Paramount Plus has subtitles and closed captions on most shows and movies

Yes, Paramount Plus offers subtitles and closed captions on the majority of its content. You can turn them on or off during playback on any device — phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device. The process takes one click, and you can choose from multiple languages on many titles.

Not every show or movie has subtitles available. Older content, some live sports, and certain premium events may not include them. If you need captions for a specific title, check the details page before you start watching — it will list which subtitle languages are available.

Key Takeaways

  • Subtitles are turned on through the playback menu on any Paramount Plus device, usually by pressing a button labeled CC or Subtitles.
  • Most Paramount Plus content includes English subtitles, and many titles offer Spanish, French, and other languages.
  • Live events, sports broadcasts, and some older titles may not have subtitles available.
  • You can change subtitle language or turn them off at any time during playback without restarting the video.

How to turn on subtitles on each device type

On a web browser: Start playing a show or movie. Look for the CC icon or settings gear in the bottom right corner of the video player. Click it and select your preferred subtitle language from the menu. If you do not see a CC icon, that title does not have subtitles available.

On a phone or tablet: Open the Paramount Plus app and start playing content. Tap the screen to bring up the playback controls. Look for the CC button (usually in the top right or bottom right of the controls). Tap it and choose your language. On some devices, you may need to tap a settings icon first.

On a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast: Start the video and press the Options or Menu button on your remote. Select Subtitles or Captions, then choose your language. The exact button name varies by device, but the menu structure is similar across all streaming devices.

On a Samsung Smart TV or LG Smart TV: Use your remote to access the playback menu while a video is playing. Look for a Subtitles or CC option in that menu. If your TV remote does not have a dedicated button, you may need to use the arrow keys to navigate to the subtitle option.

What subtitle languages are available

English subtitles are available on nearly all Paramount Plus content that supports captions. Spanish subtitles are also common, especially on shows and movies that were produced in Spanish or have a large Spanish-speaking audience.

Many popular shows and movies also include French, Portuguese, German, Italian, and other European languages. International content — particularly shows from other countries — often has subtitles in the original language plus English. The number of languages varies by title, so check the details page or the subtitle menu to see what is available for the show or movie you want to watch.

If a title you want to watch does not have subtitles in your preferred language, you can contact Paramount Plus support to request them, though there is no may provide they will be added.

Content that may not have subtitles

Live sports events, breaking news, and live broadcasts often do not include subtitles because they are filmed in real time. Some older movies and shows from Paramount's archive may also lack subtitles because they were produced before closed captioning became standard.

Premium live events — such as concerts, award shows, or exclusive sporting events — sometimes have captions, but not always. Check the event details before tuning in if subtitles are important to you. Paramount Plus will usually note whether an event is captioned on its description page.

Changing subtitle settings and preferences

You can change your subtitle language or turn subtitles off at any time while a video is playing. You do not need to restart the video or go back to the menu — just tap or click the CC button again and select a different language or the Off option.

Paramount Plus does not currently offer a way to set a default subtitle language across your entire account. You will need to adjust subtitles manually for each video you watch. If you always want subtitles on, you can turn them on for the first video you watch in a session, and they will usually stay on for the next video you play, though this is not may provide.

Troubleshooting when subtitles are not working

If the CC button is missing or grayed out, that title does not have subtitles available. Try a different show or movie to confirm subtitles are working on your device.

If subtitles were working before but have stopped, try closing the Paramount Plus app completely and reopening it. On a web browser, refresh the page. If you are using a streaming device, restart it by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. These steps fix most playback issues.

If subtitles appear but are cut off at the bottom of the screen, check your TV settings. Some televisions have overscan enabled, which crops the edges of the picture. Turning off overscan in your TV menu will usually fix this. The setting is typically found under Picture or Display settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subtitles bigger or change the font?

Paramount Plus does not offer built-in controls to resize subtitles or change the font within the app. However, your device may have accessibility settings that affect how subtitles appear. On most phones and tablets, you can adjust text size in your device's accessibility settings, and this may affect subtitle size in the app.

Do I need a paid subscription to use subtitles?

No. Subtitles are available on both the free ad-supported tier and paid subscription tiers of Paramount Plus. The content available differs between tiers, but subtitle functionality itself is not restricted by subscription level.

Why do some shows have subtitles but others do not?

Paramount Plus adds subtitles based on licensing agreements with studios and producers. Older content, independent films, and some live events were never captioned, so Paramount Plus cannot add them. The company continues to add captions to more titles over time.

Can I read subtitles to watch offline?

Paramount Plus does not allow you to read subtitles separately. If you read a show or movie to watch offline, subtitles will be included if they are available for that title. You can turn them on or off during offline playback the same way you would while streaming.

What if I need captions for a hearing-impaired viewer?

Paramount Plus provides closed captions (which include sound descriptions like [door slams] or [music plays]) on most content. These are designed for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. If a title does not have captions available, contact Paramount Plus support to request them.