20 Of The Best Movies To Stream On Apple TV+ In December

    Emancipation, Causeway, Spirited, and more great titles you'll want to stream this month.

    Matthew Huff
    by Matthew Huff

    BuzzFeed Staff

    ICYMI Apple TV+ became the first streaming platform to win Best Picture at the Oscars, which was taken home last year by CODA. The new streamer has less than 50 original films under their belt, but there is still plenty to enjoy!

    Apple TV+ / Via giphy.com

    The streaming service may still be small (it only launched in November of 2019), but it's been consistently turning out quality content including plenty of buzzy films with big name actors and directors. Of course, there is CODA, the story of a hearing daughter in a deaf family, which was nominated for three Oscars in 2022 and won all three. There's The Greatest Beer Run Ever, a Zac Efron-helmed Vietnam War film, which your dad will certainly love. They've even got the filmed version of Come from Away, a seven-time Tony-nominated Broadway show about planes that were rerouted to Newfoundland, Canada after 9/11. 

    But that's not all Apple TV+ has to offer.

    Apple TV+ / Via giphy.com

    Apple TV+ has been gradually carving out a name for itself in the musical documentary space. Beastie Boys Story and Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You debuted on the platform early, but Billie Eilish, The Velvet Underground, and Louis Armstrong have all been subjects of critically acclaimed docs more recently. Plus, Selena Gomez's documentary came out in November.

    The streamer also has the rights to all of the old Peanut specials, and have been putting out several of their own originals. Not to mention, there are Mariah Carey Christmas specials to watch during the holidays. And, if you love Tom Hanks (and who doesn't), there are two great performances from America's dad in Greyhound and Finch. 

    If you want to know my faves (you do), here are my three favorite films currently on the platform:

    Apple TV+ / Via giphy.com

    1. Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry: IMHO this is one of the best pop star documentaries we have, and it's fun to watch Billie have no idea who Orlando Bloom is. 

    2. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand are two of the greatest living actors. Watching them tear up some Shakespeare is a treat. 

    3. On the Rocks: Sofia Coppola's father/daughter romp around New York starring Rashida Jones and Bill Murray is fun, funny, and fundamentally heartwarming. 

    Plus, this month debuts Emancipation, the tremendous story of an escaped slave starring Will Smith. Here's your guide. 

    New This Month:

    1. Emancipation (2022)

    Will Smith sits inside a pen while Ben Foster sits outside of it
    Apple TV+

    Director: Antoine Fuqua

    Cast: Will Smith, Ben Foster, and Charmaine Bingwa

    Genre: Historical Drama

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 2h 12m

    Rotten Tomatoes: TBD

    Emancipation sits at an interesting cross-section of history that it might have otherwise avoided as Will Smith's first film post-"The Slap." While your mileage may vary as to your opinion of Smith, this film is certainly a massive swing for director Antoine Fuqua who is heading into prestigious drama after decades as an action director. Telling a fictionalized version of the story of "Whipped Peter," the gorgeously shot and expertly directed film provides a grizzly look at the horrors of slavery. Emancipation follows Smith's Peter as he attempts to flee through the Louisiana swamps in order to reach the Union army and secure freedom. While not a pleasant watch that often feels like a harsher, bloodier version of The Revenant, the film is expertly made and yet again reminds viewers of the hells of slavery and how it haunts us to this day. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+ starting December 9. 

    What to Watch:

    2. Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry (2021)

    Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell on stage in “Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry."
    Apple TV+

    Director: R. J. Cutler

    Cast: Billie Eilish, Finneas O'Connell, Maggie Baird, and Patrick O'Connell

    Genre: Music Documentary

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 2h 20m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 96% (Critics) 95% (Audience)

    Newly minted Oscar winner Billie Eilish is a once-in-a-generation talent. Her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? did the unthinkable, winning Grammys for Album, Record, and Song of the Year, while Eilish also snagged Best New Artist. This is a feat done only once before in history (by Christopher Cross and this song). And whether by chance or magic or extremely gifted foresight, Eilish's journey from relative obscurity to success was recorded in this documentary. Follow Eilish, her talented brother and collaborator Finneas, and their family as she takes the world by storm. And you get the bonus of listening to her music while you watch. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    3. Boys State (2020)

