Summary
- The best movies on Apple TV+ offer a diverse range of genres, from comedy to drama, and feature talented actors like Zac Efron and Russell Crowe.
- These films have been popular among viewers, with "The Greatest Beer Run Ever" becoming one of the platform's biggest movie premieres.
- "Tetris" stands out as a unique movie that combines elements of biography and Cold War thriller, making it a must-watch for gamers and history enthusiasts.
The best movies on Apple TV+ form an impressive collection of streaming content for subscribers. From documentaries about renowned performers to awards season darlings — including a Best Picture Oscar winner — the catalog of great films on Apple TV+ is only expanding. Spike Jonze and Joel Coen are a couple of the directors whose movies are currently streaming on the online service.
Indeed, while Apple TV+ is popular for its streaming series such as Ted Lasso, Severance, and Schmigadoon!, its movie roster is definitely worthy of consideration. By combining the works of both iconic and newcomer directors and studios alongside its own Apple TV+ originals, the service has established a strong foothold in a streaming industry dominated by even bigger names. Just as the best TV shows on Apple TV+ showcase a diverse range of talent, so do the best Apple TV+ movies.
For more movie streaming recommendations, be sure to check out the best movies on Hulu and the best movies on Max.
15 The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)
The Greatest Beer Run Ever
- Release Date
- September 30, 2022
- Director
- Peter Farrelly
- Cast
- Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, Bill Murray, Kyle Allen, Jake Picking, Will Ropp
- Runtime
- 126 minutes
- Genres
- Comedy, Adventure, War
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+.
14 Ghosted (2023)
Ghosted
- Release Date
- April 1, 2023
- Director
- Dexter Fletcher
- Cast
- Chris Evans, Ana De Armas, Adrien Brody, Tate Donovan
- Runtime
- 1h 56m
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.
13 Sharper (2023)
Sharper
- Release Date
- February 10, 2023
- Director
- Benjamin Caron
- Cast
- Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, Briana Middleton, John Lithgow
- Runtime
- 116 minutes
- Genres
- Drama, Thriller
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.
12 Tetris (2023)
Tetris
- 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
- Genres
- Biography
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) works 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.
11 Spirited (2022)
Spirited
- 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
- Genres
- Comedy, Musical, Family, Holiday
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.
10 Swan Song (2021)
Swan Song
- Release Date
- December 17, 2021
- Director
- Benjamin Cleary
- Cast
- Adam Beach, Awkwafina, Glenn Close, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris
- Runtime
- 112 minutes
- Genres
- Sci-Fi, Drama
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+.
9 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, Shithouse, 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.
8 The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse (2022)
Genre: Animated | Directors: Peter Baynton, Charlie Mackesy | Runtime: 34m
Cast: Jude Coward Nicoll (The Boy), Gabriel Byrne (The Horse), Idris Elba (The Fox), Tom Hollander (The Mole)
Despite its short runtime, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse earns its place among Apple TV+'s best movies. Based on Charlie Mackesy's 2019 children’s book of the same name, the film follows its four eponymous characters as they travel together on a quest to find a home. The Apple TV+ Original has achieved plenty of acclaim from critics and audiences, including a nomination for Best Animated Short Film at the 2023 Academy Awards and a win for Best British Short Animation at the 2023 BAFTA Film Awards.
7 On The Rocks (2020)
on the rocks
- Release Date
- October 2, 2020
- Director
- Sofia Coppola
- Cast
- Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, Marlon Wayans
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sofia Coppola, On the Rocks is an Apple TV+ Original reminiscent of the director's much-lauded 2003 hit Lost in Translation. The movie stars Bill Murray and Rashida Jones as father-daughter duo Felix and Laura, who team up to spy on her husband Dean (Marlon Wayans). The light-hearted dramedy has been praised by critics for its nuanced exploration of marriage, Murray’s everlasting charm, and inventively entertaining premise. Boasting an impressive 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, On the Rocks is one of the best movies available on Apple TV+.
6 Hala (2019)
Hala
- Release Date
- November 22, 2019
- Director
- Minhal Baig
- Cast
- Geraldine Viswanathan, Jack Kilmer, Gabriel Luna
- Runtime
- 94 Minutes
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
Perhaps unfairly overlooked upon release, Minhal Baig's Hala is a refreshing coming-of-age story. Hala Masood (Geraldine Viswanathan) is a young Muslim girl who must navigate the differences between her family's traditions and her own passions – specifically, skateboarding. Receiving generally positive reviews on release, Hala is an insightful teen drama that is surprisingly touching and deeply emotional. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and for Best Feature at the Seattle International Film Festival, Hala is one of the best movies on Apple TV+ focusing on an important story of self-discovery.
5 Causeway (2022)
Causeway
- Release Date
- November 4, 2022
- Director
- Lila Neugebauer
- Cast
- Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry, Linda Emond, Jayne Houdyshell, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Frederick Weller
- Runtime
- 92 minutes
- Genres
- Drama
- Rating
- R
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.
4 STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)
STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie
- Release Date
- May 12, 2023
- Director
- Davis Guggenheim
- Runtime
- 95 Minutes
- Genres
- Biography, Documentary
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.
3 Flora And Son (2023)
Flora and Son
- Release Date
- January 22, 2023
- Director
- John Carney
- Cast
- Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Oren Kinlan, Jack Reynor
- Runtime
- 94 minutes
- Genres
- Drama, Music
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 are able to 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.
2 The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2021)
The Tragedy of Macbeth
- 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
- Genres
- Thriller, Drama, History
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.
1 CODA (2021)
CODA
- Release Date
- August 13, 2021
- Director
- Sian Heder
- Cast
- Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Eugenio Derbez, Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, Daniel Durant
- Runtime
- 111 minutes
- Genres
- Music, Drama
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. In addition to Best Picture, CODA won Oscars for both Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur and Best Adapted Screenplay. 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.