What's Worth Watching on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus has a mix of drama, comedy, reality, and sports content spread across CBS shows, movies, and originals made just for the service. The strongest shows tend to be the ones that started on CBS (like The Good Fight and Yellowstone) or were built for streaming from the start (like Severance and The White Lotus). What counts as "good" depends on what you actually watch — a crime drama fan and a reality TV fan will have completely different lists.
The catalog changes monthly as licensing agreements shift, so a show you see today might not be there in six months. The shows listed here have strong viewership and critical reception, but you should check the app itself to confirm a title is still available in your region before you start watching.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus carries both CBS broadcast shows and original series, with the strongest originals being Severance, The White Lotus, and Yellowstone.
- Crime and legal dramas like The Good Fight, Tulsa King, and Ghosts draw large audiences and have multiple seasons available.
- Reality shows including The Real Housewives franchises, Survivor, and Love Island rotate through the catalog depending on licensing.
- The service includes live sports, particularly NFL games and college football, which are not available through other streaming services.
- Checking the app directly is faster than reading reviews, since availability changes by month and by region.
Drama and Crime Shows With Multiple Seasons
Severance is a sci-fi thriller about employees at a corporation that surgically separates their work and personal memories. The first season aired in 2022, and a second season is in production. The show has strong writing and unusual premise that keeps viewers talking between episodes.
The Good Fight ran for seven seasons and wrapped in 2022. It's a legal drama that spun off from The Good Wife and focuses on a law firm navigating politics, race, and gender in modern America. Most seasons are available on the service.
Tulsa King stars Sylvester Stallone as a New York crime boss sent to live in Oklahoma. The first season aired in 2022, and a second season followed. It's lighter in tone than typical crime dramas and leans into fish-out-of-water comedy.
Yellowstone is a modern Western about a family fighting to keep their ranch. The show ran for five seasons and ended in 2023. It became one of the most-watched shows on television and has a large catalog of episodes to work through.
Comedy and Lighter Shows
Ghosts is a comedy about a couple who inherit a haunted house and have to live with the ghosts already occupying it. The show has multiple seasons and mixes humor with character development. It's based on a British series of the same name but is set in the United States.
The Traitors is a reality competition show where players try to identify "traitors" among the group while completing challenges. The format has been adapted in many countries, and Paramount Plus carries the U.S. version. New seasons air regularly.
Frasier is the classic sitcom about a psychiatrist in Seattle, and Paramount Plus has both the original run and a newer reboot that started in 2023. If you've never seen the original, there are 11 seasons to discover.
Reality and Competition Shows
Survivor airs new seasons on CBS and streams on Paramount Plus. The show has been running since 1999, so there are dozens of seasons available if you want to start from the beginning or jump to recent episodes.
Love Island is a dating show where single people live together and form couples. The U.S. version airs on Paramount Plus, and new seasons launch regularly during summer months.
The Real Housewives franchises (Beverly Hills, New York, Atlanta, and others) are available on the service. These reality shows follow wealthy women in different cities and have multiple seasons each.
Limited Series and Prestige Shows
The White Lotus is an anthology series where each season tells a different story set at a luxury resort. The first season aired in 2021, the second in 2022, and a third is in development. Each season is self-contained, so you can start with any one.
Godfather of Harlem is a crime drama about a drug kingpin in 1960s Harlem. The show ran for three seasons and ended in 2023. It has strong performances and historical detail.
The Offer is a limited series about the making of The Godfather film. It aired in 2022 and tells the story from the perspective of producer Albert S. Ruddy. If you're interested in Hollywood history or the film itself, this is worth watching.
Sports and Live Events
Paramount Plus carries live NFL games on Thursday nights during the football season, which is exclusive to the service. College football games also air on the platform. If you're a sports fan, this is a major reason to have the subscription.
The service also streams some college basketball and other sporting events depending on the season and your region.
How to Find What's Currently Available
The easiest way to see what's on Paramount Plus right now is to open the app or website and browse by genre or use the search function. The catalog changes monthly, and availability varies by region, so a show that's available today might not be there next month.
Paramount Plus publishes a monthly list of new additions and departures on their website, which you can check if you're looking for something specific. If you find a show you want to watch, start it soon rather than waiting — licensing agreements mean it could leave the service without warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free trial for Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus offers a free trial period, though the length varies depending on current promotions. Check the Paramount Plus website directly to see what trial options are available in your region right now.
Can I watch Paramount Plus shows offline?
Yes, the Paramount Plus app allows you to read episodes on mobile devices and watch them without an internet connection. This feature is available on most subscription tiers, but check your specific plan to confirm.
What's the difference between Paramount Plus and regular Paramount?
Paramount Plus is the streaming service that includes original shows, movies, and live sports. Regular Paramount (the cable channel) is a traditional TV network. Paramount Plus has much more content and lets you watch on your schedule.
Do I need Paramount Plus to watch NFL games?
Thursday Night Football games air on Paramount Plus, and you need a subscription to watch them live. Some games may also air on other networks, so check the schedule for your specific game.
Are there ads on Paramount Plus shows?
Paramount Plus offers both ad-supported and ad-free subscription tiers. The ad-supported tier costs less but includes commercials during shows. The ad-free tier costs more but removes ads entirely.