Apple TV+'s Epic Historical Drama with 93% Rotten Tomatoes Score

Apple TV+ has an epic historical drama with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score that all history buffs need to watch. The genre of historical TV shows is as diverse in style and tone as the overall landscape of TV itself. While some viewers lean towards romantic Regency-era shows, others prefer to watch gritty war stories.

Ultimately, historical shows, across the board, are appealing because they allow us to connect with those who came before us, learning from their experiences and finding our shared humanity.

They can also give us a perspective outside our own lived experience, increasing our empathy for people who are different from us. In that vein, Apple TV+ has recently released the perfect historical drama for all history buffs to watch. The Jason Momoa show will open people’s eyes to a part of history that’s usually not discussed.

History Buffs Should Check Out Jason Momoa’s Chief Of War On Apple TV+

Characters running in Chief of War

Most historical dramas have a Eurocentric perspective and explore popular parts of history. However, Chief of War defies those norms, offering something fresh that will captivate history buffs. The story examines a pivotal period in Hawaiian history, spanning from 1782 to 1818, during which the warring kingdoms of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i band together to fight a common enemy.

What’s more, this story isn’t told from an outside perspective. Both Chief of War’s co-creators, Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbet, are Hawaiians who have a deep connection to their cultural roots. They made a point of elevating Hawaiian perspectives in the process of making Chief of War. Jason Momoa even felt he got approval from his ancestors while filming.

Plus, Momoa and Sibbet spent a decade developing the show, rather than rushing it. This allowed them the time to research the period in Hawaiian history thoroughly. They put time and energy into making the show authentic, including having the Chief of War characters speak the language ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

Why Reviews For Chief Of War Are So Good

Luciane Buchanan in Chief of War

Chief of War holds an impressive 93% critic score and an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the reviews highlighting many brilliant aspects of the show. The audience score would also be much higher if it weren’t for the people leaving 1-star reviews because they want the characters to speak English so they don’t have to read subtitles.

The positive reviews praise the remarkable visuals and the epic scale of the story. Most reviews also point out Jason Momoa’s charisma and presence as the legendary warrior Ka‘iana. However, the most significant praise is the authenticity when depicting an underrepresented culture. Unlike other shows, Chief of War doesn’t whitewash history or lean into mythology over real life.


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Chief of War

7/10

Release Date

August 1, 2025

Network

Apple TV+

Directors

Justin Chon




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