Apple TV+ doesn’t have the infinite catalog of Netflix or the back catalog of Disney+, but what it has in spades is consistent quality. Fans rave over it, and the reason is that Apple focuses on shows that hit hard: emotionally, visually, and intellectually. From laugh-out-loud comedies to gripping sci-fi thrillers, there’s something for every fan. Here’s a countdown of the 10 best Apple TV+ shows that should find their place on your watchlist-ranked from great to a must-see.
10. Ted Lasso
Apple TV+ couldn’t have asked for a better launch vehicle than Ted Lasso, which is a show about pure heart and optimism. Jason Sudeikis plays the role of an American football coach who is, somewhat incongruously, hired to manage a British soccer team, and then proceeds to win over the doubters by his way of the puck, biscuits, and inexhaustible positive attitude. This is not only a sports story but also one about leadership, faith, and love in a world that is in great need of them. Lots of Emmy nominations? Certainly. Ted Lasso kind of vibe? Even more.
9. Severance
If you want your office drama to come with a mind-bending side, then Severance is the right choice. Adam Scott plays the role of Mark Scout, whose mental faculties are divided between work and his personal life due to a mysterious operation. The movie is very elegant, very scary, and very deeply thought-provoking. It asks several very big questions about personality, memory, and the modern working day. The film also features Patricia Arquette, Christopher Walken, and John Turturro, who, besides being a super-solid cast, are also a great bunch of characters.
8. For All Mankind
Imagine if the Soviets landed on the moon first. That’s the idea behind For All Mankind, in this thrilling alternate history of the space race, social change, and personal ambition. The show jumps each season ahead in time, and audiences get to see their characters grow, struggle, and reach for the stars-literally. A must-watch for anyone who loves smart, emotional sci-fi.
7. Pachinko
Pachinko is an excellent example of the best of epic storytelling. The story spans the four generations of a Korean family living in Japan and delves into the themes of identity, resilience, and belonging. Besides being a sad and joyful experience at the same time, with beautiful cinematography and touching stories, it is a treat both for the eyes and the senses.
6. Slow Horses
Here come the spies who really blew it. The disgraced agents of Slough House are led by curmudgeonly Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman. Gritty, sarcastic, and full of twists, it is a refreshing take on espionage that confirms misfits very often steal the show.
5. Black Bird
True crime buffs, this one’s for you. Black Bird tells the story of Jimmy Keene, a prisoner given a chance at freedom if he can extract a confession from a suspected serial killer. Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser deliver powerhouse performances in this tense, emotional drama that’s impossible to look away from.
4. Shrinking
In Shrinking, Jason Segel is a therapist whose decision to be brutally honest with his patients brings chaos, insight, and laughter to the situation. In this rare TV appearance, Harrison Ford plays his mentor while the ensemble cast adds warmth and humor to every scene. You can say it is therapy that touches the heart… plus a lot of laughs.
3. Silo
Silo is a thriller that captures the audience’s attention from the first moment and keeps it until the end. The story unfolds in a world where people live in the depths of the earth, and going outdoors is out of the question. Engineer Juliette, played by Rebecca Ferguson, is the one who is committed to uncovering the truth. In addition to the claustrophobic atmosphere and captivating mystery, the fact that the show has been renewed for several seasons makes it a dystopian drama of high quality.
2. The Morning Show
The Morning Show combines pretty much everything that we would expect from a film: big names, scandal, and a drama unfolding in a newsroom. Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell are an incredible threesome of characters who, by their ambition, misconduct, and the politics of the workplace at a fictitious morning show, bring out these themes. It’s a mess of a show, quite addictive, and maybe it’s here that Aniston, who can very well combine drama and dark humor, shows some of her best performances.
1. Mythic Quest
Who would have thought that a video game studio could be this hilarious? Mythic Quest is a comedy with Rob McElhenney playing an egotistical creative director who is trying to find his way through the disorder of game development. The show is very creative in terms of storytelling, as there is hardly a way in which it doesn’t experiment; some episodes are set decades back, while others don’t feature the main characters at all. In fact, with some really clever writing, loud laughs, and some quite surprising, deeply emotional moments, it is the crown jewel of Apple TV+.
Apple TV+ is certainly not a newcomer to the streaming industry, as it has a pretty diverse portfolio of shows that vary from side-splitting comedies to tension-packed thrillers. Unforgettable characters, clever dialogue, and plots that keep you thinking long after the credits are part of this offer. Time to binge!