Summary
- Paramount+ offers a wide range of TV shows from various popular networks, making its library impressive and varied.
- Standout original shows on Paramount+ include
Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Special Ops: Lioness,
and
1923,
which have received critical acclaim for their performances and storytelling. - Paramount+ also includes fan-favorite shows like
Beavis and Butt-Head
and
Frasier
, which have a dedicated and passionate fan base.
Following a comprehensive rebrand in 2021, Paramount+ is now known for hosting some of the best TV shows of any streaming platform. Where once the triumvirate of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu dominated the landscape, there has been a boom of studio-backed services. This race, kicked into high gear by Disney+ and then furthered by the likes of Max and Peacock, is only continuing to pick up speed. The best shows on Paramount+ show why it stands out among the newer streaming services, with a range of classic content and high-quality originals available for subscribers.
With access to TV shows from the likes of Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and MTV, as well as CBS and Paramount favorites, the Paramount+ library is impressive and varied. With new TV shows available on Paramount+ every month, Viacom promises it will only get bigger going forward, providing plenty of options for customers from as little as $5.99 a month. Whether you’re a fully up subscriber or are considering a subscription, here’s Screen Rant’s guide to the best shows to watch on Paramount+ right now.
Related
The 30 Best Movies On Paramount+ Right Now (July 2024)
Paramount+ is arguably better known for its original TV shows, but its movie selection shouldn’t be overlooked, with a great selection to choose from.
Best Drama TV Shows On Paramount+
Twin Peaks (1990-1991)
![Twin Peaks Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/twin-peaks-poster.jpg)
Twin Peaks
Conceived by Mark Frost and David Lynch in 1990, Twin Peaks is a supernatural mystery-drama series that brings FBI Agent Dale Cooper to the quiet town of Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of a young woman named Laura Palmer. As Dale continues his investigation of her death, he learns that Laura’s life wasn’t as she advertised it, and the town itself is hiding far more secrets than they let on. The show received a revival for a third and final season two decades later to resolve the cliffhanger left at the end of the second season.
- Cast
- Russ Tamblyn , Sheryl Lee , Kimmy Robertson , Dana Ashbrook , Grace Zabriskie , Everett McGill , Ernie Hudson , Mädchen Amick , Ray Wise , Kyle MacLachlan
- Release Date
- May 23, 1990
- Seasons
- 2
- Directors
- Mark Frost
Of all the classic mystery thrillers out there, few have had as much of an impact on the last few decades of television as David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks, and thanks to its availability on Paramount+, subscribers can find out why. The show won 15 awards (including the coveted Golden Globe for Best Television Sseries – Drama) during its initial two-season run, being nominated for 59. However, while its admirable contemporary success was one thing, where Twin Peaks really shines is its legacy.
The surreal show laid the foundation for many series that came after, including mega-hits such as Lost and Black Mirror. The plot of Twin Peaks focuses on events that transpire in the titular Washington town after a naked body wrapped in plastic is discovered by a local logger. The FBI are called in to investigate, and what starts as an already-complex murder case quickly unravels into an incredibly bizarre sequence of events that still has fans talking decades later.
Blue Bloods (2010 – Present)
![blue-bloods](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/blue-bloods.jpg)
Blue Bloods
A police procedural set in New York City, Blue Bloods follows the lives of the Irish-American Reagan family, who has a strong family history and current powerful roles in the New York Police Department.
- Cast
- Donnie Wahlberg , Bridget Moynahan , Will Estes , Len Cariou , Tom Selleck , Steve Schirripa , Jennifer Esposito , Sami Gayle , Amy Carlson , Marisa Ramirez , Vanessa Ray
- Release Date
- September 24, 2010
- Seasons
- 13
Paramount+ is a solid streaming option for fans of crime dramas and police procedurals, and one of the best it has to offer is Blue Bloods, a cop show focusing on an esteemed family within the NYPD. Blue Bloods focuses on several members of the Irish Catholic Reagan family, many of whom are either serving or former police officers, and the toll the job takes on their various relationships both with each-other and their partners. The show first debuted in 2010 and, over a decade later, is still going strong.
The cast of Blue Bloods includes several notable heavy-hitters, including the likes of Donnie Wahlberg as detective Danny Reagan, Bridget Moynahan and ADA Erin Reagan, and TV veteran Tom Selleck as family patriarch and NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan. The show offers everything that fans of crime procedurals love about the genre, with the interpersonal relationships of the law-enforcement officers balanced expertly with the many intriguing and, at times, harrowing crimes they solve.
The Offer (2022)
![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/the-offer.jpeg)
The Offer
The Offer is a Paramount+ limited series telling the untold story behind the making of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather. The ten episodes center on producer Albert S. Ruddy and his experience working on the motion picture that would go on to become one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time.
- Release Date
- April 28, 2022
- Seasons
- 1
Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is one of the most iconic movies ever made, but the behind-the-scenes production was just as much of an intriguing tale as the movie itself. This is why 2022 miniseries The Offer is one of the best dramas currently on Paramount+, as it tells a dramatized version of the highs and lows of the incredible journey taken by the creative team getting The Godfather to completion.Miles Teller and Juno Temple star in The Offer, and recurring roles include Frank John Hughes as Frank Sinatra and Justin Chambers as Marlon Brando.
