The Studio and Severance earned Apple multiple Emmy wins, and all viewers got in return was another price hike. Still, Apple TV has come a long way since its 2019 debut; it now has 150+ originals, many with multiple seasons, and new content is added every month.
The biggest-budget Apple TV shows tend to be sci-fi, such as For All Mankind or Foundation, but the full library covers multiple genres, including recent additions like Pluribus. How many Apple originals have you watched? I dug into the streamer’s catalog to pick out some of my favorite forgotten, niche, and sneakily good things to add to your watch list.
Older (and Possibly Forgotten) Shows and Movies to Watch
First, let’s dive into the Apple TV titles that have been around for a while, but are still worth watching. I found them all to be thoroughly enjoyable.
Tehran
This fast-paced espionage series, set in the Iranian capital, follows Mossad intelligence agent Tamar Rabinyan (Niv Sultan) and offers an interesting change of perspective for an American audience. Two seasons are available now; a third, with House star Hugh Laurie, debuts on Jan. 9.
On the Rocks
In this movie, Rashida Jones stars as a young mom who suspects her husband of cheating on her. She reluctantly enlists the help of her father (Bill Murray), to solve the mystery, and chaos ensues.
Cha Cha Real Smooth
A “will they or won’t they” romance movie starring Dakota Johnson as a single mom raising an autistic daughter who connects with Andrew, a recent college grad trying to figure out what to do with his life.
High Desert
Before she was Harmony Cobel, Patricia Arquette led this comedy-tinged drama as a down-and-out detective in Palm Desert, California. The series was canceled after one season, but it’s a wild ride with no major cliffhangers, so it’s worth checking out.
The Banker
In this movie, two Black investors, played by Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson, try to defy racist property ownership laws in the 1950s by partnering with a white man to be the public face of the transactions.
Sneakily Good Shows More People Should Watch
These shows have a devoted fan base, but have not received the attention they deserve, in my opinion. All of them—minus the Lessons in Chemistry mini-series—have been renewed for more seasons. Don’t sleep on these undercover hits before you get too far behind.
Lessons in Chemistry
Don’t avoid this show because you might not be into cooking or chemistry. It’s much more ambitious in scope than it may appear.
Sugar
This semi-noir detective drama benefits from the mystery. All you need to know is that Colin Farrell plays a detective-for-hire looking for a missing girl. Its 30-minute episodes make it fly by, and there’s a second season in the works.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Even if you’re not a fan of monster movies—I’m not— this show does a great job of focusing on the mystery, using real-life father and son actors to hammer home the show’s ultimate climax. It returns for season two on Feb. 27.
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The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy
The titular reluctant traveler, Eugene Levy of Schitt’s Creek fame, is “more of the great indoors type of guy.” But he agrees to get out of his comfort zone and jet off to Tokyo, the Utah desert, South Africa, Costa Rica, the Maldives, Lisbon, and Finland, among other locales. In season three, he also has a sit-down with a future king. My whole family are fans of this one.
The New Look
Despite not being particularly interested in European fashion houses, I was completely captivated by this drama, which examines the lives of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel.
Hijack
This seven-episode show starring Idris Elba tells the thrilling hijacking story of a seven-hour flight from Dubai to London in real time. Even with its plot holes, the pacing and action make for a great ride. Season two debuts on Jan. 14.
The Risky Picks
Not every show or movie can be a critic’s pick, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth watching. The point of having enough content in a catalog is being able to speak to different audiences. I found myself mixed on some of these titles, but I don’t regret spending the time. For example, Sunny didn’t quite land the way I hoped it would, but it was interesting enough to finish, and it made me reconsider some of our impending smart home robots. Go ahead and take a chance.
Recommended by Our Editors
Disclaimer
Did you know that Apple TV has a seven-part mini-series from director Alfonso Cuarón starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline? Cuarón says he thinks of Disclaimer as one long movie, and it’s hard to disagree with that as this psychological thriller unfolds and shifts the viewer’s perspective throughout. I thought about it for weeks after watching.
Sunny
Another Rashida Jones project, this one is based in Japan. It’s a dark whodunnit brimming with retro vibes featuring robots and other funky gadgets.
City on Fire
This series pumps up the 2000s-era music while mixing an arson (and potential murder) investigation with some mental health awareness. Millennials should find a lot to like.
Manhunt
This drama series looks at Abraham Lincoln’s murder from the perspective of his assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Once I warmed up to Hamish Linklater’s take on Lincoln after an episode or two, I found it to be a compelling story.
The Buccaneers
The series follows a group of young American women who come to London searching for husbands in the 1870s. Despite the time period, the show has a modern tone and style (and soundtrack), ultimately making its sum bigger and better than its parts. Two seasons are streaming now, and it’s been renewed for a third.
7 Hits That Live Up to the Hype
These are some of the most notable Apple TV shows, so there’s a good chance you’ve already heard of them. Now’s the time to press play.
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Pluribus is a buzzy drama from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan. Here, he gives Saul star Rhea Seehorn the lead role as a grumpy writer who finds herself immune to a virus that has turned 99% of humanity into a creepy Stepford-style hive mind. It’s a unique sci-fi adventure and meditation on existence wrapped into one.
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Severance: The show follows a small group of people who find work-life balance by implanting a chip in their brain that allows them to sever their work and home experiences. Their work persona (or “innie”) has no memory or knowledge of their “outie’s” life. The mythology is compelling, but the acting, set pieces, and storytelling are top-notch.
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Silo: A society of 10,000 people living underground, unsure of why they’re there, is a great concept, but the show really comes together thanks to a standout performance from Rebecca Ferguson.
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Shrinking: Jason Segel plays a therapist struggling with the loss of his wife while raising a teenage daughter and keeping his practice afloat. Co-star Harrison Ford is a fellow therapist character struggling with (and trying to hide) the decline of his health. If you’re not laughing while watching this show, then you might be crying. Season three premieres on Jan. 28.
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Slow Horses: The show centers on a group of misfit British secret agents who often end up saving the day. The show is quick and pointed, neatly tucked into six episodes. However, Gary Oldman and his unflinching flatulence might be the show’s secret sauce.
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The Studio: Seth Rogen tries to revive a struggling film studio without relying on profitable but deeply stupid franchises. (Hot Wheels movie, anyone?)
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Ted Lasso: If you haven’t seen this show by now, you’re probably actively avoiding it. However, Ted Lasso is an American football coach who heads to Europe to coach an underperforming football (soccer) team. It’s a buddy comedy-drama series where you, the viewer, are the buddy. It returns for a fourth season next year, with Ted coaching a women’s soccer team.
Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments.
About Our Expert
Experience
I’ve contributed to PCMag since 2019, covering Apple, electric vehicles, and lots of other consumer electronics. If a gadget plugs into a wall or uses a battery, there’s a good chance I’ve tested it and have some thoughts about its place in our daily lives. I write featured articles, how-to guides, and daily news.
I got my first taste of writing about technology for Fast Company in 2013, mostly how it intersected with the music industry. Since then I’ve written for dozens of publications and explored all other facets of service journalism, from reviews to buying guides. At one point, I took a break from journalism for a few years to work at a technology startup and then an industry Goliath, both valuable experiences in understanding how the business of tech works from top to bottom.
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