New Sci-Fi Show Officially Makes Apple TV A Frontrunner In The Streaming Wars

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As a huge sci-fi fan, I have to say Apple TV has really become the place to go for great shows in the streaming world. And it looks like they’re planning to stay on top! Last year was incredible with the return of Severance and Pluribus becoming their biggest hit ever. But 2026 is shaping up to be even better, and it all kicks off on February 27th with the second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. I’m already counting down the days!

The main cast of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is returning for the next season. This includes Anna Sawai and Ren Watabe, who play half-siblings Cate and Kentaro as they continue to investigate the mysterious organization connected to their missing father. Kurt and Wyatt Russell will both be back as Lee Shaw, portraying him at different points in time.

Season 2 of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters promises a lot of exciting creatures, including both brand new threats and familiar favorites. These monsters are a key reason why Apple TV+ is competitive in the crowded streaming market.

Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters Season 2 Looks Like A Movie

The trailer for season 2 of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is here, and it promises an epic continuation of the show! This season, the story heads to Skull Island where a new, powerful Titan called Titan X emerges as a threat. It’s up to Godzilla and Kong to work together and protect the world.

I have to admit, when I first saw the trailer for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, I honestly thought it was another movie! Godzilla and Kong are such huge, classic movie monsters, and the recent Monsterverse films have really brought them back to life for a whole new audience. It’s easy to see why someone might get that impression.

I’ve noticed a lot of showrunners lately calling their seasons “a series of mini-movies,” and honestly, it usually feels like they’re just trying to excuse super long episodes – I’m looking at you, Stranger Things season 5! But with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2, it actually fits. The show is just so huge in scope and the special effects are incredible, it really does feel like a collection of big-screen experiences.

Budget Has Not Been A Problem For Apple TV

In early 2025, reports surfaced that Apple TV was losing $1 billion annually through its streaming service. Such a significant loss would likely force most companies to abandon streaming altogether, but Apple has the financial resources to absorb the cost thanks to its parent company’s wealth.

I was a little worried when I heard rumors back in 2024 that Apple TV+ might be cutting back on spending. It seemed like some of our favorite shows could be on the chopping block! But honestly, I’m really glad to see they’re still investing in big, high-quality series like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. It’s a relief they haven’t shied away from those more expensive, prestige projects.

Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters Is Competing Against Blockbuster Films

Even though Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is financially secure, it’s competing with the incredibly popular Monsterverse franchise it’s a part of. Since the 2014 Godzilla reboot, Monsterverse movies have been major Hollywood hits. Demand for these films remains high, proven by Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) becoming the franchise’s biggest success, earning $572 million worldwide (according to Box Office Mojo).

For over a decade, the Monsterverse has wowed audiences with its incredible visuals, and fans now expect a consistently high level of quality. With the next film, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, still over a year away in March 2027, there’s a lot riding on the Monarch: Legacy of Monsters series to keep that momentum going.

How Apple TV Is Elevating Science Fiction

Monsterverse fans have reason to be optimistic about Monarch: Legacy of Monsters because it’s on Apple TV+. While Apple has the resources to invest heavily in its shows, they’ve become a leading sci-fi streamer by focusing on quality over simply making a lot of content. They consistently deliver excellent series, even with significant budgets.

Apple TV+ offers a wide range of sci-fi shows, demonstrating its commitment to the genre. They have everything from dystopian dramas like Silo and mind-bending psychological thrillers like Severance, to epic space adventures (Foundation) and action-packed series (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters). Fans of cyberpunk have something to look forward to in 2026 with the release of the television adaptation of William Gibson’s classic novel, Neuromancer.

While the rise of so many streaming services might signal the end of TV’s recent creative peak, Apple TV+ is quickly becoming a major force in science fiction, making a big splash with shows like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.

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2026-02-04 03:39