Top 10 Movies To Watch This Week on Apple TV | May 18, 2025

Looking for the best movies to watch this week on Apple TV? We’ve got you covered. From powerful documentaries to heartwarming dramas and twisty thrillers, Apple TV+ is packed with an incredible lineup of films that promise to entertain, educate, and inspire. Whether you’re in the mood for historical drama, a thought-provoking sci-fi, or a feel-good family story, this list has something for everyone. Here are the top 10 movies you shouldn’t miss this week.

Deaf President Now! (2025)

If you’ve never heard of the Deaf President Now! protests at Gallaudet University, buckle up because this documentary is about to blow your mind. It’s 1988, and students at the world’s only deaf university are done being treated like second-class citizens. When the school’s board picks a hearing person over two qualified deaf candidates to be president, the students aren’t having it. They protest, they rally, and they don’t back down until they get what they deserve—a deaf president leading a deaf university.

But this isn’t just a history lesson. Directors Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim pull you right into the chaos, the passion, and the frustration of the students who fought back. You feel the tension, the exhaustion, the fire in their eyes. And the sound design? Genius. It’s not just a film—it’s an experience. Whether you know this story or you’re hearing it for the first time (pun not intended), you’re gonna walk away fired up.

Number One on the Call Sheet (2025)

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be a Black actor in Hollywood, Number One on the Call Sheet is basically your backstage pass. This two-part documentary doesn’t hold back. Angela Bassett, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan—they’re all here, talking about the grind, the rejections, the breakthroughs, and the moments that almost broke them. But they also talk about the wins, the first times they felt like stars, and the joy of being seen.

This isn’t some sugar-coated tribute. These are the raw, real stories of legends who clawed their way to the top of an industry that hasn’t always been fair. And you feel that, from the anger to the pride. It’s not just about making it in Hollywood—it’s about changing it. So if you love hearing straight-up truth from some of the greatest to ever do it, this one’s a no-brainer.

Blitz (2024)

If you’re in the mood for a World War II movie that doesn’t feel like all the others, you need to watch Blitz. Directed by Steve McQueen (yep, the guy behind 12 Years a Slave), this one isn’t just explosions and soldiers. It’s the story of a 9-year-old kid named George who’s shipped off to the English countryside to escape the bombings in London. But George has other plans. He ditches the safety of the countryside and makes a run for it—straight back into the chaos.

This kid is trying to get back to his mom and grandfather in a city getting blown to pieces, and it’s absolutely nerve-wracking. Saoirse Ronan is here too, bringing her A-game as George’s mom. But it’s McQueen’s direction that makes this one unforgettable. It’s gritty, it’s heartbreaking, and it somehow makes you feel every bomb that drops. Not your average war movie, not by a long shot.

Fancy Dance (2023)

If you’re in the mood for something that hits you right in the heart, Fancy Dance is it. It’s about Jax (played by the phenomenal Lily Gladstone), who’s been taking care of her niece Roki ever since her sister went missing. But when social services decide Jax isn’t fit to care for Roki, they try to take her away. Jax isn’t having it. She grabs Roki, and they hit the road, searching for Roki’s mom and trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities.

But this isn’t some basic road trip movie. It’s about family, identity, and the painful reality of how missing Indigenous women are ignored. Director Erica Tremblay doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. The bond between Jax and Roki is everything—funny, raw, heartbreaking. You’ll be rooting for them the whole way. And Gladstone’s performance? Absolutely unmissable.

The Last of the Sea Women (2024)

So here’s the deal—The Last of the Sea Women is one of those documentaries that just sticks with you. It’s about these incredible women on South Korea’s Jeju Island called haenyeo, who have been diving into the ocean without any fancy gear for centuries, harvesting seafood. And we’re not talking about young athletes here—some of these women are in their 70s, 80s, even older. They’re basically real-life superheroes.

But it’s not just about watching these grandmas free-dive and haul in octopus. It’s about a whole way of life that’s on the verge of disappearing. The younger generation doesn’t really want to take up the tradition, and the world is changing faster than the haenyeo can keep up. But instead of feeling sad, this doc feels like a celebration—a reminder of how tough and resilient people can be. Produced by Malala Yousafzai and directed by Sue Kim, this one’s got soul, and it’s got heart. It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to call your grandma.

