Top 10 Movies on Apple TV Plus 2027
Top 10 Movies on Apple TV Plus 2027
Direct Answer
The Best Overall movie on Apple TV+ is CODA (2021), directed by Siân Heder, the first film from a streaming service to win the Academy Award for Best Picture — a warm, beautifully acted family drama that put the platform on the map. The Best Value pick — the most rewatchable, broadly appealing title in the catalog — is Greyhound (2020), a tight 91-minute WWII thriller starring Tom Hanks that delivers maximum tension with zero filler.
This list is for subscribers who want prestige originals and star-driven films rather than a deep back catalog, spanning Apple's Oscar winners, action tentpoles, and acclaimed dramas. Every pick is a real film with a real director, year, runtime, and cast.
How We Ranked the Top 10
Apple TV+ runs a smaller, curated library of mostly original films, so we judged each on craft, repeat value, and how well it suits a general audience. We leaned on Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, IMDb, Letterboxd, and award records from the Academy Awards and major festivals. The weighting:
- Story and screenplay — 25%
- Direction and craft — 20%
- Performances — 20%
- Rewatchability — 15%
- Cultural impact — 10%
- Where-to-watch access (Apple TV+ availability) — 10%
A film that wins awards but few people finish drops below a leaner crowd-pleaser. The winners balance prestige with watchability.
1. CODA (2021) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Director: Siân Heder | Year: 2021 | Runtime: 111 min | Rated: PG-13 | Where to watch: Apple TV+
The film that made Apple TV+ a serious awards player, *CODA* won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture — the first streaming film ever to do so. Emilia Jones stars as the only hearing member of a deaf family, with Troy Kotsur delivering an Oscar-winning supporting performance.
It holds a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and connected with audiences as deeply as critics. A coming-of-age story about family, sacrifice, and finding your voice, it is funny, moving, and never manipulative — the rare prestige film that everyone in the room enjoys.
Pros:
- First streaming film to win Best Picture
- Three Academy Awards including a historic supporting win
- Warm, accessible drama that suits a wide audience
- Genuine emotion without cheap sentiment
Cons:
- Follows a familiar coming-of-age structure
- Some music-competition beats feel predictable
Verdict: The single best reason to have Apple TV+ — a moving, Oscar-winning crowd-pleaser.
2. Greyhound (2020) 💎 BEST VALUE
Director: Aaron Schneider | Year: 2020 | Runtime: 91 min | Rated: PG-13 | Where to watch: Apple TV+
Written by and starring Tom Hanks, *Greyhound* is a lean WWII naval thriller about a destroyer captain shepherding a convoy across the U-boat-infested Atlantic. At a tight 91 minutes, it is almost pure tension, with Hanks commanding a tense bridge as torpedoes close in.
It holds a 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and earned an Oscar nomination for sound. As a short, gripping, broadly appealing film that rewards repeat viewings, it is the smartest value pick in the catalog — high stakes, no wasted minutes.
Pros:
- Relentless, lean 91-minute runtime
- Tom Hanks anchoring real-time naval tension
- Oscar-nominated sound design
- Easy to rewatch and recommend to anyone
Cons:
- Light on character backstory and downtime
- Some CGI seascapes look slightly artificial
Verdict: The best value on Apple TV+ — a tight, tense thriller with zero filler.
3. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Director: Martin Scorsese | Year: 2023 | Runtime: 206 min | Rated: R | Where to watch: Apple TV+
A late-career epic from Martin Scorsese, *Killers of the Flower Moon* dramatizes the real Osage murders of 1920s Oklahoma. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and an Oscar-nominated Lily Gladstone lead a sprawling true-crime tragedy. It earned 10 Academy Award nominations and holds a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
At nearly three and a half hours, it is a demanding watch, but the craft, performances, and moral weight make it one of the most significant films on the service.
Pros:
- Master-class direction from Martin Scorsese
- 10 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture
- Powerful, award-caliber lead performances
- A vital, true-story epic of real consequence
Cons:
- The 206-minute runtime is a major commitment
- The bleak subject matter is not casual viewing
Verdict: A towering, demanding epic — essential for serious film fans.
4. Napoleon (2023)
Director: Ridley Scott | Year: 2023 | Runtime: 158 min | Rated: R | Where to watch: Apple TV+
Ridley Scott's sweeping historical drama charts the rise and fall of the French emperor, with Joaquin Phoenix in the title role and Vanessa Kirby as Joséphine. The battle sequences — especially the icy slaughter at Austerlitz — are staged with the grand scale Scott built his career on.
