Apple TV's Most Expensive Show Isn't a Huge Sci-Fi Hit — It's a WWII Miniseries That Cost $250M

In just a few years, Apple TV has built a reputation for being home to some of the most compelling sci-fi shows currently airing on television. Sure, the big-hearted sports comedy Ted Lasso is perhaps its biggest success story, but the streaming service is also home to Severance, Silo, Foundation, and, most recently, the very buzzy Pluribus. That's only scratching the surface; ever since launching in 2019, Apple TV has poured millions of dollars into several big-budget shows, even though the service itself has taken some time to gain wider recognition.

Interestingly, though, Apple TV's most expensive series based on the latest data from Flixpatrol doesn't belong to the sci-fi genre at all. One might guess that the special effects-heavy environments of Foundation or the carefully constructed sets of Silo would ultimately earn that distinction, but a breakdown of TV's most expensive titles shows that, nestled between the epic genre worlds of Stranger Things and Andor, is Masters of the Air. With an estimated budget of $250 million, the 2024 World War II-set miniseries comes in well ahead of Apple's next most-expensive show, which is Severance Season 2. This might seem surprising on the surface, but once broken down, it isn't so shocking.

Apple TV's 'Masters of the Air' Required Closer Attention to Detail Than Most Shows

Masters of the Air arrived with some high expectations attached. It was the third companion series in the WWII canon produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Gary Goetzman following the acclaimed Band of Brothers and The Pacific, and it was the first non-HBO production of the bunch. Considering the high-water marks of its predecessors, Masters of the Air needed to meet those incredible standards and then some, and it needed to do so with what was arguably a more complicated premise.

It centered largely on the missions of the 100th Bomb Group, also known as the "Bloody Hundredth," an Air Force unit stationed in Europe that assisted in major operations during the war and sustained a devastating number of casualties. While Band of Brothers and The Pacific also featured large-scale WWII recreations and thus sported sizable budgets themselves — the former cost around $110 million plus marketing costs (via The New York Times), while the former had a reported price tag of around $217 million plus marketing (via The Hollywood Reporter) — Masters of the Air required far more aerial sequences, which were more complex.

Virtually every episode featured an airborne mission, and the creative team utilized a mix of special effects and real reconstructed B-17 planes to depict each one. As visual effects supervisor Stephen Rosenbaum told IndieWire at the time, the creative team aimed to be as faithful to reality as they could be, "even down to specific plane serial numbers." As production also took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was even more complicated than normal. All told, Masters of the Air featured 3,447 special effects shots on top of practical sets, props, and costumes, and it all paid off.

The aerial sequences plunged viewers right into the action and emphasized the harrowing experiences these men endured. From afar, watching planes cut through the sky and take out enemies can seem exhilarating, but when seen up close from within the cockpit, it's deeply unsettling and terrifying. Masters of the Air's dedication to portraying these moments accurately only heightens the intensity of the viewing experience.

'Masters of the Air's Practical Effects Make It an Expensive Standout

Also, like its predecessors, Masters of the Air never shied away from the horrors of war. This included both injuries and casualties, making this hardly a show for the faint of heart. Gory wounds were shown in graphic detail — few can forget the instance where a soldier rips the skin from his hands while trying to let go of a frozen gun — thus likely requiring a portion of the budget to be dedicated exclusively to make-up and various other practical effects.

There's also the size of the cast to contend with. Masters of the Air featured a huge ensemble, with the most prominent roles going to Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, and Nate Mann. The turnover that the 100th Bomb Group experienced as a result of its frequent deaths meant new actors were being introduced to the cast frequently, even if they didn't have much screentime. Barry Keoghan and Ncuti Gatwa are among the actors who pop in briefly; when also factoring in extras, it's no surprise that Masters of the Air cost so much.

When compared to the other streaming shows with high price tags — such as Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Citadel — Masters of the Air almost seems quaint simply because it isn't set in a fantastical world. However, its scope is still epic, going well beyond what most shows require. While it isn't quite as universally beloved as Band of Brothers, Masters of the Air still stands beside them as a well-made, heart-wrenching recreation of war, with its budget well-spent.