Like every other major streaming service, Apple TV+ put out some fantastic content in 2021. While their original TV series tend to get more of the shine thanks to the likes of Ted Lasso racking up Emmy victories, their movies have been met with pretty high praise as well. 2021 saw them put out six original films not counting documentaries or specials.
These movies cover many different genres from gripping war stories to touching family drama to some of the more creative sci-fi flicks of the year. All of these films received solid acclaim from critics and audiences, with their ratings on IMDb being impressive.
6 Cherry (6.6)
If a movie is going to feature the talents of the people behind two of the biggest blockbusters in history, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, it'll get people excited. Cherry had that going for it as it stars Tom Holland in the lead role and is directed by the Russo Brothers. However, the entire premise of the film is totally different.
Cherry follows the titular character (Holland), who is based on Nico Walker, and it goes to some harrowing places. He struggles while at war, anchored by the woman he loves at home but after returning home, things get worse due to drug addiction, PTSD, and more. Some criticized the screenplay but the performances of Holland and Ciara Bravo were heavily praised.
5 Swan Song (6.7)
Before it debuted on the streaming service near the end of the year, there was a fair amount of hype surrounding Swan Song. For starters, the movie is led by two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali and the supporting cast includes Golden Globe winner Awkwafina and Oscar nominees Glenn Close and Naomie Harris.
The story of Swan Song plays out like an episode of Black Mirror. It's set in a future with advanced technology and sees the protagonist (Ali) agree to be replaced by a clone since he's dying and doesn't want to leave his family alone. That leads to heavy drama as he struggles to know if this is truly the right plan. Reviews were positive and most of the praise went towards Ali's dual performances.
4 Finch (6.9)
It seems like Tom Hanks is the best actor in the world when he's meant to work alone on screen. He captivated audiences while mostly isolated in films like 2000's Cast Away and 2004's The Terminal before doing so again this year in Finch. The sci-fi sees Hanks play the titular Finch as he lives in a post-apocalyptic world that is pretty much destroyed.
Knowing that he's dying, Finch uses his engineering skills to create a self-help robot that can take care of his dog once he's gone. The movie sees the trio bond in heartwarming fashion as they brave the hardships of the world they live in. Although critics felt that the plot isn't completely memorable, there's an impressive amount of charm that makes this work well.
3 Palmer (7.3)
Apple TV+'s first feature film release of 2021 was Palmer and as soon as viewers checked out the trailer, they knew they were in for a tear-jerker. Justin Timberlake stars as Eddie Palmer, an ex-convict who did prison time for attempted murder and theft. Shunned by many in society, he forms an unlikely bond with his flamboyant gender-nonconforming neighbor child.
The father/child relationship that the two share hits audiences emotionally as Palmer struggles to take official care of the kid due to his scarred past. Even if some aspects of the story have been done often, this film was seen as a success due to the performances of Timberlake, Ryder Allen, Juno Temple, and the rest of the cast.
2 CODA (8.1)
Although Apple TV+ hasn't been around for long, they already have an original film that is likely to be a big contender come awards season. CODA has been met with widespread acclaim since getting released for everything from the plot to the family drama to the performances to the attention given to the deaf community.
A remake of a 2014 French film, CODA (stands for child of deaf adults) centers on Ruby (Emilia Jones), a girl who is the only person in her family who can hear. She deals with a crossroads of wanting to pursue her own path towards her passion for music and staying at home due to the important role she plays in her family business. It is already up for several major awards.
1 Come From Away (8.7)
There's no doubt that Come From Away is the most unique original movie put out by the streaming platform. That's because it's not your typical film and, like 2020's Hamilton, is in fact a recording of the stage play of the same name. Released in honor of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America, the story has a lot to do with that tragic day.
Come From Away tells the tale of 7,000 airline passengers who were stranded, welcomed, and housed in a small town in Newfoundland after the terrorist attacks. Like Hamilton, it was a critical darling as viewers appreciated the way it shined a light on the importance of human connection during something so devastating.
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