (2023)

The Family Plan

The Family Plan is an AppleTV+ original action comedy movie starring Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan. The film revolves around a former assassin named Dan who is forced to go on the run with his family after the dangers of his career catch up to him. The Family Plan is directed by Simon Cellan Jones and written by David Coggeshall.

Release Date

December 14, 2023

Director

Simon Cellan Jones

Cast

Mark Wahlberg , Michelle Monaghan , Zoe Colletti , Van Crosby , Saïd Taghmaoui , Maggie Q , Ciarán Hinds

Mark Wahlberg stars in the original Apple TV+ action-comedy The Family Plan, which has all the trappings of a theatrical comedy release and is among the most enjoyable easy watches on the platform. Wahlberg plays a quiet car salesman and family man named Dan Morgan, who is seemingly a pacifist bordering on pushover. However, as the movie progresses, it emerges that Dan was once a highly skilled assassin.

After an attempt is made on his life, Dan must go into hiding with his family while he tracks down his assailant — and, as this is a comedy movie primarily, hilarity ensues as wife Jessica (Michelle Monaghan) and kids Nina (Zoe Colletti) and Kyle (Van Crosby) try to come to terms with learning Dan is actually a trained killer. While The Family Plan does little to break the action-comedy mold, an incredibly charismatic performance from Wahlberg and some well-executed (if textbook) moments ensure it sits comfortably among the best movies available on Apple TV+.

Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)

A gentle dramedy with a romantic heart, Cha Cha Real Smooth is a great showcase for director, producer, writer, and star Cooper Raiff. The movie follows Andrew (Raiff), a recent college graduate who earns money as a party starter for bar and bat mitzvahs, and he begins dating 32-year-old mother Domino (Dakota Johnson) before things inevitably become more complicated.

The Apple TV+ movie was praised for Raiff’s performance and direction, as well as the story’s touching premise and sincerity. Given even higher acclaim than Raiff’s successful feature film debut, S***house, Cha Cha Real Smooth is among the best movies on the streaming service and deserves a watch as the young actor-director continues climbing through the industry.

The Beanie Bubble (2023)

The Beanie Bubble

The Beanie Bubble is an Apple TV+ original movie focusing on the Beanie Babies craze in the ’90s. The story focuses on Ty Warner (Zach Galifianakis), a toy salesman who is frustrated with the business until he works with three women to invent the tiny stuffed animals known as Beanie Babies.

Release Date

July 28, 2023

Director

Kristin Gore

Cast

Zach Galifianakis , Elizabeth Banks , Sarah Snook , Geraldine Viswanathan

Runtime

110 Minutes

Anyone who had kids or was one themselves in the ’90s remembers the Beanie Babies craze that permeated the decade. The Beanie Bubble centers on the toy manufacturer behind the bean-filled stuffies, Ty Warner (Zach Galifianakis), and the three women (Elizabeth Banks, Sarah Snook, Geraldine Viswanathan) who helped him become a billionaire.

The Beanie Bubble is part of a growing “corporate biopic” trend in cinema, and while it isn’t the most original or critically acclaimed of the lot, anyone who collected the toys will be fascinated by their origin story. The main cast’s performances have also been praised, particularly Viswanathan’s.

Best Musical Movies On Apple TV+

Spirited (2022)

Spirited

The Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, gets a modern musical makeover in Spirited, starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. When the Ghost of Christmas Present visits the wrong soul before Christmas, he gets a work-up of his own from the charismatic Clint Briggs, who decides that it may be the ghost who needs more help than any other poor soul this Christmas. Together the two will visit moments in Present’s life as they try to help him figure out himself as the film is presented mainly through the eyes of the various ghosts themselves.

Release Date

November 11, 2022

Director

Sean Anders , John Morris

Cast

Marlow Barkley , Sunita Mani , Joe Tippett , Octavia Spencer , Patrick Page , Ryan Reynolds , Jen Tullock , Will Ferrell , Aimee Carrero

Runtime

127 minutes

Starring A-list comedy actors Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, the Apple TV+ Original Spirited is a movie musical spin on Charles Dickens’ classic story A Christmas Carol. Spirited follows a selfish miser named Clint Briggs (Reynolds) who is taken on a magical journey by the ghosts of Christmas Present (Ferrell), Past (Sunita Mani), and Yet-To-Come (played by Loren G. Woods, voiced by Tracy Morgan).

