Best Apple TV Movies You’ve Never Seen

If you have Apple TV+, there are some great films hiding between the splashy premieres. This list rounds up feature films and documentaries that streamed on Apple TV+ and might have slipped past your watchlist. You will find small character dramas, music and sports documentaries, and a few stylish thrillers. Each entry includes who made it, who stars in it, and what the story focuses on so you can decide what to play next.

‘Swan Song’ (2021)

Mahershala Ali plays a terminally ill man who considers an experimental procedure to spare his family grief. The film is written and directed by Benjamin Cleary. Naomie Harris, Awkwafina, and Glenn Close co star. It was produced by Apple Original Films and shot largely in British Columbia.

‘Raymond & Ray’ (2022)

Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke play half brothers who reunite after their estranged father dies. Rodrigo García wrote and directed the film. Maribel Verdú and Sophie Okonedo appear in key supporting roles. The story follows the brothers through funeral arrangements that reveal old secrets.

‘The Sky Is Everywhere’ (2022)

Based on Jandy Nelson’s novel, this drama centers on a teenage musician processing grief after her sister’s death. Grace Kaufman leads the cast with Jason Segel and Cherry Jones. Josephine Decker directs and A24 produced with Apple Original Films. Much of the story unfolds in Northern California with a focus on school, family, and first love.

‘The Banker’ (2020)

Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson portray entrepreneurs who built a real estate empire in the 1950s and 1960s by hiring a white frontman. Nia Long co stars. George Nolfi directed and co wrote the screenplay. The film draws on the true story of Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris and was among the first Apple TV+ originals to debut.

‘Palmer’ (2021)

Justin Timberlake plays a former high school football star who returns to his Louisiana hometown after prison and forms a bond with a gender nonconforming child. Juno Temple and Alisha Wainwright co star. Fisher Stevens directs from a script by Cheryl Guerriero. The narrative focuses on caregiving, school conflicts, and small town routines.

‘Causeway’ (2022)

Jennifer Lawrence plays a U.S. Army engineer recovering from a traumatic brain injury after a deployment. Brian Tyree Henry appears as a mechanic who befriends her in New Orleans. Lila Neugebauer directs and A24 produced with Apple Original Films. Henry received multiple award nominations for his supporting performance.

‘Sharper’ (2023)

Julianne Moore and Sebastian Stan headline a con artist thriller set across New York City. The story unfolds in chapters that follow different characters involved in overlapping scams. Benjamin Caron directs and A24 produces with Apple Original Films. Justice Smith and John Lithgow round out the cast.

‘Boys State’ (2020)

This documentary follows a weeklong mock government program in Texas where hundreds of teenage boys build a political party and run for office. Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine direct. The film premiered at Sundance and won the U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Prize. Apple acquired distribution and released it on Apple TV+.

‘Fathom’ (2021)

Two scientists travel to Alaska and French Polynesia to study humpback whale communication. The documentary follows their field methods and hypotheses about whale songs. Drew Xanthopoulos directs and handles cinematography and editing. Apple TV+ released the film as part of its nonfiction slate.

‘Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds’ (2020)

Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer explore meteors and their impact on science and culture. The film visits research sites and crater locations across multiple countries. Interviews include planetary scientists and historians. It is an Apple Original documentary with on location footage and Herzog’s narration.

‘The Year Earth Changed’ (2021)

Narrated by David Attenborough, this special documents how wildlife and cities responded to global slowdowns in 2020. Crews captured changes in animal behavior and human environments across several continents. The film features sequences from oceans, forests, and urban spaces. It was produced by the BBC Studios Natural History Unit for Apple TV+.

‘Luck’ (2022)

Skydance Animation produced this animated feature about a young woman who finds herself in the Land of Luck. The voice cast includes Eva Noblezada, Simon Pegg, and Jane Fonda. The production used a combination of stylized character design and large scale world building. Apple TV+ handled the streaming release.

‘Flora and Son’ (2023)

John Carney directs this music driven story about a Dublin mother who bonds with her son through songwriting. Eve Hewson and Orén Kinlan lead the cast with Joseph Gordon Levitt as an online guitar teacher. The film premiered at Sundance and was acquired by Apple. The soundtrack features original songs woven into the narrative.

‘The Beanie Bubble’ (2023)

This fact based drama looks at the rise of the Beanie Babies craze through the women around toy tycoon Ty Warner. Zach Galifianakis, Elizabeth Banks, Sarah Snook, and Geraldine Viswanathan star. Kristin Gore and Damian Kulash direct. Production recreates 1990s marketing, retail frenzies, and early internet buzz.

‘The Velvet Underground’ (2021)

Todd Haynes directs a documentary about the New York band and its art world roots. The film uses experimental split screens, archival footage, and new interviews. John Cale participates and the project includes materials from the Andy Warhol archives. It premiered at Cannes and streamed on Apple TV+.

