3 newly added Paramount+ shows you need to binge-watch this weekend (Aug. 21-23)

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Paramount+ is regularly adding new shows to binge-watch. This weekend is no exception. The streaming service releases new episodes of hit shows every week. Sometimes, even entire seasons at once. It added over 80 new movies and shows on August 1 alone. It even has some live sporting events, including all major events from the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

This weekend, let's kick things off with a new season of television. "Average Joe" season 2 dropped its first two episodes on Paramount+ this week, and if you haven't seen this show about a plumber on the run from the Russian mob, now is the perfect time to catch up. It's also the perfect time to catch up on "The Challenge: Cutthroat" season 42, which is just four episodes into its quest to make someone $500,000 richer.

Finally, "MobLand" season 1 isn't technically new to Paramount+. However, the first three episodes are newly free to watch on the streaming service. No login required. With seaosn 2 coming next month, it's the perfect time to check out this Tom Hardy-led crime drama.

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Here are the three new to Paramount+ shows you need to binge-watch this weekend. If you need more recommendations, check out everything new on Paramount+ in August 2026 for more options.

Malcolm McMillan
Malcolm McMillan

Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022 and watches dozens of shows each year, so you don't need to watch any bad ones. He's already watched over 35 seasons of TV this year, and thankfully, it's mostly been good.

'Average Joe' season 2

Average Joe | Season 2 Official Trailer | Paramount+ - YouTube Average Joe | Season 2 Official Trailer | Paramount+ - YouTube
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Genre: Dark comedy-drama fiction series

What's it about? This series stars Deon Cole as Joe. He's an ordinary plumber who, it turns out, had an extraordinary father. That father also stole $10 million from the Russian mob, and now they're hunting Joe. In season 2, that hunt leads Joe to Africa to learn more about his father's past.

Why you should watch it: I hadn't heard of this show before seeing the season 2 trailer. It's one of the BET+ originals that came over to Paramount+ when the two streaming services merged, but this is the first one to really catch my eye. Catch up on season 1 now, then check out the two-episode premiere that arrived earlier this week.

Stream the two-episode premiere of "Average Joe" season 2 on Paramount+ now

'The Challenge: Cutthroat' season 42

The Challenge: Cutthroat | Season 42 Official Trailer | Paramount+ - YouTube The Challenge: Cutthroat | Season 42 Official Trailer | Paramount+ - YouTube
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Genre: Reality competition series

What's it about? Fans of "The Challenge" will be excited to see the return of this classic format. In "Cutthroat," 24 veterans and rookies are dropping into Thailand and are split into three teams. To win $500,000, the entire team has to cross the finish line. But the team captains are the ones who decide how the money gets divided, and nothing is stopping them from keeping it all.

Why you should watch it: "The Challenge" is arguably closer to a live sporting event than a reality show at this point. The competitors are more athletic; the line between this show and "Survivor" has seriously begun to blur. However, CBS's flagship competition show still cannot match "The Challenge" in terms of hookups and messy drama.

Stream the first four episodes of "The Challenge: Cutthroat" season 42 on Paramount+ now

'MobLand' season 1

MobLand | Official Trailer | Paramount+ - YouTube MobLand | Official Trailer | Paramount+ - YouTube
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Genre: Crime drama series

What's it about? "MobLand" is set around the Harrigan crime family. Led by patriarch Conrad (Pierce Brosnan), matriarch Maeve (Helen Mirren) and second son Kevin (Paddy Considine), the show largely focuses on Harry (Tom Hardy), the family's fixer. He cleans up all their messes, including an imminent gang war with the Stevensons after Richie Stevenson's (Geoff Bell) son, Tommy (Felix Edwards), goes missing after being last seen with Conrad's grandson, Eddie (Anson Boon).

Why you should watch it: "MobLand" season 1 ended with a stunning finale, despite some ups and downs getting there. The first three episodes are free to stream right now, and season 2 is coming September 18. Now is the perfect time for a binge-watch to catch up.

Stream all 10 episodes of "The Challenge: Cutthroat" season 42 on Paramount+ now (first three episodes free)


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Malcolm McMillan
Streaming Editor

Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made.

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