Dreaming of all the films you're going to binge over Christmas? If you've already knocked up watchlists for Netflix and Prime Video, you might be looking to pick out the best Apple TV movies, too.
On the surface, it might look like an easier task given the streamer's more refined approach to content creation and subsequently smaller catalogue. But when you're looking at Oscar winners and flicks from the likes of Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott, it's quite the challenge to pin down the top 10.
Lucky for you, though, we've decided to help out and pick out the cream of the crop in the way of Apple's feature-length outings. There's something for everyone below, from a Sofia Coppola comedy to Joel Coen's black-and-white take on a Shakespeare classic, so whatever you're in the mood for this festive season, we've got you covered. (If you're not prepared to sink a couple of hours in between all the turkey scoffing, make sure to check out our guide to the best Apple TV shows).
So grab the popcorn, settle into your favorite seat on the sofa, and get ready to work through this definitive list of the best Apple TV Plus movies.
10. CODA
Year: 2021
Director: Sian Heder
CODA's Best Picture win at the 94th Academy Awards has earned it a place in the hallowed halls of Hollywood history, yet there's more to this powerful movie than shiny accolades. Our hero is Ruby Rossi, the child of deaf adults (CODA) – and the only member of her family who can hear – who wants more from her life than a future working on the family fishing boat.
While there's a degree of cliché to the film's plot, that doesn't stop CODA from being an emotional coming-of-age story that'll leave you on the brink of tears, thanks in large part to its incredible cast, who bring a degree of authenticity to a slightly formulaic story. Arguably, the film's greatest strength is Emilia Jones, who is simply sensational as the ambitious but isolated Ruby.
Want to stay ahead of the award season? Keep track of exciting titles with our guide to all the upcoming movies heading our way.
9. Greyhound
Year: 2020
Director: Aaron Schneider
Based on C. S. Forester's book, The Good Shepherd, this thrilling war movie follows Ernie Krause, a US Navy commander who must protect an Allied convoy from German U-boats during World War 2. While Greyhound's story and characters are a little thin, it's made up for it by having some of the most intense maritime action scenes ever put to film.
We also have to talk about a deliberately taciturn but soulful performance from Tom Hanks, who fills in the holes in Krause's characterization with his own reassuring presence. Seriously, it's not the best Tom Hanks movie ever made, but it is the best Tom Hanks movie on Apple TV Plus, so if you are craving some drama, add it to your watchlist.
For more information on this Tom Hanks must-watch, check out our Greyhound review.
8. On the Rocks
Year: 2020
Director: Sofia Coppola
A restrained but charming comedy, On The Rocks follows Laura, a successful author who suspects her husband is cheating. To help confirm her suspicions, she turns to the only man she can trust, her larger-than-life lothario father, Felix.
A warm and engaging film, On the Rocks, is ultimately about the relationships between men and women, both functional and dysfunctional. It may not take the big swings seen in her previous works – the Bling Ring and Beguiled spring to mind – but there's power in the subtly of this elegant character study. Speaking of characters, it just wouldn't work without Rashida Jones and Bill Murray, who enjoy a relaxed, naturalistic chemistry, which is perfect for this type of film.
Read our On the Rocks review for more details!
7. Hala
Year: 2019
Director: Minhal Baig
A moving and naturalistic coming-of-age story, Hala follows Hala Masood, a young Pakistani American, as she struggles with her family's expectations and her own growing attraction to a boy at school. While it may sound a little cliché, this isn't a John Hughes movie.
Instead, it tells the story you think you know through the experience of a second-generation immigrant, which puts an impressive fresh spin on things. As the film plays out, however, it morphs from a deceptively predictable set-up into a much more powerful parable about the mistakes our parents make. Perhaps, though, the film's secret weapon is Geraldine Viswanathan, who keeps Hala charming, funny, and easy to empathize with as she walks the tightrope between childhood and adulthood.
Haven't signed up for Apple TV yet? Check out our handy guide breaking down all the Apple TV Plus costs and prices.
6. Causeway
Year: 2022
Director: Lila Neugebauer
An understated and compelling drama about the lasting effects of trauma, Causeway tells the story of Lynsey, a former soldier trying to rebuild her life after she experienced a traumatic brain injury while on tour in Afghanistan. A wonderfully authentic and quietly moving film, Causeway doesn't necessarily take any big swings, but it doesn't need to.
