Since the last three years of its launch, Apple TV has elevated its position among its other contemporaries with fabulous shows, movies, documentaries, etc, in every other genre. It has grown to be people’s and critics’ favorite platform in less than three years.
Apart from all the nail-biting thrillers, the comforting and dreamy rom-coms, and the breathtaking action movies and dramas it already offers, Apple TV has come up with its original content under the banner of Apple TV Originals.
As exciting as it sounds, they are the best content to binge on a lazy afternoon or a cozy at-home movie night.
Here’s a list of some of the 15 best Original movies from different genres offered by Apple TV to its viewers that you would enjoy:
Come From Away (2021)
IMDB rating– 8.5
Genre: Musical
Cast: Jenn Collela, Tony LePage, Petrima Bromley
Runtime: 1hr 46min
It is a rollercoaster of emotions portraying the essence of hope and compassion. Based on the backdrop of the 9/11 attacks churns in us a new wish to live and reconnect with other fellow beings, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taught us about the uncertainty of life.
It is a musical that beautifully crafts into its choruses endless stories of the commoners, their struggles, and how, despite all the odds, they come forth to help accommodate the incomers who were stranded in the town of Gander on September 11, 2001.
Small individual stories are woven in a way that touches every heart; everyone in the story is equally forced and shattered, which reflects on the ground reality.
Some scenes would be etched in one’s memory for a long, like the discrimination faced by a Muslim traveler who had to undergo a humiliating strip search.
The storyline highlights the need to do good and be generous, which underlines what we lack in ourselves at times.
CODA (2021)
IMDB rating- 8/10
Genre: Coming-of-age drama
Cast: Emilia Jones, Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin
Runtime: 1hr 52min
Adapted from La Famille Belier, CODA upholds the story of Ruby, the only member in her deaf family capable of hearing.
Despite being just 17, she assisted her parents and her brother in their family fishing business.
She joins her school choir and is paired with her high school crush Miles, which draws her to her passion for singing and her duet artist.
Ruby lands herself at crossroads when she gets selected for a reputed music college, but that would mean her family business goes downhill.
It is a movie that inspires the youth and gives them hope and positivity. It is beautifully woven with melodies that complement the storyline and keep the audience glued to the screen until the end.
Wolfwalkers (2020)
IMDB rating– 8/10
Genre: Animated Fantasy
Cast: Eva Whittaker, Honor Kneafsy, Sean Bean
Runtime: 1hr 42mins
This animated movie presents before us a platter containing various emotions. It makes one sit and ponder whether we should try to be a part of Nature or try to control and modify it.
The storyline is set in Kilkenny, Ireland, where the residents needed to clear the nearby woods and were at odds with the wolves who originally occupied the woods as their natural habitat.
Robyn, a novice hunter, accompanied her father to Kilkenny to eliminate the last pack of wolves.
She meets and befriends Mebh, who belongs to the mysterious tribe of the “Wolfwalkers.” She gradually comes to know about their secret of being able to turn into wolves.
What follows next keeps the audience glued to it and is why it is a must-watch for everyone, especially nature lovers.
The Banker (2020)
IMDB rating– 7.3/10
Genre: Drama
Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Anthony Mackie, Samuel L Jackson
Runtime: 2hrs
This Apple TV Original movie is inspired by events and draws our concern to racism and other related evil practices in the 1960s.
The story revolves around two African-American entrepreneurs who crack the idea of entering into the real estate business.
But to combat and put up with the racist rules, they appoint a working-class white man as the face of their company to promote their sales. The company would rent housing to black people and grant them loans against the existing racist vices.
The white man in this story is helpful and supports the men of color till the very end.
This movie tends to narrow the bar between the black and the white; the fact that they were supportive of each other throughout teaches the world that peaceful coexistence with no racial brutalities is not impossible.
It also highlights that with determination, willpower, and self-belief, one can quickly achieve their goals and become victorious against all odds.
Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)
IMDB rating– 7.3/10
Genre: Comedy Drama
Cast: Dakota Johnson, Cooper Raiff, Vanessa Burghardt, Raul Castillo
Runtime: 1hr 47min
This movie suggests that finding your soulmate does not necessarily mean ending up with them. God might put our soulmates in front of us at any time, but the circumstances eventually decide our fate.
This story revolves around Andrew, who works at a bar where he meets Domino and her autistic daughter Lola.
Domino, then, already had a fiancé and Andrew, a long-distance girlfriend. Andrew was hired as Lola’s babysitter; Andrew and Domino had many intimate moments.
Andrew confesses his love to Domino but whether she accepts that and breaks it off with her fiancé or rejects Andrew and moves on to marry her fiancé is what makes the audience experience emotional turmoil.
The storyline is complemented by the fantastic cast who portrayed each character to life, and the fact that an autistic artist herself played Lola makes it even more captivating.
Palmer (2021)
IMDB rating– 7.2/10
Genre: Drama
Cast: Alisha Wainwright, Justin Timberlake, Ryder Allen, Juno Temple
Runtime: 1hr 50min
This movie upholds many small traits of human Nature, which are beautifully included throughout.
The protagonist is an ex-con, Palmer, who tries to rebuild his life after being imprisoned for the last 12 years. He returns to his grandmother, who then looks after her neighbor’s son, Sam. Sam’s mother, Shelly, was a drug addict and was often abused by her boyfriend.
