The best shows on Apple TV+ right now include John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial, a must-watch for Beatles fans, and hidden gems like Loot.
Apple TV+ had a banner year in 2023, celebrating successful new shows like Silo, Shrinking, Hijack, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, along with the return of new seasons of popular shows like The Morning Show, Servant, and For All Mankind. Chances are that a friend, family member, or colleague mentioned at least one show that’s worth watching on Apple TV+ this year. Did it prompt you to sign up for a subscription? If so, you made a good choice.
Now that you’ve watched that show and a few others, what’s next? We have spent countless hours watching Apple TV+ series and have curated this list of the best shows on Apple TV+ right now. With new shows being released steadily throughout 2024, there are sure to be new series worth adding to the list, so check back each month for updates. For this month, here’s the best from the streaming service.
Looking for more TV shows? We’ve got all the guides for you, including the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Disney+, the best shows on Hulu, and the best shows on Amazon Prime Video.
A three-part series, John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial discusses the former Beatle, his life as an outspoken political activist, and his shocking murder. The series includes interviews with his friends, doctors, and investigators, who discuss their personal memories and recollections of the events leading up to the fateful night Lennon was killed. You’ll hear from a psychiatrist, a member of Mark David Chapman’s legal team, and others.
Yes, the docuseries does touch on many conspiracy theories that have arisen over the decades as well. Narrated by Kiefer Sutherland, the familiar, the documentary takes you into the minds of both a passionate musician and Chapman, the mentally unstable man who ended his life. Critics are divided on John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial, with some criticizing the fact that it brings no unknown revelations to light. But others call it must-see TV for “any Beatles completist.”
A workplace comedy, Loot has flown under the radar given so many other high-profile Apple TV+ originals. But if you’re looking for something to pass the time when you’re fresh out of things to watch, Loot won’t disappoint. Loot boasts a star-studded ensemble cast that includes SNL alum Maya Rudolph (who also executive produces the show) along with Alan Yang (creator of Little America and Master of None), Adam Scott (Severance), Matt Hubbard (30 Rock), MJ Rodriguez (Pose), Ron Funches (Undateable), and Nat Faxon (Married). Rudolph stars as Molly, a billionaire who has everything a woman could possibly want until a betrayal by her egotistical husband John (Scott) causes her to spiral.
After generating tons of bad press following the separation, Molly is confronted by the woman who runs one of her charity foundations. Molly didn’t even know about the organization, a satire of billionaire housewives with more money than they know what to do with and no involvement in much of anything. But Molly is different. In getting to know the people who dedicate their lives to helping others, she finds purpose. Maybe giving back is what will bring her true joy. The hilarious cast that brings heart and humor to an otherwise sad tale makes Loot worth checking out. A second season is forthcoming.
Slow Horses stars Gary Oldman as the brilliant lead of a team of British intelligence agents who work in a “dumping ground” department of MI5 called Slough House. He ended up there following a massive mistake that almost entirely ended his career. Based on the Mick Herron novel of the same name, the espionage series features a star-studded supporting cast as well, including Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce, Jack Lowden, and Olivia Cooke.
Slow Horses is quick-witted and thoroughly entertaining, with Oldman shining as the crass, obnoxious, heavy-drinking boss for a team that’s desperate to prove themselves worthy, or at least just get through another workday. The series is arguably one of Apple TV+’s most underrated dark horses, pun intended.
Five Days at Memorial is based on actual events that occurred during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Adapted from Sheri Fink’s book of the same name (which itself was an expansion of her Pulitzer Prize-winning article from The New York Times), the series looks back at the aftermath of the destruction, focused on a local hospital.
With power failures, temperatures rising to unbearable levels, and exhaustion setting in, decisions were made in triage that haunt the residents, families, and workers to this day. Five Days at Memorial is a heart-wrenching look at the legal and political ramifications of euthanization of critically ill patients, but most emotionally, the moral toll it takes on those involved on both sides of the equation.
When Sewon, a brain scientist, loses his family in a mysterious accident, he sets out to uncover the truth about what happened. Using unconventional methods fueled by his research and knowledge, he attempts to sync his brain with the brains of the dead to try and extract their memories and find out what was behind the tragic event.
Based on the webtoon of the same name, the South Korean sci-fi series Dr. Brain received rave reviews, with critics lauding its “cerebral thrills.” As the first Korean-language show produced for Apple TV+, there have been rumors of a second season of Dr. Brain, but nothing has materialized as yet.
A follow-up to Snoopy in Space (also streaming on Apple TV+), The Snoopy Show brings back the beloved Peanuts character and his sidekick Woodstock, voiced by Terry McGurrin and Robert Tinkler, respectively. In the animated series, the duo partake in a variety of adventures.
Based on the Peanuts comic strip, Snoopy returns as the Masked Marvel and a flying ace who fights the Red Baron. Of course, we can’t forget about his other friends, Charlie Brown, Patty, Sally Brown, Violet, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Pig-Pen, and others, all of whom make appearances throughout. A second holiday special was released for 2023.
Consider this Apple TV+’s version of Bridgerton. The Buccaneers is about a group of young women, all daughters of rich Americans, who are about to take a trip to London in search of wealthy aristocrats to marry.
