A little bit late to the streaming game, Apple TV Plus only launched in November 2019 but has managed to grab many excellent TV shows and movies in that time. In 2022 alone, they managed to win 52 prime time Emmy nominations. With these under it's belt, you may be wondering what to watch on Apple TV plus.
Releasing back in May, we have finally managed to sit down an watch Silo, a story about the ten thousand people remaining on Earth, left living on whatever they can find deep under the surface. This is not the only great sci-fi, with an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's Foundation taking up many watch lists.
Here are all of our picks for the very best shows you can watch on Apple TV Plus right now. If you find yourself getting through them all somehow, have a look at the best Apple TV Plus movies as well.
At a glance
Silo The last 10,000 people on Earth -- and their mile-deep home protecting them from the toxic world outside.
Severance a twisty, dark drama that brings new surprises each week. (and please, where's season 2?)
For All Mankind An excellent drama about the space race between the US and Russia in the '60s ... mostly.
Ted Lasso A loveable US coach ends up clueless in the UK. His positivity is infectious, tho (well, for most)
The Morning Show helped launch Apple TV Plus, but it's more than just a vehicle for Jen Aniston and Steve Carell
Mythic Quest is a workplace comedy about the team behind the biggest video game of all time
Prehistoric Planet by Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth: A delight, full of dinosaurs
Real Madrid: Until The End strives where others falter by making an honest show for everyone
Servant Like M. Night Shyamalan's twisty thrillers? This one's shocks will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Little America is an anthology series that pulls at the heartstrings. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll get hooked.
Foundation The first season was one of the best things on Apple TV Plus -- and season 2 is airing now
Shrinking is a sweet and charming comedy about a therapist who sees a lot of himself in his patients
The best of the best: What to watch on Apple TV Plus
Here's out top picks from the wealth of streaming content available on Apple TV Plus. There's more to Apple's on-demand video service than Ted Lasso, of course, but it's a good place to start.
Silo
"Silo is the story of the last ten thousand people on earth, their mile-deep home protecting them from the toxic and deadly world outside," Apple's description of Silo begins. "However, no one knows when or why the silo was built and any who try to find out face fatal consequences." Sounds pretty good right? It gets better.
"Rebecca Ferguson stars as Juliette, an engineer, who seeks answers about a loved one's murder and tumbles onto a mystery that goes far deeper than she could have ever imagined, leading her to discover that if the lies don't kill you, the truth will."
Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso is back for its third and final season. Ted, the main character, seems a bit silly and too good to be true, but he’s the genuine article: a warm, kind, good-hearted person. In an era where more shows feature anti-heroes than heroes, Ted Lasso is a bright spot in a world that has gotten even darker than the dark shows forever populating the entertainment world.
As for the plot, Ted Lasso is a “fish out of water” show about an American football coach who ends up a clueless soccer coach in England, hired by the angry ex-wife of the owner in an attempt to make the struggling team even worse. However, Ted’s contagious positivity changes everything and surprises everyone. The supporting cast is phenomenal. It’s worth noting that the show takes a darker turn in the second season. This must-watch show won dozens of Emmys and put Apple TV Plus on the map.
Watch Ted Lasso on Apple TV Plus
Severance
Severance is a twisty, dark drama that manages to bring new surprises each week. The premise is that new technology allows the mind to be “severed” between work and home. So, when you’re at work, you have no knowledge or memories of home, and when you leave the office, you have no idea what’s gone on there. The idea is that it will create a better work/life balance since you won’t need to worry about your other roles and can be completely in the moment wherever you are.
Of course, it’s not quite as simple as it sounds, and it gets more complicated as the season progresses. There really isn’t anything on television quite like this one, and it deserves every bit of critical praise it receives. We can't wait for Severance Season 2.
Watch Severance on Apple TV Plus
For All Mankind
As far as we're concerned, For All Mankind was snubbed by the Emmy awards. It's the best show you're not watching (but should be). This excellent drama is not quite science fiction, not quite historical fiction, but a little of both. For All Mankind is about the space race between the US and Russia in the 1960s, but a key historical moment goes very differently in the show's first episode. After that, history is entirely changed in a multitude of ways.
