Best Movies on Apple TV+ 2026 (Ranked by IMDb & Rotten Tomatoes)
TL;DR
Apple TV+ has the smallest catalog of the major streamers but the highest average critic score. Top picks for May 2026: CODA, Killers of the Flower Moon, Napoleon, Argylle, and The Greatest Showman. Install CineMan AI to see IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings on every Apple TV+ title.
Apple TV+ is the prestige boutique of streaming. The catalog is small — roughly 200 films at any given time versus Netflix's 4,000-plus — but Apple has been deliberate about every acquisition. Their original films aim for awards categories, and their licensed library is curated rather than dumped. The result: a much higher percentage of films with 7.5+ IMDb scores than any other major streamer. Here are the 15 best movies on Apple TV+ in May 2026.
Top 15 Movies on Apple TV+ (May 2026)
| # | Title | Year | IMDb | RT | Quick Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CODA | 2021 | 8.0 | 94% | The Best Picture winner that put Apple TV+ on the map |
| 2 | Killers of the Flower Moon | 2023 | 7.6 | 93% | Scorsese's three-hour epic about the Osage murders |
| 3 | Napoleon | 2023 | 6.4 | 59% | Ridley Scott's divisive but visually stunning Napoleon biopic |
| 4 | The Greatest Showman | 2017 | 7.5 | 56% | Hugh Jackman's musical phenomenon, a streaming staple |
| 5 | Wolfs | 2024 | 6.4 | 61% | Brad Pitt and George Clooney back together as rival fixers |
| 6 | Argylle | 2024 | 5.8 | 33% | Matthew Vaughn's twisty spy comedy with a stacked cast |
| 7 | Spirited | 2022 | 6.7 | 69% | Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds in a Christmas Carol musical |
| 8 | Sharper | 2023 | 6.6 | 76% | A slick con-artist thriller with Julianne Moore |
| 9 | Cha Cha Real Smooth | 2022 | 7.3 | 87% | Cooper Raiff's Sundance hit with Dakota Johnson |
| 10 | Tetris | 2023 | 7.0 | 83% | The wildly entertaining Cold War story behind the game |
| 11 | The Beanie Bubble | 2023 | 6.0 | 43% | The bizarre rise and fall of Ty Inc., starring Zach Galifianakis |
| 12 | Emancipation | 2022 | 7.0 | 46% | Will Smith in a stark, technically impressive escape thriller |
| 13 | Causeway | 2022 | 6.6 | 89% | Jennifer Lawrence's quiet, two-hander recovery drama |
| 14 | Fingernails | 2023 | 6.0 | 61% | A weird, wonderful sci-fi romance with Jessie Buckley |
| 15 | Flora and Son | 2023 | 7.2 | 87% | John Carney's latest music-driven crowd-pleaser |
Apple TV+'s Strategy — And Why It Matters
Apple has explicitly chosen quality over volume. They release roughly 12 to 18 original films a year, compared to Netflix's 70-plus. Each one gets prestige marketing, top-tier directors, and theatrical runs designed for awards consideration. That commitment shows up in the average IMDb and RT scores: their slate's median film performs better critically than any other streamer's.
The downside, of course, is depth. If you finish your list of must-watch Apple TV+ films, the well runs dry faster than on Netflix. The strategy is built for subscribers who watch fewer films, more carefully — not for binge-everything weekenders.
The Three Categories Apple TV+ Excels At
Prestige Drama
CODA, Killers of the Flower Moon, Causeway, and Emancipation are the films Apple is built around — awards-track dramas with major directors and Oscar-eligible performances. Even when they miss commercially (Emancipation), they tend to deliver technically.
Smart Crowd-Pleasers
Tetris, Sharper, Spirited, and Flora and Son represent a category Apple does better than expected: middlebrow films with broad appeal that still respect the audience. These are the closest equivalents to mid-budget studio releases of the 1990s.
Indie Discoveries
Cha Cha Real Smooth, Causeway, Fingernails — Apple has been quietly buying up Sundance and TIFF titles that would otherwise vanish. These are exactly the kind of films you would never find through Netflix's algorithm.
What's Missing from the Catalog
Apple TV+ is light on action blockbusters, horror, and pure comedy. There is essentially no Apple TV+ equivalent to John Wick or The Conjuring. If those genres are your primary draw, you will need a second subscription. But for drama, prestige biopic, indie discovery, and the occasional musical — this is the platform.
How to See IMDb Ratings on Apple TV+
Apple TV+'s in-app interface is the cleanest of the major streamers but does not display third-party ratings. The free CineMan AI Chrome extension overlays IMDb scores, Rotten Tomatoes percentages, and a personal taste-match score on every Apple TV+ title in your browser. No more opening five tabs to compare ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie on Apple TV+ right now?
Based on combined IMDb and RT scores, CODA, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Napoleon are the top picks. The right answer for you depends on taste — CineMan AI shows a personal match score for each.
Does Apple TV+ have good movies or just shows?
Apple TV+ has invested heavily in prestige film. The catalog is smaller than Netflix or Prime Video, but the average quality is unusually high.
How can I see IMDb ratings on Apple TV+?
Install the free CineMan AI Chrome extension. It overlays IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings on every Apple TV+ title.
Is Apple TV+ worth subscribing for movies alone?
If you watch one or two prestige films a month, yes. The hit rate is much higher than ad-driven catalogs.
See IMDb Scores on Every Apple TV+ Title
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