While The Offer wasn’t a huge hit when it came to awards, it did manage to receive a few accolades, including a Satellite Award for Juno Temple. and nominations at the Critics Choice Awards for Best Limited Series, Best Supporting Actor (Matthew Goode) and Best Supporting Actress (Temple once more).
Evil (2019-Present)
![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/evil-season-2-poster.jpg)
Evil
Evil is a Paramount+ original that focuses on a priest, clinical psychologist, and a contractor who investigate strange events such as demonic possession as they trace the origins of evil. Created by Michelle King and Robert King, the series tackles the line between science and religion while the team tries to determine if there are any scientific explanations for the supernatural events they experience.
- Cast
- Mike Colter , Brooklyn Shuck , Katja Herbers , Dalya Knapp , Marti Matulis , Maddy Crocco , Kurt Fuller , Michael Emerson , Skylar Gray , Aasif Mandvi , Christine Lahti
- Release Date
- September 26, 2019
- Seasons
- 4
Evil is one of the best horror TV shows to arrive in the last five years, and among the most chilling dramas currently available on Paramount+. Mike Colter stars as David, a Catholic priest-in-training who takes hallucinogenic substances to have divine visions. He works with Dr. Kristen Bouchard, played by Katja Herbers, a forensic psychologist and — initially — skeptic non-believer. The show has been described as Supernatural meets The X-Files, with the pair investigating various unsettling events and phenomena.
Paramount+ subscribers wanting a show that’s tense, thrilling, and has solid writing, performances, and visual effects throughout need look no further than Evil. Season 4 arrived in May 2024 too, making it the perfect time for the uninitiated to delve into the show’s haunting universe.
SEAL Team (2017-2024)
![seal team](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/seal-team.jpg)
SEAL Team
SEAL Team is a Military Drama and Action series created by Benjamin Cavell that began in 2017 and has been through 6 seasons. The series follows Jason Hayes (played by David Boreanaz) as the leader of a Navy Seals team who is sent to a variety of locations to help protect the United States.
- Release Date
- September 27, 2017
- Cast
- David Boreanaz , Max Thieriot , Neil Brown Jr.
- Seasons
- 7
Angel and Bones star David Boreanaz found his next career-defining role as Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Jason Hayes in the longrunning military drama SEAL Team. The show follows Bravo team, led by Boreanaz’s Hayes, as they carry out various missions across the globe to protect the US and her interests.
SEAL Team doesn’t reinvent any wheels, but for its fans, that’s no issue, as it delivers solid military drama episode after episode, with consistent and unwavering performances from Boreanaz and the rest of the cast throughout. The drama on Paramount+ is a testament that, while innovation has its place, perfect execution of an established formula can also work just as well — as proved by Seal Team‘s Primetime Emmy Nominations in 2018 and 2019.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023-Present)
![Lawmen Bass Reeves Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/lawmen-bass-reeves-poster.jpg)
Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Continuing the expanded universe of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone franchise, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is a western drama that acts as a spin-off of 1883 and follows the titular lawman who became the first black Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi River. The show will follow his journey to becoming the lawman he was known to be, all while fleshing out the greater Yellowstone universe.
- Release Date
- November 5, 2023
- Cast
- David Oyelowo , Dennis Quaid , Forrest Goodluck , Lauren E. Banks , Barry Pepper , Grantham Coleman , Demi Singleton , Garrett Hedlund
- Seasons
- 1
Originally meant to be a spinoff of 1883, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is officially not part of the Yellowstone universe, though Taylor Sheridan still serves as an executive producer. The Paramount+ series sees David Oyelowo as real-life historical figure Bass Reeves, the first Black US Marshal west of the Mississippi River. Reeves faces struggles and triumphs alike as he fights for justice, brings down criminals, and keeps his family safe in an ever-changing Wild West.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves has been praised for its fully fleshed-out portrait of Reeves, with much adulation going to Oyelowo and his layered performance. It stands out from Sheridan’s Yellowstone series while also appealing to Western fans.
Special Ops: Lioness (2023)
![Special Ops- Lioness poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/special-ops-lioness-poster.jpeg)
Lioness (2023)
Special Ops: Lioness is a Paramount+ original series starring Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman. The series centers on a marine and a CIA agent who work together with the daughter of a dangerous terrorist group to destroy the organization. Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone co-creator) and Jill Wagner created the series, which was directed by Paul Cameron and Anthony Byrne.
- Release Date
- July 23, 2023
- Seasons
- 1
- Showrunner
- Taylor Sheridan
A thrilling spy drama courtesy of Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, Special Ops: Lioness is a welcome all-action addition to Paramount+’s library. Boasting an all-star cast, the series sees Zoe Saldaña’s Joe recruit a female special operations marine with the goal of befriending a suspected terrorist.