    A boy falls asleep at a desk in the Texas State legislature
    Apple TV+

    Directors: Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine

    Genre: Documentary

    Rating: PG-13

    Runtime: 1h 49m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 95% (Critics) 89% (Audience) 

    Ah, government camp! That joyous time in every teenager's life where they get to visit the state capital and pretend to make new laws. And while the unhinged government camp I was sent to was in the news for some questionable opinions, the Boys/Girls State at the heart of this charming documentary seems to actually be training the youth of America in the ways democracy works. Boys State follows a group of Texas high schoolers as they attend the camp and struggle to form parties, choose leaders, and make laws just as their adult counterparts would. On one hand, it is unnerving to see how strong political divides are implanted even at such a young age, but at the same time, the absorbing film also provides some reason for hope in a new generation learning to maturely enter the political system rather than destroy it. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    4. Causeway (2022)

    Jennifer Lawrence rides a bus
    Apple TV+

    Director: Lila Neugebauer

    Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry, Linda Elmond, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jayne Houdyshell, and Russell Harvard

    Genre: Psychological Drama

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 1h 32m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 86% (Critics), 76% (Audience) 

    J Law has been out of the game for a bit. She got married, she had a child, and she hasn't had a lead role in a drama since Mother! in 2017 (and we do NOT have the time to get into that here). Now, the four-time Oscar nominee (in six years no less) is finally gracing our screens in something that doesn't involve lots of blue body paint. Causeway follows Lynsey (Lawrence), a lesbian soldier, who has returned from war with a traumatic brain injury only to find she must suffer alone with little support from friends or family. Lawrence gives a masterful, if quiet, internal performance, but the movie really hits its stride when Brian Tyree Henry arrives as James, an auto-mechanic who befriends Lynsey. IMHO, BTH is one of the greatest actors working at the moment, and he needs more appreciation. Give him an Oscar nomination.  

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    5. Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)

    Cooper Raiff and Dakota Johnson stand in a hallway together
    Apple TV+/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Director: Cooper Raiff

    Cast: Dakota Johnson, Cooper Raiff, Raúl Castillo, Odeya Rush, Brad Garrett, and Leslie Mann

    Genre: Comedy/Drama

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 1h 47m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 86% (Critics) 61% (Audience) 

    The post-college period of a person's life is often terrifying. After years of knowing exactly what to do and what is expected of you (show up to class, dissect a frog, go to prom, don't get arrested at a college frat party), you are now completely free to do as you please. In Cooper Raiff's new comedy (which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in), we find Andrew (Raiff) adrift after graduation, working in the mall food court, attending Bar Mitzvahs with his younger brother, and at odds with his mom's new husband. But just as Raiff managed to find incredible poignancy in the arrival at college in his debut film Shithouse, he does so again here. It was the feel-good comedy hit out of Sundance, includes my favorite Dakota Johnson performance to date, and will have you laugh-crying by the end. After Apple's success with CODA last year, could this be another charming Oscar play? Only time will tell, but I wouldn't mind doing the Cha Cha Slide with the cast post-Oscar win. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+.

    6. CODA (2021)

    Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin and Daniel Durant look together at a phone at the dinner table
    Apple TV+

    Director: Sian Heder

    Cast: Emilia Jones, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Daniel Durant, and Marlee Matlin

    Genre: Coming-of-Age Comedy/Drama

    Rating: PG-13

    Runtime: 1h 51m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 94% (Critics) 90% (Audience) 

    ALL HAIL the 2022 Best Picture Winner! “CODA” is an acronym meaning "child of deaf adults," and in this Oscar-winning film, Emilia Jones plays Ruby, the only hearing member in a deaf family. As Ruby nears the end of high school and begins to entertain dreams of going to college for music, she comes up against her parents, who rely heavily on her as a translator and don't understand her love of music. The family drama then follows the New England clan of fishermen as they butt heads searching for a way to move forward with their lives. The film won three Oscars including Best Adapted Screenplay for writer and director Sian Heder and Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur. If you aren't crying by the end, I'll buy you a whole tub of mackerel. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    7. Come From Away (2021)

    The cast stands onstage
    Sarah Shatz / Apple TV+

    Director: Christopher Ashley

    Cast: Petrina Bromley, Jenn Colella, De'Lon Grant, Emily Walton, Jim Walton, and Sharon Wheatley

