Apple TV+ has rapidly evolved from being the “new kid on the block” to one of the most highly regarded names in streaming. Rather than pursuing raw numbers like some competitors, Apple has doubled down on quality—selecting stories that resonate, performances that shine, and shows that consistently win awards. Tired of endless scrolling and ready to dive straight into the good stuff? Here are 10 of the most acclaimed Apple TV+ originals you ought to add to your watchlist—counted down for maximum drama.
10. Dope Thief
Need a crime narrative that’s gritty and darkly comedic? Dope Thief is an ideal choice. Based on Paul Howard’s novels, it’s about two Philly buddies who pose as DEA agents to steal from drug dealers—before their con turns into something much more deadly. The series is built around Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura’s charged chemistry, and with Ridley Scott helming the pilot, the tone is cool and sleek. Henry even received an Emmy nomination for his work, making this limited series a must-watch.
9. Bad Sisters
Sharon Horgan serves up another winner with Bad Sisters, a pitch-black comedy that’s equal parts family drama and murder mystery. The Garvey sisters continue dealing with the consequences of their deceased brother-in-law’s suspicious “accident” in the show’s second season. It’s biting, it’s hilarious, and it’s intensely human, with Horgan herself receiving Emmy notice for her central performance. It’s evidence that no one portrays imperfect, engrossing women better than she does.
8. Disclaimer
Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón’s much-awaited return to the small screen doesn’t disappoint. Disclaimer features Cate Blanchett as a reporter whose life spirals out of control upon being sent a novel that appears to know her deepest secrets. With a top-tier cast—Kevin Kline, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Kodi Smit-McPhee—the series is both a psychological thriller and a pitch-black drama. Blanchett’s performance earned her an Emmy nomination, while its visual aesthetic attracted critical acclaim.
7. Presumed Innocent
In this taut legal drama, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a prosecutor accused of murdering a colleague with whom he was romantically involved. Produced by David E. Kelley and J.J. Abrams, Presumed Innocent digs into love, betrayal, and ambition with intensity. The ensemble—Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, and Peter Sarsgaard—earned multiple Emmy nods, making this one of Apple’s most acclaimed limited series.
6. Slow Horses
Gary Oldman has never been finer than in this role as foul-mouthed but exceptional head of MI5’s reject department, Jackson Lamb. Slow Horses is a wickedly humorous spy thriller that combines real-world espionage with sharp-tongued humor. The series has been singled out across the board—acting, writing, directing, even Best Drama Series—making it one of the wittiest spy shows on television.
5. Shrinking
Comedy and tragedy don’t mix well, but Shrinking manages to make it work. Jason Segel stars as Jimmy, a therapist who’s still trying to pick up the pieces from a recent loss and throws professional ethics out the window, and begins sharing with his patients the unvarnished truth. Harrison Ford steals the show as his curmudgeonly mentor, a part that at last garnered him his first Emmy nomination. Written by Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein, the show has both broad laughs and surprise emotional jolts.
4. The Studio
Satire in Hollywood doesn’t get wittier—or more hilarious—than The Studio. Developed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the show tracks Rogen’s Matt Remick, a fresh face as a studio boss, through the mayhem of filmmaking. The supporting cast features Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O’Hara, and Ike Barinholtz, with cameo appearances never to be forgotten from Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard (both Emmy-nominated). The series shattered records with 23 Emmy nominations in its first season, creating a messy, sentimental love letter to the world of cinema.
3. Severance
If you can watch only one Apple TV+ drama, watch Severance. The Adam Scott-led series imagines a world where workers divide their private and work memories—something that unravels into a harrowing mystery. With top performances by Britt Lower, John Turturro, and Patricia Arquette, along with acutely sharp writing and direction, Severance swept the Emmy competition with 27 nominations. It’s gripping, intelligent, and cannot be forgotten.
2. Mythic Quest & Side Quest
A delight for both gamers and comedy buffs, Mythic Quest is situated within a game studio and blends biting humor with genuine heart, addressing office surrealities along with actual emotional notes. The full season reunites the original cast while spinoff Side Quest delves into how the game affects players, fans, and workers. Both demonstrate Apple TV+’s willingness to take stylistic and narrative risks.
1. Masters of the Air
At the top is the epic WWII drama Masters of the Air. From producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, it follows the perilous missions of the 100th Bomb Group, or the “Bloody Hundredth.” With a phenomenal cast—Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan, Ncuti Gatwa—and breathtaking production values, it’s the sort of grand, cinematic series that would seem to be made for the big screen. Emotional, immersive, and spectacular, it’s a shining example of Apple TV+ at its very best.
Apple TV+ isn’t just holding its own in the streaming wars—it’s shaping what prestige TV looks like in this era. Whether you’re into crime thrillers, sharp comedies, or sweeping historical epics, these shows prove that bold storytelling and top-tier performances will always win.