Each season spans a decade, and we’re slowly moving to modern times in this alternate timeline. Though the historical/sci-fi elements are very cool, this is a human drama at its heart. It’s worth watching, even if you don’t consider yourself a big sci-fi fan. "Mad Men in space," as one iMore team member calls it — and a very fitting compliment to the show that is, too.
Watch For All Mankind on Apple TV Plus
The Morning Show
The Morning Show helped launch the fledgling streaming platform in 2019, and it's much more than a vehicle for massive stars like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carrell, Billy Crudup, and more. The Morning Show is a behind-the-scenes look at a Today Show-type morning show and a disgraced host reminiscent of Matt Lauer, played by Steve Carrell. That's revealed in the first episode, and then we see the fallout.
Jennifer Aniston (nominated for an Emmy) as the show's co-host, Reese Witherspoon as Steve Carrell's eventual replacement, and Emmy winner Billy Crudup deliver powerhouse performances in this ripped-from-the-headlines #metoo story. The show returned for a fantastic second season, so there's plenty to binge here!
Watch The Morning Show on Apple TV Plus
Mythic Quest
Mythic Quest is a workplace comedy about the dev team behind the (fictional) biggest multi-player video game of all time. The show stars Rob McElhenney, and if you love him in Always Sunny in Philadelphia, you're likely to enjoy Mythic Quest as well. Mythic Quest reminds us of Silicon Valley — a world where our fellow geeks rule the roost, often with hilarious consequences.
Watch Mythic Quest on Apple TV Plus
Prehistoric Planet
If you're a fan of dinosaurs, you'll want to check out Prehistoric Planet. Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth created this stunning look at our world 66 million years ago. David Attenborough lends his voice talents, and Hans Zimmer creates the soundtrack for this gorgeous show.
The show came back for a second season earlier this year, and the Jurassic Park fans in the iMore loved it. Not convinced? Check out the trailer for Prehistoric Planet. If you love documentaries, you'll also want to take a look at our list of the Best Apple TV Plus documentaries.
Watch Prehistoric Planet on Apple TV Plus
Real Madrid: Until The End
Real Madrid: Until The End is a three-part documentary series that showcases the incredible 2021/2022 UEFA Champion's League campaign of Los Blancos, Real Madrid. Apple's soccer documentary strives where other sports documentaries falter by making an honest and entertaining show for soccer super fans and casual fans alike. So if you are interested in shows like The Last Dance, give Until The End a chance.
Watch Real Madrid: Until The End on Apple TV Plus
Servant
If you enjoy M. Night Shyamalan's brand of thriller filled with twists and turns, you're sure to love the chilling Servant. A young couple suffers a tragedy, which creates a gigantic rift in their marriage. This opens the door for a creepy and mysterious force to enter their home. As mentioned in our Servant review, the show's shocks and scares will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Watch Servant on Apple TV Plus
Little America
Not sure you want to commit to an entire series? Just watch one episode. Little America is an anthology series; every episode is a complete story. Little America is based on the true stories of American immigrants, some recent and some decades ago.
This is a show that pulls at the heartstrings as you learn about each of these brave and inspiring individuals. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll get hooked. If you only watch one episode, watch The Cowboy.
Watch Little America on Apple TV Plus
Foundation
Foundation was arguably one of the best things on Apple TV Plus when its first season was fresh and now we know exactly when the second season will arrive to continue the story.
Along with confirmation of when the second season will be available to stream Apple TV Plus has also shared the first real trailer for what's to come — and it's more than enough to whet the appetite of fans of the first season.
If you haven't yet watched season one, now is the time to fix that — but do it quickly, that second season is almost upon us.
Watch Season One of Foundation on Apple TV Plus
Shrinking
Worked on by Bill Lawrence, the creator of Scrubs, Jason Segel, who played Marshall in How I Met Your Mother, and Brett Goldstein, who played Roy Kent in Ted Lasso, Shrinking is a blisteringly sincere comedy that is both very warm and unafraid to get a little dark when needed.
Jimmy Laird, played by Jason Segel, is a therapist who realises his life needs to change after the death of his wife. With the help of his boss Paul Rhoades, who is played by Harrison Ford, he changes up his therapy style and uses his own advice to deal with his wife's passing, his daughter growing up, and what it means to age.
Originally airing in January, 2023, it was renewed for a second season in March.