Fingernails (2023)

So you think you know what love is? Fingernails is here to make you question everything. In this not-so-far-off future, there’s a scientific test that can tell you if you and your partner are truly in love. Sounds perfect, right? Except it’s not. Anna (Jessie Buckley) and her boyfriend Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) are supposedly a perfect match—at least according to the test. But when Anna starts working at the institute that runs these tests, she meets Amir (Riz Ahmed), and suddenly nothing makes sense.

This isn’t just another love triangle—it’s a mind-bender. What do you do when a test says one thing, but your heart says another? And can you even trust your own feelings when a machine is telling you how you should feel? Jessie Buckley is a force of nature here, and Riz Ahmed is, as always, magnetic. This one’s gonna mess with your head, and you’re gonna love it.

CODA (2021)

Honestly, if you haven’t seen CODA yet, fix that immediately. This movie is the warm, feel-everything story of Ruby, a teenager who’s the only hearing member of her deaf family. Her parents run a small fishing business, and they rely on her to help them communicate with the outside world. But Ruby has dreams of her own—she wants to sing. And not just sing—like really sing. But how do you chase your dreams when your family needs you?

This isn’t just a movie—it’s a full-blown emotional experience. Emilia Jones is incredible as Ruby, but Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur (who won an Oscar for this, by the way) steal the show as her parents. It’s hilarious, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s probably going to make you cry at least twice. Apple TV+ didn’t just hit a home run with this one—they won an Oscar for Best Picture.

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)

Look, if you grew up watching Back to the Future, you know Michael J. Fox. But you don’t really know him until you watch Still. This documentary is a raw, honest, and surprisingly funny look at Fox’s life—his rise to superstardom, his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease at just 29, and his decision to keep going, no matter what.

But it’s not some sappy, sad story. Michael J. Fox is hilarious, even when he’s talking about the hardest parts of his life. He’s open, he’s honest, and he’s completely unfiltered. Director Davis Guggenheim captures it all without turning it into a pity party. Instead, it’s a story about fighting, laughing, and refusing to give up, even when life has other plans. Whether you’re a fan of his work or just love a good comeback story, this one’s an absolute must-watch.

Swan Song (2021)

Imagine having to choose between telling your family you’re dying or secretly replacing yourself with a clone so they never have to know. Yeah, Swan Song is that kind of movie. Mahershala Ali plays Cameron, a man who’s been diagnosed with a terminal illness. But instead of facing the grief with his family, he’s given a choice—create a perfect, healthy copy of himself and let that clone step in without anyone knowing.

This movie is a quiet, gut-punch of a sci-fi drama. It’s not just about the tech—it’s about love, sacrifice, and the terrifying idea of being replaced. Mahershala Ali is a powerhouse, playing two versions of himself—one full of life, and one desperate to hold on. You’ll spend the whole movie wondering what you’d do in his place, and trust me, it’s not an easy question.

Sharper (2023)

If you’re in the mood for a wild ride where you can’t trust a single character, Sharper is your new obsession. This is one of those slick, twisty thrillers where everyone’s lying, everyone’s playing an angle, and nothing is what it seems. It’s like the movie version of a game of three-card monte, except instead of cards, it’s lives getting destroyed.

Julianne Moore is here being the absolute queen of deception, Sebastian Stan is shifty as hell, and John Lithgow shows up just in time to blow everything wide open. It’s got that classic New York City noir vibe—rich people, big cons, bigger secrets—and you’re going to spend the whole time guessing who’s scamming who. Spoiler: You’re probably wrong. If you love a good, juicy mystery, this one’s gonna be your new favorite.

Wrap Up

There you have it—the top 10 movies you absolutely need to watch on Apple TV this week. Whether you’re in the mood for something inspiring, heartwarming, mind-bending, or just straight-up thrilling, Apple TV+ has you covered. So, what are you watching first? Or are you just gonna binge them all? Either way, grab some popcorn, clear your schedule, and enjoy.