Apple TV’s 10-Part Crime Series Based On Robert De Niro Classic Is An Instant Streaming Smash

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Robert De Niro at the New York 'Megalopolis' The Ultimate Imax Experience Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square

Published Jun 6, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT

Andy Behbakht has worked as an entertainment journalist since 2010, covering all the latest in Hollywood on both the big and small screens, from staying on top of the biggest breaking news, analyzing movies and television shows in Hollywood, to in-depth interviews with actors and storytellers.

Andy's career includes having worked for publications such as FanSided, KSiteTV, TV Fanatic, It's Just Movies, Heroic Hollywood, TV Overmind, and more. Outside of his career as an established reporter, Andy is the host and producer of The Showrunner Whisperer, The Flash Podcast, the editor-in-chief of Multiverse of Color, and the network director of DC TV Podcasts.

2026 brings new success to Apple TV.

Cape Fear officially premiered on the Apple-branded streaming service, and following episodes 1 and 2's release, it has already become a massive hit for the platform. The thriller drama is currently sitting at #2 on Apple TV in the United States, but it has also reached worldwide.

The mystery series is also holding the #2 spot for Apple TV in Peru, Antigua and Barbuda, Switzerland, France, Sri Lanka, Niger, Armenia, Spain, Japan, Azerbaijan, Mozambique, Bahamas, Mexico, Gambia, Belarus, Denmark, Namibia, Belgium, Bolivia, Mongolia, the Dominican Republic, Botswana, Ecuador, Brazil, Ghana, Bulgaria, Canada, Jordan, Chile, Uganda, Colombia, Grenada, Moldova, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Egypt, Honduras, Italy, Laos, Lebanon, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Salvador, South Africa, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, and England.

The TV show, which is based on John D. MacDonald's The Executioners book, was adapted to the big screen, becoming one of Robert De Niro's biggest movies in 1991. His novel was also brought to life in 1962.

The small-screen reboot has also become a worldwide streaming sensation by surging to #3 on Apple TV in Bahrain, Poland, Argentina, Norway, Hong-Kong, Indonesia, Belize, Ireland, Thailand, Singapore, Latvia, Australia, Slovenia, Portugal, Estonia, Fiji, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Greece, Hungary, Cambodia, Austria, Cyprus, Germany, India, Malta, New Zealand, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Venezuela.

The hit Apple TV show stars Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson as Anna and Tom Bowden, respectively, while Javier Bardem plays Max Cady. The plot centers on the Dune actor's character being released from prison, as he is now going after the Bowden attorneys who represented him over a decade ago.

Patrick Wilson and Amy Adams in Cape Fear

In ScreenRant's Cape Fear TV review, Tatiana Hullender praised the small screen reboot in how "there is no shortage of interesting and dynamic visual cues to ramp up the tension in Cape Fear." However, Hullender stressed, "On the other hand, a runtime of 10 episodes means there is a lot of ground to cover before a final climax can take place or any resolution can be achieved, which means some of the mysteries begin piling up on top of each other like the laundry you forgot to put away last week."

As of writing, Cape Fear is sitting on a solid Rotten Tomatoes score, as it has 75% based on 52 submitted reviews. The audience score is also off to a solid start with a 76% rating.

Cape Fear releases weekly episodes on Fridays on Apple TV until July 31.