Paramount+ is a bit of an underdog when it comes to streaming services. Though it may not get as much attention as Netflix or Max, it’d be disingenuous to suggest that this underrated streaming service doesn’t have anything of value. You may be surprised to know that Paramount+ is home to not only some of the biggest movies that recently came out in theaters but also some of the best movies ever made in general. You might never have expected something like Paramount+ to have some of the best movies currently streaming. Yet, here we are.
Seeing how Paramount+ is loaded with hundreds of incredible films from a variety of genres, we’ve felt it necessary to highlight the best of the best that Paramount+ has to offer. From entire franchises to vintage classics, these are what we’d consider to be the best movies on Paramount+. We’ll also update this list periodically to reflect the current offerings on this modest streamer.
Updated on Jan. 25, 2024, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
15 Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump
- Release Date
- July 6, 1994
- Director
- Robert Zemeckis
Based on several real historical events mentioned in Winston Groom’s 1986 novel of the same name, Forrest Gump chronicles the life of a slow-witted man who was born and brought up in Alabama. With an IQ as low as his, it is fascinating how Forrest Gump ended up becoming a part of many of 20th Century America’s significant moments. Even though life has never made sense to him, his kindness drew people towards him.
A Vast Yet Intimate Portrait of a Life
Under director Robert Zemeckis’s careful and empathetic gaze, Forrest Gump turned out to be a wonderful slice-of-life masterpiece. From its breathtaking visuals and soulful recreation of historical events like the Vietnam War to the award-worthy performance by Tom Hanks, the film creates the perfect balance of emotional and whimsical. It also addresses issues like racial divides, grief, and what it means to live wholly. Three decades later, this delicate and intimate work of modern fiction still leaves a mark on the new generation.
14 The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Infusing a biographical drama with elements of crime and black comedy is no easy feat. But Martin Scorsese is the man for the job. Taking you to the fast-paced world of stockbroking that was the 1980s, the movie follows Jordan Belfort, a young and ambitious broker working on Wall Street. Hungry for immediate success, he takes the shorter route to the top and becomes one of the most powerful men in the business. But in the process, he leaves his virtues and morals behind and his new life of excess soon spirals out of control.
Stylistic Excesses Mirror Personal Greed
Leonardo DiCaprio and Scorsese are a match made in heaven. Every time they collaborate, their immense talents and efforts continuously work together to expand cinema’s scope for storytelling. The Wolf of Wall Street may be a riotous film about wealth and greed, but it is also a masterpiece in the history of cinema. The supporting cast, which includes Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Matthew McConaughey is just as fearless in portraying the dark side of America.
13 School of Rock (2003)
School of Rock is another iconic comedy from the 2000s. It centers around Dewey Finn, a wannabe rockstar who finds himself broke and about to be kicked out of his apartment. His only option to stay afloat is to pose as a substitute teacher at a private elementary school. But because his dreams of musical fame aren’t too far behind him, he sees it as an opportunity and forms a band with his students, preparing them to win the “Battle of the Bands” competition with him.
Heartwarming and Hilarious
Richard Linklater’s iconic comedy is not only a celebration of the power of music but also an important ode to chasing your dreams, no matter what the circumstances are. Jack Black gives a career-best performance as Dewey, whose punk rock spirit and affection towards the pre-teens is infectious. What’s more thrilling is watching how the kids blossom in the days leading up to the Battle of the Bands finale.
12 Babylon (2022)
![Babylon](https://static1.moviewebimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/mv5bnjlkyjc4ngmtzjc3ms00njq3ltk4mmutmtkwzgzjode1zdvlxkeyxkfqcgdeqxvyodk4otc3mty-_v1_fmjpg_ux1000_.jpg)
Babylon
- Release Date
- December 23, 2022
Set in 1920s Los Angeles, during a phase when Old Hollywood was transitioning from silent pictures to the talkies, Babylon tells the mesmerizing tale of Jack Conrad, a kind-hearted yet troubled actor who drinks and schemes his way through the decadence of the industry. Jack knows that his career is taking a dive, but he sticks around doing low-budget projects. Meanwhile, he forms an unlikely bond with another aspiring actress, Nellie LaRoy.
Chazelle’s Love of Cinema Is Evident
There are many movies that have tried to recreate 1920s Los Angeles and the epic shift in Hollywood stars’ lives that came with the decade. But there is something loving and chaotic about Babylon, which is told through the eyes of a group of fictional characters committed to the screen by Damien Chazelle. The grand visual style and production design are worth praising, and so are Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt’s charming performances. Overall, the film is an intoxicating love letter to the past.
11 Mean Girls (2004)
One of the best movies to come out in the 2000s, Mean Girls follows Cady Heron, who makes her way through the treacherous hallways of a public high school after being homeschooled her entire life. On her first day, she encounters “The Plastics,” a group of girls at the top of the social scene, a.k.a. the predators of the school. The more involved she gets with Regina George and her ex-boyfriend, the more Cady risks friendships, academics, and her reputation.
