Best Things To Watch On Paramount Plus: Skip The Rest
- 01. The best things to watch on Paramount+ with real depth
- 02. Top 5 Shows with Real Narrative Depth
- 03. Complete Comparison Table: Best Paramount+ Shows by Genre
- 04. Best Paramount+ Originals by Critical Acclaim
- 05. Must-Watch Franchise Content
- 06. Star Trek Universe
- 07. Taylor Sheridan Westerns
- 08. Best Movies on Paramount+ with Depth
- 09. Essential Movie Picks
- 10. FAQ: Best Things to Watch on Paramount+
- 11. How to Choose Based on Your Viewing Preferences
The best things to watch on Paramount+ with real depth
The best things to watch on Paramount+ with real depth are Yellowstone for its multi-generational Western family drama, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for optimistic sci-fi storytelling, Battlestar Galactica for gritty politicalphilosophical sci-fi, Yellowjackets for its dual-timeline survival mystery, and Fellow Travelers for its decades-spanning LGBTQ+ historical romance. These series offer exceptional narrative complexity, character development, and thematic richness that reward dedicated viewing.
Top 5 Shows with Real Narrative Depth
Paramount+ has evolved into a premier streaming destination since its 2021 rebrand from CBS All Access, offering over 50 original series alongside its extensive CBS, Paramount Pictures, and Showtime libraries. The platform's most critically acclaimed originals now include titles with Metascores ranging from 74 to 85, representing the highest quality content available.
- Yellowstone (5 seasons, RT: 84%) - Kevin Costner's epic Montana ranch drama explores power, family loyalty, and land ownership with Shakespearean intensity
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (3 seasons, RT: 100%, Metascore: 79) - Captain Pike's optimistic pre-Kirk Enterprise adventures blend episodic storytelling with serialized character arcs
- Battlestar Galactica (4 seasons, RT: 97%) - Added May 1, 2026, this gritty 2004 reboot examines humanity, religion, and survival after Cylon genocide
- Yellowjackets (3 seasons, RT: 96%) - A high school soccer team's wilderness crash descends into cannibalism, spanning 1996 and present-day timelines
- Fellow Travelers (1 season, RT: 91%, Metascore: 76) - A 1950s-1980s gay romance spanning the Lavender Scare, Vietnam War, and AIDS crisis won a Peabody Award
Complete Comparison Table: Best Paramount+ Shows by Genre
| Show Title | Genre | Seasons | Rotten Tomatoes | Metascore | Why It Has Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone | Western Drama | 5 | 83-84% | N/A | Dutton family power dynamics, land ownership ethics |
| Battlestar Galactica | Sci-Fi Drama | 4 | 97% | N/A | Religious philosophy, AI ethics, political paranoia |
| Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Sci-Fi Adventure | 3 | 100% | 79 | Optimistic humanism, moral dilemmas, character growth |
| Yellowjackets | Thriller/Mystery | 3 | 96% | N/A | Survival trauma, dual timelines, psychological horror |
| Fellow Travelers | Historical Romance | 1 | 91% | 76 | LGBTQ+ history, McCarthyism, AIDS crisis representation |
| The Good Wife | Legal Drama | 7 | 93% | N/A | Political corruption, gender inequality, moral ambiguity |
| Evil | Supernatural Thriller | 4 | 96% | N/A | Catholic theology, faith vs. skepticism, moral questions |
| Twin Peaks: The Return | Surreal Mystery | 1 | 91% | N/A | Lynchian surrealism, atomic bomb symbolism, parallel universes |
| Colin From Accounts | Rom-Com | 2 | 100% | 85 | Authentic relationship dynamics, flawed character portrayal |
| The Curse | Cringe Comedy | 1 | 93% | 76 | White savior critique, reality TV satire, psychological tension |
Best Paramount+ Originals by Critical Acclaim
Since integrating Showtime in June 2023, Paramount+ has elevated its prestige programming significantly. The platform's highest-scoring originals demonstrate exceptional critical consensus and artistic ambition.
