September 30th, 2022, sees the arrival of The Greatest Beer Run Ever on Apple TV+ and it'll be interesting to see where it ends up ranking among the platform's best films. The streaming service doesn't have a lengthy catalog of original films but they seem to believe in quality over quantity.
The majority of the movies they have put out have been well received (and the same goes for their TV shows) and one even managed to make history at the Oscars. The users at Letterboxd have given out impressive reviews to these movies as well, leading to some stellar ratings on their five-star scale.
Greyhound (2020) - 3.13
The always lovable Tom Hanks has led two films on Apple TV+ and one of them feels a lot like his similar Captain Phillips movie from a few years back. Though the storylines are different, both take place on a large ship and put Hanks's protagonist in a harrowing situation.
In Greyhound, Hanks plays the commander of a US Navy ship that comes under attack during World War II. The film scored an Oscar nomination for Best Sound and most reviews praised the action sequences, the performance of Hanks, and how efficiently it used the short runtime.
On The Rocks (2020) - 3.15
Ever since she made her directorial debut in 1999, Sofia Coppola has been one of the most impressive filmmakers in Hollywood. For the first time since the incredible Lost in Translation, 2020 saw Coppola work with Bill Murray again.
That was for On The Rocks, where Murray plays Felix and Rashida Jones plays Laura, a father/daughter duo who attempt to find out if Laura's husband is cheating on her. Though not a film filled with exciting scenes, Coppola's screenplay is witty and the actors displayed great chemistry.
Finch (2021) - 3.38
The other feature film led by Tom Hanks on Apple TV+ is Finch, which again is reminiscent of another of Hanks's movies. Since Hanks is the only actor on screen for the majority of the picture, it can be considered similar to Cast Away.
However, instead of being friends with a volleyball, his main confidant is a robot he built during an apocalypse. As usual, Hanks's performance was strong, while praise also went toward Caleb Landry Jones's voice acting and the visuals. Though it wasn't the most original concept, the filmmakers made it work well enough.
The Banker (2020) - 3.43
One of the first Apple TV+ originals to hit the platform was The Banker, which is led by two of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood these days. MCU stars Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie portray Joe Morris and Bernard Garrett, respectively, the first two Black bankers in America.
In a lot of ways, the movie hits the expected tropes of adapting a true story but the performances by the main trio (Nicholas Hoult is the third) helped boost it. The Banker also took home the prize for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards.
Swan Song (2021) - 3.50
These days, it truly feels like Mahershala Ali can do no wrong. The two-time Academy Award winner keeps landing roles in movies that critics love and that audiences seem to appreciate too. The same could be said for his co-star in Swan Song, Awkwafina.
The film focuses on Cameron Turner (Ali) as he considers replacing himself with a clone so his family won't lose him due to his terminal illness. Along the way, he talks with Kate (Awkwafina), a previously cloned human to discuss the pros and cons. The intriguing premise and Ali's Golden Globe nominated turn are why it was such a success.
Palmer (2021) - 3.51
For the most part, Justin Timberlake has been known for his comedic chops displayed in places like Saturday Night Live and his best dramatic performance came in a supporting part in The Social Network. 2021 saw him get dramatic in a lead performance in Palmer.
He plays the titular character, an ex-con who attempts to turn his life around and ends up becoming a father figure to a neglected child who lives next door. Despite not being the newest concept, the film was praised for the emotional weight and the acting, including a great supporting turn by Juno Temple.
The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2021) - 3.77
The work of William Shakespeare has been adapted over and over throughout cinema history to varying success. The idea that Joel Coen would be writing and directing a version of The Tragedy of Macbeth was seemingly sure to be one of the best.
That was only boosted by the casting of multiple Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as Lord and Lady Macbeth. Washington landed nods at several award shows for his work here (including another Oscar nomination) but the true highlight of the film was the cinematography and stunning black and white visuals.
CODA (2021) - 3.85
The history-making movie for Apple TV+ is CODA, which became the first film distributed by a streaming service to win the Best Picture Academy Award. On top of that, it was the first winner to have premiered at the Sundance Film Festival as well.
CODA tells the emotionally gripping tale of Ruby, the only hearing member of her family, who are all deaf. She must choose whether to follow her own dreams after high school or stay with her family to help them. It won all three Oscars it was up for, adding Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Tony Kotsur) to Best Picture.
Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022) - 3.86
He has only made two films so far but Cooper Raiff is clearly already someone to watch in Hollywood. His first film, S#!%house, was a critical darling and the same goes for his follow-up, Cha Cha Real Smooth.
This focuses on Alex (Raiff), a college freshman who gets a job as a Bar Mitzvah host and falls for a mother and befriends her autistic daughter. It won the Audience Award at Sundance, was met with widespread acclaim, and Dakota Johnson's name is being tossed around in Oscar talks.
Wolfwalkers (2020) - 4.13
It might not be nearly as well-known as some other Apple TV+ originals but Wolfwalkers is quietly one of the best animated films in recent memory. It comes from the mind of Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart and is part of Moore's "Irish Folklore Trilogy."
Though they don't connect, the film follows The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea in the series. Wolfwalkers centers on a young apprentice hunter meant to take out wolves, only to become friends with a girl who can transform into one. The Oscar nominated film was praised for the storytelling and the unique visual style.