10 Apple TV Shows That Outshine Netflix Originals in Quality

by

Netflix releases a lot more shows and has more subscribers overall, but Apple TV’s selection of content is really impressive and worth checking out. Netflix focuses on creating shows for very specific audiences, which means they produce a high volume of content, but many of those shows don’t leave a lasting impression.

It’s common to see non-Netflix shows frequently appearing in the weekly Top 10 on the platform. While hits like Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and Wednesday stand out, many Netflix series don’t quite capture the public’s attention, likely due to releasing entire seasons at once. Interestingly, while most streaming services are cutting costs, Apple TV+ has the advantage of being able to operate differently.

Because Apple provides generous funding, Apple TV+ can take big risks on creative projects, like spending $15 million per episode on Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus. The service boasts a strong and growing lineup of shows, often adapted from popular books, and features some truly excellent, though often overlooked, original series.

Schmigadoon!

Musical Comedy (2 Seasons)

Schmigadoon! is a delightful and often overlooked musical comedy, and it’s one of Apple TV+’s most ambitious shows. The first season lovingly recreates the style of classic Golden Age musicals, while the second season pays tribute to the works of Stephen Sondheim and other concept musicals. The series stars Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key as a contemporary couple who unexpectedly find themselves stuck in the colorful, over-the-top, and vintage world of Schmigadoon.

The show features a fantastic cast of Broadway stars – including Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Ariana DeBose, Martin Short, and Tituss Burgess – who clearly had a blast both poking fun at and paying tribute to beloved musicals. Netflix doesn’t offer anything quite as bold or well-done as this original musical series, making Schmigadoon! a truly exceptional success.

Each season of the show playfully reimagined musicals from the following decade, and the songs for a potential third season of Schmigadoon! were actually written before the show was cancelled. Apple would be smart to at least record a table read of the material.

The Afterparty

Multi-Genre Comedy Murder Mystery Anthology (2 Seasons)

The TV show The Afterparty has a really smart idea: a murder mystery where each time a suspect tells their side of the story, the scenes we see play out as a different kind of movie. One episode could be a romantic comedy, the next a musical, or even an action-packed thriller. Tiffany Haddish plays a cool and collected detective, and Sam Richardson is charming as a sweet, hopeful character, and they both keep the show grounded.

Each season of The Afterparty centers around a new murder, which allows for fantastic appearances by guest stars like John Cho and Ken Jeong in season two. While season three took a risk by trying something new, the show’s willingness to be creative is impressive. You won’t find anything else on Netflix that combines humor, mystery, and unique storytelling quite like this Apple TV+ original.

Dickinson

Period Comedy-Drama (3 Seasons)

Hailee Steinfeld delivers a fantastic performance as poet Emily Dickinson in Apple TV+’s unique historical series. Dickinson playfully reimagines her life, mixing modern humor and music with the atmosphere of the 1800s. The show is visually stunning and beautifully produced, similar to the high quality of Netflix’s Bridgerton.

The show’s style is similar to the fun, quirky humor of HBO Max’s Our Flag Means Death or a less sharply satirical take on Hulu’s The Great. By skillfully combining clever writing, lightheartedness, and genuine emotion, Dickinson offers a viewing experience that’s unlike anything else on Netflix or other streaming services, demonstrating Apple’s commitment to taking creative chances with unconventional stories.

Foundation

Epic Sci-Fi Drama (3 Seasons – Renewed For Season 4)

Foundation is a groundbreaking sci-fi series on Apple TV+, based on Isaac Asimov’s famous story of a falling and rising galactic empire. It’s a complex show that blends political maneuvering, philosophical ideas, and imaginative science fiction, all brought to life with stunning visuals and a sprawling story that takes place over hundreds of years across many different planets.

Compared to other science fiction series on Netflix, Foundation is a much grander and more impressive undertaking. While The OA explored mysterious and thought-provoking ideas, Foundation takes it to the next level with stunning visuals, well-developed characters, and a massive story that feels truly epic. Apple TV+ clearly invested heavily in creating a high-quality science fiction experience.

Pachinko

Drama (2 Seasons)

Image via Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s Pachinko is a captivating family saga based on Min Jin Lee’s popular novel. The series tells the story of a Korean family over four generations, following their struggles and triumphs as they deal with love, war, and the challenges of starting over in both Japan and Korea. It’s beautifully filmed and emotionally powerful, combining a broad historical backdrop with personal, relatable stories.

