Apple TV+ is free to all viewers during the first weekend of January 2025. All of Apple TV+’s exclusive content will become available to stream online and through the Apple TV+ streaming app, which can be downloaded on devices such as Roku, Amazon Firestick, and Apple TV. Apple began producing its own original content in recent years and has gradually built an outstanding arsenal of streaming content, particularly an impressive slate of original Apple television shows and limited series.
The best movies on Apple TV+ are available to stream as well during the free streaming weekend, which includes the George Clooney and Brady Pitt thriller Wolfs, the Saoirse Ronan and Steve McQueen period drama Blitz, and Martin Scorsese’s 2023 Oscar contender Killers of the Flower Moon. Other notable television and limited series on Apple TV+ include the Emmy-winning Ted Lasso starring Jason Sudeikis, the Cate Blanchett murder mystery series Disclaimer, and one of several new 2024 Apple TV+ series, Sugar starring Colin Farrell.
5
Bad Monkey
1 Season, 10 Episodes
A former Miami detective turned health inspector, Andrew Yancy, discovers a severed arm while working in the Florida Keys. Determined to solve the mystery and reclaim his former position, he navigates through a web of quirky locals and corruption, all while dealing with a troublesome monkey.
Release Date
August 13, 2024
Cast
Vince Vaughn
, Natalie Martinez
, Alex Moffat
, Ronald Peet
, John Ortiz
, Tom Nowicki
, David St. Louis
, L. Scott Caldwell
Creator(s)
Bill Lawrence
Seasons
1
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Vince Vaughn leads the cast of Bad Monkey as a former Miami detective trying to get his job back after being demoted to a health inspector. Bad Monkey is one of the many shows created by prolific television producer Bill Lawrence, whose other works include Ted Lasso (2020-2023), Shrinking (2023- ), Cougar Town (2009-2015), and Scrubs (2001-2010). Bad Monkey follows Vaughn’s Andrew Yancy who comes across a severed human arm and believes it’s his way back to the police force after being demoted to a restaurant inspector in the Florida Keys.
Bad Monkey is an adaptation of the 2013 novel of the same name written by Carl Hiaasen, who has written several other comedic crime thrillers set in Florida. Bad Monkey has received great reviews upon its release, receiving a strong Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 93%. Bad Monkey marks the first television series Vaughn has starred in since True Detective season 2, which was released back in 2015.
4
Presumed Innocent
1 Season, 8 Episodes
An eight-episode limited series based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Starring Gyllenhaal in the lead role of chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the series takes viewers on a gripping journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.
Release Date
June 12, 2024
Finale Year
November 30, 2023
Cast
Jake Gyllenhaal
, Ruth Negga
, Bill Camp
, Elizabeth Marvel
, Renate Reinsve
, Peter Sarsgaard
, O-T Fagbenle
, Chase Infiniti
, Lily Rabe
, Nana Mensah
, Matthew Alan
, Kingston Rumi Southwick
Creator(s)
David E. Kelley
Seasons
1
Writers
David E. Kelley
Directors
Greg Yaitanes
, Anne Sewitsky
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Jake Gyllenhaal’s television debut Presumed Innocent has become one of the most popular new releases of June 2024. The celebrated actor, best known for his leading roles in Nightcrawler, Prisoners, Zodiac, Donnie Darko, and Spider-Man: Far From Home has surprisingly never starred in a television series until now. Presumed Innocent episodes 1 & 2 were released on June 12, 2024. All nine episodes are now available exclusively on Apple TV+.
Gyllenhaal leads a star-studded ensemble cast of Presumed Innocent, which also includes Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel, Peter Sarsgaard, O-T Fagbenle, and Renate Reinsve. Presumed Innocent is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow and was created for television by David E. Kelly (Big Little Lies, The Undoing). Presumed Innocent season 1 became the most-viewed original drama series on Apple TV+.
3
Masters of the Air
Limited Series, 9 Episodes
Masters of the Air is an Apple TV+ original war drama starring Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, and Barry Keoghan. The series follows a group of eleven World War II pilots who fight German fighters in a bomber called “The Flying Fortress.” The miniseries was based on the book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller.
Release Date
January 26, 2024
Finale Year
November 30, 2023
Seasons
1
Writers
John Shiban
, John Orloff
Directors
Cary Joji Fukunaga
, Dee Rees
, Anna Boden
, Ryan Fleck
, Timothy Van Patten
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The Apple miniseries Masters of the Air is produced by Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg and draws close thematic and stylistic parallels to their previous critically acclaimed war series, The Pacific and Band of Brothers. The series was confirmed to be in development at HBO in 2013 but Masters of the Air took a while to happen due to production delays and concerns about the budget. Masters of the Air features a robust cast led by Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Barry Keoghan, and many more.
2
Shrinking
2 Seasons, 22 Episodes
In this series, a therapist grappling with personal tragedy begins to employ a radically candid approach with his clients and in his personal life. As he navigates his roles as a father, friend, and professional, his newfound method leads to unexpected consequences and self-discovery.
Release Date
January 26, 2023
Cast
Jason Segel
, Luke Tennie
, Michael Urie
, Lukita Maxwell
, Harrison Ford
, Jessica Williams
, Christa Miller
, Ted McGinley
, Heidi Gardner
, Devin Kawaoka
, Lilan Bowden
, Kimberly Condict
, Lily Rabe
, Tilky Jones
, Rachel Stubington
, Wendie Malick
, Sawyer Jones
, Mike C. Nelson
, Matt Knudsen
, Kenajuan Bentley
, Adam Foster Ballard
Character(s)
Jimmy
, Sean
, Brian
, Alice
, Dr. Paul Rhodes
, Gaby
, Liz
, Derek
, Grace
, Charlie
, Tia
, Wally
, Meg
, Donny
, Summer
, Dr. Julie Baram
, Mason
, Dan
, Steven
, Tim
, Nico
Seasons
2
Directors
Bill Lawrence
Showrunner
Bill Lawrence
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Shrinking is a comedy/drama series on Apple TV+ that stars Jason Segel as therapist Jimmy Johns. The series also stars Harrison Ford in a rare comedic role as well as Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, and Lukita Maxwell. The series was created by Jason Segal, Bill Lawrence, and Brett Goldstein of Ted Lasso acclaim. While there are currently 22 episodes of Shrinking, most of them range from 29 to 34 minutes each, making it possible to get through in a weekend. Shrinking season 3 has already been announced and is set to premiere in 2026.
1
Severance
1 Season, 9 Episodes
From director and executive producer Ben Stiller and creator Dan Erickson comes “Severance.” Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure, which surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in “work-life balance” is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work… and himself.
Release Date
February 18, 2022
Seasons
2
Writers
Dan Erickson
Showrunner
Dan Erickson
, Mark Friedman
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With the highly-anticipated return of Apple’s Severance season 2 coming up on January 17, 2025, now is a great time to check out season 1 of the Emmy-winning series. Created by Dan Erickson and produced by Ben Stiller, Severance features an outstanding cast led by Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, and Christopher Walken. The series originally premiered back in February 2022 and ended in April of that year with a cliffhanger ending. Viewers who haven’t had the chance to catch Severance yet on Apple TV+ won’t have to wait long to find out what happens in season 2.
