When it comes to originals, Netflix and Amazon have the deepest libraries of prestige movies. But ever since CODA won the Best Picture Oscar, it’s become clear that some of the best movies are on Apple TV+.
As with any streaming service, not every film on the roster is a winner, but from the Billie Eilish documentary to Sundance darlings, Apple’s streaming service is building up a strong catalog to run alongside its growing slate of beloved TV shows.
Below are WIRED’s picks for flicks you should prioritize in your queue. Once you’re done, hop over to our list of the best movies on Netflix and the best movies on Disney+. If you’re feeling a little more episodic, our guide for the best shows on Amazon might be just the ticket.
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Highest 2 Lowest
Director Spike Lee's latest teams him up once again with longtime collaborator Denzel Washington to tell the story of David King, a music mogul who believes his son has been kidnapped and must figure out how to get him back. Also starring A$AP Rocky, this reimagining of Akira Kurosawa's 1960s classic High and Low is both a tense thriller and—like many of Lee’s best movies—a love letter to New York City and the music it makes. The film opened in theaters this summer and hits Apple's streaming service on September 5.
Echo Valley
A story about a woman who “learns just how far a mother will go to try to save her child” might sound like a Lifetime movie, but this one, from Mare of Easttown writer Brad Ingelsby, is far darker. Kate (Julianne Moore) runs a horse ranch in a quiet rural area. When her daughter Claire (Sydney Sweeney) comes home wearing someone else’s blood and crying about a fight she had with her boyfriend, Kate must decide what she’ll do. She also must figure out if she knows who her daughter truly is.
Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical
Summer is here! And if you, or your kids, are stoked about summer camp, this 40-minute Peanuts special is just for you. Actually, if you, or your kids, aren’t excited for summer camp, it might be for you, too. Charlie Brown wants to make his final year at camp his best yet. Sally, ever the skeptic, isn’t nearly as jazzed. Meanwhile, Snoopy and Woodstock go searching for treasure. Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical is all about keeping ahold of the things you love, even as life moves on. If you can’t sit around a campfire making s'mores, sit around this.
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