Apple TV is closing out the year with a December lineup that leans heavily on family programming, big-budget storytelling, and the platform’s growing slate of serialized drama. The service, currently priced at $5.99 per month for a limited time, has been expanding its catalogue steadily, and this month’s additions reflect an effort to appeal to a broad mix of viewers without leaning too far into promotional flash.
The month opens with The First Snow of Fraggle Rock on December 5, a family-friendly film that revisits the long-running world of the Fraggles. The story revolves around an unusual lack of snowfall that disrupts the group’s annual traditions, prompting Gobo to cross into the human world in search of inspiration. The film introduces parallel developments among the Gorgs as they adjust to the arrival of a new family member. Like other recent reboots and continuations of legacy children’s properties, the movie blends nostalgia with updated themes about imperfection, creativity, and seasonal expectations.
Arriving December 12 is F1 The Movie, a sports drama built around the long career arc of fictional driver Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt. The plot follows Hayes as he is recruited back into racing by a former teammate whose struggling Formula 1 team is facing collapse. The story pairs him with a rising rookie, setting up a mentor–challenger dynamic familiar to sports films but refreshed here with the backdrop of a modern racing circuit. While the film leans into the emotional beats of competition, regret, and second chances, it also taps into Formula 1’s surging global profile, which has increasingly influenced scripted entertainment.
On December 19, Apple TV adds Born to Be Wild, a six-part documentary series narrated by Hugh Bonneville. The series tracks six endangered young animals—from elephants and cheetahs to penguins and lemurs—as they are raised by conservation specialists with the goal of eventual release into the wild. By focusing on individual animals and the people caring for them, the series offers a more intimate perspective on conservation work, echoing a format that has become common among contemporary wildlife documentaries.
Several ongoing series will also continue releasing episodes through December. The Last Frontier wraps its run by December 5, while Down Cemetery Road, Loot, and Pluribus all have new episodes through mid-month, with Pluribus running until December 26. Palm Royale carries into January, offering a longer viewing tail for audiences following its comedic storyline.
Together, these releases round out a comparatively busy month for the platform, underscoring Apple TV’s strategy to blend marquee films with steady episodic content. For subscribers choosing holiday viewing or planning their queue into the new year, December offers a mix of familiar franchises, high-profile talent, and genre variety without leaning too heavily on spectacle.
