Apple TV+ is about to drop a bunch of new shows and movies, and honestly, some of them look pretty great. This summer 2025, Apple TV+ is rolling out 17 new shows and movies—including “Fountain of Youth” and the third season of “Foundation.” If you’re already a subscriber (or just TV-curious), you’ll get all the new Apple Originals for $9.99 a month, but you can also take advantage of a 7-day free trial if you’re not sure yet.
Some of the upcoming releases? “Bono: Stories of Surrender,” “Lulu Is a Rhinoceros,” and “Stick” are just a few. Apple TV+ is clearly trying to keep up with the other Hollywood giants—think “Echo Valley,” “The Buccaneers” season 2, and a new F1 series all hitting soon. It’s obvious Apple isn’t slowing down when it comes to original content.
What’s New and What’s Next on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is heating up this summer with new originals, returning favorites, and buzzworthy premieres across genres. From prestige dramas to imaginative kids’ fare, the streaming service is leaning hard into quality storytelling—and early reviews show it’s paying off.
🔥 Smoke – A Gritty New Crime Thriller
Premieres: June 27
Smoke brings back the creative team behind the Emmy-winning Black Bird, with novelist Dennis Lehane reuniting with stars Taron Egerton and Greg Kinnear. The six-part limited series explores the dark, psychological fallout of violence in a New England town haunted by secrets and long-simmering vendettas.
Early Buzz:
- Rolling Stone calls it “vastly more entertaining and complex” than it initially appears, especially after its shocking Episode 2 twist.
- JoBlo highlights its slow-burn tension and moral ambiguity, praising it as one of Lehane’s most nuanced screen works since Mystic River.
- Visually, it leans into moody, coastal Americana—think Mare of Easttown meets The Outsider.
With Egerton’s brooding presence and Kinnear’s understated gravitas, Smoke is shaping up to be Apple’s next prestige crime hit.
📺 The Buccaneers – Season 2 Sets Sail
Now Streaming
The period drama The Buccaneers returned on June 18 for its second season, continuing the story of young American women navigating love, wealth, and independence in 1870s London high society.
Season 1 drew comparisons to Bridgerton and The Gilded Age, but Season 2 leans more into its feminist themes and character development. Critics note a stronger narrative arc and more mature emotional stakes this time around.
A red carpet premiere in New York helped reignite buzz, and Rotten Tomatoes shows rising fan scores since the drop.
📚 Not a Box – Wholesome Viewing for Families
Released: June 13
Based on Antoinette Portis’s award-winning picture book, Not a Box is Apple’s latest animated series for young children. Each episode runs about 11 minutes and gently encourages imagination, free play, and creativity.
Unlike typical high-energy cartoons, Not a Box is intentionally low-key, offering calm, reflective stories that appeal to both kids and parents. It’s part of Apple’s push into more thoughtful, co-viewing content following successes like Stillwater and Slumberkins.
🎬 Echo Valley – A Divisive Psychological Thriller
Now Streaming
Starring Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney, Echo Valley dropped earlier this month and has sparked polarizing reactions.
- Rotten Tomatoes shows a middling 50–51% critic score.
- Tom’s Guide praised its emotional heft and strong performances but criticized the film’s pacing and underwhelming finale.
- TechRadar called it a “missed opportunity,” despite the powerhouse cast.
Still, for fans of brooding, character-driven dramas with a touch of mystery, Echo Valley might be worth the watch.
📅 What’s Coming Next on Apple TV+
| Title | Genre | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke | Crime Thriller | June 27 |
| The Wild Ones | Wildlife Documentary | July 11 |
| Chief of War | Historical Action | August 1 |
- The Wild Ones is a globe-spanning docuseries produced in collaboration with conservation groups, offering intimate views into animal habitats.
- Chief of War, starring Jason Momoa, dramatizes the story of Hawaiian chief Ka‘iana and the political upheaval of pre-colonial Hawaii—a unique historical epic that blends native storytelling with big-budget production values.
🎯 Final Take
- Watch first: Smoke promises the kind of layered, intense storytelling Apple TV+ is known for, and early reviews back it up.
- For drama fans: The Buccaneers S2 ups its game with richer emotional arcs and timely themes.
