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After 750 Days, Tom Hanks’ WWII Thriller Takes the Crown as Apple TV’s Biggest Hit
Tom Hanks' World War II submarine thriller *Greyhound* has become Apple TV's most-watched film, reaching the milestone 750 days after its 2020 release. The achievement comes as another star-studded, older-skewing project, Christopher Nolan's *The Odyssey*, tops the global box office, highlighting how streaming and cinema releases now compete for similar audiences through very different distribution models.
*Greyhound* was originally intended for a theatrical release but was sold to Apple TV for a reported $70 million after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted cinema-going. That gamble has paid off, with the film remaining a fixture on the platform's viewership charts for more than five years. It also reflects Hanks' enduring connection to World War II storytelling, following his roles in *Saving Private Ryan* and the acclaimed television series *Band of Brothers*, *The Pacific* and *Masters of the Air*, as well as his recent hosting duties on the History Channel documentary series *World War II with Tom Hanks*.
In short
- *Greyhound* becomes Apple TV's biggest-ever hit after 750 days
- Sold to Apple for $70 million after losing its cinema release
- Continues Hanks' long association with World War II film and TV
Explained simply
Greyhound is a World War II submarine thriller starring Tom Hanks that was released on Apple TV in 2020. The film follows an American naval officer commanding a destroyer escort during wartime operations. It has now become the platform's most-watched film, a significant achievement for a movie that premiered on streaming rather than in cinemas.
The film's path to Apple TV is noteworthy in itself. It was originally intended for theatrical release but was sold to Apple for a reported $70 million after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted cinema-going in 2020. This move was part of a broader industry shift, as major studios began releasing films directly to streaming platforms during lockdowns, fundamentally changing how audiences access new releases.
Tom Hanks has become particularly associated with World War II storytelling throughout his career. Beyond Greyhound, he starred in the landmark film Saving Private Ryan and has produced and appeared in acclaimed television series including Band of Brothers and The Pacific. This long history with the subject matter reflects both the enduring appeal of Second World War narratives and Hanks' reputation for bringing authenticity to historical storytelling.