Best Shows On Paramount Plus: The Hidden Gems Nobody Talks About
The best shows on Paramount+ right now are Taylor Sheridan series like Landman, The Madison, Tulsa King, and the Yellowstone prequels 1883 and 1923, plus Special Ops: Lioness, The Offer, Mayor of Kingstown, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Criminal Minds. These top-rated programs combine gripping storytelling with high production values, offering everything from oil-field dramas and CIA thrillers to sci-fi adventures and classic crime procedurals that keep viewers binge-watching for hours.
Top 10 Best Shows on Paramount+ in 2026
Based on audience ratings, critical acclaim, and streaming performance data through May 2026, these are the definitive must-watch series available on Paramount+.
- Landman (2024-present) - Billy Bob Thornton stars in this oil-rush drama with 88% Rotten Tomatoes score
- The Madison - Taylor Sheridan's latest standalone series premiering May 2026
- Tulsa King (2022-present) - Sylvester Stallone's mobster revenge drama, Season 2 renewed
- 1883 (2021-2022) - Yellowstone prequel with 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, Sam Elliott and Tim McGraw
- Special Ops: Lioness (2023-present) - Nicole Kidman's CIA thriller, Season 2 available
- The Offer - Oscar-winning "The Godfather" making-of drama, 95% critic score
- Mayor of Kingstown (2021-2024) - Jeremy Renner's prison-industrial complex drama
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-present) - Highest-rated modern Star Trek series
- Criminal Minds (2005-2020, 2022-present) - 17 seasons of FBI profiler action, 82% Rotten Tomatoes
- 1923 (2022-2023) - Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren in Yellowstone era prequel
Paramount+ Show Rankings by Genre and Rating
The following table compares key metrics across the platform's top performers, helping you choose based on your preferred genre and quality expectations.
| Show Title | Genre | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Seasons Available | Premiere Year | Star Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1883 | Western/Drama | 100% | 1 (limited) | 2021 | Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw |
| Landman | Drama/Oil Industry | 88% | 1 | 2024 | Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore |
| Special Ops: Lioness | Thriller/Action | 91% | 2 | 2023 | Nicole Kidman, Zoe Saldaña |
| The Offer | Bio Drama/Historical | 95% | 1 (limited) | 2022 | Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons |
| Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Sci-Fi/Adventure | 97% | 3 | 2022 | Anson Mount, Christina Chong |
| Tulsa King | Crime/Drama | 76% | 2 | 2022 | Sylvester Stallone |
| Criminal Minds | Crime/Procedural | 82% | 17 | 2005 | Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster |
| 1923 | Western/Drama | 85% | 1 (limited) | 2022 | Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren |
Taylor Sheridan's Dominance on Paramount+
Taylor Sheridan has emerged as Paramount's flagship creator, with 11 TV shows streaming across platforms and the Yellowstone franchise driving massive subscriber growth. His 2026 releases include The Madison, a standalone drama about a Manhattan family relocating to Montana's Madison River Valley following tragedy. While The Madison isn't proving as popular as Yellowstone itself, it represents Sheridan's continued expansion of his signature gritty, rural-American storytelling style.
The Yellowstone saga remains Paramount+'s crown jewel, with the new 2026 spinoff Dutton Ranch premiering May 15, 2026, featuring Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser returning as Beth and Rip. All Yellowstone prequels-1883, 1923, and 6666-stream exclusively on Paramount+, while the main series (2018-2024) streams on Peacock due to a 2020 licensing deal.
Why Paramount+ Stands Out in Streaming
Paramount+ entered the streaming market later than competitors but has quickly become a heavy hitter with properties from MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, CBS, and the entire Star Trek franchise. The platform currently stands out as a premier destination for streaming diverse content, ranging from thrilling crime dramas to side-splitting sitcoms and classic Westerns.
As of May 2026, the library contains 31 best-ranked shows including The Amazing Race (2001-present), Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008), and Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009). The platform's strategic depth comes from combining live CBS programming, news, sports, and originals under one subscription.
- Landman - Oil industry drama with perfect ensemble chemistry
- 1883 - Limited series with cinematic production quality and 100% RT score
- Special Ops: Lioness - Nicole Kidman's most compelling thriller role
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - Best modern Star Trek with episodic adventure format
- The Offer - Behind-the-scenes Hollywood drama with extraordinary detail
New Releases and Upcoming Premieres (May-June 2026)
Paramount+ continues expanding its lineup with fresh content. The Madison premiered in May 2026 as Taylor Sheridan's latest standalone series. Dutton Ranch launched May 15, 2026, bringing back beloved Yellowstone characters Beth and Rip. Season 2 of Special Ops: Lioness is now available, featuring Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman leading covert CIA operations.
Recent additions include Marshals (latest episode May 24, 2026) and updated Criminal Minds seasons (latest episode May 2026), maintaining the platform's strong crime drama presence. The British crime drama Mobland also joined the catalog, expanding international offerings.
How to Choose Based on Your Preferences
Selecting the right show depends on your viewing preferences. For Western fans, start with 1883 (the highest-rated prequel), then move to 1923 for Harrison Ford's performance. Crime drama enthusiasts should begin with Criminal Minds for its 17-season depth or Special Ops: Lioness for modern CIA thrills. Sci-fi viewers will find Star Trek: Strange New Worlds delivers the most accessible entry point into the franchise.
If you prefer limited series, The Offer and 1883 offer complete stories in single seasons. For ongoing narratives, Landman, Tulsa King, and Special Ops: Lioness have multiple seasons with renewed orders. Star power seekers can choose Sylvester Stallone in Tulsa King, Nicole Kidman in Lioness, or Billy Bob Thornton in Landman for guaranteed A-list performances.
Key concerns and solutions for Best Shows On Paramount Plus The Hidden Gems Nobody Talks About
What is the number one show on Paramount+?
Landman ranks as the number one show on Paramount+ in 2026, with Billy Bob Thornton leading this viral oil-rush drama that achieved 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and dominated streaming charts since its 2024 premiere.
What shows are exclusive to Paramount+?
Exclusive Paramount+ originals include Landman, The Madison, Special Ops: Lioness, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, The Offer, 1883, 1923, Dutton Ranch, and all new Star Trek series including Strange New Worlds and Strange New Worlds spinoffs.
Is Yellowstone on Paramount+?
No, the main Yellowstone series (2018-2024) streams on Peacock due to a 2020 licensing deal, but all Yellowstone prequels and spinoffs-including 1883, 1923, 6666, and the new Dutton Ranch (2026)-stream exclusively on Paramount+.
What are the best drama shows on Paramount+?
The best drama shows are Landman, 1883, 1923, The Madison, Special Ops: Lioness, Mayor of Kingstown, The Offer, and Tulsa King, all featuring A-list talent and high production values.
Does Paramount+ have Star Trek shows?
Yes, Paramount+ has the entire Star Trek franchise including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (highest-rated modern series at 97% RT), Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Prodigy.