‘On the Rocks’ (2020)

Sofia Coppola directs a New York set comedy drama about a young mother who teams up with her charming father to tail her husband. Rashida Jones and Bill Murray lead the cast with Marlon Wayans in support. The film explores work, marriage, and trust as the pair move through bars, galleries, and late night stakeouts. It was produced by A24 with Apple Original Films and shot across Manhattan and Brooklyn.

‘Hala’ (2019)

Writer director Minhal Baig tells the story of a Pakistani American teenager balancing family expectations with her own ambitions. Geraldine Viswanathan plays the title role with Purbi Joshi and Azad Khan as her parents. The film premiered at Sundance and was acquired for streaming by Apple TV+. It highlights school life, skateboarding culture, and the pressures of tradition in Chicago.

‘The Elephant Queen’ (2018)

This documentary follows an elephant matriarch leading her herd across the African savanna during a long dry season. Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble direct and provide extensive field cinematography. The film tracks water holes, migration routes, and predator encounters while focusing on family bonds. Apple TV+ released the feature with narration that guides viewers through the herd’s journey.

‘Beastie Boys Story’ (2020)

Spike Jonze stages a live documentary with Mike D and Ad Rock recounting the group’s history onstage at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. The film blends archival footage with readings from the band’s book. It covers early club shows, studio sessions, and collaborations that shaped their sound. Apple TV+ premiered the project alongside a limited theatrical engagement.

‘Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry’ (2021)

R. J. Cutler directs an intimate look at the creation of a debut album and the pressures of rapid fame. The documentary follows writing sessions, home life, and tour stops across multiple cities. Family members and collaborators appear throughout, including scenes with producer Finneas. Apple TV+ released the film with an extended runtime that covers a pivotal year.

‘Finch’ (2021)

Tom Hanks stars as an engineer who builds a robot to care for his dog as they journey through a changed American landscape. Miguel Sapochnik directs with motion capture work bringing the robot to life. The production used New Mexico locations to create wide open desert vistas and storm effects. The film emphasizes survival planning, mechanics, and a cross country route.

‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ (2021)

Joel Coen adapts Shakespeare with a stark black and white visual design and stage like sets. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand lead the cast with Kathryn Hunter in a standout role. The film uses controlled lighting, minimal props, and angular architecture to focus on language and performance. Apple TV+ partnered on distribution following a festival run.

‘Sidney’ (2022)

This documentary examines the life and legacy of actor and filmmaker Sidney Poitier through interviews and archival materials. Reginald Hudlin directs with family members, colleagues, and historians contributing context. The film covers early theater work, landmark film roles, and activism during the civil rights era. Apple TV+ released the feature with Oprah Winfrey as a producer.

‘Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues’ (2022)

Sacha Jenkins directs a portrait of Louis Armstrong using newly sourced recordings, photographs, and interviews. The film addresses his musical innovations along with public perceptions during turbulent decades. It includes performance clips, travel footage, and commentary from scholars and musicians. Apple TV+ positioned the documentary within its music history lineup.

‘Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me’ (2022)

Alek Keshishian documents several years of health challenges, advocacy work, and creative projects. The film moves between hospitals, rehearsals, and quiet moments at home to show routine and recovery. It features candid conversations about mental health and autoimmune disease. Apple TV+ released the documentary with a focus on awareness and outreach.

‘Stephen Curry: Underrated’ (2023)

Peter Nicks follows a point guard’s rise from college seasons at Davidson to NBA championships with Golden State. The film blends archival game footage with present day training and family life. Coaches, teammates, and journalists provide context for skill development and strategy. Apple TV+ premiered the documentary as part of its sports slate.

‘Tetris’ (2023)

Jon S. Baird directs a historical drama about the licensing battle to distribute a puzzle video game worldwide. Taron Egerton plays a businessman navigating Cold War era negotiations across multiple countries. The film recreates corporate offices, trade shows, and Moscow meetings with period detail. Apple TV+ handled the streaming release after a festival screening.

‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie’ (2023)

Davis Guggenheim crafts a personal documentary using re staged scenes, archival clips, and new interviews. The film traces early career breaks, blockbuster roles, and a long term health journey with Parkinson’s. It examines daily routines, physical therapy, and on set adjustments. Apple TV+ released the feature with an emphasis on accessibility and outreach.

‘The Greatest Beer Run Ever’ (2022)

Peter Farrelly adapts a nonfiction account of a New Yorker who delivers beer to friends serving in Vietnam. Zac Efron stars with Russell Crowe and Bill Murray in supporting roles. Production took place in Thailand to replicate 1960s Saigon and war zone sequences. The film follows travel logistics, press access, and personal encounters that shape the trip.

‘Dads’ (2019)

Bryce Dallas Howard directs a documentary that collects stories from fathers in different countries. The film mixes home videos, interviews, and observational footage with data points about parenting. It includes perspectives from first time parents and families with multiple children. Apple TV+ released the project as part of its early nonfiction slate.

‘Cherry’ (2021)

The film follows a former Army medic who returns from Iraq with PTSD and turns to bank robbery to support an opioid addiction. Tom Holland and Ciara Bravo star with direction by Anthony and Joe Russo. The screenplay adapts Nico Walker’s semi autobiographical novel. Production used Cleveland locations and stylized chapters to mark shifts in the character’s life.