After his grandmother’s death, Palmer looked after Sam until Shelly reclaimed her son.
Even after numerous pleas, Palmer was denied Sam’s custody because of his records. Circumstances became so over time that Shelly gave Sam’s charge to Palmer.
This movie brings up the basics of humanity that we tend to lack at times; it shows that one should not always be judged based on their records. It also highlights gender inclusivity.
It also shows that irrespective of all odds, a mother always wishes the best for her child, even if it means sacrificing her happiness.
The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2022)
IMDB rating– 7.1/10
Genre: Historical Thriller
Cast: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Harry Melling, Corey Hawkins
Runtime: 1hr 45min
Adapted from the Shakespearean drama Macbeth, this movie is exactly what the bard himself must have imagined it to be while penning it.
It tells the tale of Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, who was convinced by the words of three witches that he would be the next king of Scotland.
One night when Duncan, the then king of Scotland, stays at Macbeth’s residence, Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth to murder the king. The murder was blamed on the servants, and as the news spread, Malcolm, the son of King Duncan, flees, and Macbeth claims the crown of Scotland.
The movie takes a turn when Malcolm and Macduff return to take revenge on Macbeth, eventually rendering Lady Macbeth insane and Macbeth beheaded.
The drama is portrayed in a black-and-white aesthetic and straightforward way, making the audience new to Shakespearean theaters understand and live it thoroughly.
The cinematography deserves a special mention, along with the cast, who have rightfully justified their roles.
The characters’ monologues and the balance of light in every other scene add much more layers to an already layered drama and make it more impactful.
Greyhound (2020)
IMDB rating- 7/10
Genre: War
Cast: Tom Hanks, Stephen Graham, Elisabeth Shue
Runtime: 1hr 31min
This is hands down one of the best action-packed war dramas based on World War II.
Tom Hanks plays the role of Commander Ernest Krause of the United States Navy. This movie pictures naval warfare where the men on the Greyhound battle the U-boat attacks in the Atlantic.
The battle scenes are so extravagantly shot that it makes one imagine themselves on the Greyhound.
It keeps the audience gripped until the end with the new perspectives it puts forward regarding the horror of naval battles.
Apart from the actions, this movie also focuses on the human emotions of loneliness and desire for love through the character of Mr. Krause.
Finch (2021)
IMDB rating– 6.9/10
Genre: Science Fiction
Cast: Tom Hanks, Caleb Landry Jones
Runtime: 1hr 55min
This sci-fi thriller is set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world.
The ozone layer was completely depleted by a massive solar flare which rendered Earth inhabitable.
Among the few survivors was a robotics engineer, Finch, designing a robot Jeff that would take care of his dog Goodyear when he was gone.
However, Goodyear did not like or trust Jeff initially, but Finch kept installing knowledge about the methods of taking care of his dog.
Eventually, Finch succumbs to death, and that is when Goodyear starts trusting and living with Jeff, who now understands the emotions of love, kindness, and humanity. The story and its epic depiction leave the audience in a pool of emotions; it rightly depicts the need for trust, compassion, and selfless love in this modern world.
Swan Song (2021)
IMDB rating– 6.8/10
Genre: Drama
Cast: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, JayR Tinaco
Runtime: 1hr 51min
Swan Song is a sci-fi romantic drama that touches the heart of its audience and makes us realize how grateful we should be to be still alive.
The story revolves around Cameron, beautifully portrayed by Mahershala Ali, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
He could have only spared his family grief by being replaced by a carbon clone of himself.
This show is a reality check for all of us as it shows that life is uncertain and the grief that accompanies a close one’s death is simply unbearable.
This movie makes us rethink our perspective towards life and that we should count on and rejoice in every moment we get.
It is a movie about letting go and accepting the truth and grief disguised as science fiction.
Cherry (2021)
IMDB rating– 6.6/10
Genre: Crime Drama
Cast: Tom Holland, Clara Bravo
Runtime: 2hrs 20min
Based on the novel by Nico Walker, this movie revolves around Cherry, who drops out of college to join as an army medic.
Before his deployment, he gets married to his lady love Emily.
However, in his two years in the Army, Cherry had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and took drugs.
Day by day, to reduce his stress, he becomes an addict, and Emily becomes a drug addict while dealing with her husband.
They go to the extent of robbing banks, and a series of events follow. The cast fits perfectly in each of the characters.
This movie gives a raw and realistic depiction of the ill effects PTSD, drug addiction, and war has on people.
Hala (2019)
IMDB rating– 6.2/10
Genre: Coming-of-age drama
Cast: Geraldine Viswanathan, Jack Kilmer, Anna Chlumsky, Purbi Joshi
Runtime: 1hr 33min
Hala is an American drama that revolves around a Pakistani American 17-year-old Muslim girl named Hala who loves to skateboard.
It is a mental conflict between her desires and her family’s virtues. Skateboarding would denote being close to boys, which is disliked and worried about by her mother.
Being a Muslim, she is expected to marry someone of her religion, but she has a crush on Jesse, a non-Muslim.
However, circumstances become such that she has to choose between her desires and her parents. She prioritizes herself and chooses Jesse. She also comes to know about disputes in her parents’ marriage which she was unaware of earlier.
Featured Image Source: Variety