Whether it’s the holiday season or not, Spirited offers enjoyable entertainment from its ensemble cast and talented lead actors, as well as an innovative update to the time-honored parable.

Flora And Son (2023)

Flora and Son

Flora and Son is a music-based drama directed by John Carney. Starring Eve Hewson, the film follows a struggling single mother in Dublin who attempts to bond with her troubled teenage son through a shared love of music. Featuring original songs and touching performances, the story explores themes of family, redemption, and the transformative power of creativity amidst life’s challenges.

Release Date

September 29, 2023

Director

John Carney

Cast

Eve Hewson , Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Oren Kinlan , Jack Reynor

Runtime

97 Minutes

With films like Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street, director John Carney is the master of the feel-good music movie, and Flora and Son is no exception. The film takes place in Dublin, Ireland and sees single mom Flora trying to find a hobby for her rebellious teenage son Max (Orén Kinlan) to keep him out of trouble. She comes across a discarded guitar, and through online guitar lessons with Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Flora and Max can rebuild a connection.

Flora and Son is a quiet yet incredibly sweet movie about how a change in perspective and a celebration of the arts can bring people together. Hewson steals the show, but the entire cast is phenomenal, and audiences will get swept away in the film’s beautiful music.

Come From Away (2021)

Come From Away

Come from Away is a play that centers on a group of 7,000 airline passengers who were stuck in Newfoundland after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The play was based on a true story and initially performed in San Diego in 2013 before being filmed for an AppleTV+ film at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater in New York City in 2017.

Release Date

September 10, 2021

Director

Christopher Ashley

Cast

Petrina Bromley , Jenn Colella , De’Lon Grant , Joel Hatch , Tony LePage , Q. Smith , Astrid Van Wieren , Caesar Samayoa

Runtime

106 Minutes

Filmed live at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater in the city of New York during the COVID-19 pandemic for an audience of first responders and 9/11 survivors, Come From Away is a theatrical production about the 7,000 passengers who found themselves stranded in Newfoundland following the 9/11 attacks.

Come From Away reveals the inspiring story of how the residents of Newfoundland and the stranded passengers turned a humanitarian crisis into one of the biggest community efforts that responded to the historic tragedy — balanced with just the right amount of comedic moments. Come From Away is one of the best Apple TV+ films not just for theater lovers, but for anyone looking for a feel-good musical comedy about the innate positive power of humanity.

Best Action Movies On Apple TV+

Argylle (2024)

Argylle

Argylle is an action thriller by director Matthew Vaughn. The movie centers on an introverted novelist who is thrown into the real world of espionage after the plot of her most recent spy thriller parrels the crimes of an underground syndicate. Argylle has a star-studded cast, including Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dua Lipa, and Samuel L. Jackson, among others.

Director

Matthew Vaughn

Release Date

February 2, 2024

Cast

Henry Cavill , Ariana DeBose , Sofia Boutella , Catherine O’Hara , Bryce Dallas Howard , John Cena , Dua Lipa , Samuel L. Jackson , Sam Rockwell , Bryan Cranston , Rob Delaney

Runtime

139 Minutes

Argylle arrived on AppleTV+ in 2024 after having a theatrical debut earlier in the year, and Matthew Vaughn’s action spy comedy is already creating conversations thanks both to its intriguing and innovative plot, as well as an all-star cast led by Henry Cavill. The movie focuses on spy novelist Elly Conway, whose books focus on the titular Argylle. An introvert, Elly is thrown wildly out of her comfort zone when she’s targeted by a real-life spy organization whose novels apparently predict the future.

Henry Cavill is joined in the Argylle cast by Bryce Dallas Howard as Elly, alongside a cast stacked with A-Listers that includes Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, John Cena, Samuel L. Jackson, and popstar Dua Lipa. Argylle is a bombastic and energetic ride that never takes itself too seriously, much like Vaughn’s beloved Kingsman movies — to which it shares a surprising connection or two.