    Genre: Filmed Stage Musical 

    Rating: TV-14

    Runtime: 1h 46m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 98% (Critics) 97% (Audience) 

    In the immediate wake of the September 11 attacks, hundreds of planes were grounded unexpectedly out of fear of another hijacking. And with New York airports closed, many of the flights destined for the Big Apple were rerouted to *checks notes* Gander, Newfoundland. This Tony-winning musical tells the story of the 38 planes that were grounded in Gander for several days, focusing on both the terrified visitors as well as the locals forced to feed and house the influx of travelers. As with Hamilton, this is a recording from the original Broadway run and not a movie version. So, if you're still a bit squeamish about entering a packed auditorium or if you just live nowhere near New York City, now is your chance to witness some topnotch live theater from the comfort of your couch and without enduring the intermission bathroom lines. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    8. Finch (2021)

    Tom Hanks talks to his dog while driving and RV
    Karen Kuehn / Apple TV+

    Director: Miguel Sapochnik

    Cast: Tom Hanks and Caleb Landry Jones

    Genre: Post-apocalyptic Survival Drama

    Rating: PG-13

    Runtime: 1h 55m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 74% (Critics) 66% (Audience) 

    Finch is primarily a movie about Tom Hanks being a really great dog dad. So, if you love dogs and Hanks and feeling good in a Ted Lasso kind of way, then this movie is for you. After the world has been poisoned by radiation and the United States turned into a Dune-like desert wasteland, Hank's Finch, an inventor, and his dog must go it alone. With the threat of a massive sandstorm bearing down on St. Louis and a newly created AI robot named Jeff in tow, Finch decides to journey across the country in his souped-up RV to find a safe haven in San Francisco. Yes, you've seen this premise before in the likes of I Am Legend and The Book of Eli, but I don't think I've ever felt so cheerful after watching a post-apocalyptic film. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    9. The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)

    Zac Efron sits in a plane
    Golf Thanaporn/Apple TV+

    Director: Peter Farrelly

    Cast: Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, Kyle Allen, Will Ropp, Matt Cook, and Bill Murray

    Genre: War/Action/Comedy/Drama

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 2h 6m

    Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

    How far would you go to crack open a cold one with your besties? Would you travel to the battle-ravaged regions of Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam War? While I most certainly would not, John "Chickie" Donohue actually did back in 1967. In Peter Farrelly's follow up to the controversial Best Picture winner Green Book, Zac Efron stars as Chickie, who in an attempt to boost the morale of his friends from NYC, flew to Vietnam for a four-month-long beer run. With Farrelly's last film snagging so many awards, all eyes are on his followup which is calibrated for a similar based-on-a-true-story, feel-good-dramedy tone. Also, Bill Murray shows up briefly with a thick New York accent. How could you not love that? 

    Watch it on Apple TV+.

    10. Greyhound (2020)

    Tom Hanks stands in the hull of a ship
    Apple TV+

    Director: Aaron Schneider

    Cast: Tom Hanks, Stephen Graham, Rob Morgan, and Elisabeth Shue

    Genre: War Drama

    Rating: PG-13

    Runtime: 1h 31m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 79% (Critics) 75% (Audience) 

    Calling all dads! Have I got the movie for you. It's Tom Hanks. As a commander in the Navy. On a battleship. During World War II. Fighting against the Nazis. Who are on submarines. This Oscar-nominated film is a tight 91 minutes of action as Hanks does everything he can to keep his fleet intact as they cross the treacherous waters of the Atlantic. If you are sitting at home on a Sunday afternoon with your parents and need something to throw on to entertain the whole family, this just might be your best bet. I mean, come on. It's Tom Hanks! How can you not love a T. Hanks movie? 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    11. Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues (2022)

    Louis Armstrong plays the trumpet
    Apple TV+

    Director: Sacha Jenkins

    Genre: Documentary

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 1hr 47m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (Critics) 100% (Audience) 

    You probably didn't know this (I certainly didn't), but iconic singer/trumpet player/perhaps the world's most notable jazz figure, Louis Armstrong meticulously recorded his musings (musical and otherwise) on tapes. During the making of this beautiful black-and-white film, documentarian Sacha Jenkins was given access to hundred of hours of Armstrong's recordings. The result is both a masterful catalogue of the historic life and career of the gravely voiced trumpeter, but also a reframing of the man, his music, and what made him tick. Obviously a must-watch for any jazz lover, but to dive into the psyche of such a legend is revelatory even for those (like me) who don't know the difference between a tuba and a trombone. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    12. On the Rocks (2020)

