The best shows and films depend on what you actually want to watch

Paramount Plus holds a mix of older films, recent theatrical releases, original series, and back catalogs from CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon. What matters most is whether you want drama, comedy, sports, or something for children — because the platform spreads across all of those, and browsing without a direction wastes time. The strongest originals tend to cluster in prestige drama and comedy. The film library skews toward Paramount's own theatrical output from the last few years, plus licensed content that rotates.

This guide walks through the main categories worth your time, names the shows and films that hold up, and explains what each one actually is so you can decide whether to start it.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus originals like Yellowstone, The White Lotus, and Severance are the platform's strongest draws and worth watching if you like prestige drama.
  • The film library leans heavily on recent Paramount theatrical releases and older back-catalog titles, with less depth than Netflix or Max in any single genre.
  • Sports content — NFL games, college football, and soccer — is a major reason to subscribe if you follow those leagues.
  • Children's programming includes both new Nickelodeon originals and decades of archived shows, making it useful if you have kids under 12.
  • The platform rotates licensed content monthly, so a title you want may not be there next month — checking the expiration date before you start is worth the ten seconds.

Prestige dramas that justify the subscription

Yellowstone is a modern-day ranch drama set in Montana, centered on a family fighting to keep their land against developers, the government, and each other. It ran for five seasons and ended in 2023. If you like character-driven conflict, family dysfunction, and scenery, it holds up across all five. The show is violent and profane, so it is not for younger viewers.

The White Lotus is an anthology series — each season is a separate story with different characters and setting. Season one is set at a Hawaiian resort; season two at a Sicilian resort. Each season is five episodes. The show is a dark comedy about wealth, entitlement, and death, and it is genuinely well-made. Both seasons are complete.

Severance is a science-fiction drama about employees at a corporation who undergo a procedure that separates their work memories from their personal ones. Season one is nine episodes. It is strange, unsettling, and deliberately slow-paced — not for everyone, but if you like mysteries that don't rush to explain themselves, it works. Season two is in production.

Godfather of Harlem is a crime drama set in 1960s New York, following a drug kingpin rebuilding his empire after prison. Three seasons exist. It is violent and adult-oriented, with strong performances and period detail.

Comedy series worth your time

Schitt's Creek is not a Paramount original — it aired on CBC in Canada and Pop TV in the US — but Paramount Plus holds the full run. It follows a wealthy family who lose everything and have to rebuild their lives in a small town. Six seasons, 80 episodes total. It is gentle, character-driven comedy that builds over time; the first season is rougher than later ones.

The Offer is a limited series about the making of The Godfather film. Ten episodes. If you care about filmmaking history or the Godfather films themselves, it is detailed and well-acted. If neither interests you, skip it.

Becker is an older sitcom from the late 1990s and early 2000s, set in a doctor's office in New York. Five seasons. It is broad, laugh-track comedy — useful if you want something light and undemanding.

Films worth watching

Paramount Plus holds most Paramount theatrical releases from the last three to five years. That includes Top Gun: Maverick, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, A Quiet Place Part II, and Sonic the Hedgehog films. The library is strongest in action, family films, and horror — weaker in independent drama or international cinema.

Older films in the catalog include Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Titanic, and Transformers films. These rotate in and out, so if you see something you want to watch, start it soon rather than assuming it will stay.

The platform also holds some licensed films from other studios, but the selection is smaller and changes monthly. Check the expiration date on the title page before you commit to watching something.

Sports and live events

Paramount Plus carries NFL games on Thursday nights and some Sunday games, college football, and international soccer (including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League). If you follow any of those leagues, the sports content alone may justify the subscription cost. The schedule changes by season, so check the sports section to see what is coming up this month.

The platform also carries some golf tournaments and other live sports events, though the full schedule depends on your region and current licensing agreements.

Children's and family programming

Paramount Plus holds the Nickelodeon back catalog, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, The Loud House, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. It also produces new Nickelodeon originals. If you have children under 12, there is enough here to keep them occupied, though the selection is narrower than Disney Plus or Netflix's children's sections.

The platform also holds some older Paramount films that are family-friendly, like the Sonic films and some animated features.

How to find what you actually want to watch

Paramount Plus organizes content by category — Originals, Movies, TV Shows, Sports, Kids — rather than by genre or quality. The search function works, but browsing by category is often faster if you know what type of thing you want.

The "Originals" section is the easiest place to start if you are new to the platform, because those are the shows Paramount invested in and promoted. The "Movies" section is largest but least curated, so if you are looking for something specific, search by title rather than browsing.

Paramount Plus also sends email notifications when new content arrives, which is useful if you follow specific shows. You can turn these on or off in your account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a way to see what is leaving Paramount Plus soon?

The platform does not have a dedicated "expiring soon" section, but individual title pages show the expiration date if one exists. Licensed content (films and shows from other studios) expires more often than Paramount originals. If you see something you want to watch, check the date on its page before you start.

Can I watch Paramount Plus content offline?

Yes. The app allows you to read episodes and films to your phone or tablet, and you can watch them without an internet connection. Downloaded content expires after a set period, usually 30 days, so you cannot keep it permanently.

What is the difference between Paramount Plus and Paramount Plus with Ads?

Paramount Plus with Ads is a cheaper tier that includes advertisements during shows and films. Paramount Plus (the standard tier) has no ads. The content library is the same on both. Choose based on whether you prefer to pay less and watch ads, or pay more and avoid them.

Does Paramount Plus have all the Star Trek shows?

Paramount Plus holds most recent Star Trek originals, including Discovery, Picard, Strange New Worlds, and Lower Decks. Older series like The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine are also available. If you are a Star Trek fan, the platform is worth it for that alone.

Can I share my Paramount Plus account with family members?

Paramount Plus allows multiple profiles on one account, so family members can have their own watch history and recommendations. The standard plan allows streaming on one device at a time; higher tiers allow more simultaneous streams. Check your plan details to see how many devices can watch at once.