Lately, whenever friends ask me what's actually worth watching over the weekend, I just point them straight toward the Apple TV Store charts (still affectionately known to many of us as the iTunes Store). It's funny, digital charts can sometimes feel a bit random, but right now, the mix is genuinely wild. We've got everything from tense psychological thrillers and massive superhero spectacles to sci-fi curveballs and dark stop-motion animation.
In the latest US rankings I've been looking at, Verity is holding down the No. 1 spot, right alongside heavyweight titles like Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Dog Stars. And honestly, seeing 2009's Coraline still lingering in the top mix alongside brand-new releases just proves that great animation never really ages out.
To save you some endless scrolling, I've rounded up the top eight movies currently dominating the iTunes and Apple TV charts, complete with a quick cheat sheet on what they're actually about.
Quick Note:
These positions reflect what people are buying and renting right now on the US Apple TV Store, it's separate from your monthly Apple TV+ subscription library. Prices and availability shift all the time, so always double-check the store page before you hit rent!
Quick Picks: Top 8 Movies on Apple TV/iTunes at a Glance
If you don't have time to read every movie description, here's a quick comparison of the eight titles.
| Rank | Movie | Genre | Release Year | Runtime | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verity | Thriller, Mystery | 2026 | 1h 57m | 31% |
| 2 | Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Action, Sci-Fi | 2026 | 2h 25m | 90% |
| 3 | The Dog Stars | Adventure, Thriller | 2026 | 1h 58m | 41% |
| 4 | The End of Oak Street | Sci-Fi, Thriller | 2026 | 1h 39m | 86% |
| 5 | Practical Magic 2 | Fantasy, Comedy | 2026 | 2h 10m | 36% |
| 6 | Obsession | Horror, Thriller | 2026 | 1h 49m | 93% |
| 7 | Disclosure Day | Sci-Fi, Thriller | 2026 | 2h 25m | 79% |
| 8 | Coraline | Animation, Fantasy | 2009 | 1h 40m | 91% |
Scores are based on approximate snapshots from late October 2026. Tomatometer reflects critic reviews, though as we all know, audience reactions can sometimes tell a completely different story!
My personal top recommendations based on your mood:
- In the mood to question everyone's motives? Go for Verity.
- Craving top-tier superhero energy? Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a no-brainer.
- Want a gritty survival journey? Check out The Dog Stars.
- Looking for weird, wonderful sci-fi? The End of Oak Street or Disclosure Day.
- Ready to get genuinely creeped out? Obsession or Coraline will do the trick.
Top 8 Best Movies on iTunes / Apple TV Store Charts
No. 1. Verity
- Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
- Release Date: October 2, 2026 | Runtime: 1h 57m
- Director: Michael Showalter | Cast: Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett
- Tomatometer: 31% | Popcornmeter: 72%
If you spent any time reading Colleen Hoover's massive bestseller, you probably knew this adaptation was going to make some serious noise. In testing out the waters on this one, I found the dynamic between Dakota Johnson's character, Lowen, and Anne Hathaway's enigmatic Verity Crawford to be an absolute slow-burn puzzle.
Lowen steps into a secluded lakeside estate to finish a famous book series, only to stumble upon private, highly disturbing autobiographical notes. Is it the raw truth, or just manipulation? If you like unreliable narrators and domestic tension that makes you squint at your screen, it's worth a look.
No. 2. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
- Release Date: July 31, 2026 | Runtime: 2h 25m
- Director: Destin Daniel Cretton | Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink
- Tomatometer: 90% | Popcornmeter: 97%
Let's be honest, Tom Holland's Peter Parker has been through the wringer. Following the universe-altering spell in No Way Home, Peter is completely flying solo—no one remembers who he is, his friends have moved on, and he's pouring every ounce of his energy into protecting New York.
When I watched how the film handles his character arc, what stood out to me wasn't just the action, but how they physicalized the burnout and unexpected shifts in his powers. Backed by a fantastic 90% critic score, this feels less like a cookie-cutter sequel and more like a crucial evolution for the web-slinger.
No. 3. The Dog Stars
- Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release Date: August 28, 2026 | Runtime: 1h 58m
- Director: Ridley Scott | Cast: Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley
- Tomatometer: 41% | Popcornmeter: 69%
Directed by Ridley Scott and based on Peter Heller's novel, The Dog Stars takes us back into a familiar yet brutal post-apocalyptic landscape. Jacob Elordi plays Hig, a pilot sharing a quiet, heavily guarded homestead with a military survivalist played by Josh Brolin.
Their routine shatters when a stray radio transmission sparks a dangerous quest for something more than mere survival. Critics were a bit divided on this one, but if you appreciate Ridley Scott's visual grit and character-driven sci-fi over loud explosions, it's a compelling ride.
No. 4. The End of Oak Street
- Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
- Release Date: August 14, 2026 | Runtime: 1h 39m
- Director: David Robert Mitchell | Cast: Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor
- Tomatometer: 86% | Popcornmeter: 76%
Imagine waking up to find your entire suburban neighborhood has been yanked out of its familiar layout and dropped somewhere completely bizarre. That's the high-concept premise here, with Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor playing parents trying to keep their family together.
In my experience, movies with this kind of reality-bending setup can easily lose the plot, but David Robert Mitchell keeps the focus tight on family survival and mounting tension. At under two hours, it's an effortless, punchy watch for a Friday night.
No. 5. Practical Magic 2
- Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Drama
- Release Date: September 10, 2026 | Runtime: 2h 10m
- Director: Susanne Bier | Cast: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Joey King
- Tomatometer: 36% | Popcornmeter: 90%
Here's a classic case of critics versus actual viewers. While the Tomatometer sits at a modest 36%, the audience Popcornmeter is soaring at 90%! Bringing Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman back as the Owens sisters is pure nostalgia comfort food.
