Apple TV+ produces best-reviewed content of any streaming service

By

Apple TV+, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+
There are bigger streaming video services, but none with a higher average content ranking from critics.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple TV+ series and films earn a higher average ranking from critics than all other streaming services. So, despite its relatively limited catalog, Apple’s service offers an outsized collection of top-quality content.

Its average quality content ranking is well above Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Ranking streaming services on quality not quantity

Apple TV+ focuses on producing quality programming rather than shoveling out a lot of it. And the strategy is working. Since its debut in 2019, its original films, documentaries and series have earned 365 awards and 1,465 award nominations. Ted Lasso, The Morning Show and CODA contribute to that total.

But even movies and TV series that don’t win Emmys or Oscars get positive reviews from critics. And these help pull up the average content ranking for Apple TV+.

Movie and TV search engine JustWatch compared the U.S. critics’ scores on the offerings from all the most popular streaming services, and none had a higher average than Apple.

“The top position belongs to Apple TV+, with a 0.66 point lead over the global giant: Netflix, which is struggling in fifth place,” noted JustWatch.

Apple’s average score was 7.2, giving it a sizable lead over Max, which is in second place, followed by Hulu and Disney+. Netflix earned a 6.5 score for fifth place, still beating Paramount+ and Prime Video (5.96).

Apple TV Plus offers top quality content
No streaming service has a higher average of critical reviews for its films and series.
Chart: JustWatch

Enjoy top-quality content on Apple TV+

Watching any of the Apple TV+ offerings comes with a $6.99-per-month subscription to the streaming video service. That’s a lower price than all of its larger rivals. And there are no commercial interruptions.

Watch on Apple TV

The catalog includes dramas, comedies, science fiction, children’s shows, nature documentaries and more.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.