When compared to the likes of Netflix, Hulu, or Max, Apple TV+ doesn't typically register as a major movie hub. But in the nearly five years since the streamer debuted in November 2019, it's fostered a quietly strong roster of original movies and documentaries, building its brand as a home for moving family dramas, artistic indie endeavors, and sweeping epics from prestigious filmmakers.
It's fair to say Apple's biggest splash came with "Coda," a 2021 coming-of-age drama that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and, more than a year later, won the Oscar for Best Picture. The movie's campaign and awards success—which can only come with the funds of a company like Apple—likely piqued the interest of several high-standing directors, whose films have been given theatrical runs before hitting the streaming service, a long play that has made Apple's offerings feel more monumental. Joel Coen's "The Tragedy of Macbeth," Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon," and Ridley Scott's "Napoleon" each took full advantage of Apple's large-scale financial backing.
Since breaking tradition in 2024 with its "exclusive originals" strategy, Apple has broadened its movie catalog to include a wider range of popular blockbusters and comedies, classics that every movie lover has on their comfort or need-to-watch menu. To see which films are catching subscribers' attention the most at the moment, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular movies on Apple TV+ using data from Reelgood as of Aug. 23, 2024. IMDb ratings and other data points were added for supplementary insights.
You may also like: 50 of the best Christmas movies of all time
#10. Sharper
- IMDb user rating: 6.7 (31K reviews)
- Runtime: 116 minutes
- Genres: Drama and Crime
- Director: Benjamin Caron
- Cast: Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, and Justice Smith
- Release date: Feb. 10, 2023
#9. Greyhound
- IMDb user rating: 7 (117K reviews)
- Runtime: 91 minutes
- Genres: Drama and Action & Adventure
- Director: Aaron Schneider
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Stephen Graham, and Rob Morgan
- Release date: July 10, 2020
#8. The Banker
- IMDb user rating: 7.3 (36K reviews)
- Runtime: 120 minutes
- Genres: Drama and Biography
- Director: George Nolfi
- Cast: Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, and Nicholas Hoult
- Release date: March 6, 2020
#7. Fancy Dance
- IMDb user rating: 6.6 (2K reviews)
- Runtime: 90 minutes
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Erica Tremblay
- Cast: Lily Gladstone, Isabel Deroy-Olson, and Ryan Begay
- Release date: June 20, 2024
#6. Ghosted
- IMDb user rating: 5.8 (65K reviews)
- Runtime: 116 minutes
- Genres: Romance and Action & Adventure
- Director: Dexter Fletcher
- Cast: Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, and Adrien Brody
- Release date: April 21, 2023
You may also like: The 20 greatest Best Picture nominees that don't get enough credit
#5. Tetris
- IMDb user rating: 7.4 (87K reviews)
- Runtime: 118 minutes
- Genres: Drama and Biography
- Director: Jon S. Baird
- Cast: Taron Egerton, Nikita Efremov, and Sofia Lebedeva
- Release date: March 24, 2023
#4. The Greatest Beer Run Ever
- IMDb user rating: 6.8 (29K reviews)
- Runtime: 126 minutes
- Genres: Drama and Action & Adventure
- Director: Peter Farrelly
- Cast: Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, and Kyle Allen
- Release date: Sept. 30, 2022
#3. CODA
- IMDb user rating: 8 (168K reviews)
- Runtime: 111 minutes
- Genres: Drama and Romance
- Director: Siân Heder
- Cast: Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, and Troy Kotsur
- Release date: Aug. 13, 2021
#2. Argylle
- IMDb user rating: 5.7 (81K reviews)
- Runtime: 139 minutes
- Genres: Action & Adventure and Comedy
- Director: Matthew Vaughn
- Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, and Bryan Cranston
- Release date: Jan. 31, 2024
#1. Killers of the Flower Moon
- IMDb user rating: 7.6 (255K reviews)
- Runtime: 206 minutes
- Genres: Drama, Crime, and Mystery
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro
- Release date: May 14, 2023
You may also like: 20 panned movies that went on to become cult classics
