Best Shows on Apple TV – Top-Rated Series & New 2026 Releases

Apple TV+ has quietly built one of the strongest catalogues of original series in streaming. With Rotten Tomatoes scores regularly climbing above 90 per cent and a steady stream of new releases in 2026, the platform rewards those who know where to look. This guide breaks down the best shows on Apple TV+ by critical consensus, regional favourites, Reddit buzz, and what is arriving this year.

What are the best shows on Apple TV+?

The answer depends on what you value most: critical scores, audience affection, or genre preference. Across the major review aggregators and editorial roundups, a handful of titles consistently rise to the top.

Key insights about the Apple TV+ library

• Apple TV+ has rapidly become a hub for high-quality, critically acclaimed original series, with many shows scoring above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
• 2026 brings a strong slate of new shows like Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Your Friends & Neighbors, and Widow’s Bay — expanding the platform’s genre diversity.
• Reddit communities frequently recommend Severance, Ted Lasso, Dickinson, and Pachinko as must-watch originals.
• UK audiences see similar top picks but with unique mentions like Prehistoric Planet and The Morning Show in Guardian roundups.
• Apple TV+ offers a curated library with few filler titles — almost every original has a solid critical standing.

Snapshot: top-rated Apple TV+ shows at a glance

For a regularly updated view of the full Apple TV+ catalogue, the official Rotten Tomatoes Apple TV+ shows list remains the most reliable reference for critic and audience scores.

What are the best shows on Apple TV in the UK?

UK critics and viewers tend to favour shows with sharp writing, strong performances, and a slightly offbeat or auteur-driven sensibility. That means the Apple TV+ titles that land best in Britain often overlap with the platform’s most prestigious offerings, but with some notable distinctions.

Guardian-style critical picks

British outlets such as The Guardian tend to highlight Apple TV+ shows that are character-led rather than algorithm-driven. In that critical frame, Severance, Slow Horses, and Pachinko are regular fixtures. UK critics have also singled out Prehistoric Planet and The Morning Show as among the platform’s best. Margo’s Got Money Troubles, with its 97% Rotten Tomatoes score and literary origins, fits squarely into the kind of critically adored, slightly offbeat fare that UK reviewers champion.

Reddit community favourites

On Reddit, the conversation around Apple TV+ is driven by bingeability and season-to-season momentum. Subreddits like r/televisionsuggestions consistently recommend Severance, Slow Horses, Silo, and Ted Lasso as the shows that convert sceptics. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, with a 91% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, has also begun to attract community attention as a current standout. The IMDb community list of the best Apple TV+ series of all time offers another useful temperature check, with For All Mankind currently ranked first by user vote.

What new Apple TV series are coming in 2026?

2026 is shaping up as one of Apple TV+’s busiest years for original content. Several high-profile series have already landed or are expected to debut in the coming months.

New originals with early critical data

Margo’s Got Money Troubles leads the 2026 class with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score based on early reviews. The comedy-drama, adapted from a bestseller, has drawn praise for its heartfelt storytelling. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed has also arrived with a solid 91% Fresh rating. Both titles appear on the Rotten Tomatoes Apple TV+ browse page, which updates dynamically as new reviews are published.

Upcoming series still awaiting scores

A number of other 2026 releases have not yet accumulated enough reviews for a Rotten Tomatoes score. These include The Boroughs, Kylie, Widow’s Bay, Pluribus, and Imperfect Women. Empire Magazine has flagged several of these as ones to watch, noting that the platform’s 2026 slate leans heavily into thriller and drama territory. Their full editorial picks can be found in Empire’s guide to Apple TV shows you must see in May 2026.

How has Apple TV+ evolved since launch?

The platform launched in 2019 with a small but starry roster. Since then, the original series library has grown steadily in both volume and reputation.

1. 2019 — Launch of Apple TV+ with The Morning Show, See, and For All Mankind.
2. 2020 — Breakout hit Ted Lasso premieres, goes on to win multiple Emmys.
3. 2022 — Severance and Pachinko debut to widespread critical acclaim.
4. 2023 — Slow Horses becomes a sleeper hit; Silo premieres.
5. 2024 — Dark Matter and Presumed Innocent expand the thriller lineup.
6. 2025 — Continued growth with Your Friends & Neighbors and Prime Target.
7. 2026 — New series: Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Widow’s Bay, Pluribus, Imperfect Women, and more.

For a wider view of how Apple TV+ compares with other streamers, the general Rotten Tomatoes best TV shows (May 2026) page shows how Apple originals stack up against titles from Netflix, Amazon, and others.

How reliable are the rankings for Apple TV+ shows?

Not all information about Apple TV+ shows carries the same weight. Some facts are well-established across multiple sources, while others are based on limited data or personal opinion.

Why has Apple TV+ become a powerhouse for original content?

Apple TV+ launched in 2019 with a star-studded lineup but limited quantity. Over five years, the platform has refined its strategy, focusing on prestige dramas, sci-fi, and comedies with high production values. Unlike competitors, Apple does not license third-party content, relying solely on originals. This has created a curated library where nearly every show is a contender for best-of lists. The addition of big-name talent and acclaimed writers has elevated its reputation. The 2026 slate — drawn from bestsellers and original concepts alike — continues that trajectory.

For a broader guide to what is available across the full catalogue, Mailplus lists 50 Apple TV shows to watch, providing a useful genre-filtered overview of the platform’s range.

What do critics and audiences say about Apple TV+ shows?

Across the major review platforms and editorial outlets, the critical consensus on Apple TV+ originals is consistently strong. Here is a selection of sourced verdicts from the available evidence.

“Margo’s Got Money Troubles debuts at 97% with critics praising its heartfelt comedy.”

— Rotten Tomatoes

“Team Empire picks the best shows on Apple TV — from Imperfect Women to Pluribus to Margo’s Got Money Troubles.”

— Empire Magazine

“The community ranks ‘For All Mankind’ as the #1 Apple TV+ series of all time.”

— IMDb User List

“Users recommend ‘Severance’, ‘Slow Horses’, and ‘Silo’ as top picks.”

— Reddit r/televisionsuggestions

“UK critics highlight ‘Prehistoric Planet’ and ‘The Morning Show’ among the best.”

— The Guardian (via Mailplus)

What should you watch next on Apple TV+?

If you have already worked through the flagship hits, the platform offers several lesser-known titles worth exploring. Hidden gems include Dickinson (historical comedy), Swagger (sports drama), Acapulco (comedy), The Big Door Prize (quirky drama), and Hello Tomorrow! (retro-futurist comedy). For 2026, keep an eye on Pluribus (thriller) and Imperfect Women (drama). The official Apple TV+ site offers personalised recommendations, and cross-referencing with Rotten Tomatoes helps identify new arrivals with strong critical reception.

For episode and season planning on related shows, see our guides on How Many Episodes in MobLand – Season 1 Schedule & Season 2 Info and Tsitp Season 3 Release Date – Full Episode Schedule.

Frequently asked questions about Apple TV+ shows