The plot leans heavily into the family's messy magical history and a looming dark curse. If you loved the original, you're probably not going to care what the professional reviewers say, the sisterly chemistry alone makes it worth turning on.
No. 6. Obsession
- Genre: Horror, Psychological Thriller
- Release Date: May 15, 2026 | Runtime: 1h 49m
- Director: Curry Barker | Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette
- Tomatometer: 93% | Popcornmeter: 94%
Quietly crushing it across both critic and audience metrics, Obsession is one of those sleeper horror hits that relies on a twisted monkey's paw concept. A desperate romantic shatters a mysterious artifact called the One Wish Willow to win over his crush, only to find out that getting everything you wish for comes with a terrifying price tag. It's dark, psychological, and keeps you guessing. Definitely skip this one if you're looking for lighthearted family fare, but thriller fans will eat it up.
No. 7. Disclosure Day
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller
- Release Date: June 12, 2026 | Runtime: 2h 25m
- Director: Steven Spielberg | Cast: Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth
- Tomatometer: 79% | Popcornmeter: 69%
When Steven Spielberg dips his toes back into extraterrestrial storytelling, people pay attention. Instead of a loud, explosions-first alien invasion flick, Disclosure Day examines what happens to global sanity when humanity receives undeniable proof we aren't alone.
Anchored by an incredible ensemble cast including Emily Blunt and Colin Firth, the movie focuses heavily on the societal shockwaves of disclosure. It's ambitious, thoughtful, and feels like classic Spielberg mystery.
No. 8. Coraline
- Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Adventure
- Release Date: February 6, 2009 | Runtime: 1h 40m
- Director: Henry Selick | Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher
- Tomatometer: 91% | Popcornmeter: 74%
It always brings a smile to my face when an older masterwork sneaks back onto the digital charts. Henry Selick's stop-motion masterpiece has lost none of its eerie, beautiful charm.
Watching Coraline crawl through that hidden door into a superficially "perfect" alternate world still hits just right. Its enduring popularity on Apple TV proves that brilliant artistry and a genuinely creepy fairy-tale vibe will always find an audience, no matter the year.
A Few Quick Tips on Renting vs. Buying on Apple TV
If you're staring at the store page trying to decide whether to hit Rent or Buy, here is a quick rule of thumb:
- Go for the Rental: If you just want a one-off movie night. Apple gives you 30 days to start a rental, and once you hit play, you've got a 48-hour window to finish it.
- Go for the Purchase: If it's something you know you'll rewatch annually (like Coraline or a favorite superhero flick). It stays tied to your Apple Account library for whenever you want it.
And yes, if you're heading out on a trip or commuting with spotty Wi-Fi, most of these titles can easily be downloaded directly through the Apple TV app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac for offline viewing.
How to Watch Your iTunes Movies on Non-Apple Devices
A common question I hear is whether you need an Apple device to watch the movies you buy or rent from these charts. The good news is that the ecosystem is much more open today than it was a decade ago. You no longer need to rely on third-party conversion software to enjoy your library elsewhere.
During a recent setup of a living room entertainment system, I tested the Apple TV app across a few different platforms and found the experience to be remarkably seamless. Here is how you can access your purchased top chart movies on most modern smart TVs or streaming sticks:
Step 1. Download the official "Apple TV" app from the app store on your Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony), Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or gaming console.
Step 2. Open the app and sign in using the exact Apple Account you used to purchase or rent the film.
Step 3. Navigate to the "Library" tab at the top of the screen, where your entire digital movie collection will be ready to stream natively, often preserving the 4K HDR quality.
Pro Tips:
If your device doesn't natively support the Apple TV or iTunes app, you can use DRmare M4V Converter to download your purchased or rented movies into universal formats like MP4. Once converted, you're free to enjoy them on any device, anywhere, without restrictions!
FAQs About iTunes and Apple TV Store Movies
How often do Apple TV movie charts update?
Apple does not specify a fixed public update schedule for its movie charts. Rankings can change as customers rent and purchase movies, so the most popular titles may move up or down over time. If you want to keep track of the latest iTunes movie charts, check the Top Charts section in the Apple TV app or iTunes Charts on Apple TV website regularly.
Are iTunes movie charts the same as Apple TV charts?
Generally, yes, when referring to Apple's digital movie rental and purchase rankings. Apple has moved its movie-buying and rental experience from the traditional iTunes Store into the Apple TV app, where users can browse movies, check prices, and access their purchases. However, Apple TV Store charts should not be confused with Apple TV+ rankings, because Apple TV+ is a subscription streaming service with a separate content catalog.
Can you rent movies from the Apple TV Store?
Yes. You can rent eligible movies directly through the Apple TV app. Open the app, search for a movie, select its details page, and choose Rent if that option is available. After renting, you generally have 30 days to start watching. Once playback begins, you have 48 hours to finish the movie. Rental availability and prices vary by title and region.
How do you find the top movies on the Apple TV Store?
You can find popular movies by following these steps:
- Open the Apple TV app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, smart TV, or another supported device.
- Navigate to the Store section.
- Scroll down to Top Charts to browse popular movies and other content.
- Select a movie to view its synopsis, cast, ratings, previews, and available rental or purchase options.
Conclusion
Keeping an eye on these charts is a great way to discover new releases and gauge what the broader culture is currently enjoying. Whether you lean toward gripping mysteries or massive superhero spectacles, the digital storefront usually has something that fits the evening's mood. Take a look at what fits your mood tonight, check the current store listing for regional pricing, and enjoy the show!
Home
User Comments
Leave a Comment