Finding shows and movies worth your time on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus has thousands of titles, which makes it hard to know where to start. The platform organizes content by genre, but the real question is what actually holds your attention—and that depends on what you're in the mood for. This guide walks you through the main categories, points you toward shows and films that have real followings, and explains how to search for specific types of content when you know what you want.
The service includes original series made by Paramount, licensed shows from networks like CBS and MTV, movies from the Paramount film studio, and content from other studios. Your account type matters: the ad-supported tier and ad-free tier have the same shows and movies, but some live sports and events may vary by subscription level.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus organizes content by genre on the home page, and you can also search by title or actor name if you already know what you want to watch.
- Original series like Yellowstone, The Good Fight, and Halo are exclusive to Paramount Plus and often have multiple seasons available.
- The platform includes live sports such as NFL games, college football, and UEFA Champions League matches, though availability depends on your subscription tier.
- Paramount Plus rotates its movie catalog regularly, so titles you want to watch may leave the service—checking the "expiring soon" section helps you catch them before they go.
- You can create separate profiles for different household members, and each profile builds its own watch history and recommendations.
How to browse by genre and category
When you open Paramount Plus, the home page shows rows of content organized by type: TV shows, movies, originals, live sports, and sometimes trending titles. Scroll through these rows to see what's currently featured. If you want to narrow down further, tap or click the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) and select "Browse" or "Categories" to see all available genres listed separately.
The main genre sections include Drama, Comedy, Action, Documentary, Kids, and Sports. Each genre page shows dozens of titles, and you can sort by "New," "Popular," or "Trending" using buttons near the top. This is useful if you want to see what other viewers are watching right now, or if you want the newest additions to that category. Keep in mind that "new" means newly added to Paramount Plus, not necessarily newly released.
If you're looking for a specific type of show—say, a true crime documentary or a reality competition—the search bar at the top of the app or website is faster. Type a few words like "true crime" or "cooking competition" and the platform will show matching titles. You can also search by actor name or director if you want to find everything a particular person has made on the service.
Popular original series to start with
Yellowstone is one of Paramount Plus's most-watched originals. It's a drama about a family running a large ranch in Montana, dealing with land disputes, family conflict, and crime. The show has five seasons, though the final season was split into two parts. If you finish it, the prequel series 1883 and 1923 continue the story in earlier time periods.
The Good Fight is a legal drama that ran for seven seasons and wrapped up its story. If you watched the original CBS series The Good Wife, this is a direct continuation with many of the same characters. You don't need to watch the original to follow The Good Fight, but it adds context. Each season is self-contained enough that you can watch episodes in any order if you want to skip around.
Halo is a science fiction series based on the video game franchise. It's aimed at fans of action-heavy sci-fi with large-scale battles and world-building. The first two seasons are available, and the show is ongoing. Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard are also on the platform if you want more sci-fi with a different tone—these lean toward exploration and character-driven storytelling rather than action.
The Offer is a limited series (one season, 10 episodes) about the making of The Godfather film. It's useful if you want something with a clear ending rather than committing to a long-running show. Other limited series on Paramount Plus include The White Lotus (dark comedy-drama set at a resort) and Godfather of Harlem (crime drama set in 1960s New York).
Movies across different genres
Paramount Plus carries films from the Paramount studio library, which includes action blockbusters, comedies, dramas, and horror films. The movie selection changes regularly—titles are added and removed throughout the year. To see what's currently available, go to the Movies section and browse by genre, or check the "New Movies" row on the home page to see recent additions.
Action and adventure films on the service include the Mission: Impossible franchise, Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick, and Transformers films. Comedies include older titles like Forrest Gump and The Truman Show, as well as newer releases. Horror fans will find films like A Quiet Place and Scream (the recent reboot). Drama and prestige films rotate in and out, so if you see something you want to watch, it's worth starting it soon rather than waiting.
If a movie you want to watch is no longer on Paramount Plus, the service usually shows where else you can rent or purchase it (through links to other platforms). You can also add titles to a watchlist so you get a notification if they return to the service later.
Live sports and special events
Paramount Plus includes live sports depending on your subscription tier. NFL games (regular season and playoffs) are available on the ad-supported and ad-free tiers, though some games may be exclusive to the service while others air on traditional TV at the same time. College football games are also included during the season.
UEFA Champions League soccer matches are available on Paramount Plus, making it a key service for soccer fans in North America. The schedule varies by season, so check the Sports section of the app to see upcoming matches. Golf tournaments, including PGA Tour events, are sometimes broadcast on the service as well.
Live sports require an active internet connection and stream in real time, so plan ahead if you want to watch a specific game. You can also watch replays of many sports events after they air, though some may be available only for a limited time.
Finding content expiring soon
Paramount Plus rotates its catalog regularly, meaning titles leave the service on specific dates. To avoid starting a show or movie only to have it disappear, look for the "Expiring Soon" section, usually found in the Browse menu or by searching "expiring." This section shows titles leaving within the next 30 days, so you can prioritize what to watch.
If you find a title you want to watch but it's expiring in a few days, you don't have to finish it before it leaves—you can usually continue watching it if you've already started. However, once it's gone, you won't be able to start a new watch. Adding titles to your watchlist helps you keep track of what you want to see before it expires.
Using profiles and personalized recommendations
Paramount Plus allows you to create multiple profiles on a single account, which is useful if you share the service with family members. Each profile has its own watch history, watchlist, and recommendations based on what that person watches. To create a profile, go to your account settings and select "Manage Profiles" or "Add Profile."
The platform learns from what you watch and suggests similar titles on your home page. If you watch a lot of documentaries, you'll see more documentaries recommended. If you watch action movies, the home page will highlight action content. You can also manually rate shows and movies (thumbs up or thumbs down) to help the recommendation system understand your preferences better.
If you want to hide your watch history from recommendations—for example, if you watched something you don't want the algorithm to base suggestions on—you can remove individual titles from your history in the account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a show has ended or if more seasons are coming?
The show's page usually says "Series Finale" or lists the total number of seasons. If a show is still ongoing, Paramount Plus typically notes when the next season will air. You can also check the show's official social media or the Paramount Plus news section for announcements about renewals or cancellations.
Can I read shows and movies to watch offline?
Yes, the Paramount Plus app on phones and tablets allows you to read episodes and films to watch without an internet connection. Open the title, look for a read icon (usually a downward arrow), and select the quality. Downloaded content stays on your device for a set period, usually 30 days, before it expires.
Why did a show I was watching disappear from my account?
Paramount Plus removes titles when licensing agreements end. If a show left the service, you may be able to finish watching it if you started it before the removal date, depending on the licensing terms. Check the expiring soon section regularly to catch titles before they leave.
Is there a way to see what's new on Paramount Plus each week?
The home page shows a "New This Week" or "Coming Soon" section. You can also enable notifications in your account settings so you get alerts when new episodes of shows you're watching are released, or when new seasons of shows you've watched become available.
What's the difference between the ad-supported and ad-free tiers for watching content?
Both tiers have access to the same shows and movies. The ad-supported tier shows advertisements during playback, while the ad-free tier does not. Some live sports events may have different availability between tiers, so check your specific subscription details if you're unsure what you have access to.