Apple TV+ today debuted a new movie starring Matthew McConaughey that’s gotten strong reviews. But it’s only the latest in what’s become a movie hot streak for Apple. Here’s a roundup of recent Apple TV+ movies and preview of what’s sure to be its biggest title yet.
Apple TV+ has had three straight wins with movies in just one month
Apple’s TV shows have largely been a strength since Apple TV+ launched. With movies, however, success has been mixed.
CODA became the first movie from a streaming service to ever win the Oscar for Best Picture—an honor Netflix is still chasing. And titles like Killers of the Flower Moon and The Tragedy of Macbeth earned critical acclaim, even if that didn’t translate to box office success.
But that lack of box office success became a pattern, including with big-budget swings like Argylle, Napoleon, and more.
This ultimately led Apple to a big strategy pivot: prioritizing Apple TV+ premieres rather than theatrical efforts. The first tests of this new strategy, Wolfs and The Gorge, both became hits.
Apple’s early success with a “made for TV+” approach wasn’t a fluke. And three acclaimed titles this fall have proven that.
Over the past month, Apple TV+ has had three big movies debut:
- Highest 2 Lowest, a NYC crime thriller starring Denzel Washington
- All of You, a romantic sci-fi drama with Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots
- The Lost Bus, an intense thriller starring Matthew McConaughey
Each film, according to review aggregator sites, has found acclaim among both critics and viewers.
They have also served as strong evidence that Apple’s past movie woes are over.
And Apple TV+ still has what’s sure to be its biggest hit movie coming very soon.
F1 The Movie expected to be the streamer’s biggest title yet
Anyone who follows movies closely will know that Apple hasn’t abandoned theatrical efforts entirely.
Nearly all of its movies now go straight to Apple TV+, or have very limited theatrical bows for awards eligibility.
But F1 The Movie arrived this summer as Apple’s most high-profile theatrical release ever. It’s also Apple’s only title this year to get wide theatrical distribution.
And F1 has proven a huge hit.
Following its highly successful theatrical outing, availability for digital rental or purchase, and most recently Blu-ray availability, F1 is expected to debut on Apple TV+ soon.
Apple hasn’t announced a TV+ release date, but it’s widely expected to debut before the end of the year. My bet is on a November release.
When F1 hits Apple TV+, its huge theatrical success is likely to translate into similarly high interest on the streamer. Other studios and streaming services have consistently shown that success at the box office leads to success in streaming.
So if you’re a movie fan, Apple TV+ is having a great fall, but there’s more still to come.
What have you thought of the movie lineup on Apple TV+ lately? Let us know in the comments.
Apple TV+ is available for $12.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking.
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