Unlike Netflix and Prime Video, Apple TV+ rarely licenses third-party movies. While that means it doesn’t have the same quantity as those other services, it still has plenty of quality original movies for you to enjoy.
With famous faces like Tom Hanks and Saoirse Ronan, award-winning drama, and interesting documentaries, Apple TV+ has something for everyone.
2020
Runtime
1 hour 31 minutes
Tom Hanks loves a war movie.Greyhound, in which he stars and is based on a 1955 novel, is no exception. Hanks is on good form as a US Navy Commander, tasked with leading a convoy of ships carrying soldiers and supplies across the brutal Atlantic.
Greyhoundcertainly isn’t as deep as the ocean, but it doesn’t outstay its welcome, and succeeds in telling a tense, action-packed tale.
2024
2 hours
Blitzis a period drama set during World War II and is directed by Steve McQueen, who is responsible for other great features like12 Years a SlaveandWidows.
Blitzfollows a young boy called George who is evacuated to the countryside to escape the danger of London. However, George decides to risk the journey home back to his mother. The horrors of the war are well realized, but it’s the central characters that make this stand out.
2023
1 hour 58 minutes
Tetrisis one of the most iconic video games of all time—you’ve likely dropped those blocks down a screen at least once in your life. But you might not know about its interesting inception.
Based on a true story, Taron Egerton stars in the suitably titledTetrisas a salesman who wants to take Russian creator Alexey Pajitnov’s game and sell it to the world. It makes for a surprisingly compelling political thriller.
2021
1 hour 45 minutes
One half of the Coen brothers making a black-and-white adaptation of Shakespeare’sMacbeth? It’s an unusual pitch, but this version with Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand works wonderfully.
The Tragedy of Macbethis haunting and unusual, bringing Shakespeare’s writing to life with powerful performances and stunning visuals. Even if you’ve seen other takes onMacbeth, don’t overlook this.
2022
1 hour 46 minutes
It’s no easy task to sum up the life of the multi-talented Sidney Poitier, but the documentarySidneydoes an admirable job. It includes archival footage and commentary from friends and collaborators, which are great, but the highlight is hearing from the man himself in his last appearance before his death in 2022.
Whether you’ve never seen a Poitier movie or you consider yourself an expert, this is a brilliant and revealing documentary.
1 hour 51 minutes
CODAis an Oscar-winning story about the struggles and dreams of a girl who is a child of deaf parents. While she wants to pursue her love of singing, she also feels obliged to help her family as a translator and working at their fishing business.
In a way,CODAis a simple movie, but it’s so heartwarming and well written that it doesn’t matter, and it provides an insight into a world you may be unfamiliar with.
1 hour 49 minutes
Boys Stateis a documentary about over a thousand boys in Texas who must work together to build a representative government from scratch. It’s not always an easy watch, but it’s an utterly fascinating look at human nature and politics.
If you likeBoys State, you should also watch the follow-upGirls State. It’s equally good.
3 hours 26 minutes
After oil is discovered on tribal land, the Osage people find themselves on the receiving end of brutality. Directed by Martin Scorsese,Killers of the Flower Moonis set in the 1920s and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone, both giving strong performances.
This is an epic and remarkable drama that will keep you gripped throughout, despite the long runtime.
1 hour 35 minutes
Michael J. Fox is not only a legendary actor, but his foundation has put billions of dollars into Parkinson’s research.Stillis a touching documentary that mixes real-life and scripted moments to capture the career of Fox and how his life has been impacted by the disease.
It’s obviously a moving watch, but it’s also an uplifting one because of the spark and determination of the man at the center.
1 hour 43 minutes
Wolfwalkersis a gorgeously animated fantasy film set in Ireland. When a hunter is sent to kill the last wolf pack in the nearby woods, his young daughter follows him and makes a mysterious friend who is part of a shapeshifting tribe.
It’s charming and thought-provoking, and the sort of film that works on multiple levels for different age groups. Even if animations aren’t normally for you, giveWolfwalkersa try and you won’t regret it.
Completed this list?Apple TV+ has plenty of great showsworth your time too, likeSeverance,Dickinson, andSilo, and the library continues to grow.
Apple TV+
Apple’s own video streaming service, Apple TV+, is home to acclaimed TV shows and films, likeTed LassoandCODA.
