25 Best Apple TV Shows: The Ultimate Watch List (2024)

Apple TV's 25 Best TV Shows You're Probably Not Watching

Apple TV+ has a bit of a reputation problem. It is the streaming service you signed up for to watch Ted Lasso or Severance and then promptly forgot about. Meanwhile, Apple has been quietly building a library of genuinely excellent, critically acclaimed shows that are flying under the radar. My job is to cut through the noise and tell you what is actually worth your precious screen time—and, importantly, what makes for a great gift for the discerning viewer in your life.

Let’s be honest: the streaming landscape is a jungle. You have your Netflixes, your Maxes, your Disneys, all clamoring for attention with endless content. Apple TV+ often gets lost in the shuffle, overshadowed by the sheer volume of other platforms. But buried in that curated catalog are real gems that punch way above their weight in quality. The trick is finding them.

Gifting Hack: How to Actually Give Apple TV+

Before we dive into the shows, let’s talk logistics. You cannot easily wrap a digital subscription in a bow, but you can be strategic.

The Apple Gift Card: The simplest way. Buy a digital or physical App Store & iTunes gift card. A $30 card covers about three months of service, which is plenty of time for someone to binge at least five of the shows on this list.

Apple One Family Sharing: If you already pay for Apple One (which bundles Music, TV+, and Arcade), you can add up to five family members for no extra cost. It’s the gift that costs you nothing but makes you look like a hero.

For the Espionage Addict and Mystery Obsessive

Slow Horses If you like: James Bond or Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. This is the crown jewel of the platform. Gary Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, the slovenly, flatulent, and brilliant head of Slough House—the place where disgraced MI5 agents go to rot. It’s witty, gritty, and features the best dialogue on television.
Black Bird If you like: Mindhunter. A chilling true-crime limited series starring Taron Egerton as a convict who must elicit a confession from a suspected serial killer. It is tense, atmospheric, and features a haunting final performance by Ray Liotta.
Hijack If you like: 24 or John Wick. Idris Elba plays a corporate negotiator who has to use his wits to save a hijacked plane. It plays out in real-time, making it an addictive, high-stakes binge.
Presumed Innocent If you like: Lincoln Lawyer. Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this reimagining of the classic legal thriller. It’s a sleek, modern "whodunnit" that keeps you guessing until the final frame.
Sugar If you like: Chinatown or Noir films. Colin Farrell plays a private investigator in modern-day LA who looks and acts like he stepped out of a 1940s film. There is a mid-season twist that you will either love or hate, but you won't stop talking about it.

For the World-Builders and Sci-Fi Dreamers

Silo If you like: Fallout or The Last of Us. In a ruined, toxic future, a community lives in a giant underground silo. When the sheriff breaks a cardinal rule, a mechanic (Rebecca Ferguson) starts uncovering the truth about their world. The production design is staggering.
Severance If you like: Black Mirror or Office Space. The premise is simple: what if you could surgically divide your work memories from your personal ones? The result is a mind-bending corporate thriller that feels uncomfortably relevant.
For All Mankind If you like: Interstellar or Apollo 13. An alternate history where the Soviet Union beat the U.S. to the moon. It follows the decades-long ripple effects of that one change. It is ambitious, emotional, and visually stunning.
Foundation If you like: Dune or Game of Thrones. Based on Isaac Asimov’s novels, this is a massive, sprawling space opera. It deals with the fall of a galactic empire and the mathematicians trying to save humanity’s knowledge. It is arguably the most beautiful show on TV.
Dark Matter If you like: Inception. Joel Edgerton stars as a physicist who is kidnapped into an alternate version of his own life. It’s a fast-paced exploration of the "road not taken" that will leave your brain spinning.

For the Sharp-Witted and Comedy Lovers

Shrinking If you like: Ted Lasso. Jason Segel plays a grieving therapist who starts telling his patients exactly what he thinks. Harrison Ford shows up as his curmudgeonly boss and steals every single scene he’s in. It’s the ultimate "comfort watch."
Bad Sisters If you like: Big Little Lies or Knives Out. A dark comedy set in Ireland about five sisters who decide to kill their brother-in-law. It’s hilarious, heart-wrenching, and features one of the most detestable villains in recent memory.
Mythic Quest If you like: The Office or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Set in a video game development studio, this workplace comedy captures the ego and insanity of the tech world perfectly. It’s sharp, fast, and surprisingly heartfelt.
The Afterparty If you like: Only Murders in the Building. A murder mystery where each episode is filmed in a different cinematic style (musical, action movie, animation) depending on which character is telling the story. It is a brilliant puzzle for fans of the genre.
Acapulco If you like: Jane the Virgin. A bilingual comedy about a young man who lands his dream job at the hottest resort in Acapulco. It’s colorful, nostalgic, and incredibly charming.

For the Deep Thinkers and Drama Devotees

Pachinko If you like: Minari or The Crown. A multi-generational saga that spans Korea, Japan, and America. It is visually breathtaking and tells a story of survival and identity with immense grace. It’s a gift for anyone who appreciates high-level storytelling.
The Morning Show If you like: Succession. What started as a show about a morning news program has evolved into a sharp look at power dynamics, corporate warfare, and the #MeToo era. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon are at the top of their game here.
Lessons in Chemistry If you like: The Bear (for the food) or Queen’s Gambit. Brie Larson stars as a scientist in the 1960s who uses a cooking show to teach women about more than just recipes. It’s a gorgeous, empowering period piece.
Drops of God If you like: Chef’s Table or Succession. A French-Japanese drama about the world of fine wine. Two people compete for a massive inheritance by identifying rare wines through blind tastings. It’s far more thrilling than it sounds.
Disclaimer If you like: Tár or psychological thrillers. Cate Blanchett plays a journalist who discovers she is a main character in a novel that reveals her darkest secret. It’s a masterclass in tension and prestige filmmaking.

The Hidden Gems for Every Vibe

Trying If you like: Schitt's Creek. A British comedy about a couple trying to adopt. It is perhaps the sweetest, most genuine show on any platform. If you need a "hug" in TV form, this is it.
Physical If you like: GLOW. Rose Byrne plays a tortured housewife in the 80s who finds her voice—and a business empire—through the world of aerobics. It’s dark, cynical, and very funny.
Sunny If you like: Her or Lost in Translation. Rashida Jones stars as an American woman living in Kyoto whose life is upended when her family disappears in a plane crash. Her only companion is a domestic robot named Sunny. It’s a weird, wonderful mystery.
Palm Royale If you like: The White Lotus. Kristen Wiig stars as a woman trying to break into Palm Beach high society in 1969. It’s a feast for the eyes, full of bright colors, big hair, and backstabbing socialites.
Ted Lasso If you like: Being happy. The show that put Apple TV+ on the map. Even if your gift recipient has heard of it, they might not have watched it. It’s the quintessential "pay it forward" gift.

The Bottom Line: Quality Over Quantity

Is Apple TV+ the most comprehensive service? No. You won't find 40 seasons of a random procedural here. But for under $10 a month, you are getting access to shows that feel like they were made with genuine artistic intent.

If you are looking to add a unique, quality-driven option to your household or want to give a gift that keeps on giving, Apple TV+ is the move. Just make sure you point your recipient toward these specific series. It’s about finding the shows that actually earn their place on your screen. Don't let these incredible stories fly under your radar.