Ghosted (2023)

Ghosted

Ghosted is a romantic action-comedy film directed by Dexter Fletcher, featuring Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. The plot revolves around an ordinary man who falls for a mysterious woman, only to discover she is actually a secret agent. Their ensuing adventure takes them on a thrilling, globe-trotting mission. The film combines elements of romance, humor, and high-stakes action for an engaging cinematic experience.

Release Date

April 18, 2023

Director

Dexter Fletcher

Runtime

117 Minutes

From the director of Rocketman, a Top Gun: Maverick producer, and the writer of Deadpool, Ghosted mixes classic tropes of the rom-com and action-adventure genres into a slickly entertaining package. Following the promise of its title, the movie sees Cole (Chris Evans) ghosted, despite forming a seemingly close bond with Sadie (Ana de Armas). Unable to take the rejection, Cole tries to see Sadie in London where she works, but is instead abducted by arms dealers who misidentify him as a legendary CIA operative.

Before Cole gets tortured for information, Sadie arrives to rescue him, revealing her true identity in the process. A fun weekend flick buttressed by two perennially charming Hollywood superstars, Ghosted is a welcome addition to the available action movies on Apple TV+ and was the streaming service’s most-watched film debut.

Best Thriller Movies On Apple TV+

Emancipation (2022)

Emancipation

Based on the true story of a man named Gordon in the 1860s, Emancipation tells the tale of an enslaved person named Peter, played by Will Smith, who escapes from a Louisiana plantation. The film is an action/thriller that shows Peter’s journey as he tries to avoid murderous hunters that will stop at nothing to catch him. Finally, Peter escaped to the North and joined the Union Army to stop the slave trade in the south and fight for true emancipation. The true story of Gordon featured the famous photographs of Peter’s whipped back, which became a central focal point for strengthening the abolitionist movement of the time. 

Release Date

December 2, 2022

Director

Antoine Fuqua

Runtime

132minutes

The historical thriller Emancipation stars and was co-produced by Will Smith. It’s definitely one of the more serious movies in the actor’s back catalogue, and at no point relies on his considerable abilities as a comedic talent. Smith stars as Peter, an escaped slave hiding in the swamps around Baton Rouge in Louisiana. Set in the 1860s shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation is an incredibly tense and emotional watch, though critics didn’t warm to it particularly well and sometimes felt the action outweighed the emotional message the movie was trying to convey.

Will Smith won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance as Peter, showing that the movie definitely hit the right notes with some critics at least. Among his notable co-stars are Ben Foster, who gives an absolutely chilling performance as the slave hunter Fassel, and Charmaine Bingwa as Peter’s wide Dodienne.

The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2021)

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Joel Coen presents The Tragedy of Macbeth, a film based on the classic play written by William Shakespeare, starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. The film retells the story of Macbeth, which entails ambitious goals that result in a usurpers plot and murder that shakes the kingdom to its core.

Release Date

December 25, 2021

Director

Joel Coen

Cast

Frances McDormand , Harry Melling , Corey Hawkins , Bertie Carvel , Brendan Gleeson , Moses Ingram , Alex Hassell , Denzel Washington , Kathryn Hunter

Runtime

105 minutes

Visually striking direction, courtesy of the masterly Joel Coen, as well as some extremely compelling performances by its cast help make The Tragedy of Macbeth one of the greatest modern Shakespeare adaptations. A shoo-in for any Apple TV+ best movie list, Joel Coen’s solo Macbeth movie stars Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Corey Hawkins, and Harry Melling in an incredibly ominous and artistic take on the classic tale.

The Tragedy of Macbeth earned three nominations at the 2022 Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Washington), Best Production Design, and Best Cinematography, further highlighting its credentials.

Watch On Apple TV+

Sharper (2023)

Sharper

A neo-noir thriller directed by Benjamin Caron, Sharper is an Apple TV+ and A24 joint venture released in both theaters and on Apple’s streaming service. Sharper switches perspectives from several characters looking to climb the social and financial ladders of New York City, with winners and losers on all sides. At the center of it all, one young man stands to profit from the city’s billionaires as an act of revenge against his family.