    Bill Murray and Rashida Jones drink martinis at a bar
    JoJo Whilden / A24 / Apple TV+

    Director: Sofia Coppola

    Cast: Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, Marlon Wayans, Jessica Henwick, and Jenny Slate

    Genre: Comedy/Drama

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 1h 36m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 87% (Critics) 50% (Audience) 

    No one does odd-couple drinking in hotels quite like Sofia Coppola, and her latest film is another welcome addition to her oeuvre. Bill Murray and Rashida Jones star as a semi-estranged father-daughter duo who have reconnected to investigate whether or not Jones' husband is cheating on her. Murray's character is an expert on the topic, as he has been a participant in multiple affairs. The pair traverse New York City in Murray's roadster, stopping at cozy bars along the way as they discuss Jones' life and their rocky relationship. Funny, melancholy, and sincere, the film provides all of the Coppola wonder with a side of French 75s. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    13. Peanuts Specials

    Charlie Brown stands with Sally on a hill
    Apple TV+

    In a boon for iPhone and Mac users everywhere, Apple has recently entered into a deal with Peanuts Worldwide, which means that Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Sally, Pig-Pen, and the gang are all at home on Apple TV+. Watch all your favorite Peanuts specials like It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Christmas on the streamer. You'll find the true meaning of the holidays and will also have that song Schroeder plays on the piano stuck in your head for DAYS. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    14. Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me (2022)

    Selena Gomez sits smiling
    Apple TV+

    Director: Alek Keshishian

    Genre: Music Documentary

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 1h 35m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (Critics), 95% (Audience) 

    Oof, this is a tough one to watch. If you are expecting a Never Say Never or Miss Americana, you might want to skip this raw documentary following Selena Gomez. The multi-hyphenate is incredibly vulnerable in this portrait of her life, as she discusses her bipolar disorder, her lupus, and the ups and downs of celebrity. Most pop star docs feel incredibly manufactured, and this one certainly does not. We see Gomez at her lowest of lows, and there is no real attempt to wrap the whole thing with a bow at the end. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Gomez and what she has accomplished in her career and here as she seeks to bring attention to mental health awareness, but this was certainly a somber affair. You should watch this, but just go in prepared to cry for 90 minutes. This is not Wizards of Waverly Place, it's much more necessary than that. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+.

    15. Sidney (2022)

    Sidney Portier stands on Broadway
    Apple TV+

    Director: Reginald Hudlin

    Genre: Documentary

    Rating: PG-13

    Runtime: 1h 51m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 89% (Critics) 86% (Audience) 

    In the pantheon of Hollywood greats, there are few as tremendously talented and consistently groundbreaking as SIR Sidney Poitier. Not only was he the first Black man to win an Academy Award (for Lilies of the Field), but he relentlessly pushed for Black representation onscreen, taking meaty, complicated, lead roles in Hollywood blockbusters at a time when non-white actors were often relegated to stereotypical bit roles. This documentary is a tribute to the In the Heat of the Night actor following his death earlier this year. Oprah Winfrey produced and was interviewed for the documentary which celebrates his life and the many trailblazing moments in his storied career. And the impressive lineup of talking heads from the industry's highest echelon including Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, and Spike Lee speaks to what a powerful force Poitier was. The doc also includes footage from Sidney Poitier himself that was filmed before his passing, and will be a threat in the Best Documentary Feature race later this year. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    16. Spirited (2022)

    Will Farrell and Ryan Reynolds sing in the snow
    Claire Folger/Apple TV+

    Director: Sean Anders

    Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani, and Patrick Page

    Genre: Comedy/Musical

    Rating: PG-13

    Runtime: 2h 7m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 69% (Critics), 82% (Audience) 

    Do we necessarily need another rendition of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol? Not really (and Spirited says just as much). That being said, this festive musical bring PLENTY of new material to the table. Will Ferrell plays the Ghost of Christmas Present, who with a team of hundreds of ghosts, works every year to prepare a Christmas Carol-esque journey for some vile human in hopes of changing them back to good. This year's perp is Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds), a horrifying PR agent who lies, cheats, and steals to save his clients from the consequences of their misdeeds. Reynolds and Ferrell have fun chemistry, and the wacky holiday plot is a refreshing take on the old staple. The music (from Pasek and Paul, the duo behind Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman, and La La Land) is upbeat and infectious. My only qualm is that the cast is full of non-singers who can't quite do it justice. But a strong new entry into the Christmas movie cannon, something we've been lacking for a few years now. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    17. Swan Song (2021)

