Apple TV Streams The Best Movies And TV Shows – And They’re Fixing Their Biggest Problem – SlashFilm

On Tuesday, February third, a gaggle of journalists, influencers, numerous press/media representatives, and I had been invited to a hangar on the Santa Monica Airport to witness Apple TV’s press day, wherein a piece of the streaming service’s slate of recent tv collection and unique movies for 2026 had been introduced and previewed. A part of the presentation included the brand new season of “The Final Factor He Instructed Me,” a thriller-thriller collection. It stars Jennifer Garner, Angourie Rice, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and new additions Judy Greer and Rita Wilson. It is based mostly on the very best-promoting 2021 novel by Laura Dave. Reese Witherspoon is an government producer. And the primary season aired again in 2023. Neither I nor these sitting close to me within the venue had ever heard of it earlier than.

That final level is completely illustrative of the problem that Apple TV has had with nearly all of its choices because the service started in November of 2019. Whereas Apple TV has had the occasional breakout hit (like “Shrinking” and “Pluribus,” each of which had been duly represented on the occasion), most of its reveals appear to fall by the wayside. In the meantime, their unique movies are feast or famine in terms of visibility; final yr’s glorious “The Misplaced Bus” was extensively neglected, whereas their huge, splashy theatrical launch of “F1” has been nominated for Best Image on the Academy Awards. Whereas different streamers are hit or miss in terms of their fare, Apple TV has usually loved important acclaim for almost all of its productions. Their largest downside is that they have not but been capable of get the phrase out about them successfully. Thankfully, this press day was an excellent indication that that is being fastened, and the change could not come at a greater time.

One factor that the Apple TV press day proved in abundance is that their productions are filled with stars. Their service is not one full of reveals and movies that principally function unknowns or up-and-comers. As a substitute, they have already got the likes of father-son duo Kurt and Wyatt Russell (on the upcoming season 2 of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters”), Jon Hamm and James Marsden (on “Your Pals & Neighbors”), Colin Farrell (on “Sugar”), and Harrison Ford and Jason Segel (on “Shrinking”) as a part of their roster. Added to that for 2026 are people equivalent to Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz (for “Consequence,” a brand new movie from Jonah Hill), Anya Taylor-Pleasure and Timothy Olyphant (for “Fortunate”), Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, and Kate Mara (for “Imperfect Girls”), Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer (for “Margo’s Received Cash Troubles”), in addition to John Cena and Jessica Biel (for “Matchbox: The Film”).

After all, all of the film and TV stars on this planet do not imply a lot if the work is subpar. Thankfully, Apple TV has a extremely glorious observe report. They do not simply court docket expertise like Martin Scorsese and Seth Rogen; they find yourself with films and reveals as stellar as “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “The Studio.”

2026 looks as if one other nice yr for the service, as new reveals just like the gritty con-artist drama “Fortunate” and the quirky David E. Kelley manufacturing of “Margo’s Received Cash Troubles” appear particularly impressed. The occasion could not reveal an excessive amount of about these new collection and movies, in fact, however the previews and panels drummed up a whole lot of pleasure for the service’s slate in the identical method as one thing like CinemaCon or, maybe not coincidentally, an Apple keynote occasion.

General, the choice of movies and reveals previewed on the press day occasion was a wonderful indication of the sensible decisions Apple TV is making, particularly in terms of constructing a various, thrilling slate. As an illustration, nothing in regards to the new collection and movies appeared to be aggressively following any algorithms or developments. That is true even in terms of probably the most IP-targeted venture, “Matchbox: The Film.” A movie made along side the toy firm Mattel might’ve appeared groan-inducing, however the involvement of director Sam Hargrave (well-known for the “Extraction” movies) and his signature model of insane stunts and motion makes it look like a should-see.

I used to be greater than able to be cynical about “Cape Concern” being remade for a second time as a collection, particularly given how I am an enormous fan of the 1962 J. Lee Thompson unique and the 1991 Martin Scorsese banger. But the involvement of Patrick Wilson, Amy Adams, and Javier Bardem is nothing to scoff at, and showrunner Nick Antosca has confirmed himself adept at bringing huge-display screen horror to the small display screen twice over, having labored on each “Hannibal” and “Chucky.” Katie Dippold’s “Widow’s Bay” additionally pleasantly intrigued me with its obvious dedication to nailing a stability between comedy and horror, as did David Rosen’s “Most Pleasure Assured,” which looks as if it would observe in Vince Gilligan’s footsteps of quirky, gritty drama.

Hopefully, this press day is only the start of Apple TV getting the phrase out about its work. Certain, it is a rule of thumb with streamers to principally promote the service and never particular person initiatives, however sticking with that technique could be silly of them when the initiatives are this good. Here is hoping extra consideration comes Apple TV’s manner in 2026.