When it comes to the best streaming services, I’ve tried pretty much all of them. From the juggernauts like Netflix and Prime Video, to the often overlooked "smaller" platforms like Apple TV Plus and Peacock. But there was one I’d never tried before: Paramount Plus.
That changed earlier this month, when I was given access to a Paramount Plus Premium account. And after a week of use, I’ve come away pleasantly surprised by this streaming service. Starting at $7.99 per month (for the Essential w/ ads tier), it makes a great supplemental option for your streaming portfolio. And if you want to try Paramount Plus for yourself before committing to a monthly subscription, there's currently a seven-day free trial.
The pros and cons of Paramount Plus
I think it’s pretty clear that where Paramount Plus shines brightest is in the binge-watching department. It’s the streaming home of the “Yellowstone” spinoffs, which will keep you watching for a while.
Afterwards, you can dip into buzzy originals like “Tulsa King,” “Mobland” and “Landman." Plus, if you have a Premium account ($12.99 per month), you’ll also get access to Showtime’s library, which includes the complete “Dexter” saga and guilty pleasure thriller “Yellowjackets."
For me, the biggest draw of Paramount Plus’ TV show library comes is summed up in two words: “South Park.” Yup, the (in)famous animated series was a real favorite of mine in my teenage years, and ever since getting access to a Paramount Plus account, I’ve been diving back into some classic episodes. The newest episodes are there as well, so there’s more than enough “South Park” to keep me busy for months to come.
Though, to be honest, I’m more of a movie person, and it’s perhaps here that Paramount Plus comes up a little short. There are some familiar blockbuster series like “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Transformers,” alongside some new movies like “Vicious” and “Novocaine,” but it’s not exactly a library overflowing with noteworthy options. There’s also only a thin selection of Paramount Plus Original movies; mostly, it’s a library of familiar features from yesteryear.
So, unless you’re super desperate to rewatch the “Jackass” collection or have an odd fondness for "Bay-former," you can get through the movie library highlights in just a few weekend marathons. Paramount Plus definitely feels like a service that puts binge-watchers first, not cinephiles like me.
Should you get Paramount Plus in 2025?
I’m still working my way through my Paramount Plus watchlist. There’s plenty of worthwhile content here, so a single week with the service wasn’t going to be enough time to consume everything that’s caught my eye. However, at this stage, I’m generally impressed with what I’ve seen. On the TV show side of the platform, at least, the movie library is more limited.
If you’re the type of person who prefers to focus on a single streaming service, then I don’t think I could recommend Paramount Plus as your one and only. Particularly, when the drip feed of new content is slower than Netflix or Prime Video. However, if you have the monthly budget to subscribe to multiple platforms at once, it makes for a great supplementary service.
That’s where I see Paramount Plus sitting in my streaming setup. It’s never going to be the one platform that I turn to most frequently, but when another “Dexter” spin-off/reboot arrives (my partner is completely obsessed with all things “Dexter”), or I’m eager for some teen nostalgia with a classic “South Park” adventure, I’ll be glad to have Paramount Plus to hand.
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