Shrinking Season 3 and For All Mankind Season 5 garnered praise for emotional storytelling and character depth.
Apple TV+ balanced multiple genres with projects like Outcome, Hijack Season 2, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2, and Margo’s Got Money Trouble.
The platform is focused on quality-driven storytelling instead of volume, with most top-ranked originals receiving strong audience engagement and critical attention.
Apple TV+ has delivered a strong mix of emotional dramas, science-fiction adventures, thrillers, and dark comedies this year. From heartfelt series like Shrinking to large-scale productions like For All Mankind, the content feels fresh and worth watching.
What makes these titles work is their focus on strong writing and memorable characters instead of relying only on visual spectacle. Want to know which ones to watch over the weekend? Read on!
Here are the top Apple TV+ Originals of this year that you should watch.
| Rank | Title | IMDb Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shrinking (Season 3) | 8.1 |
| 2 | For All Mankind (Season 5) | 8.1 |
| 3 | Outcome (Movie) | 4.7 |
| 4 | Margo’s Got Money Trouble | 6.8 |
| 5 | Your Friends and Neighbors (Season 2) | 7.7 |
| 6 | Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Season 2) | 7 |
| 7 | Hijack (Season 2) | 7.3 |
| 8 | The Last Thing He Told Me (Season 2) | 6.6 |
| 9 | Tehran (Season 3) | 7.6 |
| 10 | Imperfect Women (Season 1) | 5.6 |
I suggest ‘Shrinking Season 3’ as the starting point. The series continues to balance comedy and emotional storytelling. Jason Segel and Harrison Ford remain the heart of the show, while the story around grief, healing, and relationships feels honest and relatable. It is one of those rare shows that can make you laugh and reflect at the same time.
Another easy recommendation is For All Mankind Season 5. The sci-fi drama keeps getting bigger with every season, and this year’s Mars storyline adds more tension. The series mixes politics, survival, and space exploration without losing its emotional side. Even after five seasons, the show feels new.
Outcome is probably the most surprising project on the list. Keanu Reeves steps away from his usual action roles and plays a troubled actor trying to rebuild his life after addiction and scandal. The movie focuses more on personal struggles and identity instead of fast-paced action. It is slower than many mainstream films, but the character work makes it worth watching.
I also enjoyed Margo’s Got Money Trouble because it feels current and realistic. The series follows a struggling young mother trying to survive financially while dealing with family issues and online fame. Elle Fanning brings charm to the role, and the mix of humor and emotional moments works well.
For viewers who enjoy dark comedy, Your Friends and Neighbors Season 2 is another strong pick. Jon Hamm’s character continues his secret life of crime while trying to maintain his wealthy suburban image. The show stays entertaining because of its sharp writing and unpredictable tension.
Also Read: Best Clean Comedy Movies on Netflix for the Whole Family
Outside the top five, Apple TV+ has many solid options depending on what type of content you enjoy. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 delivers action and grand visual effects while expanding the MonsterVerse story. It balances giant monster action with emotional family drama surprisingly well.
Hijack Season 2 keeps its fast-paced thriller style alive with Idris Elba once again leading the story. This time, the setting changes, but the tension and hostage drama make it an easy binge-watch.
The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 continues Jennifer Garner’s mystery drama with more family secrets and emotional twists. While it may not hit as hard as the first season, it keeps viewers interested.
Tehran Season 3 is one of Apple TV+’s stronger spy thrillers. Hugh Laurie’s addition gives the season extra weight, although the story starts feeling familiar compared to earlier seasons.
At the bottom of the ranking sits Imperfect Women. The psychological thriller has a strong cast and an interesting setup, but its slow build-up may not work for everyone.
Also Read: 10 Thrillers on Prime Video Too Suspenseful to Pause for Even a Second
Apple TV+ may not release as many shows as other streaming platforms, but it focuses on carefully made stories. That approach is clearly working until now. Shows like Shrinking and For All Mankind prove that emotional storytelling and strong characters matter more than big budgets alone.
I think Apple TV+ now feels like the streaming platform for viewers who want thoughtful entertainment without endless filler content. While not every release becomes a major hit, the platform’s consistency makes it worth keeping on your watchlist this year.
1. Which is the best Apple TV+ show?
Shrinking Season 3 is one of the best Apple TV+ shows to watch. The series mixes comedy and emotional storytelling in a natural way while focusing on grief, healing, and relationships. Harrison Ford and Jason Segel continue to deliver strong performances throughout the season.
2. Is For All Mankind's latest season good?
Yes, For All Mankind remains one of Apple TV+’s strongest sci-fi dramas even after five seasons. The new Mars storyline adds fresh tension, while the series continues balancing politics, survival, and emotional storytelling without feeling repetitive or stretched.
3. What is the movie Outcome about?
Outcome is a character-driven black comedy starring Keanu Reeves as a troubled actor trying to rebuild his life after addiction and scandal. Instead of focusing on action, the movie explores identity, fame, relationships, and personal struggles in a slower but emotional way.
4. Which Apple TV+ thriller should I binge-watch?
Hijack Season 2 is one of the best thriller options on Apple TV+ right now. Idris Elba returns in another tense hostage situation filled with suspense, fast pacing, and emotional pressure, making the show an easy binge-watch over a weekend.
5. Why is Apple TV+ popular?
Apple TV+ is becoming popular because it focuses more on quality storytelling instead of releasing a huge number of shows. Many viewers enjoy the platform’s strong writing, emotional depth, and well-made productions compared to content-heavy streaming services.