Its power lies in the quiet drama of everyday life and the value of human connection. Jennifer Lawrence gives a sensationally affecting performance, which was hailed by some as a return to form upon the film's release, yet in my opinion, it's her chemistry with co-star Brian Tyree Henry that makes this film sing.
For more streaming recommendations, head over to our list of the best movies on Netflix.
5. Tetris
Year: 2023
Director: Jon S. Baird
On paper, Tetris sounds like one of the dullest movies ever made. A biopic about Henk Rogers, the man who licensed (he didn't even invent it!) Tetris and made it popular in the West? Are you kidding me? Well, no, I'm not because director Jon S. Baird manages to turn a tale of boring business backhanders into a film as colorful and chaotic as the titular game.
There's just a lot of life and energy in this zany and funny film, and it's hard not to enjoy its charms. Taron Egerton is, of course, brilliant as Henk, giving the character a sort of greasy conniving allure, yet under his yuppie disguise, you'll find a surprisingly noble soul. Weirdly, though, Egerton wasn't my favorite actor in the cast. Instead, I was won over by Roger Allam's villainous portrayal of Robert Maxwell, a sort of business boogeyman determined to get Tetris for himself.
Do you love seeing games on the big screen? Check out our list of all the upcoming video game movies in the works.
4. Fancy Dance
Year: 2023
Director: Erica Tremblay
Set on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma, Jax (Lily Gladstone) turns to stealing cars to care for her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson) while also investigating what happened to her missing sister. We have many things to thank Martin Scorsese for, but one of them is introducing us to Lily Gladstone, one of the best actors currently working in Hollywood.
In this moody thriller that's part social drama, part murder mystery, she gives yet another star turn which, were there any justice in this world, would earn her the Oscar she was denied for Killers of the Flower Moon (more on that later). Beyond Gladstone, though, Fancy Dance has a lot going for it, specifically Erica Tremblay's assured direction, and the layered story about the injustices Indigenous women are forced to endure every single day will keep you enthralled for its entire 90-minute run.
3. The Tragedy of Macbeth
Year: 2021
Director: Joel Coen
Shakespeare adaptations are ten a penny these days, but there's something special about Joel Coen's take on Macbeth. Perhaps it's the incredible cast he managed to assemble who – led by the inimitable and charismatic Denzel Washington – breathe new life into the Bard's dark meditation on pride and ambition.
Maybe it's the incredibly stark and eerie visuals that Coen and his cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel conjure up from shadows and light? Or it could just be that Shakespeare's words still hold power over us, bewitching audiences even now, centuries after he put them to paper. Whatever the answer, this moody tragedy deserves your attention.
For more award-winning films, read our list of the best movies on HBO Max.
2. Wolfwalkers
Year: 2020
Directors: Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart
Cartoon Saloon regularly produces some of the best animated movies ever made, and Wolfwalkers, the third film in their Irish Folklore Trilogy, might be their greatest achievement to date. This vibrant and lively cartoon follows Robyn, an apprentice hunter who befriends a young girl, Mebh, who has the power to turn into a wolf.
We won't give away what happens next, but let's just say things get a lot more complicated from there. Boasting memorable and lovable characters, gorgeous animation, and a story as moving as anything Pixar has put out, this charming fairy tale is a must-watch. Its art style is also stunning and is a nice change of pace from the typical 3D style we've been seeing largely throughout the last few years.
Read our list of the best Disney Plus movies for more animated masterpieces.
1. Killers of the Flower Moon
Year: 2023
Director: Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese is a legend in Hollywood, and his most recent picture proves that he's still at the height of his directorial powers. Grand in every sense of the word – from its ambitious story to ginormous run-time – Killers of the Flower Moon is a demanding and engaging drama that tells the sadly true story of the Osage tribe and the injustices they suffered when oil was discovered on their land.
Honestly, summing up what makes Killers such an amazing film is hard to do. Nearly every element of the film is perfect, from Scorsese's sublime direction, Rodrigo Prieto's haunting cinematography, and the impeccable work of an all-star cast. Yet honestly, my favorite thing about the film is the way Scorsese cleverly uses the trappings of crime drama to tell a much more important story about America's exploitative relationship with the natural world and Indigenous people.
Read our five-star Killers of the Flower Moon review for more details on the best movie on Apple TV Plus.
If you're still looking for something new to watch, we have lists of the best movies on Amazon Prime and the best movies on Hulu for you to look over.