Release Date

February 10, 2023

Director

Benjamin Caron

Cast

Julianne Moore , Sebastian Stan , Justice Smith , Briana Middleton , John Lithgow

Runtime

116 minutes

An edge-of-the-seat dramatic thriller, Sharper is a welcome addition to the neo-noir crime genre. The movie revolves around a con artist who targets Manhattan billionaires, yet is inventively told through a series of non-linear vignettes from different perspectives. Sharper‘s star-studded cast includes Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, and John Lithgow, who all work together to expertly steer the twisty and labyrinthine narrative.

With a 70% score from critics and 74% rating from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a surprise ending, Sharper offers a smart update to the classic crime caper formula.

Best Documentaries On Apple TV+

Girls State (2024)

Girls State (2024)

Teenage girls from across Texas come together for an intense political simulation, competing to build a mock government. Amidst fierce rivalries and alliances, they navigate personal ambitions and political challenges, offering a revealing look at the future of American leadership.

Director

Jesse Moss , Amanda McBaine

Release Date

April 5, 2024

Studio(s)

Apple Original Films , Concordia Studio , Mile End Films

Cast

Cecilia Bartin , Faith Glasgow , Nisha Murali , Brooke Taylor , Tochi Ihekona , Emily Worthmore , Maddie Rowan

Girls State is one of the most intriguing political documentaries of the last few years, and a solid addition to the AppleTV+ lineup of documentary movies. Released in 2024 to a resoundingly successful debut at the Sundance Film Festival, Girls State follows 500 girls from Missouri. Specifically, it dives into the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program in which groups of high school juniors meet for a week at camp with the goal of attempting to build and run a hypothetical government from the ground up.

The documentary was created by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBain and gives fascinating insight into the political views, aspirations, and ideas of young women in modern-day America. It’s a companion movie to Moss and McBaine’s 2020 documentary Boys State. However, since the focus is now on female participants in the program, Girls State offers an almost entirely different and unique perspective — especially since the world and political landscape has changed significantly in the few years since 2020.

Watch On Apple TV+

The Velvet Underground (2021)

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground is an AppleTV+ original documentary detailing the rise of the rock band The Velvet Underground and their influence on New York City in the 1960s. The film is directed by Todd Haynes and has new interviews with surviving band members John Cale and Maureen Tucker.

Release Date

October 15, 2021

Cast

John Waters , Mary Woronov , Barbara Walters , Jonas Mekas , Jackson Browne , Lou Reed , Jonathan Richman , Allen Ginsberg , John Cale , Danny Fields

Runtime

121 Minutes

Offering a comprehensive look into the formation, rise, cultural impact, and breakup of the original lineup of the titular alternative rock band from the ’60s, The Velvet Underground is a must-watch from both a social and musical perspective. The movie is an enthralling deep dive into the creative process of musicians and artists Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker, Sterling Morrison, Doug Yule, John Cale, Christa Päffgen, and legendary pop art pioneer Andy Warhol, who managed the band.

The Velvet Underground includes interviews with band members Cale, Yule, and Tucker — along with some of their contemporaries from the ’60s — and archival footage and audio from the era. Essential viewing for lovers of music, art, and history, The Velvet Underground is a top-tier Apple TV+ documentary.

Watch On Apple TV+

STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)

STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie is a biography/documentary film that recounts the life and career of the titular actor. From his life as a Canadian army recruit to his blockbuster start in films such as Back to the Future, the film is retold through reenactments, and conversations with Fox and his children. The film also includes a deeper look into his battle with Parkinson’s disease, which has never before been seen.

Release Date

May 12, 2023

Director

Davis Guggenheim

Runtime

95 Minutes

The 2023 winner of the Hope Award at the SXSW Film Festival, STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie shines a light on the life of the beloved actor and his life with Parkinson’s disease. From how Fox tried to keep his disease a secret at the height of his career in 1991 to how he lives with Parkinson’s over two decades after being diagnosed, STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie paints a captivating and relatable portrait of a cinematic legend.

Like his movies, the life of Michael J. Fox is just as filled with entertainment, losses, wins, and hope, making STILL a tender and affecting portrait.

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