10 best Apple TV+ original shows, ranked

Since its first series launched in 2019, Apple TV+ has quietly churned out some high-quality original shows that span many genres. While it may not have the sheer volume of content as some of its streaming competitors, Apple’s approach is all about quality over quantity. It has built a reputation for sleek production values and genuinely unique storytelling, resulting in critically acclaimed shows that keep viewers coming back for more.
From Severance to Ted Lasso, the streamer has proven its ability to produce one-of-a-kind series that are reaching audiences around the globe. Its growing catalog includes psychological thrillers, feel-good comedies, crime dramas, and more, with most being hits rather than misses. Apple TV+ isn’t just filling a content library with haphazardly created generic shows — it’s curating must-see series that continue to establish it as a reliable source of entertainment. Many other well-crafted shows — Morning Show, Dark Matter, Little America, and more — don’t make this list, a testament to the platform’s several offerings. For those wondering where to start, these are the best Apple TV+ originals that deserve a spot at the top of any viewer’s watchlist.
10. Foundation (2021–)

An ambitious adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s seminal sci-fi saga, Foundation imagines a distant future where the once mighty Galactic Empire teeters on the brink of collapse. This is further reinforced by the predictions of Hari Seldon (Jared Harris), a brilliant mathematician who develops psychohistory—a science that accurately predicts societal downfall. To prevent the inevitable dark age, Seldon established the Foundation, a group tasked with preserving knowledge and guiding humanity toward a renaissance. Meanwhile, the ruling Cleons, a line of cloned emperors (all played in different eras by Lee Pace, Terrence Mann, and Cassian Bilton), cling to power as they face new threats.
Foundation immediately draws audiences in with its immersive world, made believable by breathtaking production values. The dazzling spectacle sometimes isn’t enough to distract from pacing issues, with the show’s non-linear storytelling requiring patience. For those who stick around, Foundation rewards fans with an interstellar epic that offers political intrigue and bold mysteries that have helped cement its spot as one of the most promising sci-fi series streaming right now.

‘Severance’ creator Dan Erickson says season 3 should come faster, he hopes

The return of Severance for its second season was met with plenty of excitement, but there was also a fair bit of groaning about just how long the show had taken between seasons. Season 1 premiered in 2022, and season 2 in 2025, almost a full three years later.

Creator Dan Erickson is aware that fans were upset about the wait, and in speaking with Variety, he said that he hoped the show’s third season would come more quickly.

The Severance cast has debunked one of the most popular fan theories about Lumon

In the three years between seasons of Severance, some fans have obsessively analyzed the series for clues about what might be going on on the show. Some of the most popular theories focus on the Lumon Corporation that all of the show’s main characters work for.

In a recent video produced for Entertainment Weekly, the show’s cast dove into some of the most popular theories, and in the process, they debunked one that has become incredibly common online. That theory suggests that the severance technology, which uses a chip to sever a person’s work memories from the rest of their memories, is actually related to cloning technology.