With so many shows rising up the Apple TV Plus top 10 charts, it always feels like there is no shortage of content to watch. But after diving into some of it, I realized that just because a show is popular doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth watching, even if it’s on one of the best streaming services.
I also have to say that the trending movies right now aren’t particularly great (yes, I mean Argylle and Ghosted). That’s why we’re coming to you with this guide – because not everything in the top 10 is created equal. If you’re wondering what to watch next, here are the three best shows on Apple TV Plus that really stand out and are absolutely worth your time.
This is based on the top 10 shows on Apple TV Plus as of Wednesday, August 28th.
THE BEST SHOWS IN THE APPLE TV PLUS TOP 10
“Pachinko” – The wonderful world of Pachinko
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Season 2 of Pachinko just dropped, so it’s understandable why this critically acclaimed drama series is once again gaining popularity. Based on the bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee, the series spans multiple generations and follows the lives of a Korean family in Japan, exploring their struggles, triumphs, and the impact of historical events on their identities and lives.
The story begins in the early 20th century and focuses on Sunja (Kim Ha-min), a young woman growing up in a small fishing village in Korea. Her life changes dramatically when she becomes pregnant by a rich and powerful man who is already married. To avoid shame, she marries a kind but poor pastor who takes her to Japan. The series then follows the family’s journey through the years, showing the hardships faced by Koreans in Japan, including discrimination and poverty.
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‘Evil Monkey’
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If you’re in the mood for a bit of comedy, you’re in luck because Bad Monkey is the one you should watch next. This dark comedy-drama series follows Andrew Yancy (Vince Vaughn), a former detective who has been demoted to restaurant inspector in South Florida. But things take a very bizarre turn when a tourist finds a severed arm and Yancy sees this as an opportunity to regain his position as a detective. The discovery draws him into a chaotic and often absurd investigation.
You may be wondering where a “monkey” fits into this story. Well, the “bad monkey” in the title refers to a mischievous primate named Driggs. He’s a little scavenger who causes Yancy quite a headache.
Watch on Apple TV Plus
“Slow horses”
The fourth season of Slow Horses starts on September 4th, so it’s not that far away. It’s obvious that people are watching this series on repeat now, considering that it’s flying up the top 10 on Apple TV Plus. My colleague Martin Shore even watched all 18 episodes of “Slow Horses” in one week.
If you want to jump on the hype train, now is the perfect time. Slow Horses is a British spy thriller series based on the Slough House book series by Mick Herron. The series revolves around a group of MI5 agents who have been banished to a department called Slough House, which is essentially a dumping ground for spies who have failed in the field or made career-damaging mistakes. These agents are known as “Slow Horses” because they are considered outsiders and outcasts of the secret service.
The story mainly revolves around Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), the irascible and cynical head of Slough House, and his team of disgraced agents. Although they are marginalized and underestimated by the rest of the intelligence services, the Slow Horses find themselves in dangerous and risky situations that are often more significant than the missions of the more prestigious MI5 teams.
Watch on Apple TV Plus
THE CURRENT TOP 10 SHOWS ON APPLE TV PLUS
1. “Bad Monkey” (2024)
2. “Ted Lasso” (2020)
3. “For lack of evidence” (2024)
4. “Slow Horses” (2022)
5. “The Woman in the Lake” (2024)
6. “Pachinko” (2022)
7. “The Morning Show” (2019)
8. “Sunny” (2024)
9. “Time Bandits” (2024)
10. “Cowboy Cartel” (2024)
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