Paramount+ isn’t just another streaming service. It’s got grit, heart, and a whole lot of stories you won’t find anywhere else. If you’ve been scrolling past it, wondering if it’s worth the subscription, let me tell you - it’s not just worth it. It’s one of the few platforms where original content actually feels like it was made for you, not just to fill a lineup.
Yellowstone: The Show That Redefined Modern Westerns
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Yellowstone. It’s not technically a Paramount+ original - it debuted on Paramount Network - but the show’s entire second season and beyond are exclusive to Paramount+. And if you haven’t watched it yet, you’re missing one of the most gripping dramas of the last decade.
It’s about the Dutton family, who control the largest contiguous ranch in the U.S. But it’s not just about land. It’s about power, legacy, and survival. Kevin Costner doesn’t just play John Dutton - he owns the role. The dialogue is sparse, the silence is heavy, and every glance carries a threat. The show’s production value? Hollywood-level. The Montana scenery? Breathtaking. The spin-offs? 1883 and 1923 are even better in some ways - darker, more emotional, and packed with history you didn’t know you needed.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - Where Nostalgia Meets Innovation
If you think Star Trek is just old-school beeps and spandex, Strange New Worlds will change your mind. This show takes the spirit of the original 1960s series and turns it into something cinematic, emotional, and deeply human.
It follows Captain Pike, Spock, and Uhura as they explore uncharted space, facing alien civilizations, moral dilemmas, and personal demons. What sets it apart? The writing. No episode feels like filler. Each one has a theme - grief, identity, sacrifice - and tackles it with nuance. The special effects are next-level, but they never overshadow the characters. And the music? That opening theme alone will give you chills.
It’s the kind of show that makes you want to rewatch the entire Star Trek universe. And yes, it’s the most consistent original on Paramount+ right now.
Mayor of Kingstown - Crime, Family, and a Broken System
Created by Taylor Sheridan (the same mind behind Yellowstone), Mayor of Kingstown is a brutal, unflinching look at how a town survives when the prison system is its only economy.
The McLusky family runs the city’s correctional facilities - and by extension, its entire power structure. The show doesn’t glamorize crime. It shows how poverty, corruption, and systemic failure trap people in cycles no one talks about. Jeremy Renner gives his best performance since The Hurt Locker. The supporting cast? Perfect. The pacing? Slow-burn, but every minute pulls you deeper.
It’s not easy to watch. But it’s impossible to look away.
1883 - The Most Emotional Western You’ll Ever See
Before Yellowstone had its modern-day drama, there was 1883. This prequel tells the story of the Dutton family’s journey from Tennessee to Montana during the American frontier era. It’s not a western. It’s a survival epic.
The cast - including Sam Elliott, Isabel May, and LaMonica Garrett - delivers performances that feel raw and real. The show doesn’t hold back. You’ll cry. You’ll rage. You’ll wonder how anyone survived this. The production team filmed on location in Montana and Texas, and you can feel every dust storm, every bullet, every frozen night.
It’s shorter than most shows - just one season - but it leaves a mark. If you’re into history, family sagas, or just great storytelling, this is essential.
Truth Be Told - A Legal Drama That Feels Like Real Life
Not every great show on Paramount+ is about cowboys or starships. Truth Be Told is a slow-burning legal thriller starring Nichole Beharie as a true-crime podcaster who reopens a decades-old murder case - and accidentally becomes part of it.
It’s not flashy. No car chases. No courtroom fireworks. Just quiet tension, layered characters, and questions that don’t have easy answers. The show tackles race, class, media ethics, and how society treats women who speak out. It’s based on real patterns in journalism and wrongful convictions. And it’s one of the most underrated dramas on any streaming service.
If you loved The Undoing or Sharp Objects, this is your next obsession.
The Offer - Behind the Scenes of The Godfather
Here’s something you didn’t expect: a show about the making of The Godfather. And yet, The Offer is one of the most compelling mini-series of the last five years.
It follows producer Albert S. Ruddy as he battles studio politics, a volatile director (Francis Ford Coppola), a stubborn actor (Marlon Brando), and a mob-connected budget. It’s not a documentary. It’s a character study - of ambition, art, and chaos.
The casting is uncanny. Miles Teller as Ruddy? Spot on. The costumes, the sets, the 1970s vibe? Perfect. Even if you’ve never seen The Godfather, you’ll get sucked in. By the end, you’ll understand why that movie changed cinema.
Why Paramount+ Stands Out
Most streaming services chase trends. Paramount+ builds legacies. It doesn’t have 100 shows. It has 10 great ones - and each one feels like it was made with purpose.
It’s the only platform that combines:
- Legacy franchises (Star Trek, Mission: Impossible)
- Modern epics (Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown)
- Deep, character-driven dramas (Truth Be Told)
- Historical sagas (1883, 1923)
It doesn’t need to be the biggest. It just needs to be the best. And right now, it is.
What’s Missing?
Let’s be honest - Paramount+ isn’t perfect. It doesn’t have the volume of Netflix. It doesn’t have the global appeal of Disney+. It’s missing a true comedy breakout. And its app interface? Still clunky.
But here’s the thing: you don’t subscribe to Paramount+ because it has everything. You subscribe because it has the shows you can’t get anywhere else. The ones that stick with you. The ones that make you say, "I didn’t know TV could do that."
Is Paramount+ worth it if I only watch one show?
Absolutely. If you love Yellowstone or Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the price of Paramount+ is basically covered by one season. You’re not paying for a library - you’re paying for a few standout originals that you won’t find anywhere else.
Do I need to watch Yellowstone before 1883?
No. 1883 works perfectly on its own. It’s a prequel, but it’s designed to stand alone. You’ll understand the Dutton family’s roots better if you’ve seen Yellowstone, but you won’t feel lost if you start with 1883.
Are all Paramount+ originals available in HD?
Yes. Every original series on Paramount+ is produced in 4K HDR, with Dolby Atmos sound. Even older shows like Star Trek: Discovery have been remastered. If you have a decent TV or sound system, you’ll notice the difference.
Can I watch Paramount+ without a cable subscription?
Yes. Paramount+ is a standalone streaming service. You don’t need cable, satellite, or any other provider. Just sign up online, download the app, and start watching. It works on Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, smartphones, and web browsers.
What’s coming to Paramount+ in 2026?
In early 2026, Paramount+ is releasing the final season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, a new season of Mayor of Kingstown, and a limited series called The Last Thing He Told Me, starring Jennifer Garner. There’s also a reboot of Beavis and Butt-Head with a darker, more satirical tone - and it’s already generating buzz.
Final Thought
Streaming services come and go. But the best ones? They don’t just give you shows. They give you moments. Moments that stay with you long after the credits roll. Paramount+ has more of those moments than you think. And if you’re still on the fence? Start with Yellowstone. Then go to 1883. Then watch Strange New Worlds. By the time you finish, you won’t wonder if it’s worth it. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.