It earned three Academy Award nominations and holds a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics split but the spectacle widely praised. For viewers who love big historical canvases, it is a feast on the home screen.
Pros:
- Epic, large-scale battle sequences
- Joaquin Phoenix in a magnetic lead role
- Three Academy Award nominations
- Grand historical spectacle from a master craftsman
Cons:
- Episodic structure rushes decades of history
- Mixed reviews on historical accuracy
Verdict: A grand, divisive historical epic worth it for the spectacle.
5. The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
Director: Joel Coen | Year: 2021 | Runtime: 105 min | Rated: R | Where to watch: Apple TV+
A stark, stunning adaptation of Shakespeare, *The Tragedy of Macbeth* is Joel Coen's first solo directing effort. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand lead in stylized, high-contrast black-and-white that recalls classic German Expressionism. It earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor, and holds a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The bold visual design and powerhouse performances make it one of the most artistically striking films on the platform.
Pros:
- Stunning black-and-white visual design
- Denzel Washington in an Oscar-nominated turn
- Three Academy Award nominations
- A bold, cinematic take on Shakespeare
Cons:
- Shakespearean dialogue is a barrier for some viewers
- The stylized staging is deliberately cold
Verdict: A visually arresting, superbly acted Shakespeare adaptation.
6. Wolfwalkers (2020)
Director: Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart | Year: 2020 | Runtime: 103 min | Rated: PG | Where to watch: Apple TV+
A hand-drawn animated marvel from Ireland's Cartoon Saloon, *Wolfwalkers* was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Set in 17th-century Ireland, it follows a young hunter's daughter who befriends a wild girl who can turn into a wolf. It holds a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and is among the most acclaimed animated films of its decade.
Its lush, storybook art style makes it the best family-friendly pick on the service.
Pros:
- Oscar-nominated, breathtaking hand-drawn animation
- Near-perfect 99% Rotten Tomatoes score
- All-ages story with real heart
- A visual style unlike mainstream animation
Cons:
- A few intense moments for the youngest kids
- Quieter pacing than typical studio animation
Verdict: A gorgeous, acclaimed animated film and the top family pick here.
7. Emancipation (2022)
Director: Antoine Fuqua | Year: 2022 | Runtime: 132 min | Rated: R | Where to watch: Apple TV+
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, *Emancipation* stars Will Smith as Peter, an enslaved man who escapes a Louisiana plantation in a grueling bid for freedom. Inspired by the real "Whipped Peter" photograph, it is a harrowing survival thriller shot in stark, near-monochrome tones.
It holds a 45% on Rotten Tomatoes but features a committed, physical lead performance. For viewers who want intense, serious historical drama, it delivers a punishing, propulsive chase.
Pros:
- A committed, physical Will Smith performance
- Tense, propulsive survival-thriller pacing
- Striking near-monochrome cinematography
- Rooted in a powerful true story
Cons:
- Mixed critical reception
- Relentlessly grim and hard to watch
Verdict: A grueling but gripping survival drama for serious viewers.
8. Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)
Director: Cooper Raiff | Year: 2022 | Runtime: 107 min | Rated: R | Where to watch: Apple TV+
A charming indie that won the Sundance Audience Award, *Cha Cha Real Smooth* was written, directed by, and stars Cooper Raiff as a recent grad working as a bar-mitzvah party starter who bonds with a young mother, played by Dakota Johnson. It holds an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and earns its warmth honestly.
As a low-key, funny, heartfelt comedy-drama, it is the perfect lighter pick on a service full of heavy prestige titles.
Pros:
- Sundance Audience Award winner
- Warm, funny, genuinely likable tone
- Strong chemistry between Raiff and Johnson
- A welcome lighter change of pace
Cons:
- The low-key story lacks big dramatic stakes
- The lead character can read as aimless
Verdict: A disarming, heartfelt indie — the catalog's best easy watch.
9. Tetris (2023)
Director: Jon S. Baird | Year: 2023 | Runtime: 118 min | Rated: R | Where to watch: Apple TV+
A surprisingly gripping true story, *Tetris* dramatizes the Cold War-era fight to license the famous video game out of the Soviet Union. Taron Egerton stars as businessman Henk Rogers in a film that plays like a corporate-espionage thriller. It holds an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and won praise for its propulsive energy and stylish, game-inspired visuals.
