The Best Apple Original Movies You Haven’t Seen Yet

10. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (2022)

Adapted from Charlie Mackesy’s beloved illustrated book, this animated short captures the power of kindness and friendship. The story follows four companions journeying through a snowy landscape in search of belonging. The hand-drawn animation and gentle narration evoke a timeless, storybook quality. Its dialogue, profound but straightforward, resonates across all ages. Winner of the 2023 Academy Award for Best Animated Short, it exemplifies how minimalism can achieve emotional depth.

9. Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)

Written and directed by Cooper Raiff, this Sundance favorite follows a young man who becomes a party host while uncertain about his future. His growing bond with a single mother, played by Dakota Johnson, and her autistic daughter forms the film’s emotional center. The script balances humor and melancholy, portraying post-college aimlessness with honesty. Raiff’s performance is unpolished yet authentic, giving the story genuine warmth. Its sincerity and emotional intelligence make it one of Apple’s best independent acquisitions.

8. On the Rocks (2020)

Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks reunites her with Bill Murray in a modern father-daughter comedy. Rashida Jones plays a writer who suspects her husband of infidelity, prompting a spontaneous investigation with her charming father. The film’s light tone conceals more profound reflections on aging, gender, and emotional distance. Coppola’s direction emphasizes rhythm and chemistry over plot, making the interactions feel spontaneous and lived-in. Though understated, it’s one of Apple’s most elegant and personal offerings.

7. Hala (2019)

Writer-director Minhal Baig’s Hala follows a Pakistani-American teenager navigating identity, tradition, and independence. Geraldine Viswanathan’s performance captures the tension between cultural obligation and self-expression. The story’s realism stems from its nuanced depiction of family life rather than external conflict. Subtle visual storytelling and restrained dialogue make it an understated but powerful coming-of-age film. Its exploration of dual identity remains one of the most honest in recent American cinema.

6. Palmer (2021)

In Palmer, Justin Timberlake plays an ex-convict who tries to rebuild his life in a small town. His unexpected friendship with a gender-nonconforming boy named Sam becomes the story's heart. The film avoids sentimentality, focusing on personal redemption and the courage to defy societal expectations. Alisha Wainwright and young actor Ryder Allen provide strong support, enhancing its authenticity. It’s a modest but emotionally sincere drama about compassion and second chances.

5. Causeway (2022)

Directed by Lila Neugebauer, Causeway centers on a soldier’s slow recovery after a brain injury. Jennifer Lawrence delivers a subdued, naturalistic performance as Lynsey, while Brian Tyree Henry’s portrayal of James adds depth and empathy. Their unlikely friendship becomes the film’s emotional core, exploring shared trauma and quiet resilience. The restrained cinematography and sparse dialogue emphasize intimacy over drama. It’s a rare example of character-driven storytelling done with patience and care.

4. Finch (2021)

Tom Hanks stars as Finch, a dying engineer navigating a desolate Earth after a solar flare has wiped out most life. Accompanied by his dog and a self-built robot named Jeff, he embarks on a journey toward survival and companionship. The film’s strength lies in its simplicity and character-driven focus rather than action. Hanks brings warmth and melancholy to a solitary role, while Caleb Landry Jones voices Jeff with disarming sincerity. It’s a restrained yet affecting story about human persistence and connection.

3. Swan Song (2021)

Mahershala Ali leads this thoughtful sci-fi drama as a man facing terminal illness who considers being replaced by a clone. The film avoids spectacle, focusing instead on moral and emotional complexity. Director Benjamin Cleary examines identity, love, and legacy through muted tones and reflective pacing. Naomie Harris and Glenn Close provide strong support, grounding the futuristic premise in human vulnerability. Swan Song stands out for its intimacy and Ali’s quiet, layered performance across dual roles.

2. The Banker (2020)

Based on actual events, The Banker tells the story of Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris, two Black entrepreneurs who challenge housing discrimination in 1960s America. By hiring a white man to front their real estate business, they expose systemic racism within the financial sector. Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson deliver grounded performances that balance intelligence with quiet defiance. The film highlights overlooked figures in civil rights history through sharp writing and restrained direction. It’s one of Apple’s most socially conscious and historically relevant releases.

1. Wolfwalkers (2020)

Directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, Wolfwalkers completes the Irish Folklore Trilogy alongside The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea. Set in 17th-century Kilkenny, it follows apprentice hunter Robyn and her friendship with Mebh, a girl from a shapeshifting wolf tribe. Inspired by woodblock art, the film’s hand-drawn animation creates a distinct visual identity. Its themes of freedom, colonialism, and coexistence deepen its emotional impact. Despite critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination, it remains underseen outside animation circles.