Taut and tense throughout and written with Sheridan’s signature flair for the dramatic, Special Ops: Lioness is carried by a swathe of superb supporting performances from the likes of Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman.
1923 (2022-2023)
![1923 TV Series Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1923-tv-series-poster.jpg)
1923
A followup to the Yellowstone series also created by Taylor Sheridan, 1923 continues following the Dutton family in the year 1923. The series takes place after the 1883 show, with the Dutton family now dealing with some of the biggest American hardships of the century, such as the Prohibition era, the Great Depression, and the fallout of World War I. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren star as Jacob Dutton and Cara Dutton, the heads of the Dutton legacy.
- Release Date
- December 18, 2022
- Cast
- Harrison Ford , Helen Mirren , Sebastian Roche , Michelle Randolph , James Badge Dale , Marley Shelton , Brian Geraghty , Aminah Nieves
- Seasons
- 1
Attracting talent as major as Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren is no easy task, yet the pair’s appearance in 1923 underscores the series’ status as one of the best TV shows on Paramount+. The Western is a prequel to Yellowstone that centers on the Dutton family as they deal with events related to Western expansion in the 20th century, the Prohibition era, and the Great Depression.
Expanding the Dutton mythology, 1923 is a riveting story in its own right — proving that prequels don’t have to be beholden to the original. While incredibly well received by audiences and critics alike, 1923 surprisingly hasn’t had the same luck when it comes to awards as its parent show Yellowstone. However, it did receive a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Drama Television Series, and Helen Mirren also received the Golden Globe nod for Best Actress.
1923
attracted over 7 million viewers when it debuted, and is so far the most successful premier on Paramount+ so far
(via
Variety
).
Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)
![Beverly Hills 90210 TV Show Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/beverly-hills-90210-tv-show-poster.jpg)
Beverly Hills 90210
Beverly Hills 90210 is a teen-centric drama series that ran on Fox from 1990 to 2000. The show focuses on twins Brandon and Brenda Walsh, two teens forced to move from Minnesota to the progressive and wildly different Beverly Hills in California. 90210 explores significant and controversial topics for teens that have remained prevalent over time, such as sex, racism, and drug abuse, and became a global sensation in the early 90s.
- Release Date
- October 4, 1990
- Cast
- Jennie Garth , Jason Priestley , Luke Perry
- Seasons
- 10
When it comes to 90s teen dramas, few shows had more of an impact than Beverly Hills, 90210. Spanning 10 seasons between 1990 and 2000, 90210 spawned a franchise that includes an additional 6 spin-offs. While it was by no means ignored by critics, it wasn’t a massive awards smash either, but that didn’t stop BH90210 gaining a hugely loyal following that remains to this day, especially now it’s found new life as one of the best shows on Paramount+.
Beverly Hills, 90210 initially followed the Walsh family, recent arrivals in the lush and wealthy Beverly Hills, California. Son Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestly) was the main character throughout almost all seasons. Though the cast was extensive, with other characters like Donna (Tori Spelling) equally central to the many, many dramatic plots. Paramount+ subscribers looking for a TV show that’s dripping with 1990s nostalgia and teen drama will feel right at home.
The Good Wife (2009-2016)
![good-wife](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/good-wife.jpg)
The Good Wife
After being a stay-at-home mother for thirteen years, Alicia Florrick resumes her law career after her husband is imprisoned following a political corruption and sex scandal.
- Release Date
- September 22, 2009
- Cast
- Julianna Margulies , Matt Czuchry , Archie Panjabi , Graham Phillips , Makenzie Vega , Josh Charles , Christine Baranski , Alan Cumming , Zach Grenier , Matthew Goode , Cush Jumbo , Jeffrey Dean Morgan , Chris Noth
- Seasons
- 7
An atypical political drama, The Good Wife stars Julianna Marguiles as the wife of a politician who returns to work as a lawyer after he’s jailed following a political scandal. The series took a step away from the case-of-the-week format that was so popular in the early 2010s, following a serialized narrative with story arcs that played out over several episodes.
This storytelling approach made it incredibly popular at the time and makes it a great binge-watch now that it’s concluded. Fans can watch the story play out in a few hours instead of having to wait week-to-week with Paramount+, making The Good Wife one of the most gripping shows on the service. The spinoff series The Good Fight is also available on Paramount+, meaning fans of both shows can get the full franchise experience.
1883 (2021-2022)
![1883 TV Series Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1883-tv-series-poster.jpg)
1883
1883 is a Western drama series set at the beginning of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone franchise and explores the origins of the Duttons and how Yellowstone came to be. The show chronicles a generation of the Dutton family as they embark on a difficult journey to the western frontier to establish a new legacy.
- Release Date
- December 19, 2021
- Cast
- Isabel May , Tim McGraw
- Seasons
- 1
Another prequel to Taylor Sheridan’s wildly popular Yellowstone, 1883 set the precedent for expanding the Duttons’ universe. The series stars country singers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as the original Duttons, the family moving from Tennessee to Montana to establish the area that becomes Yellowstone Ranch in the flagship series.
