The Best Paramount+ Shows to Add to Your Watch List
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Nowadays, there's no shortage of streaming services, and while we love the chance to enjoy movies and shows from a wide range of voices, there's no denying that the endless scroll through when deciding which of those myriad things to actually settle in for can get old quickly. One of the comparatively newer streaming platforms, Paramount+ has lots of shows to offer, from a back catalogue of classics to their own original programming. to make your viewing decisions easier, we've put together this list of some of the best shows on Paramount+ to tune in to ASAP.
1883
While the hit drama Yellowstone may remain he streaming purview of Peacock, the show's extended universe lives very comfortably on Paramount+. This, the first of the Dutton-verse's historical prequels, follows the Dutton ancestors (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Isabel May) as they set out from Texas on a wagon train, journeying west to establish the famed Yellowstone ranch.
1923
The most recent Yellowstone prequel, starring big names Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, is set to return with a second season this year, making it not only a great way to get a dose of Western drama into your viewing schedule, but also an ideal opportunity to get caught up before the new season starts.
I Love Lucy
Paramount+ is home to a plethora of classic sitcoms, and it doesn't get much more classic than this beloved family favorite. Starring the one and only Lucille Ball in her most iconic role, it's guaranteed to bring laughs whether you're watching for the first time or you can recite every word of the Vitameatavegimin ad by heart.
Star Trek: Picard
There's no lack of Star Trek content on Paramount+ (the streamer has the rights to many of the franchise's original series) yet this series remains at the top of fan's lists. It picks up in the later years of The Next Generation's Captain Jean-Luc Picard's life, when circumstances pull him back to boldly go once again—with plenty of appearances by fan-favorite characters from the franchise, of course.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves
A longtime passion project of star David Oyelowo, who takes on the role of the titular lawman, who gained fame as the first Black U.S. Marshal in the American west (not to mention the purported inspiration for the character The Lone Ranger.) The show blends the classic gunslinging drama that you'd expect with a thoughtful eye to the darker side of history that led this formerly enslaved man to become an Old West legend.
CSI: Vegas
Crime show addicts will find plenty of fodder on Paramount+, including the many iterations of the hit franchise CSI. This reboot of the show that started it all is a particular stand out, bringing all new tech and storylines in the classic CSI style that fans know and love. Original cast member Marg Helgenberger is even part of the crew, and is joined in appearances by several other characters from the original show.
Ghosts
When young couple Sam and Jay move into their dream house, the last thing they're expecting is for it to be overrun by ghosts. Far from a scary story, though, this charming, frequently moving comedy revolves around all of the quirky spirits's unique stories, what it takes for them to move on, and the infusions of chaos that they bring to the lives of their human roommates.
(For those who prefer the UK original, that series is also available on Paramount+)
Tulsa King
Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan stays busy at Paramount+. Case in point, this Sylvester Stallone-starring tale of an over-the-hill mobster who finds himself banished to Oklahoma in an effort to rekindle the crime organization's presences out west. Far from a simple Godfather retread, though, Sly brings a boatload of charisma and humor to the role, making this one you won't be able to stop watching.
Everybody Loves Raymond
Another classic sitcom that's worth a revisit, this hilarious favorite stars Ray Romano as the titular everyman, just trying to live his best life in suburbia—despite the interference of his loving but meddling family.
The Good Fight
The follow-up to the much-loved legal drama The Good Wife, this satirical, unflaggingly topical series brings the same combination of lawyerly drama, razor sharp wit, and unexpected humor, with added genre mixing (think: animated asides, fourth wall breaking, and the occasional musical number) and, of course, an ample dose of Christine Baranski.
Criminal Minds: Evolution
Not only does Paramount+ host the original mega-hit Criminal Minds, it also brought forth this reboot, reuniting many members of the original cast for an all new set of cases that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. The reboot was also picked up for a second outing, which began filming in January 2024, so expect even more murderous mayhem on the way.
Mayor of Kingstown
Another Taylor Sheridan joint, this gritty Jeremy Renner-starring series centers on Mike McLusky, a fixer and powerful figure in the titular town, whose landscape and economy is dominated by the prison industrial complex. Following a debilitating accident Renner was involved in in 2023, the fate of the series seemed uncertain, but in January 2024, it was confirmed that the show will return for a third outing.
Survivor
The reigning king of reality competition shows, Survivor's astonishing 46 seasons are all on Paramount+, meaning you can binge watching to your heart's content.
Joe Pickett
Need to scratch that Western itch while you wait on Yellowstone to return? Based on the series of novels by C.J. Box, this modern take follows a Wyoming game warden as he investigates a series of crimes in and around his hometown.
Star Trek: Discovery
Set in the years just before the original 1960s Star Trek series, this newer entry into the Trek canon infuses its story with universe-bending action that has garnered a major fan following. The series will return for its fifth and final season this April.
Cheers
Considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, the 11 seasons of this barroom-based comedy deserve a place on your watch list ASAP. Packed with iconic characters and non-stop laughs, it will remind you exactly why you want to go where everybody knows your name.
Frasier
Speaking of Cheers... The lovably pompous therapist Frasier Crane (played by Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer) may have gotten his start in a bar in Boston, but this follow-up show centered on his life in Seattle made a major impact on the television landscape itself, running for 11 seasons, with a new Paramount+ exclusive reboot joining the fray in 2023.
The Offer
The Godfather may be one of the best-known films in history, but the story behind the making of the film is a drama in its own right. This Paramount+ original tells that story as producer Albert S. Ruddy (Miles Teller) goes head to head with the mob, the studio, and his own creative collaborators to make the iconic film.
RuPaul's Drag Race
Get a dose of pure serotonin with this Emmy-winning reality competition series that features the funniest, most fashionable, and of course most fabulously over-the-top drag queens, taking on the tutelage of the famous RuPaul to become "America's Next Drag Superstar."
Paramount+ plays host not only to the original show, but also to its multiple spin-offs, so pop some popcorn and settle in for all the delicious drama.
Special Ops: Lioness
Starring Zoe Saldana, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman, this Taylor Sheridan-created series focuses on the story of the real life CIA operation that used undercover female operatives to infiltrate a terrorist organization.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Before there was Captain Kirk, Captain Pike helmed The Enterprise. And while Kirk is set to appear on this Critics Choice Award nominee, it ultimately tells the story of the Federation's most famous ship's early days.
NCIS
NCIS has been one of the most-watched programs on TV for years, with 21 seasons available to watch on Paramount+, you'll have plenty of opportunity to discover why. Smart, funny, and endlessly engaging, this series about Navy criminal investigators is just what you need to satisfy your craving for crime drama.
Blue Bloods
The police force is in the blood for the Reagan family. With multiple generations (helmed by Tom Selleck) serving in New York's finest, the series blends the excitement of a great crime show with heartfelt family drama.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
There's a reason this '90s hit made Will Smith a star—and years later this story of a kid "West Philadelphia, born and raised" moving in with his snooty, upper crust Bel-Air relatives remains just as charismatic and funny as when it first aired.
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Star Trek's offshoots have a large presence on Paramount+ and this Critic's Choice nominated animated series proves why all those content hours are well-earned. As the title suggests, this comedy focusses not on the starship's captain and bridge staff, but on the zany lower level staff who keeps every mission together.
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