    Mahershala Ali sits next to Awkwafina in winter coats
    Apple TV+

    Director: Benjamin Cleary

    Cast: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Awkwafina, and Glenn Close

    Genre: Drama/Science Fiction/Romance

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 1h 52m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 79% (Critics) 77% (Audience) 

    At the heart of this drama lies a question: Would you allow a clone to take your place in life in order to avoid causing your loved ones pain? Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali's Cameron must answer this for himself in this futuristic philosophical drama. When he is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he consults a doctor (played by Glenn Close) who offers to create him a perfect clone to slot into his life, allowing him to die without his family grieving. The film is essentially a musing on this moral quandary as we retrace Cameron's life with his wife, Poppy (Naomie Harris), and watch him interact with the two versions of Awkwafina's Kate. Less sci-fi and more quiet meditation on the human existence, the film is a somber affair showcasing the acting talents of its many stars. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    18. The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)

    Denzel Washington in black and white
    Alison Rosa / Apple TV+

    Director: Joel Coen

    Cast: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, and Kathryn Hunter

    Genre: Shakespearean Drama

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 1h 45m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 92% (Critics) 75% (Audience) 

    If you're a recovering English major, a Shakespeare buff, or were obsessed with the 2021 Oscar race, then you need to watch this latest adaptation of "the Scottish Play" (because we shan't say the name). Denzel Washington plays the regicidal lead, with the role of his wife going to last year's Best Actress winner, Frances McDormand. The film has been a pet project of McDormand and her husband, Joel Coen, for quite some time, and the pair have created a minimalistic black-and-white rendition that is captivating and haunting. Kathryn Hunter gives an especially memorable performance as the Three Witches, using her skills as a contortionist to spookily embody the Weird Sisters. High school English classes all across the country are rejoicing that they'll have this version to watch in the future. 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    19. The Velvet Underground (2021)

    Moe Tucker, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Lou Reed from archival photography from “The Velvet Underground”
    Apple TV+

    Director: Todd Haynes

    Genre: Music Documentary

    Rating: R

    Runtime: 2h 1m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 98% (Critics) 80% (Audience) 

    I will freely admit that my taste in and knowledge of music are embarrassingly bad. It therefore came as no surprise to me that I had never even heard of a massively influential alternative-rock band from the '60s called the Velvet Underground. But thanks to this ably constructed documentary from Todd Haynes (Carol), I am now much more knowledgeable on the subject. The band began as a multidisciplinary cohort working with Andy Warhol and slowly morphed into an improvisation-heavy rock group known the world over. If you are a music buff or are simply someone (like me) who is tired of sounding dumb at dinner parties when they ask questions like, "Who is Lou Reed?" then this is the doc for you.  

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

    20. Wolfwalkers (2020)

    A girl in the woods with a bow and arrow
    Apple TV+

    Directors: Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart

    Cast: Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittacker, Sean Bean, Simon McBurney, Tommy Tiernan, Jon Kenny, and Maria Doyle Kennedy

    Genre: Animation/Fantasy/Adventure

    Rating: PG

    Runtime: 1h 43m

    Rotten Tomatoes: 99% (Critics) 98% (Audience) 

    Guess what? Apparently, there is a bit of old Irish folklore that says there is a race of people who have spirits that turn into wolves and roam around while they sleep. Pretty badass, if you ask me. These wolfwalkers are the focus of this exquisite Oscar-nominated animated film from Cartoon Saloon, the groundbreaking team behind The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea. Robyn is a young hunter whose community is trying to rid the world of wolves. She meets Mebh, who — spoiler alert — is a wolfwalker. DUN DUN DUN, we have drama as the two friends try to overcome their differences and bring their communities together. A heartwarming watch for the whole family (even if they are part wolf). 

    Watch it on Apple TV+. 

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    Get your heart pumping with Fall, a new thriller that will take you to terrifying heights. Watch it on demand right now, and on DVD/Blu-ray on October 18.