Sam Elliot, as the leader of the wagon train heading west, won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his turn in the series, while 1883‘s dark story was evocative of more classic Westerns than the original, more politically-infused Yellowstone show.
![Collage of stills from Grease Rise of the Pink Ladies, 1883, and The Good Fight](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/collage-of-stills-from-grease-rise-of-the-pink-ladies-1883-and-the-good-fight.jpg)
Related
The 20 Best Original Series On Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus is climbing the streaming service ranks with its high-quality original content. It has many great TV shows, but what’s the best?
Best Comedy TV Shows On Paramount+
Colin From Accounts (2022)
![Colin from Accounts TV Show Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/colin-from-accounts-tv-show-poster.jpg)
Colin from Accounts
Two strangers’ lives collide when they jointly take responsibility for an injured dog named Colin. As they navigate the trials and tribulations of co-parenting a pet, their relationship grows from initial awkwardness to genuine friendship. Their story is filled with humorous mishaps and touching moments, reflecting the unpredictability and charm of life.
- Cast
- Patrick Brammall , Harriet Dyer , Emma Harvie , John Howard
- Release Date
- November 9, 2023
- Seasons
- 2
- Creator(s)
- Patrick Brammall , Harriet Dyer
The Australian comedy Colin from Accounts initially released in 2022 and was something of a cult gem. However, since the second season arrived in June 2024, the show has gradually gained a much greater following. While only the first season is available on Paramount+, plenty of subscribers have been catching up with the show, meaning it’s going through something of a second-life while the second season is broadcast in Australia.
The show is a comedy of unfortunate events that spiral out of control though, somehow, end up bringing two single people together. While a car crash and injured dog isn’t exactly a classic meet-cute, it serves as the perfect set-up for the relationship between Ashley (Harriet Dyer) and Gordon (Patrick Brammall). Few comedy shows on Paramount+ are as fresh and surprising as Colin from Accounts, and while it’s been something of a sleeper hit, it looks set to gain an even larger following when Season 2 becomes available in the US.
Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)
![Everybody Loves Raymond TV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/everybody-loves-raymond-tv-poster.jpg)
Everybody Loves Raymond
Everybody Loves Raymond follows the dysfunctional Barone family, an Italian-American family living in Long Island, New York. When Raymond’s (Ray Romano) parents move in across the street from the home he shares with his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton), they find their lives invaded by his overbearing mother Marie (Doris Roberts) and his curmudgeonly father Frank (Peter Boyle). The Barone ensemble is joined by Ray’s older brother Robert (Brad Garrett), who is deeply jealous of the love and attention that Ray receives from their parents.
- Cast
- Patricia Heaton , Brad Garrett , Ray Romano , Doris Roberts , Peter Boyle , Madylin Sweeten , Monica Horan
- Release Date
- September 13, 1996
- Seasons
- 9
- Showrunner
- Phil Rosenthal
Spanning 210 episodes across nine seasons between 1996 and 2005, Everybody Loves Raymond is one of the best classic sitcoms currently available on Paramount+. The show, which is filmed entirely in front of a live audience, stars Ray Romano as the titular Ray, a sports journalist who lives with his wife Debra, daughter Ally, and twin sons Michael and Geoffrey, with his parents Marie and Frank living just across the street.
While it’s not the most acclaimed 1990s/2000s sitcom, it is one of the most fondly remembered.
Everybody Loves Raymond ticks all the classic sitcom boxes, and while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does guarantee a smooth journey for Paramount+ subscribers seeking an easy show to sit back and unwind to over a long binge watch. The show was nominated for and won multiple Primetime Emmys during the later years of its run, picking up its stride from around season 3 onwards. While it’s not the most acclaimed 1990s/2000s sitcom, it is one of the most fondly remembered.
Beavis And Butt-Head (1993-1997)
![Beavis and Butt-head tv poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/beavis-and-butt-head-tv-poster.jpg)
Beavis and Butt-Head
Beavis and Butt-Head originally appeared in an MTV short film called Frog Baseball before the characters got their own series on the network in 1993. The original series ran for seven seasons until 1997 and got an eighth season in 2011. Paramount+ would later revive the series for their streaming service in 2022. Mike Judge’s characters have also gotten two movies; Beavis and Butt-Head Do America in 1996, and Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe in 2022.
- Cast
- Mike Judge , Kristofor Brown , Dale Revo , Tracy Grandstaff , Toby Huss , A.J. Glasser , Kathleen Barr , Thomas MIddleditch
- Release Date
- March 8, 1993
- Seasons
- 8
Before creating King of the Hill, Mike Judge introduced the world to two of the laziest, unintelligent cartoon characters ever conceived in Beavis and Butt-Head — and the pair became an instant cultural phenomenon. It cannot be overstated just how lazy and stupid Beavis and Butt-Head are as characters, though the show itself is a scathingly sharp critique of society and modern culture (as it was in the 1990s, at least).