For a fun, fast-moving, fact-based thriller, it is one of the most entertaining originals on the service.
Pros:
- Surprisingly tense Cold War true story
- Energetic lead turn from Taron Egerton
- Stylish, game-inspired visual flourishes
- Fast-moving and broadly entertaining
Cons:
- Takes liberties with the real history
- Third-act car chase strains believability
Verdict: A fun, fast, fact-based thriller and a great Saturday-night pick.
10. Sharper (2023)
Director: Benjamin Caron | Year: 2023 | Runtime: 116 min | Rated: R | Where to watch: Apple TV+
A slick, twisty con-artist thriller, *Sharper* unfolds in chapters that keep pulling the rug out from under the audience. Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, and Justice Smith lead a cast trading deceptions across New York City. It holds an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and earns comparisons to classic grifter capers.
For viewers who love a stylish puzzle-box plot with strong performances, it is a satisfying, underseen gem on the platform.
Pros:
- Twisty, satisfying con-artist plotting
- Strong cast led by Julianne Moore
- Sleek, stylish New York atmosphere
- A clever, underseen hidden gem
Cons:
- The chapter structure telegraphs some twists
- A few characters feel thin between reveals
Verdict: A stylish, clever thriller perfect for fans of con-artist capers.
Which One Should You Watch Tonight?
What Makes a Great Streaming Movie
- A reason to finish — On a streaming service, pacing is everything; *Greyhound* and *Tetris* never let attention drift.
- Award-caliber craft — Apple's best, like *CODA* and *Killers of the Flower Moon*, prove the platform can compete at the Oscars.
- Performances that carry — From Troy Kotsur to Denzel Washington, a great lead turns a good film into an essential one.
- Rewatch value — *Greyhound* and *Sharper* hold up on a second viewing because tension and twists reward attention.
- A clear audience — The best picks know who they are for, whether that is families (*Wolfwalkers*) or thriller fans (*Sharper*).
- Visual identity — Bold choices like the black-and-white of *Macbeth* make a film memorable long after the plot fades.
What matters less than the hype: star wattage and budget. *CODA* cost a fraction of *Napoleon* and won Best Picture, while a lean *Greyhound* outdoes many bigger films on pure tension.
FAQ
What is the best overall movie on Apple TV+? CODA (2021) earns our top spot — the first streaming film to win Best Picture and a warm, accessible drama that pleases critics and general audiences alike.
What is the best value movie to stream on Apple TV+? Greyhound (2020) is the smartest pick — a lean, tense 91-minute Tom Hanks WWII thriller that delivers maximum gripping payoff with no filler.
What is the best Apple TV+ movie for families? Wolfwalkers (2020) is the standout — an Oscar-nominated, hand-drawn animated film with a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score and all-ages appeal.
What is the best prestige drama on Apple TV+? CODA (2021) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) are the platform's biggest awards films, the latter earning 10 Academy Award nominations.
Is there a good lighter movie on Apple TV+? Yes — Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022) and Tetris (2023) are warm, funny, fast-moving picks for a low-stakes night.
Does Apple TV+ have good thrillers? Greyhound, Sharper, and Tetris are all tense, well-made thrillers, ranging from WWII naval combat to con-artist capers and Cold War intrigue.
Bottom Line
For 2027, CODA (2021) is our Best Overall movie on Apple TV+ — the historic, Oscar-winning Best Picture that proved the service could compete with anyone. Greyhound (2020) is our Best Value, a lean and relentlessly tense Tom Hanks thriller that is easy to recommend and easy to rewatch.
If you want a family animated film, a sprawling Scorsese epic, or a light Saturday-night watch, use the decision tree above to route yourself to *Wolfwalkers*, *Killers of the Flower Moon*, or *Tetris* instead. Apple TV+ runs a smaller library than its rivals, but these ten prove the curation is sharp.
Sources
- IMDb — Apple TV+ movie ratings and credits
- Rotten Tomatoes — Apple TV+ film scores and reviews
- Metacritic — aggregated film reviews
- Letterboxd — user ratings and lists
- RogerEbert.com — film criticism
- Variety — box office and industry coverage
- Apple TV+ — official streaming catalog
- The Academy Awards (Oscars) — winners database
- Sundance Institute — festival award winners
*Apple TV Plus movies review — best Apple TV+ films, rankings, ratings, where to stream, and a review of the top Apple TV Plus movie picks.*