- For families: Not a Box is a welcome break from chaotic kids’ shows.
- Proceed with caution: Echo Valley is stylish but divisive—best for viewers drawn to dark emotional journeys.
Whether you’re looking for grounded crime stories, uplifting family fare, or historical drama, Apple TV+ is clearly stepping into summer with confidence and range.
Season 3 of Tehran – Awaiting Global Release
While Israeli viewers have already seen Season 3 of Tehran—which premiered on Kan 11 on December 9, 2024—the international release on Apple TV+ is still unconfirmed.
Why the delay?
Originally expected to debut globally in April 2024, the season was postponed due to regional tensions, including conflict involving Israel, Gaza, and Iran. Apple and Israeli broadcaster Kan reportedly decided to delay the release out of concern for the show’s sensitive subject matter during a volatile time. As of June 2025, Apple has not provided a revised international release date.
What’s inside Season 3
- High stakes for Tamar: After Milad’s assassination and betrayal by Mossad, Tamar Rabinyan (played by Niv Sultan) goes rogue. Now hunted by agents from multiple sides, she discovers a secret Iranian nuclear scheme while evading capture and trying to complete her mission from the shadows.
- New faces, new tensions: Hugh Laurie joins the cast as Eric Peterson, a South African nuclear inspector who covertly plants surveillance equipment inside Iranian nuclear facilities. His actions draw the attention of both Iranian intelligence and international agencies. Sasson Gabai and Phoenix Raei also appear as high-level operatives and shadowy figures with conflicting agendas.
When can international fans watch?
Despite its premiere in Israel, Apple TV+ has yet to announce when Season 3 will be available to global audiences. Fan forums and support pages continue to fill with questions about the delay, but Apple has remained silent. Some release tracking sites tentatively suggest a 2025 release, but that remains speculative.
Bottom line: Season 3 of Tehran is already out in Israel and features expanded geopolitical stakes, new cast members, and high-tension spy drama. However, international fans are still waiting for word on when the season will be available on Apple TV+. Stay tuned for updates.
Key Takeaways
- 17 new shows and movies are landing on Apple TV+ in summer 2025—yep, originals and films both.
- New folks can try the service for free for a week, then it’s $9.99 per month.
- The library just keeps growing, with big-name talent and a pretty wide range of genres.
Upcoming Content on Apple TV+
There’s a bunch of new Apple TV+ stuff coming soon—some of it sooner than you might think. The service is still cranking out original content in all sorts of genres, from comedies to thrillers and everything in between.
Soon-to-Premiere Series
“Stick,” a comedy series, is dropping Wednesday. It’s a fresh face in the comedy lineup, joining the likes of fan favorites like “Ted Lasso” and “Mythic Quest.”
“Echo Valley” is set to hit Apple TV+ on June 13, 2025. Apple’s still building its reputation for quality originals, and this one’s got people talking.
“The Buccaneers” is back for another season, premiering June 18. This UK drama really caught on after its 2023 debut.
“Smoke,” a thriller series, is scheduled for June 27. If you’re into darker stuff, Apple’s thriller lineup is getting better all the time—”Severance” and “Servant” are already standouts.
Anticipated Movies and Films
“Bono: Stories of Surrender” is probably the most buzzed-about upcoming release. It’s a documentary, and Apple’s been leaning into music-focused stuff lately.
“Lulu Is a Rhinoceros” is coming soon too, adding to Apple’s family-friendly options. They’ve been bulking up on kid content, but haven’t forgotten about the grown-ups either.
Big-name stars keep showing up in Apple TV+ projects. Jon Hamm, Owen Wilson—there’s a whole list of celebs who’ve joined the Apple party.
And honestly, Apple’s film division has pulled in some awards these last few years. They’re not going for quantity, but they’re definitely aiming for quality.
Genres and Highlights
Apple TV+ covers a lot of ground when it comes to genres. You’ve got dramas like “The Morning Show,” sci-fi epics (“Foundation,” “For All Mankind”), and comedies like “Shrinking” and “Trying.”
They’ve also got a handful of limited series and miniseries that have gotten serious critical love. “Pachinko” and “Dickinson” are just a couple of examples.
