On Tuesday, February third, a gaggle of journalists, influencers, varied press/media representatives, and I have been invited to a hangar on the Santa Monica Airport to witness Apple TV’s press day, by which a piece of the streaming service’s slate of recent tv sequence and unique movies for 2026 have been introduced and previewed. A part of the presentation included the brand new season of “The Final Factor He Informed Me,” a mystery-thriller sequence. It stars Jennifer Garner, Angourie Rice, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and new additions Judy Greer and Rita Wilson. It is based mostly on the best-selling 2021 novel by Laura Dave. Reese Witherspoon is an govt producer. And the primary season aired again in 2023. Neither I nor these sitting close to me within the venue had ever heard of it earlier than.
That final level is completely illustrative of the difficulty that Apple TV has had with nearly all of its choices because the service started in November of 2019. Whereas Apple TV has had the occasional breakout hit (like “Shrinking” and “Pluribus,” each of which have been duly represented on the occasion), most of its exhibits appear to fall by the wayside. In the meantime, their unique movies are feast or famine in relation to visibility; final 12 months’s glorious “The Misplaced Bus” was broadly neglected, whereas their huge, splashy theatrical launch of “F1” has been nominated for Finest Image on the Academy Awards. Whereas different streamers are hit or miss in relation to their fare, Apple TV has usually loved vital acclaim for almost all of its productions. Their greatest drawback is that they have not but been capable of get the phrase out about them successfully. Luckily, this press day was an awesome indication that that is being mounted, and the change could not come at a greater time.
Apple TV’s press day proved they’ve nice materials and star energy on their aspect
One factor that the Apple TV press day proved in abundance is that their productions are filled with stars. Their service is not one crammed with exhibits and movies that largely characteristic unknowns or up-and-comers. As an alternative, they have already got the likes of father-son duo Kurt and Wyatt Russell (on the upcoming season 2 of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters”), Jon Hamm and James Marsden (on “Your Mates & Neighbors”), Colin Farrell (on “Sugar”), and Harrison Ford and Jason Segel (on “Shrinking”) as a part of their roster. Added to that for 2026 are people reminiscent of Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz (for “Consequence,” a brand new movie from Jonah Hill), Anya Taylor-Pleasure and Timothy Olyphant (for “Fortunate”), Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, and Kate Mara (for “Imperfect Girls”), Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer (for “Margo’s Acquired Cash Troubles”), in addition to John Cena and Jessica Biel (for “Matchbox: The Film”).
In fact, all of the film and TV stars on this planet do not imply a lot if the work is subpar. Luckily, Apple TV has a extremely glorious observe file. They do not simply courtroom expertise like Martin Scorsese and Seth Rogen; they find yourself with films and exhibits as stellar as “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “The Studio.”
2026 looks as if one other nice 12 months for the service, as new exhibits just like the gritty con-artist drama “Fortunate” and the quirky David E. Kelley manufacturing of “Margo’s Acquired Cash Troubles” appear particularly impressed. The occasion could not reveal an excessive amount of about these new sequence and movies, in fact, however the previews and panels drummed up quite a lot of pleasure for the service’s slate in the identical method as one thing like CinemaCon or, maybe not coincidentally, an Apple keynote occasion.
2026 seems to be like an thrilling, numerous 12 months for Apple TV
Total, the choice of movies and exhibits previewed on the press day occasion was a wonderful indication of the sensible decisions Apple TV is making, particularly in relation to constructing a various, thrilling slate. For example, nothing in regards to the new sequence and movies gave the impression to be aggressively following any algorithms or developments. That is true even in relation to essentially the most IP-focused undertaking, “Matchbox: The Film.” A movie made together with the toy firm Mattel might’ve seemed groan-inducing, however the involvement of director Sam Hargrave (well-known for the “Extraction” movies) and his signature model of insane stunts and motion makes it seem to be a must-see.
I used to be greater than able to be cynical about “Cape Worry” being remade for a second time as a sequence, particularly given how I am an enormous fan of the 1962 J. Lee Thompson unique and the 1991 Martin Scorsese banger. But the involvement of Patrick Wilson, Amy Adams, and Javier Bardem is nothing to scoff at, and showrunner Nick Antosca has confirmed himself adept at bringing big-screen horror to the small display twice over, having labored on each “Hannibal” and “Chucky.” Katie Dippold’s “Widow’s Bay” additionally pleasantly intrigued me with its obvious dedication to nailing a stability between comedy and horror, as did David Rosen’s “Most Pleasure Assured,” which looks as if it would comply with in Vince Gilligan’s footsteps of quirky, gritty drama.
Hopefully, this press day is just the start of Apple TV getting the phrase out about its work. Certain, it is a rule of thumb with streamers to largely promote the service and never particular person tasks, however sticking with that technique could be silly of them when the tasks are this good. Here is hoping extra consideration comes Apple TV’s means in 2026.
