When it comes to the best streaming services, I’ve tried almost all of them. From giants like Netflix and Prime Video to often overlooked “smaller” platforms like Apple TV Plus and Peacock. But there’s one I’ve never tried before: Paramount Plus.
That changed earlier this month, when I gained access to a Paramount Plus Premium account. And after a week of use, I come away pleasantly surprised by this streaming service. Starting at $7.99 per month (for the Essential tier with ads), it’s a great additional option for your streaming portfolio. And if you want to try Paramount Plus for yourself before committing to a monthly subscription, there is currently a seven-day free trial.
The pros and cons of Paramount Plus
I think it’s pretty clear that where Paramount Plus shines the most is in the binge-watching department. It’s the streaming home for “Yellowstone” spin-offs, which you’ll keep tuning in for a while.
Then you can delve into trendy originals like “Tulsa King,” “Mobland,” and “Landman.” Plus, if you have a Premium account ($12.99 per month), you’ll also have access to Showtime’s library, which includes the entire “Dexter” saga and the guilty pleasure thriller “Yellowjackets.”
For me, the biggest draw of Paramount Plus’ library of TV shows comes down to two words: “South Park.” Yes, the (in)famous animated series was one of my favorites during my teenage years, and since I got access to a Paramount Plus account, I’ve been diving back into some classic episodes. The most recent episodes are here too, so there’s more than enough “South Park” to keep me busy for months.
However, to be honest, I’m more of a movie buff, and perhaps this is where Paramount Plus falls a bit short. There are familiar hit series like “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Transformers,” as well as new films like “Vicious” and “Novocaine,” but it’s not exactly a library chock-full of standout options. There’s also only a slim selection of Paramount Plus Original movies; it’s mostly a library of familiar features from yesteryear.
So unless you’re desperate to rewatch the “Jackass” collection or have a strange fondness for “Bay-former,” you can blast through the film library’s highlights in just a few weekend marathons. Paramount Plus definitely feels like a service that prioritizes binge-watchers, not movie buffs like me.
Should you get Paramount Plus in 2025?
I’m still going through my Paramount Plus watchlist. There’s a lot of interesting content here, so a single week with the service wouldn’t be enough to consume everything that caught my eye. However, at this point 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, I don’t think I can recommend Paramount Plus as your one and only. Especially 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, this is a great additional service.
This is where I see Paramount Plus in my streaming setup. It will never be the platform I turn to most frequently, but when another The “Dexter” spinoff/reboot is coming (my partner is completely obsessed with all things “Dexter”), or I’m craving a little teen nostalgia with a classic “South Park” adventure, I’ll be happy to have Paramount Plus at my fingertips.
Follow Tom’s Guide to Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our latest news, analysis and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
Learn more about Tom’s Guide