Here’s a quick look at their main categories:
- Drama: “Silo,” “The Morning Show”
- Comedy: “Ted Lasso,” “Mythic Quest”
- Sci-Fi: “Severance,” “Foundation”
- Documentary: Upcoming “Bono: Stories of Surrender”
A lot of Apple TV+ originals have picked up awards, which is impressive considering they’re still the new kid compared to Netflix or Disney+.
Comparing Apple TV+ with Other Streaming Services
The streaming scene in 2025 is pretty wild, but Apple TV+ is quietly making moves. Their quality-first strategy seems to be working, and they’ve bumped up their market share to 8% in Q1 2025. Still not quite in the same league as the big dogs, but you can definitely feel the momentum.
Apple TV+ Versus Netflix, Max, and Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV+ is doing things a little differently. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have massive libraries, but Apple’s all about curation and quality. Some folks even say Apple TV+ is outshining the old HBO glory days when it comes to originals.
Price-wise:
- Netflix: Lots of tiers, including ads if you’re okay with that
- Apple TV+: No ads, 4K standard, mid-range price
- Amazon Prime: Comes with your Prime membership
- Max: Higher price, but you get HBO stuff
Apple TV+ still lags behind Netflix and Amazon in pure numbers, but it’s catching up thanks to those award-winning originals.
Unique Features and Value
What sets Apple TV+ apart? For starters, it’s all originals and completely ad-free. Everything streams in 4K, which, yeah, is a couple bucks more than Netflix’s basic ad plan, but the picture quality really pops.
A few perks:
- 100% original content (no old reruns here)
- No ads, ever
- 4K is the default, not the upgrade
- Family sharing for up to six people
- Smaller, but super-curated library
If you care more about what you’re watching than how much there is, Apple TV+ makes a strong case. Their exclusive shows keep racking up awards, so maybe the less-is-more approach is paying off.
And if you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, bundling TV+ with Apple One sweetens the deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple TV+ is lining up a solid slate of new content, with clear release dates and a handful of unique features. Here’s a quick rundown for anyone wondering about what’s coming, how to watch, and what makes Apple TV+ tick.
What new original series are set to premiere on Apple TV+ soon?
Apple TV+ has a big month in June 2025, with four major titles dropping, including “Stick” on June 4th.
“Echo Valley” and “Not a Box” are both launching June 13th. Each one brings something a little different, but they all have that Apple polish.
How can I find the release dates for upcoming Apple TV+ exclusive movies?
Your best bet is the official Apple TV+ website—they keep the “Coming Soon” section up to date.
You can also check the Apple TV app and hit the “Upcoming” tab. Everything’s laid out there with dates, so you won’t miss a premiere.
Are there any teasers or trailers available for soon-to-launch Apple TV+ content?
Definitely. Apple’s YouTube channel and social media usually drop teasers and trailers about a month or so before new shows go live.
You can also watch trailers right in the Apple TV app—they’ve got a section just for upcoming previews.
Can viewers access a schedule of Apple TV+ releases for the current month?
Yep, just head over to the Apple TV+ website and check out the “Coming Soon” calendar. It lays out everything by date.
The Apple TV app has a similar calendar, and sites like 9meters also put together monthly release lists.
What features or shows are unique to Apple TV Plus compared to other streaming services?
Apple TV+ is all about originals—they don’t license old shows or movies. Everything is made just for the platform.
It’s $9.99 a month after a 7-day free trial, and family sharing means up to six people can use one subscription. Not too shabby.
How can subscribers be notified about content that is labeled ‘Starting Soon’ on Apple TV+?
You can actually turn on notifications right in the Apple TV app settings. If you do, you’ll get alerts when something new drops or when those “Starting Soon” shows are finally about to premiere. Handy, right?
There’s also the option for email updates—just tweak your preferences in your Apple TV+ account settings on their website. You can pick which types of stuff you want to hear about (though honestly, sometimes the choices feel a bit broad).
And don’t forget the “Up Next” queue in the Apple TV app. You can add shows that catch your eye, and the app will ping you automatically when they’re ready to stream. It’s a pretty decent system, though sometimes I wish it were even more customizable.