Pachinko is a beautifully crafted series that uniquely blends a specific culture with compelling family stories and grand, sweeping narratives – something you don’t often find on streaming services. While Netflix has many international dramas, none compare to the impressive scope, ambition, and quality of Pachinko’s second season, which really highlights Apple TV’s knack for producing high-quality, globally appealing shows.

Silo

Sci-Fi Dystopian Drama (2 Seasons – Renewed For 2 More Seasons)

Silo is a science fiction drama on Apple TV+, adapted from the popular novel by Hugh Howey. The show takes place in a future where the last of humanity lives in a massive underground silo, governed by a strict set of rules. It centers on Juliette, a brave and inquisitive mechanic played by Rebecca Ferguson, who begins to question the established order.

Instead of grand, sweeping scenes, the sci-fi series Silo focuses on intense, personal stories within a confined setting, using its unique world as a way to draw you in. Strong acting brings to life a compelling mystery filled with suspense and genuine emotional depth, creating a thought-provoking story that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

With its carefully unfolding story and realistic, large-scale world, Silo truly stands out among high-quality science fiction shows. While Netflix offers several dystopian series, none quite reach the same level of suspense, complexity, and overall quality as this one.

Slow Horses

British Spy Thriller (5 Seasons – Renewed For 2 More Seasons)

Courtesy: Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s Slow Horses is a clever and engaging British spy thriller adapted from Mick Herron’s popular Slough House books. The show has gained a following thanks to its combination of dark humor, suspenseful plots, and well-developed characters. It centers around a group of MI5 agents who’ve been sidelined, and offers a compelling mix of sharp wit, office drama, and thrilling espionage.

Gary Oldman is fantastic in Slow Horses, heading up a truly talented cast. The show is beloved for its compelling characters, witty writing, and its ability to mix ordinary moments with thrilling danger. While Netflix offers plenty of suspenseful shows, Slow Horses is special thanks to its uniquely dry and sarcastic style, complex characters, and very British sense of humor.

The Studio

Satirical Cringe Comedy (1 Season – Renewed For Season 2)

Seth Rogen’s show, The Studio, is similar in spirit to Entourage, offering a loving but humorous look at how Hollywood works. Rogen plays Matt Remick, a stressed-out studio boss who’s always making deals and trying to keep things under control.

The show is creatively bold, though it might appeal to a specific audience. It’s particularly notable for its innovative episode, The Studio, which was filmed entirely in one continuous shot.

“The Studio” is a heartfelt tribute to the world of filmmaking, which helped it gain recognition at awards shows. It earned Apple 13 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series and a Lead Actor win for Seth Rogen—remarkably, for a show about making movies. No other streaming service currently offers anything similar.

Ted Lasso

Feel-Good Comedy (3 Seasons – Season 4 Coming)

As a huge fan of good TV, I have to say Ted Lasso is really Apple TV+’s biggest success story. Jason Sudeikis is just brilliant as Ted, the relentlessly positive coach, and he’s the heart of what is honestly the perfect feel-good show. It’s praised for a reason – the acting is fantastic, the writing is witty and smart, and it’s just genuinely uplifting. Plus, the whole cast is incredible; they bring so much depth and charm to every episode, making it both hilarious and surprisingly moving.

Despite not having new episodes since 2023, Ted Lasso continues to be one of Apple’s most popular shows, and a fourth season is rumored to be in development. Although Netflix has many feel-good teen comedies and light shows, the unique combination of warmth, humor, and positive spirit found in Ted Lasso is hard to find anywhere else.

Severance

Sci-Fi Psychological Workplace Thriller (2 Seasons – Renewed For Season 3)

Apple TV+’s Severance is a truly unique show, the kind that benefits from a streaming service’s ability to invest heavily without rushing production. Created by Dan Erickson and largely directed by Ben Stiller, it’s a strange, thought-provoking, and incredibly captivating series that only improved with its second season. Even if you haven’t seen it, images like Adam Scott running through the office or Gwendolyn Christie with the goats are instantly memorable.

It took three years for the second season to follow the first, but fans are hoping the third season arrives much sooner than 2028. It’s amusing that a show critical of big business is actually produced by a huge company like Apple TV+, but their willingness to try new and different things is what makes it work. Netflix could learn from this and start taking more chances with unique and daring stories.

Read More

2025-12-01 02:12