AceShowbiz - The collaborated efforts of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have given birth to some of the most iconic stories in cinematic history. One of their most notable creations is the World War II drama series Band of Brothers, which has two equally acclaimed companion pieces. The third and final installment, Masters of the Air, premiered on Apple TV in January 2024 and continues to gain popularity over a year later. The miniseries is currently one of the most-watched Apple TV shows via Amazon channels, which is a significant feat considering the numerous new titles constantly streaming on the platform.

Masters of the Air had its moment in the sun when it first arrived, but it has continued to draw eyes across the world, now trending across several Asian countries as well as in the UK. Executive-produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Gary Goetzman, the series dramatizes WWII from another remarkable angle, this time, from the skies. Based on Donald L. Miller’s 2007 non-fiction book of the same name, it follows the airmen of the 100th Bomb Group as they defy impossible odds to strike deep into Nazi-occupied Europe. Though it's typically rated as the third best of the trilogy, Masters of the Air is still, no doubt, another war masterpiece that easily rivals several of its counterparts.

The series received a strong and unified reception from both critics and audiences, earning scores of 85% and 73%, respectively, on Rotten Tomatoes. Much of the praise centered on the ensemble's performances (including Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, and Barry Keoghan), as well as its breathtaking visual scope. In her glowing review, Collider's Tania Hussain highlighted the show’s technical mastery, writing that “Apple TV+ does a remarkable job of establishing state-of-the-art battle scenes that thrust audiences into the height of air combat”. She added that it’s this “specific design and choreography that earns Masters of the Air its medals for blockbuster-quality entertainment and a sharp pace that keeps its rhythm”.

Tom Hanks isn’t done working with Apple TV+ on WWII epics. In 2020, the streamer swooped in to rescue his World War II film Greyhound after its planned theatrical release was truncated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Written by and starring Tom Hanks, the film premiered exclusively on Apple TV+ to critical acclaim and became one of the platform’s early breakout successes. Its popularity was strong enough to inspire a sequel, which is now in pre-production. Greyhound 2 is set to begin filming in January 2026, with Tom Hanks returning both as writer and star.