The Best Shows and Movies Currently on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus holds a mix of originals, licensed shows, and films from across the Paramount studio catalog. What's worth watching depends on what you like — the platform has drama series, comedies, reality shows, movies, and sports content, but not everything lands equally well. The strongest originals tend to be the prestige dramas and the licensed back catalog from CBS and MTV, while the movie selection rotates and sometimes feels thin.
The platform's search and recommendation tools are basic, so knowing what exists before you start browsing saves time. This guide covers the shows and films that have genuine audiences rather than the full catalog, and notes which ones are complete versus still airing.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus originals like Yellowstone, The Offer, and Severance draw the largest audiences and are worth starting with if you have not seen them.
- The platform holds the full back catalog of Star Trek shows across all eras, plus The Good Wife and The Twilight Zone reboot, which appeal to specific audiences.
- Movie selection is smaller than Netflix or Disney Plus and rotates regularly, so checking what's current matters more than remembering titles from months ago.
- Sports content includes NFL games, some college football, and golf tournaments, but requires a higher subscription tier or separate add-on in most cases.
- New originals premiere on a rolling schedule, so the "what's new" section changes weekly rather than dropping entire seasons at once.
Drama Series That Build Real Audiences
Yellowstone is the platform's flagship drama and the most-watched show on Paramount Plus. It follows a Montana ranching family across five seasons (complete), with conflicts over land, politics, and family loyalty. If you have not started it, the first season is the entry point; the show builds momentum and does not require prior knowledge. A prequel series called 1883 is also complete and worth watching after the main series.
Severance is a sci-fi thriller about employees at a corporation that surgically separates their work and personal memories. One season is complete; a second has been announced. The premise is unusual enough that it either hooks you when ready or does not, but the production quality and writing are consistently strong.
The Offer is a limited series about the making of The Godfather film. It runs ten episodes and is complete. If you care about film history or the Godfather films themselves, it's worth the time; if not, it's a pass.
Comedy and Lighter Series
Shrinking pairs a therapist and a grieving lawyer as they navigate their personal crises while treating patients. It has a serious backbone but leans into humor and character moments. Two seasons are available, with a third announced. The show works best if you like character-driven comedy over laugh-track humor.
The Traitors is a reality competition where players vote each other out while trying to identify the "traitors" planted among them. Paramount Plus has the US version (complete) and the Dutch original (also complete). Both follow the same format but have different casts and dynamics. It's a game show, not a drama, but it builds genuine suspense.
Ghosts is a sitcom about a couple who inherit a haunted house and must live alongside its ghost residents. Four seasons are available. It's lighter fare than the dramas but has consistent writing and a large cast of characters that develop over time.
Science Fiction and Genre Shows
Paramount Plus holds every Star Trek series ever made: The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, and newer shows like Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds. If you are new to Star Trek, The Next Generation or Strange New Worlds are better starting points than the original series, which has aged visually. Picard is a continuation of The Next Generation and requires familiarity with that show.
The Twilight Zone reboot (2019–2023) ran five seasons and is complete. It updates the original anthology format for modern stories. Quality varies by episode, but the strongest ones are genuinely unsettling.
Halo is a live-action adaptation of the video game series. One season is available, with a second announced. It requires no knowledge of the games but has a devoted gaming audience that has opinions about how faithful it is.
Movies Worth Your Time
Paramount Plus does not have the movie depth of Netflix or Disney Plus. The catalog includes older Paramount films, some recent releases, and licensed content, but it rotates. At any given time, you might find Top Gun: Maverick, Sonic the Hedgehog films, Mission: Impossible entries, or Transformers movies, but these shift in and out.
The strongest approach is to check the "movies" section when you log in rather than relying on a list from weeks ago. Paramount Plus also offers a rotating selection of older films from the studio's archive, which appeal to people interested in classic cinema but are not the draw for most subscribers.
If you are looking for a specific film, use the search function. If you want to browse, the "trending" or "new" sections show what's currently available and worth watching.
Sports Content and Live Events
Paramount Plus includes NFL games on Thursday and select other days, but this requires either the highest subscription tier or an add-on. College football games are also available under similar restrictions. Golf tournaments, including some PGA events, appear on the platform seasonally.
If sports are your main reason for subscribing, confirm what's included in your current tier before signing up. The sports offerings are a selling point for the premium plan but not part of the base subscription in most cases.
How to Find What's New
Paramount Plus updates its "new and trending" section weekly. Shows premiere on a rolling schedule rather than dropping full seasons at once, so checking back regularly shows you what's actually current. The platform's search function works better than its recommendations, so typing a title or genre directly is faster than browsing.
If you follow a specific actor or creator, searching their name pulls up everything they appear in on the platform. This is useful for finding lesser-known shows or films you might otherwise miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paramount Plus worth it just for the originals?
If you watch Yellowstone, Severance, or Star Trek, yes. If you want variety across drama, comedy, and sci-fi, the originals alone justify the subscription. If you only watch movies, the rotating catalog is thinner than competitors, so it depends on your patience with limited selection.
Do I need to watch Yellowstone in order?
Yes. The show builds across seasons, and characters develop over time. Starting with season one is necessary to understand the family dynamics and conflicts that drive later episodes.
What's the difference between Paramount Plus and Paramount Plus with Showtime?
The higher tier adds Showtime originals and films, plus removes ads. If you care about Showtime content like Dexter or Homeland, the upgrade is worth it. Otherwise, the base plan covers most of what's listed here.
Can I watch live sports on the base plan?
Most live sports require the premium tier or an add-on. Check your current plan's details before assuming sports are included.
How often does the movie selection change?
Paramount Plus rotates films monthly, though some titles stay longer than others. Checking the "movies" section when you log in shows what's currently available rather than relying on older lists.