Summary
Two of Apple’s upcoming original films are finally delivering theOcean’sreunion I’ve been waiting for, in a way. Apple has steadily increased its slate of original programming in recent years with its 2019 coming-of-age dramaCODAwinning Best Picture at the 2022 Academy Awards. Apple has recently produced Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-nominatedKillers of the Flower Moonas well as Ridley Scott’s historical epicNapoleonand Matthew Vaughn’s star-studded spy comedyArgylle.AppleTV+ will soon offer even more outstanding original filmssuch asFly Me to the Moon, a romantic space-themed comedy starring Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson.
The celebratedOcean’sfranchise has not quite returned to the glory of2001’sOcean’s Elevenstarring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, and many more. Theclassic heist thrillerhas become a staple of the franchise, one that has been imitated and referenced countless times even by its own good but not as outstanding sequelsOcean’s Twelve(2004) andOcean’s Thirteen(2007). The upcomingOcean’s 11prequel movieisrumored to star Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling,but two of Apple’s new releases should make plenty ofOcean’s Elevenfans like me happy in the meantime.
All 5 Ocean’s Movies Ranked From Worst To Best
The Ocean’s movies epitomize the Hollywood heist movie genre. From Frank Sinatra to George Clooney to Sandra Bullock’s, we rank the 5 Ocean’s films.
Apple TV+ Is Reuniting 4 Major Ocean’s Actors For Upcoming Movies
Clooney & Pitt and Damon & Affleck reunite in separate films
Two highly anticipated Apple original thrillers will be hitting theaters in the summer of 2024, with both films being released within a span of a few months.The Instigatorsis an upcoming heist thriller starring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck which will bereleased by Sony Pictures Releasing in theaters on June 15, 2025, and will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on June 08, 2025.Wolfsis an upcoming psychological thriller starring otherOcean’s Elevenalumni George Clooney and Brad Pitt that is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.Wolfswill also be available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+ on an unspecified date.
The Instigatorsis based on an original screenplay written by Oscar-winner Casey Affleck and will take place in his home state of Massachusetts. Both Ben Affleck and Damon, famous for their Boston-based films such asGood Will Hunting,The Departed, andThe Town, are producers onThe Instigators, which Doug Liman (Road House, American Made, Edge of Tomorrow) directed.Wolfs,written and directed by Jon WattsofSpider-Man: No Way HomeandSpider-Man: Far from Homeacclaim, follows Pitt and Clooney’s characters as two lone wolf fixers assigned to the same job.
Apple TV+’s New Sci-Fi Show Is The Perfect Follow-Up To Christopher Nolan’s Inception
Christopher Nolan may never direct a sequel to Inception, but an Apple TV+ show seems like the perfect spiritual follow-up for the mind-bending film.
What The Instigators & Wolfs Have In Common
Both are thrillers and feature mini-reunions of Ocean’s cast members
BothThe InstigatorsandWolfsfeature mini reunions dating back to the days of the 2000’s Ocean’s trilogy. Damon and Casey Affleck notably both appeared onscreen together in Good Will Hunting and co-wrote the 2002 adventure drama Gerry with Gus Van Sant, starring in that movie as well. Outside of their collaboration on theOcean’strilogy,Affleck and Damon also both starred in two Christopher Nolan moviesdespite not appearing onscreen together in either,Interstellar(2014) andOppenheimer(2023). Similar to the Ocean’s movies,The Instigatorsis listed as a true heist thriller with elements of comedy.
As for Pitt and Clooney, it’s been more than 15 years since the leading men have starred in a movie together, with the majority of their shared filmography belonging to theOcean’sfranchise. Pitt and Clooney both followed up theirOcean’s Thirteenappearances in 2007 with2008’sBurn After Reading, a celebrated dark comedy from the legendary Coen Brothers(Fargo,The Big Lebowski,No Country For Old Men). Considered more of a psychological thriller than a heist thriller likeThe Instigatorsand theOcean’smovies,Wolfsstill promises to feature a combative yet hilarious dynamic between Pitt and Clooney based on its trailer alone.
25 Best Movies On Apple TV+ Right Now (April 2025)
The best movies on Apple TV+ range from documentaries about celebrated performers to musical comedies and incredibly deep original dramas.
Why The Instigators & Wolfs Are Perfect For Ocean’s 11 Fans
Both films should have a great mix of thrills and laughs
Other than the two great reunions Apple has put together for fans of theOcean’strilogy,The InstigatorsandWolfslook to be hand-crafted for fans of theOcean’sfilms based on their anticipated mix of thrills and laughs. Doug Liman’sEdge of Tomorrowdid a fantastic job of blending action with comedy, which is a great sign forThe Instigators, and the exceptional blend of action and humor in Jon Watts' Spider-Manmovies speaks for themselves. While Clooney, Pitt, Damon, and Affleck, likely won’t be leaning too heavily on the action elements of their respective thrillers, bothThe InstigatorsandWolfslook to be making fans of theOcean’smovies proud thanks to Apple.
The Instigators
Cast
The Instigators revolves around the complex dynamics of a group of individuals who find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue and deception. As alliances are formed and trust is broken, the true motives of each character are slowly revealed, leading to a crescendo of tension and suspense.
Wolfs
Wolfs is an action-thriller film written and directed by Jon Watts, and sees the on-screen reunion of Brad Pitt and George Clooney after nearly fifteen years. The film centers on two fixers who are brought together when they’re both hired for the same job.
