Apple TV+ may not have the biggest streaming library, but it’s not short of star power. Apple set its sights on original content from big names, and names don’t get much bigger than Tom Hanks.
This is why it’s perhaps no surprise that his latest film, the post-apocalyptic Finch, recently became Apple’s most-watched premiere after a record-breaking release. Its opening weekend audience hit a new high for the streaming service, overtaking another Hanks movie: Greyhound.
Finch is a real one-man show, with Hanks accompanied on his survival journey by his beloved pet dog and an advanced robot he built to look after the dog when he’s gone. The movie examines what it means to be human, and the themes – alongside Hanks’ pulling power – have obviously proven popular with Apple TV+ subscribers.
It’s director Miguel Sapochnik’s first feature film – previously he was best known for directing several episodes of Game of Thrones, including series highlight Battle of the Bastards. Although the opening weekend record is clearly a good sign for Apple Originals, remember it’s only the studio’s 29th feature film. And that’s including documentaries.
Despite the success of this latest release – and the ongoing acclaim for Apple Original series Ted Lasso – Apple doesn’t reveal actual numbers for its streaming platform. Perhaps because, despite the gains it’s making, it’s very likely still trailing behind the other TV streaming behemoths such as Netflix and Disney Plus.