The biggest shows on Paramount Plus right now

Paramount Plus carries a mix of original series, reboots of older franchises, and licensed shows from other networks. The lineup changes monthly as contracts shift and new seasons premiere, so what's available depends on when you're looking. The most-watched shows tend to be Star Trek originals (Discovery, Strange New Worlds, Lower Decks, Prodigy), the Yellowstone universe (including the prequel 1883 and the newer Yellowstone: 1923), and The Offer, which dramatizes the making of The Godfather.

Paramount also owns CBS, so you'll find current and older seasons of shows like NCIS, The Good Wife, Cheers, and The Brady Bunch. The service has invested heavily in sports documentaries and reality competition shows like The Traitors (the American version), which has become one of their most popular originals. Comedy specials from comedians like John Mulaney and Jim Gaffigan rotate through the catalog.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus produces original Star Trek series, Yellowstone spin-offs, and competition shows like The Traitors that draw the largest audiences.
  • The service includes decades of CBS back catalog, so older shows like Cheers and The Brady Bunch are available alongside current seasons of NCIS and other network shows.
  • What's available changes monthly because licensing agreements expire and new seasons premiere on different schedules.
  • You can search the service directly by genre or use the "New & Popular" section to see what's trending that week.

Star Trek originals and spin-offs

Paramount Plus has made Star Trek its flagship original franchise. Star Trek: Discovery ran for five seasons and concluded in 2024. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is the prequel series set earlier in the timeline, following Captain Pike and the USS Enterprise before Kirk takes command. Star Trek: Lower Decks is an animated comedy about junior officers on a starship, and Star Trek: Prodigy is an animated series aimed at younger viewers.

Each series has its own tone and audience. Strange New Worlds leans toward traditional Star Trek adventure; Discovery is serialized drama with ongoing storylines; Lower Decks is comedy that assumes you know Star Trek lore; and Prodigy is family-friendly. If you're new to Star Trek, Strange New Worlds is usually the easiest entry point because it's episodic (each episode mostly stands alone) rather than requiring you to watch in order.

Yellowstone and its universe

The Yellowstone universe spans three shows. Yellowstone itself ran for five seasons and ended in 2023, following a wealthy ranching family in Montana. 1883 is a prequel showing the family's ancestors during the era of westward expansion and the Great Depression. Yellowstone: 1923 is another prequel set in the 1920s, following a different generation of the same family.

You don't need to watch them in release order or in chronological order. Many people start with Yellowstone itself because it's the original series and has the largest cast of characters. If you prefer historical drama, 1883 works as a standalone. 1923 is the newest and assumes you've seen at least some of Yellowstone, though you can watch it independently if you don't mind missing some context about the family's history.

CBS shows and back catalog

Because Paramount owns CBS, the service includes current seasons of long-running CBS shows like NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: Hawaii, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Young Sheldon. You'll also find older seasons of shows that originally aired on CBS decades ago: Cheers, I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Brady Bunch, and All in the Family.

The CBS back catalog is useful if you want to watch a complete series from start to finish or revisit a show you remember. Availability of older shows varies because some are licensed to other services in certain regions or time periods. If you're looking for a specific older show, search it directly in the app to see whether it's currently available.

Reality and competition shows

The Traitors is Paramount Plus's most popular reality competition show. It's based on a Dutch format where contestants compete for a cash prize, but some are secretly "traitors" trying to sabotage the group. The American version has had multiple seasons and draws large audiences. Love Island also airs on the service, following a dating competition format.

Paramount Plus also produces documentary series about entertainment and sports. The Offer dramatizes the behind-the-scenes story of making The Godfather. The Godfather Trilogy itself is available to watch. Sports documentaries cover topics like football, basketball, and other professional sports, though the specific titles available change based on licensing.

Comedy specials and limited series

Paramount Plus rotates comedy specials from established comedians. The service has released specials from John Mulaney, Jim Gaffigan, and others, though the full catalog changes. If you're looking for a specific comedian, search their name in the app to see if a special is currently available.

The service also produces limited series (shows with a set number of episodes that end rather than continuing indefinitely). The Offer is a limited series about The Godfather's production. Halo is a live-action adaptation of the video game series. These tend to be heavily promoted when they premiere, so you'll see them featured on the home screen when they're new.

How to find what's currently available

The easiest way to see what's popular right now is to open Paramount Plus and look at the home screen. The service displays "New & Popular," "Trending Now," and genre-specific sections. You can also browse by category: Drama, Comedy, Reality, Documentary, Kids, and others.

If you're looking for a specific show, use the search bar at the top of the app. The search will tell you when ready whether the show is available and which season you can watch. Keep in mind that shows rotate off the service when licensing agreements end, so if a show isn't available today, it may return later or move to a different streaming service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all of Yellowstone available on Paramount Plus?

Yes, all five seasons of Yellowstone are available, along with both prequel series (1883 and Yellowstone: 1923). You can watch them in any order, though most people start with the original Yellowstone series.

Do I need to watch Star Trek shows in a specific order?

No. Each Star Trek series on Paramount Plus is independent. Strange New Worlds is the easiest starting point if you're new to Star Trek. If you want to watch them in timeline order (the order the stories take place), that's different from release order, but the service doesn't require either.

Are older CBS shows like Cheers available in full?

Most are, but availability varies by region and changes over time. Search the show title in the app to see how many seasons are currently available. Some shows may have only partial seasons available due to licensing restrictions.

How often does the Paramount Plus catalog change?

New shows premiere throughout the month, and some older shows rotate off when licensing agreements end. The home screen updates weekly to highlight new additions. If you're looking for a specific show and it's not available, check back in a few months—it may return.

Can I watch The Godfather movies on Paramount Plus?

Yes, The Godfather Trilogy is available on Paramount Plus. The Offer, a limited series about making the first film, is also available and provides behind-the-scenes context about the production.