The best shows and movies currently on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus has a mix of originals, licensed shows, and movies that rotate regularly. The strongest current options span drama, comedy, reality, and sports — so what's worth your time depends on what you actually watch. Rather than listing everything available, here are the shows and films that have real audiences right now, organized by what kind of viewer you are.
The catalog changes monthly as licensing agreements expire and new originals premiere. What's available in your region may also differ slightly. Check your app to confirm a title is still there before you commit to starting a series.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus originals like The Traitors and Yellowstone spin-offs draw the largest audiences and tend to stay on the platform longer than licensed content.
- Reality competition shows, particularly The Real Housewives franchises and Survivor, update weekly during their seasons and are easier to jump into mid-season than scripted dramas.
- The platform's movie library skews toward Paramount studio releases and older catalog titles rather than recent blockbusters, so expectations should match what's actually there.
- Sports content, especially NFL games and The Champions League soccer, requires a higher subscription tier (Premium with ads or Premium) and airs on a fixed schedule.
Prestige dramas that hold your attention
Yellowstone and its spin-off 1883 remain the platform's flagship dramas. Yellowstone follows a Montana ranching family through five seasons of land disputes, family betrayal, and legal warfare. 1883 is a prequel set during the 1880s cattle drive era, with a smaller cast and tighter storytelling. Both are complete, so you can watch without waiting for new episodes.
The Traitors (the American version) is a psychological competition show where players vote each other out while trying to identify the "traitors" planted by producers. It's less about physical challenges and more about reading people and forming alliances. New seasons premiere periodically, and episodes drop weekly during the season.
Halo is a live-action adaptation of the video game franchise, aimed at both fans and newcomers. The first two seasons are available. It's heavy on action and world-building but moves slowly if you're not invested in the game's lore.
Reality and competition shows with weekly episodes
The Real Housewives franchises — particularly Beverly Hills, New York, and Potomac — air new seasons on Paramount Plus. Episodes drop weekly, so you can watch the current season as it airs or catch up on older seasons. These shows are designed to be watched in real time with other viewers, so joining mid-season is less jarring than it sounds.
Survivor airs new seasons on Paramount Plus (the show moved from CBS). If you've never watched, the format is straightforward: 16 to 20 players compete in challenges, vote each other out, and the last person standing wins a million dollars. Seasons are self-contained, so you can start with any recent one.
Love Island (the American version) is a dating competition where single people live together, couple up, and are voted out by viewers. New seasons premiere in summer and winter. It's lighter than the British version and designed for casual viewing.
Movies worth your time
Paramount Plus's movie library is strongest in older Paramount studio releases and catalog titles. Recent theatrical releases appear here months after their cinema run, so don't expect new blockbusters when ready. Top Gun: Maverick, Sonic the Hedgehog films, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves are examples of recent studio releases that landed on the platform.
The platform also carries a deep library of older films — action movies from the 1980s and 1990s, classic comedies, and Paramount's back catalog. If you're looking for something specific, search first; the discovery tools aren't strong enough to browse effectively.
Sports content (Premium tier required)
NFL games air on Paramount Plus under the Premium subscription tier (with or without ads). Thursday Night Football is the main offering, with a full schedule during the NFL season. You'll need the Premium tier, not the cheaper ad-supported option.
The Champions League (European soccer's top club competition) airs on Paramount Plus in the United States. Matches are live and on a fixed schedule, so you need to tune in at game time. This also requires the Premium tier.
What to skip or approach cautiously
Paramount Plus's original movies are inconsistent in quality. Some are worthwhile, but many feel like direct-to-streaming content. Read reviews before committing to a two-hour film you've never heard of.
Licensed shows from other networks rotate off the platform regularly. If you're halfway through a series and it's not a Paramount original, check whether it's still available before you start an episode. Shows like The Office have left the platform in the past as licensing deals expired.
How to find what's new
Paramount Plus updates its "New & Trending" section weekly. Originals and licensed content premiere on Thursdays and Fridays most weeks. The app's search function works better than browsing, so if you have a specific show or actor in mind, search for it rather than scrolling through categories.
The platform also sends email notifications when new seasons of shows you've watched premiere. You can control these in your account settings if they become annoying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Premium or Premium Plus to watch most shows?
Most shows and movies are available on all tiers. Sports content (NFL and Champions League) requires Premium or Premium Plus. The difference between Premium and Premium Plus is read capability and simultaneous streams — Premium Plus lets you watch on four screens at once and read to watch offline, while Premium allows one screen at a time.
Can I watch new episodes as they air, or do they all drop at once?
It depends on the show. Originals like Yellowstone drop all episodes at once. Reality shows like The Real Housewives and Survivor release weekly. Sports airs live on a fixed schedule. Check the show's page to see the release pattern before you start.
Will shows I'm watching stay on the platform?
Paramount originals stay indefinitely. Licensed shows from other networks may leave when licensing agreements expire. If you're watching a non-original series, assume it could disappear within a few months and plan accordingly.
Is there a way to see everything new this month?
The "New & Trending" section shows recent additions, but it's limited to what the app chooses to highlight. Paramount Plus's website has a fuller calendar of what's premiering each week. Checking the website is faster than scrolling the app.
What if I can't find something I want to watch?
Search for it by title or actor name. If it doesn't appear, it's either not on the platform or not available in your region. Paramount Plus's regional catalogs vary, so a show available in one country may not be in another.