Apple doesn’t often give out gifts, so when they do, make sure to take advantage of the opportunity.
Apple TV+ will be free this upcoming weekend (January 3-5), offering a perfect opportunity to binge-watch some of its most acclaimed series and movies. The streaming giant has a growing library of original content featuring top-tier storytelling and star-studded casts, many projects you may not have heard of.
To get you started, here’s a list of some of the best Apple TV+ projects you should binge this weekend.
Severance
Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller
This mind-bending series takes the concept of work/life balance to a literal extreme. In Severance, employees of Lumon Industries undergo a procedure to separate their work memories from their personal lives. This means that when they enter their office building, they no longer remember their personal lives, and when they leave the office, they forget everything they have done at work.
Led by Adam Scott, Patricia Clarkson, and John Turturro, the show’s first season will have you on the edge of your seat.
What’s Next? Season 2 will premiere on January 17 with the first two episodes available.
The Morning Show
Genre: Drama
If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of a national news station’s morning show, this show is for you. From how a news corporation operates to the scandals that may be happening off-camera, The Morning Show is a series that will keep you interested and engaged.
The series stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell, but also features Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nicole Beharie and Karen Pittman.
What’s Next? Season 4 is reportedly in development.
Loot
Genre: Comedy
If you want a look at how the rich other side lives, this series is for you. Maya Rudolph stars as Molly Novak, a billionaire navigating life after a very public divorce. The series is a comedic exploration of wealth, personal redemption, and self-discovery. After the divorce, Molly finds herself in a unique position of rebuilding her life and reconnecting with those around her, including the employees of her charitable foundation.
This feel-good comedy offers sharp commentary on wealth and redemption, delivered by Rudolph in the only way she can—hilariously.
What’s Next? A third season has been renewed but no word when it will be released.
Swagger
Genre: Sports Drama
Inspired by NBA star Kevin Durant’s experiences, Swagger dives into the world of high school basketball, exploring the pressures and sacrifices faced by rising athletes. The series follows Jace Carson, a talented young player trying to navigate the pressures of basketball, family, and the dreams of making it to the NBA.
The cast includes O’Shea Jackson Jr., Isaiah Hill, Quvenzhane Wallis, Cary Elwes and James Landry Hébert.
Dark Matter
Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller
If you like time travel, alternate realities, and multi-universe plots, check out the first season of Dark Matter on Apple TV+. In the series, a man who wakes up in an alternate version of his life after being abducted faces a mind-bending journey through the different lives he could have lived. As he navigates these parallel worlds, he must find his way back to his true family and save them from a terrifying adversary: himself.
The cast includes James Q. Martin, Laura Vandervoort, Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari Jr., Marc Bendavid, Dayo Okeniyi, and Roger Cross.
What’s Next? A second season has been renewed but no word when it will be released.
Presumed Innocent
Genre: Legal Thriller
In this crime thriller, you really have no idea who did it! Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this adaptation of Scott Turow’s novel about a prosecutor accused of murdering a colleague. The courtroom drama and suspense are top-notch and will have you
What’s Next? The second season has been renewed but will bring a brand new case and possibly a new cast.
The Big Cigar
Genre: Historical Drama
Set in 1974, The Big Cigar follows the manhunt for Huey P. Newton (Andre Holland), the co-founder of the Black Panther Party, who seeks refuge in Cuba. As Newton tries to escape, he turns to Hollywood producer Bert Schneider for help. Together, they navigate a dangerous path, evading the FBI’s relentless pursuit, while Newton’s revolutionary past catches up with him.
The Banker
Genre: Drama
The Banker is a true story set in the 1960s, starring Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson. The film tells the remarkable tale of two Black entrepreneurs, who, facing racial discrimination in the real estate industry, hire a white man to pose as the head of their business.
Swan Song
Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi
What if your loved ones didn’t have to experience the pain of your untimely death—would you take that chance? Swan Song, starring Mahershala Ali in a dual-role performance, follows a terminally ill man who grapples with the decision to clone himself in order to spare his family the grief of his impending death.