Despite the rest of the characters in the show loathing them, Beavis and Butt-Head are incredibly endearing as far as audiences are concerned, and a source of near-endless laughs whether they’re critiquing music videos or causing general anarchy in their home-town of Highland, Texas. Few shows are as hilarious or culturally impactful on Paramount+ as Beavis and Butt-Head, and despite two decades passing since its debut, the show hasn’t lost its edge.
Cheers (1982-1993)
![Cheers TV Series Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cheers-tv-series-poster.jpg)
Cheers
One of the most well-known American sitcoms of the 1980s and 90s, Cheers is primarily set in Boston at the Cheers bar, and features and ensemble cast that includes Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Pearlman, Kelsey Grammer, and George Wendt. Danson’s Sam Malone acts as the bar’s proprietor, and episodes depict the lives of Cheers’ staff and patrons during the bar’s operating hours. The series ran for 11 seasons and gave rise to popular spin-off shows such as Frasier.
- Cast
- Ted Danson , Shelley Long , Nicholas Colasanto , Rhea Perlman , George Wendt , John Ratzenberger , Kelsey Grammer , Woody Harrelson , Kirstie Alley , Bebe Neuwirth
- Release Date
- September 30, 1982
- Seasons
- 11
Cheers was one of the most successful sitcoms of the 1980s. Starring Ray Romano, Shelly Long, Ted Danson, and more, Cheers is set almost entirely at the same bar. The quirky comedy focuses on the lives and struggles of the regulars, which also includes Kelsey Grammar as Frasier Crane before he received his own spin-off, Frasier.
While Cheers hasn’t undergone the same reboot treatment as its spin-off, it remains an incredibly solid sitcom in its own right, and the 11 seasons on Paramount+ will certainly satisfy subscribers looking for a few laughs at the bar where everbody knows your name.
Frasier (2023-Present)
![Frasier 1993 TV Show Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/frasier-1993-tv-show-poster.jpg)
Frasier
Fraiser is a comedy-drama sitcom that stars Kelsey Grammer as a psychiatrist who takes up the role of a radio show host in Seattle after his life in Boston is upheaved. A spin-off of the series Cheers, Fraiser follows the titular character adjusting to the single life while caring for his father (a retired police officer,) his brother, and other eccentric co-workers.
- Release Date
- September 16, 1993
- Cast
- Kelsey Grammer , Jane Leeves , David Hyde Pierce , Peri Gilpin , John Mahoney , Jack Cutmore-Scott , Anders Keith , Jess Salgueiro , Toks Olagundoye , Nicholas Lyndhurst
- Seasons
- 11
Described as the titular psychologist’s “third act”, the Frasier revival finds Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) back in Boston, the Cheers city where he was first introduced to audiences. Here he takes a professorship role at Harvard University while trying to repair his fractured relationship with his son Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scottt).
While Frasier’s snobby younger brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) sadly isn’t in the revival, there’s be plenty of hilarity for fans of the original sitcom, which ran for 11 seasons and won 37 Emmys, proving its comedy pedigree. The original Frasier is also available to stream on Paramount+.
Freaks And Geeks (1999-2000)
![Freaks and Geeks TV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/freaks-and-geeks-tv-poster.jpg)
Freaks and Geeks
Judd Apatow’s Freaks and Geeks is a comedy-drama series centered around several now-popular stars in their first-ever appearances as outcast teenagers dealing with the “hilarious unfairness of teen life.” The friend groups are split into “freaks” and “geeks,” each with their own quirks that resonate with teens today as they try to find their place in the socially complex world of high school.
- Release Date
- September 25, 1999
- Cast
- James Franco , Busy Philipps , Jason Segel , Linda Cardellini , John Francis Daley
- Seasons
- 1
Freaks and Geeks only ran for a single season on NBC, with only 12 of the 18 produced episodes actually airing. Nonetheless, the series has gone on to secure cult status and is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential shows of the past 25 years.
The show, which featured two main story arcs, focused on siblings played by Linda Cardellini and John Francis Daley and was praised for its more realistic portrayal of teens in high school instead of the more Hollywood-friendly shine that other series included. It finally gained recognition when it was rebroadcast in its entirety on ABC Family and eventually moved to streaming services.
Ghosts (2021-Present)
![ghosts](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ghosts.jpg)
Ghosts (US)
Ghosts is a CBS sitcom that is based on the British series of the same name. Premiering in 2021, the series focuses on married couple Samantha (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), who have inherited a mansion from one of Sam’s distant relatives. They turn the house into a bed and breakfast. When Sam has a near-death experience, she begins to interact with the quirky group of ghosts who live in the mansion.
- Release Date
- October 7, 2021
- Cast
- Rose McIver , Utkarsh Ambudkar , Devan Chandler Long , Roman Zaragoza , Brandon Scott Jones , Rebecca Wisocky , Danielle Pinnock , Richie Moriarty
- Seasons
- 2
Adapted from the acclaimed original British series, Ghosts had a slow rise to popularity while airing live on CBS. Nevertheless, the blend of modern sitcom shenanigans with the stories of several ghosts from different time periods trapped in a property with a young living couple eventually won audiences over.
Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar give great performances in the series as the couple who inherit a rundown estate full of the titular bothersome and eccentric ghosts. Ghosts has been renewed for a third season, suspected to arrive later in 2023 – highlighting its continued success. The British version of the show is also available on Paramount+.
Key & Peele (2012-2015)
![Key and Peele Tv Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/key-and-peele-tv-poster.jpg)
Key & Peele
Comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele showcase their comedic and improvisation skills in Key & Peele, a sketch show produced for Comedy Central. Airing for 5 seasons from 2012 to 2015, Key & Peele pokes fun at a large number of topical and timeless issues with satirical humor.
- Release Date
- January 31, 2012
- Seasons
- 5
Although Key & Peele is most famous for brilliantly simple sketches like “Substitute Teacher” and “East/West College Bowl”, there’s a lot more to the show than mispronouncing silly names. Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele’s well-observed comedy provides a biting analysis of contemporary social concerns like racism, inequality, and politics. In many ways a spiritual successor to Chappelle’s Show, Key & Peele also exhibits the titular pair’s flair for the cinematic, with impressive big-budget sketches satirizing alien invasion and horror tropes.
Best Crime TV Shows On Paramount+
FBI (2018-Present)
![fbi](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fbi.jpg)
FBI
FBI is a crime drama created by Dick Wolf and Craig Turk for CBS. The series centers on the New York branch of the FBI and the cases they investigate in the city. FBI led to two spinoffs for the network, FBI: Most Wanted in 2020 and FBI: International in 2021.
- Cast
- Zeeko Zaki , Missy Peregrym , Ebonée Noel
- Release Date
- September 25, 2018
- Seasons
- 5
- Directors
- Dick Wolf
When it comes to thrilling procedurals few names are as prominent as Dick Wolf, the creative mind behind the Law & Order and One Chicago franchises. Paramount+ is home to many Dick Wolf shows, and among the best of them is FBI, which — as the title suggests — focuses on the high-stakes cases members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation solve. FBI debuted on CBS in 2018 and remains one of the best crime TV shows available on Paramount+, offering episode-by-episode drama that’s bound to keep subscribers hooked.
FBI specifically focuses on the New York City criminal division of the bureau, though they sometimes veer into cases across the country. The two central characters are Special Agen’s Maggie Bell and Omar Adom Zidan (or, as he’s more commonly known, O.A.). FBI delivers all the familiar tropes of a Dick Wolf procedural that fans will come to expect, though this is by no means to its detriment, as it’s a masterful execution of everything that makes shows of its genre so compelling.
Tulsa King (2022-Present)
![Tulsa King TV Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tulsa-king-tv-poster.jpg)
Tulsa King
Tulsa King is a Paramount+ original TV series starring Sylvester Stallone as Dwight “The General” Manfredi. After being released from prison for murder, The General is sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he quickly sets up a new criminal empire. Tulsa King marks Stallone’s first leading role in a TV show.
- Release Date
- November 13, 2022
- Seasons
- 1
Proof that Taylor Sheridan’s talents extend beyond the world of cowboys, Tulsa King is a gripping organized crime thriller. Sylvester Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a Mafia capo who is sent from New York to Oklahoma to set up a criminal base of operations.
The series relies on Stallone’s brooding performance as the titular character as he navigates the brutal criminal underworld while also struggling to make a new life for himself after 25 years in prison. Following in the footsteps of Tony Soprano, Manfredi is a compelling and charismatic antihero who serves the story well.
Mayor Of Kingstown (2021-Present)
![Mayor of Kingstown Season 3 Poster Showing Jeremy Renner Standing in Front of a Tombstone](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mayor-of-kingstown-season-3-poster-showing-jeremy-renner-standing-in-front-of-a-tombstone.jpeg)
Mayor of Kingstown
Mayor of Kingstown is a drama-thriller series starring Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky, who takes over for his brother as the head of the family. The McLusky family are power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. Tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption, and inequality, the series provides a stark look at their attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither.
- Release Date
- November 14, 2021
- Cast
- Pha’rez Lass , Jeremy Renner , Derek Webster , Hamish Allan-Headley , Hugh Dillon , Dianne Wiest , Aiden Gillen , Taylor Handley , Kyle Chandler , Tobi Bamtefa , Emma Laird
- Seasons
- 2
In the vein of Sons of Anarchy, or even The Sopranos, Mayor of Kingstown examines what it means when family and crime are inextricably tied to one another.Jeremy Renner shines in the lead role of Mike McLusky, who inherits the criminal family enterprise after playing second fiddle to his brother.
Set in the fictional town of Kingstown, Michigan, “Mayor” McLusky acts as a go-between for law enforcement officers and the criminal element, attempting to maintain order among the different factions. Another show on Paramount+ courtesy of Taylor Sheridan, Mayor of Kingstown is a wildly entertaining crime thriller.
Criminal Minds (2005-2020)
![Criminal Minds Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/criminal-minds-poster.jpeg)
Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds centers on cases of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), a group of elite criminal profilers who analyze the country’s most notorious criminals as they look to anticipate their next moves before they strike again. Starting in 2005, Criminal Minds ran for 15 seasons before getting a revival show, Criminal Minds: Evolution, in 2022.