‘Greyhound’ (2020)

Set during World War II, the story tracks a U.S. Navy destroyer escorting an Allied convoy across the North Atlantic while hunted by submarines. Tom Hanks stars and wrote the screenplay based on C. S. Forester’s novel. Aaron Schneider directs with an emphasis on sonar tracking, signal traffic, and convoy tactics. Visual effects and sound design recreate cold weather seas and mid ocean command procedures.

‘Emancipation’ (2022)

Will Smith portrays an enslaved man who escapes a Louisiana plantation and navigates swamps to reach Union lines. Antoine Fuqua directs with cinematography that uses desaturated palettes to evoke period imagery. The narrative references the widely circulated 1863 photograph of a scarred back that influenced public opinion. Filming took place in Louisiana with sequences depicting Civil War encampments and pursuit units.

‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ (2022)

A recent college graduate becomes a party starter for local bar and bat mitzvahs and forms a connection with a single mother and her daughter. Cooper Raiff writes, directs, and stars alongside Dakota Johnson. The film premiered at Sundance and won the audience award before Apple acquired distribution. Scenes focus on event planning, family routines, and work shifts around New Jersey suburbs.

‘Come From Away’ (2021)

This filmed production captures the Broadway musical about the small town of Gander hosting diverted flights after September 11. The cast performs on the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre stage with cinematic coverage for streaming. Director Christopher Ashley preserves the show’s ensemble staging and quick role changes. The capture was produced specifically for Apple TV+ with a live audience of first responders and frontline workers.

‘The Pigeon Tunnel’ (2023)

Errol Morris interviews John le Carré in an extended conversation about espionage, writing, and personal history. The documentary blends archival footage, dramatic inserts, and newly shot material. It explores Cold War contexts, intelligence tradecraft, and the origins of recurring characters in the novels. Apple TV+ released the feature as part of its author focused documentary slate.

‘Girls State’ (2024)

This companion to ‘Boys State’ follows high school girls in Missouri as they build mock governments and campaign for statewide offices. Directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss observe policy debates, coalition building, and media strategy inside the program. The film compares different leadership styles and organizational approaches across parties. Apple premiered it after festival screenings and positioned it within its civic education docs.

‘Napoleon’ (2023)

Ridley Scott directs a biographical epic centered on military campaigns and the relationship between Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine. Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby lead with large scale battle recreations including Austerlitz and Waterloo. Production combined practical sets, European locations, and digital crowd extensions. Apple Original Films financed the project with a theatrical window before streaming.

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ (2023)

Martin Scorsese adapts the nonfiction account of murders within the Osage Nation during an oil boom in Oklahoma. Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro star in a story that examines investigations, guardianship systems, and early federal law enforcement. The film uses period vehicles, town sets, and archival inspired costumes to depict the 1920s. After theaters, it became available to stream on Apple TV+.

‘Argylle’ (2024)

Matthew Vaughn directs a spy caper about an introverted novelist whose plots intersect with real espionage. Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, and Dua Lipa appear in an ensemble that travels between London, Europe, and the United States. The production features location shoots, practical stunts, and stylized action sequences. Apple Original Films backed the release with a theatrical run followed by streaming.

‘The Family Plan’ (2023)

A suburban car salesman hides a past as a professional operative and takes his family on an emergency road trip. Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan star under director Simon Cellan Jones. The film mixes domestic settings with chase sequences and safe house stops. Apple TV+ released it as an original action comedy feature.

‘Ghosted’ (2023)

After a promising first date, a farmer tracks down his love interest overseas and discovers she is a CIA agent. Chris Evans and Ana de Armas headline with supporting turns from Adrien Brody and Tate Donovan. Director Dexter Fletcher stages set pieces across marketplaces, museums, and mountain roads. The film was produced for Apple TV+ with globe trotting locations built on soundstages and backlots.

‘Spirited’ (2022)

This holiday musical reimagines ‘A Christmas Carol’ from the perspective of the spirits who engineer each haunting. Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, and Octavia Spencer star with original songs by noted Broadway composers. The production mounted large ensemble numbers with choreography across offices, streets, and a soundstage town square. Apple TV+ released the film alongside a soundtrack album.

‘Wolfwalkers’ (2020)

Cartoon Saloon presents an animated adventure set in 17th century Ireland about a hunter’s apprentice who befriends a girl from a mythical wolf tribe. Directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart employ hand drawn animation with layered backgrounds and pencil textures. Voice actors include Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, and Sean Bean. The film is part of Apple’s partnership with the studio for animated features.

‘Wolfs’ (2024)

Two professional fixers are forced to collaborate on a single assignment that spirals across one long night. George Clooney and Brad Pitt star with direction by Jon Watts. The film features urban driving work, tight interior staging, and confined set pieces. Apple Original Films financed the project for theaters before its streaming debut on Apple TV+.

Share the Apple TV+ gems you would add to the list in the comments.