Best Movies On Apple TV That Reward A Closer Look
- 01. Best Movies on Apple TV That Reward a Closer Look
- 02. Top 5 Apple TV Movies Ranked by Critical Acclaim
- 03. Why These Movies Matter for Educational Viewing
- 04. Essential Apple TV Originals by Category
- 05. Hidden Gems Worth Your Time
- 06. How to Maximize Family Viewing Values
- 07. Final Recommendation for Educators and Parents
Best Movies on Apple TV That Reward a Closer Look
The best movies on Apple TV right now are CODA (the first streaming film to win Best Picture), Killers of the Flower Moon (Martin Scorsese's 206-minute epic), Blitz (Steve McQueen's WWII drama), F1: The Movie (Brad Pitt's $630 million box office hit), and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Oscar-winning animated short). These titles combine critical acclaim, award recognition, and values-driven storytelling that align with educational and family-friendly viewing.
Top 5 Apple TV Movies Ranked by Critical Acclaim
| Rank | Movie Title | Release Year | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Awards Won | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CODA | 2021 | 94% | 3 Oscars (Best Picture, Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay) | 1h 51m |
| 2 | Killers of the Flower Moon | 2023 | 93% | 10 Oscar nominations | 3h 26m |
| 3 | Blitz | 2024 | 88% | 9 Oscar nominations | 2h 14m |
| 4 | F1: The Movie | 2025 | 87% | $628M worldwide box office | 2h 20m |
| 5 | The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse | 2022 | 100% | 1 Oscar (Best Animated Short) | 35m |
Why These Movies Matter for Educational Viewing
Apple TV's film library stands out for its values-driven narratives that explore themes of perseverance, justice, and human dignity-core principles resonant with Marist educational philosophy. CODA's celebration of Deaf culture and family responsibility models inclusive community engagement. Killers of the Flower Moon's unflinching examination of historical injustice against the Osage Nation provides critical primary-source context for understanding systemic racism and the birth of the FBI.
Steve McQueen's Blitz demonstrates resilience during crisis, following 9-year-old George's journey through London's WWII bombing campaign-a powerful teaching tool for discussing courage, family separation, and community solidarity under pressure. The film's November 22, 2024 streaming debut made it accessible to educators worldwide seeking historical content with emotional depth.
Essential Apple TV Originals by Category
- CODA - Follows Ruby Rossi, a hearing teenager in a Deaf family, who must choose between pursuing her singing passion and supporting her family's fishing business; Troy Kotsur became the first Deaf male actor to win an Oscar
- Killers of the Flower Moon - Martin Scorsese's epic chronicles the systematic murder of Osage Nation members after oil discovery in 1920s Oklahoma, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro
- Blitz - 9-year-old George is sent to the countryside during London's WWII Blitz but returns to find his mother, showcasing defiant courage amid devastation
- F1: The Movie - Brad Pitt plays a veteran Formula 1 driver mentoring a rookie, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick); Apple TV rebranded from Apple TV+ with this release
- The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse - Animated short exploring kindness, friendship, courage, and hope through four unlikely companions searching for home
Hidden Gems Worth Your Time
Beyond the award-winners, Apple TV hosts The Banker, an inspiring true story of two African-American entrepreneurs fighting 1960s racial segregation by hiring a white man to pose as their company's face. Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson deliver powerful performances in this PG-13 drama about economic justice and the American Dream.
Pixar's Soul (though now primarily on Disney+) previously streamed on Apple TV and explores existential questions about purpose and passion through jazz teacher Joe Gardner's journey to "The Great Before"-a film that sparks meaningful discussions about life's meaning suitable for adolescent learners.
How to Maximize Family Viewing Values
- Prioritize films with measurable social impact like CODA's advancement of Deaf representation
- Use historical epics like Killers of the Flower Moon as primary source supplements for curriculum on Native American history
- Choose shorter animated works like The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse for family discussion time without overwhelming runtime
- Leverage Blitz's themes of community resilience when teaching about WWII or crisis response
Apple TV's curated library now includes over 28 critically acclaimed films as of April 2023, with new original releases adding 3-4 major titles quarterly. This consistent output ensures educators and families have fresh, values-aligned content for ongoing viewing.
Final Recommendation for Educators and Parents
For families seeking educational rigor blended with spiritual and social mission, CODA remains the essential starting point-its historic Best Picture win validates storytelling that centers marginalized voices while celebrating family obligation. Pair it with The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse for a complete evening of hope-centered content that models kindness and courage without excessive runtime.
Expert answers to Best Movies On Apple Tv That Reward A Closer Look queries
Which movie won the first Oscar for a streaming service?
CODA won Best Picture at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, becoming the first film with a predominantly Deaf cast to win Best Picture and the first streaming service film honored with the top prize.
When does F1: The Movie arrive on Apple TV?
F1: The Movie begins streaming globally on Apple TV on December 12, 2025, after earning $628 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing sports movie ever.
What is the shortest Oscar-winning movie on Apple TV?
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a 35-minute animated short that won Best Animated Short at the Oscars, premiering December 25, 2022, based on Charlie Mackesy's bestselling book.
Is Killers of the Flower Moon appropriate for classroom viewing?
The film is rated R for violence and contains disturbing depictions of genocide; educators should preview it and provide historical context about the 1920s Osage Nation murders before showing to older students.
When did Blitz premiere on Apple TV+?
Blitz debuted globally on Apple TV+ on November 22, 2024, following a limited theatrical release starting November 1, 2024, starring Saoirse Ronan and Elliott Heffernan.