- Release Date
- September 22, 2005
- Cast
- shemar moore , Joe Mantegna , Kirsten Vangsness , Paget Brewster , Thomas Gibson , Matthew Gray Gubler , A.J. Cook , Mandy Patinkin , Lola Glaudini , Rachel Nichols , Jennifer Love Hewitt , Aisha Tyler
- Seasons
- 17
CBS has a reputation for producing popular police procedurals, and Criminal Minds is arguably the jewel in the crown. Sporting a case-of-the-week format for most episodes, Criminal Minds focuses on the work of the FBI’s behavior analysis unit, mostly their hunts for serial killers and other violent psychopaths.
The show ended after 15 seasons in 2020 but received a revival series in Criminal Minds: Evolution, also on Paramount+. Focusing on darker subject matter than many of its competitors, Criminal Minds is a pulpy, undeniably entertaining crime show.
NCIS Franchise (2003-Present)
![The cast of NCIS season 20 walks forward above show title in promotional poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ncis-show-poster.jpg)
NCIS
NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Special Agent Alden Parker, a quirky former FBI agent who solves his cases with calm professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team, which includes NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, an MIT graduate with a knack for computers who has now graduated to senior field agent; the charismatic, unpredictable and resilient NCIS Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres, who has spent most of his career on solo undercover assignments; and sharp, athletic and tough NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight, a formidable REACT agent who specializes in hostage negotiations and high-risk operations. The naïve Jimmy Palmer is assisting the team, who graduated from assistant to fully licensed medical examiner and now runs the morgue; and forensic scientist Kasie Hines, Ducky’s former graduate assistant. Overseeing operations is NCIS Director Leon Vance, an intelligent, highly trained agent who can always be counted on to shake up the status quo. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.
- Release Date
- September 23, 2003
- Cast
- sean murray , Wilmer Valderrama , Katrina Law , Brian Dietzen , david mccallum , Mark Harmon , Rocky Carroll , Gary Cole , Joe Spano
- Seasons
- 20
One of the longest-running crime procedurals, NCIS‘s slightly niche setting belies its popularity. Unlike many contemporary competitors, the show follows investigators who deal specifically with crimes connected to the military. Paramount+ offers 20 seasons of the core show, 7 seasons of NCIS: New Orleans, the first season of NCIS: Sydney, and 2 seasons of NCIS: Hawai’i.
The New Orleans set spinoff concluded in 2021 and the Los Angeles spinoff wrapped in 2023, but the flagship series and NCIS: Hawai’i are still going strong, highlighting the franchise’s staying power. Crossovers between the shows allow for an immersive storytelling experience for fans of serials instead of a by-the-numbers case-of-the-week format.
![Paramount Plus and Showtime shows](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/paramount-plus-with-showtime.jpg)
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Best Animated TV Shows On Paramount+
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
![Avatar The Last Airbender Show Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/avatar-the-last-airbender-show-poster.jpg)
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender is an Animated Fantasy and Adventure series that appeared on Nickelodeon and was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The series featured voices from Zach Tyler Eisen, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco, and Mae Whitman. The premise follows a young boy named Aang, an Air Bender who is set to be the next Avatar, master of all elements, in a bit to unite the nations together and bring peace.
- Cast
- Mako , Dee Bradley Baker , Jack De Sena , Michaela Jill Murphy , Zach Tyler , Dante Basco , Mae Whitman
- Release Date
- February 21, 2005
- Seasons
- 3
- Showrunner
- michael dante dimartino
While Avatar: The Last Airbender may have gained a new audience with the recent live-action Netflix adaptation, Netflix isn’t the only platform where the original animated show can be streamed, as all three seasons are currently available for Paramount+ subscribers to enjoy too. The show has always had a loyal following ever since its 2005 debut — and with its deep yet digestible plot, well-rounded characters, and incredibly fleshed out original fantasy world, it’s not difficult to see why.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in a world where the various nations are built around the ability to manipulate, or “bend” certain elements. As the title suggests, the main focus is Aang, the only surviving airbender, and also the current avatar (meaning he can bend all four elements). Aang is reawakened after spending many years frozen in ice to find that the Fire Nation has thrown the world into chaos, and so must learn to master all four elements to return the planet to a state of harmony and balance once more.
All four seasons of the sequel show
The Legend of Korra,
are also available to stream on Paramount+
SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-Present)
An animated classic that transcends its seemingly childish premise, SpongeBob SquarePants earns its place on a list of the best TV shows on Paramount+. SpongeBob and friends have been on the air and under the sea for an astonishing 20+ years of SpongeBob SquarePants seasons, thanks to the show’s surprisingly daring and genuinely hilarious comedy.
While more recent episodes often fail to be as subversive as the early years, SpongeBob is by no means a show only kids will enjoy watching. The absurdist humor is filled with plenty of jokes that only adults will pick up on. Even the jokes that are appropriate for all ages are genuinely hilarious, however, and there’s something about every resident of Bikini Bottom that’s strangely relatable, despite how bombastic the likes of SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward actually are.
