The best shows and films depend on what you actually want to watch
Paramount Plus holds thousands of titles, but the ones worth your time depend on your taste. If you like crime dramas, the platform has Yellowstone and its prequel 1883. If you want comedy, The Good Fight and Schitt's Creek are both there. If you're after action or sci-fi, Star Trek: Discovery and Halo run on the service. The trick is knowing where to look instead of scrolling for an hour.
Paramount Plus also streams films from its own studio — recent releases, older movies, and originals made for the platform. You'll find both new releases and back catalog titles, though what's available changes month to month as licensing agreements shift.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus organizes content by genre and by "Paramount Originals," which are shows and films made specifically for the service.
- Crime dramas like Yellowstone, 1883, and The Good Fight are among the platform's most-watched series.
- Comedy options include Schitt's Creek, The White Lotus, and Abbott Elementary, each with different tones and lengths.
- Sci-fi and action viewers can find Star Trek: Discovery, Halo, and Mission: Impossible films on the service.
- The "New & Popular" and "Trending Now" sections update regularly and show what other viewers are watching this week.
Where to find shows by type
Paramount Plus sorts content into browsable categories. Open the app or website and look for "Genres" — you'll see Drama, Comedy, Action, Sci-Fi, Documentary, and others. Each genre page shows what's currently on the service in that category, ranked by what's new or trending.
The "Paramount Originals" section shows only shows and films made for Paramount Plus itself, not licensed content from other studios. This is useful if you want to know what's exclusive to the platform. The "New & Popular" section updates weekly and reflects what viewers are actually watching that week, which can be a faster way to find something current than scrolling through alphabetical lists.
You can also search by title if you already know what you want. The search bar is at the top of the app or website — type the show or film name and it will tell you if it's on Paramount Plus and which season or edition is available.
Crime and drama series that draw viewers
Yellowstone is Paramount Plus's flagship drama. It follows a Montana ranching family and their conflicts with land developers, an Indian reservation, and a national park. The show ran for five seasons and ended in 2023. If you finish it, the prequel 1883 covers the same family's history during the 1880s and stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
The Good Fight is a legal drama that spun off from The Good Wife. It focuses on a law firm in Chicago and the cases its lawyers take on. The show ran for six seasons and wrapped in 2022. Episodes are roughly 45 minutes each, so it's a longer commitment per episode than some comedies.
Tulsa King is a newer series starring Sylvester Stallone as a New York crime boss who gets sent to Oklahoma. It's lighter in tone than Yellowstone but still centers on crime and family drama. The first season is complete, and a second season has been ordered.
Comedy options for different moods
Schitt's Creek is a Canadian sitcom about a wealthy family who lose their fortune and have to rebuild their lives in a small town. Episodes are 22 minutes long, and the show ran for six seasons. It won multiple Emmy Awards and is often recommended for viewers who want humor that builds character development over time.
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary-style comedy set in a Philadelphia public school. Episodes are about 22 minutes, and new seasons air regularly. The humor is faster-paced than Schitt's Creek and focuses on the teachers' daily struggles.
The White Lotus is an anthology series — each season is a separate story with different characters and locations. The first season is set at a Hawaiian resort, the second at a Sicilian resort. Each episode is about an hour long, and the tone mixes dark comedy with drama. It's less pure comedy and more dramedy, so it works if you want something that makes you laugh but also think.
Science fiction and action for viewers who want spectacle
Star Trek: Discovery follows the crew of a starship in the Star Trek universe. If you've never watched Star Trek, you don't need to — the show stands on its own. Episodes are roughly 45 minutes, and the series ran for five seasons. The tone is serious sci-fi with action sequences and character-driven plots.
Halo is based on the video game series. It's a military sci-fi show about soldiers fighting an alien threat. Episodes run about 50 minutes, and the first season is complete. The show is designed for viewers who like action and world-building over dialogue-heavy drama.
For films, Paramount Plus carries the Mission: Impossible franchise, Transformers movies, and other action titles from Paramount's studio. These rotate on and off the service, so check the Action or Sci-Fi genre page to see what's currently available.
How to narrow down when you're stuck
If you don't know what you want, start with the "Trending Now" section. It updates weekly and shows what other viewers are watching. This is faster than browsing genres and gives you a sense of what's actually holding people's attention right now.
You can also filter by how long you want to commit. If you have 22 minutes, look for comedies or shorter dramas. If you have an hour, look for longer dramas or films. Most show pages list episode length, so you can decide before you start.
Read the description and the first few reviews before you start. Paramount Plus shows user ratings and sometimes a brief summary of what the show is about. If the description doesn't appeal to you, move on — there are enough titles that you don't have to force yourself through something you're not interested in.
What changes and what stays
Paramount Plus adds new content regularly, but it also removes titles when licensing agreements end. A show you see this month might not be there in six months. If you find something you want to watch, start it sooner rather than later.
The platform also produces new seasons of its original shows on a rolling schedule. Yellowstone and 1883 are complete, but Tulsa King, Abbott Elementary, and Star Trek: Discovery have had new seasons added over time. Check the show page to see how many seasons are currently on the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read shows to watch offline?
Yes. On the Paramount Plus app, open a show or film page and look for a read icon (usually a downward arrow). Tap it to save the episode or film to your device. You can watch it without an internet connection. Downloaded content expires after a set period, so you can't keep it permanently.
Does Paramount Plus have subtitles or closed captions?
Yes. During playback, look for a settings or menu icon (usually three dots or a gear). Select "Subtitles" or "Captions" and choose your language. You can turn them on or off for any show or film.
What if I finish a show and want something similar?
Most show pages have a "More Like This" or "Recommended" section at the bottom. It suggests other shows on Paramount Plus with similar themes or genres. You can also browse the genre page for the type of show you just finished.
Are there any shows that are exclusive to Paramount Plus?
Yes. Look for the "Paramount Originals" section to see shows and films made only for this service. Yellowstone, 1883, Tulsa King, and Star Trek: Discovery are all Paramount Originals, meaning you can't watch them anywhere else.
How often does new content get added?
Paramount Plus adds new shows and films throughout the month, but the exact schedule varies. Check the "New & Popular" section or the "Coming Soon" page to see what's being added in the next few weeks.