- Dreaming Whilst Black (Metascore: 85) - British comedy-drama about Black British identity and entertainment industry barriers
- Colin From Accounts (Metascore: 85) - Australian rom-com with natural chemistry and messy humanity
- Bargain (Metascore: 82) - South Korean thriller filmed in one-take sequences with Squid Game-level tension
- Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head (Metascore: 81) - Revival retaining classic formula while contemporizing for internet era
- The Good Fight (Metascore: 80) - Bold experimental drama tackling Trump administration, alt-right, and ageism
Must-Watch Franchise Content
Paramount+ houses major franchises that define the streaming landscape, including the complete Star Trek library (excluding Prodigy), Dexter series, and Taylor Sheridan's expanding Western universe.
Star Trek Universe
Paramount+ is the exclusive home to nearly every Star Trek series, making it a Trekkie's dream. Star Trek: The Next Generation (Metascore: N/A, RT: 80%) remains the franchise peak with Patrick Stewart's legendary Captain Picard. Star Trek: Picard Season 3 reunites the TNG crew for what critics call "the greatest season of TV in Trek history".
Taylor Sheridan Westerns
The Taylor Sheridan universe includes Yellowstone (available internationally on Paramount+), 1883 prequel (RT: 89%), Tulsa King with Sylvester Stallone (RT: 89%), and the upcoming Dutton Ranch series premiering May 15, 2026. Sheridan's work represents the backbone of Paramount+'s original programming strategy.
Best Movies on Paramount+ with Depth
May 2026 added classic film libraries including the complete Battlestar Galactica saga, Friday Night Lights (all 5 seasons), Beverly Hills Cop trilogy, Crocodile Dundee trilogy, and war dramas like Flags of Our Fathers and We Were Soldiers.
Essential Movie Picks
- 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi - Michael Bay's intense military thriller (added May 1, 2026)
- Enemy at the Gates - WWII sniper epic with Jude Law
- The Big Short - Financial crisis satire (added June 1, 2026)
- Selma - Historical civil rights drama (added June 1, 2026)
- The Last Duel - Ridley Scott's medieval courtroom drama (added June 1, 2026)
FAQ: Best Things to Watch on Paramount+
How to Choose Based on Your Viewing Preferences
Selecting the best things to watch depends on what narrative depth you seek. For Western family dynasties, choose Yellowstone or 1883. For science fiction exploring humanity's future, pick Battlestar Galactica or Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. For psychological thriller with dual timelines, Yellowjackets delivers unmatched complexity. For historical LGBTQ+ romance spanning decades, Fellow Travelers is essential.
Paramount+ offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers to explore this extensive library before committing. The platform's integration of Showtime content since June 2023 has significantly elevated its prestige programming quotient.
Expert answers to Best Things To Watch On Paramount Plus Skip The Rest queries
What is the number one show on Paramount+?
Twin Peaks: The Return ranks as the #1 show on Paramount+ per GamesRadar's 2026 list, with David Lynch's uncompromising limited series offering singular, moving, terrifying, and hilarious television.
What are the best Paramount+ originals with real depth?
The best originals with real depth are Fellow Travelers (Peabody Award winner), The Curse (Emma Stone's cringe comedy masterpiece), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (optimistic sci-fi return to form), and Evil (Catholic X-Files exploring faith vs. skepticism).
Is Battlestar Galactica on Paramount+ now?
Yes, the complete Battlestar Galactica saga (original mini-series, Seasons 1-4, Caprica, and The Plan movie) was added to Paramount+ on May 1, 2026, making it essential viewing for sci-fi fans seeking political and philosophical depth.
What shows are new on Paramount+ in May 2026?
New May 2026 additions include Battlestar Galactica complete series, Friday Night Lights (all 5 seasons), Dutton Ranch (premiering May 15), RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 8, SkyMed Season 4, and The Chi Season 8.
Does Paramount+ have Star Trek shows?
Yes, Paramount+ has every Star Trek TV series except Prodigy, including The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Picard, Strange New Worlds, Discovery, and Lower Decks, making it the definitive Star Trek streaming home.
What is the most critically acclaimed Paramount+ original?
Dreaming Whilst Black and Colin From Accounts tie for the highest Metascore among Paramount+ originals, both receiving Universal Acclaim for their distinctive creative vision and authentic character work.