Best Sci-Fi & Horror Shows On Paramount+
Knuckles (2024)
![Knuckles Poster](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/knuckles-poster.jpg)
Knuckles
Knuckles is a spin-off of the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise created for Paramount+. Idris Elba reprises his role as Knuckles the Echidna in the action-adventure series, and the show will follow him on a new adventure as he meets new allies and faces new foes.
- Cast
- Idris Elba , Adam Pally , Jaimi Barbakoff , Alice Wren Tregonning , Tony Coughlan , Colleen O’Shaughnessey , Daniel Singh , Alfredo Tavares
- Release Date
- April 26, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
When Paramount’s live-action Sonic The Hedgehog movie arrived in 2020, few could predict that it would eventually lead to a live-action buddy-cop TV spin-off starring serious character actor Idris Elba as the voice of Sonic’s crimson counterpart, Knuckles, alongside Adam Pally of Happy Endings fame. Yet, in 2024, this exact thing happened on Paramount+, and Knuckles has already won the hearts of many Paramount+ subscribers. Taking place between the second movie and the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Knuckles sees the titular echidna taking on deputy sheriff Wade (Pally) as an apprentice to teach him the ways of the warrior.
Knuckles is a light-hearted fun-filled ride that Paramount+ subscribers of all ages will enjoy. It has the same vein of humor as the live-action Sonic movies, both of which have been highly successful. There are high stakes involved too of course, and the bonding between Knuckles and Wade is buoyed by the pair having to evade one of Dr. Robotnik’s minions (played by Rory McCann) who wants to extract Knuckles’s power for himself. There are also several heartfelt moments too, especially when it comes to Wade’s relationship with his mother and sister.
Halo (2022-Present)
![Halo Season 2 Hero Showing Master Chief carrying a fallen soldier on the battle field](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/halo-season-2-hero-showing-master-chief-carrying-a-fallen-soldier-on-the-battle-field.jpeg)
Halo
A live-action adaptation of the video game franchise of the same name, Halo follows Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 (Pablo Schrieber) as he fights his part in a war between humanity’s United Nations Space Command (UNSC) and the Covenant, an alliance of multiple hostile races of aliens intent on destroying the human race. The Master Chief is supported by Cortana (Jen Taylor) – an AI construct based on the personality of Dr. Catherine Halsey, who created the Spartan supersoldier program – implanted in his brain.
- Release Date
- March 24, 2022
- Cast
- Jen Taylor , Bokeem Woodbine , Charlie Murphy , Shabana Azmi , Kate Kennedy , Natascha McElhone , Yerin Ha , Bentley Kalu , Pablo Schreiber , Danny Sapani , Olive Gray , Natasha Culzac
- Seasons
- 2
Based on the wildly popular sci-fi shooter games of the same name, Halo is further proof that video game-to-screen adaptations can be successful. As in the original games, the show revolves around a future conflict between humanity and the alien Covenant, with super soldiers like Master Chief featuring on the front lines for the human forces.
Although the show takes some liberties with the source material, the impressive action sequences more than make up for the changes, with season 1 laying the groundwork for what could be a more recognizable story arc in future installments. Halo season 2 arrived on Paramount+ in 2024, so there are now two full chapters for subscribers to sink their teeth into.
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
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The Twilight Zone
Based on Rod Serling’s classic 1959 anthology series, The Twilight Zone brings weekly self-contained episodes usually in the genres of science fiction, horror, supernatural, or psychological thriller. Each episode tells a different short story, usually with a twist and important moral based on current political or social issues. The series was developed by Jordan Peele, who also served in Serling’s original role as the Narrator for each episode.
- Release Date
- October 2, 1959
- Seasons
- 5
One of the most important and influential TV series of all time,The Twilight Zone remains daring and thought-provoking decades after its release. The unsettling stories ponder major scientific mysteries like the size of the universe, or tell singularly horrific tales that warn of the dangers of technology, acting as a precursor to shows like Black Mirror.
With an iconic format and chilling theme song, The Twilight Zone is essential viewing for every sci-fi fan.
Star Trek Franchise (1966-Present)
When it comes to sci-fi, few franchises are more immediately recognizable than Star Trek. Starting in 1966 and still going strong thanks to Paramount+, Star Trek has had an immeasurable impact on science fiction and the wider world of TV and cinema, with dozens of cross-genre directors, showrunners, and acting talents counting it as a key influence.
Paramount+ offers new content like Star Trek: Discovery,Star Trek: Picard, and Star Trek: Prodigy, alongside classics like the 1966 Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation. April 2024 is a particularly exciting month for the Star Trek fans among Paramount+ subscribers, as Star Trek: Discovery season 5 arrived on the platform.
Star Trek Series Available On Paramount+:
- Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
- Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1974)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
- Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)
- Star Trek: Discovery (2017-Present)
- Star Trek:Short Treks (2018-Present)
- Star Trek: Picard (2020-2023)
- Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-Present)
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-Present)