The Quintessential High School Comedy
Tina Fey’s screenplay for Mean Girls was so iconic that it has been remade twenty years later, with a brand new cast of actors. As for the 2004 classic, it was the definitive high school comedy that gave us razor-sharp one-liners and quotable dialogues like “On Wednesdays, we wear pink,” and “Get in loser, we’re going shopping.” Lindsay Lohan shines in her breakout role alongside Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, and Tina Fey. The infectious style, pitch-perfect satire of high school hierarchy, and overall humor of Mean Girls makes it a landmark in the genre.
10 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
An incredible war drama starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Edward Burns, and Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan is set in France during World War II. Following the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day, the U.S. Army sent a group of soldiers behind enemy lines to retrieve Private James Ryan, who had already lost three of his brothers in action. Under the command of Captain John Miller, the group faces tense situations.
The Best of the War Genre
Saving Private Ryan is undoubtedly one of the greatest war films of all time. It is directed by Steven Spielberg, who is known to have a knack for creating the most intense and realistic portrayals of any historical event he chooses to familiarize the world with. The movie stands out in its startling depiction of combat and war, and the horrors of battle come alive on the big screen with the help of extraordinary production values. The standout ensemble cast delivers a brilliant performance, and they balance the dramatic as well as the honorary nature of the film with unmatched precision.
9 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
Our favorite group of reptilian martial arts masters is back for more in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. This slick animated film reboots the franchise once more with a refreshingly grungy art style, showcasing the initial formation of our teenage turtles as they take on the malevolent scientist Superfly and his army of mutants. With the help of April O’Neil, the turtles may even find themselves acclimating to the world beyond the sewers. An ensemble voice cast comprised of Ayo Edebiri, Maya Rudolph, John Cena, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Paul Rudd, and more voice the numerous colorful characters in this family-friendly action film.
A Delightful Return for the Turtles
Mutant Mayhem‘s plentiful characters and direction provided by Jeff Rowe (The Mitchells vs. the Machines) make for an incredible animated film you can’t afford to miss. The new characterizations found in leading turtles are especially terrific, reinventing them with a modern charm that feels perfect for the grimy world they inhabit.
8 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is an endlessly quotable comedy from the 1980s. Thankfully, it still holds up to this day. Matthew Broderick stars as our title character: a Chicago high school student who fakes an illness to skip a day of school. Now free to do as he pleases, he goes on several adventures in the company of Sloane (Mia Sara) and Cameron (Alan Ruck), while explaining his inner thoughts with hilarious monologues. John Hughes directed this classic film, with Jennifer Grey, Charlie Sheen, Ben Stein, Cindy Pickett, and Lyman Ward providing supporting roles.
Deservedly Iconic and Timeless
This teen comedy is notable for its prominent Chicago setting, with several notable landmarks featured throughout. Wrigley Field, Willis Tower, and what would eventually become Grant Park are all given a chance to shine in this unconventional adventure. It would be a landmark film for both John Hughes and Matthew Broderick, with the latter’s humorous one-liners still being parroted to this day.
7 Interstellar (2014)
Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar is a rare example of high-concept science fiction with a compelling emotional core. Set in the not-so-distant future, humanity finds itself in a global famine with only one contingency plan left. After discovering a wormhole near Saturn, a group of brave astronauts take on what may be a suicide mission to find a hospitable world to colonize. The journey won’t be easy, and along the way, several harrowing discoveries may put the future of humanity at risk. Matthew McConaughey plays the film’s lead, with Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, and Michael Caine starring alongside him.
Sci-Fi With an Emotional Core
Interstellar would snag five nominations at the Oscars, securing a win for Best Visual Effects against films like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Guardians of the Galaxy. The film’s adherence to real science, especially the inner workings of wormholes, was also a significant point of praise from several different publications. What’s most impressive is the balance that Nolan and his team created between intriguing scientific concepts and affecting emotion.
6 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Top Gun: Maverick seemed to defy all odds as not only one of the best sequels of 2022 but one of the best movies of that year in general. Joseph Kosinski, having previously directed Tron: Legacy, delivers a similar modern touch-up to the Top Gun franchise, with a returning Tom Cruise reprising his role as Maverick. When Maverick is tasked with training a group of up-and-coming Top Gun graduates, he’s forced to confront the ghosts of his past — especially since one of his students is the son of a deceased friend. Alongside Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Ed Harris, and Val Kilmer make up the main cast.
A Sequel that Defied All Odds
In a shocking surprise, Top Gun: Maverick would go on to become the second highest-grossing movie of 2022, along with being one of the most financially successful films of Tom Cruise’s career. Not only that, it would draw huge attention at the 95th Academy Awards, winning the award for Best Sound in addition to securing a total of six separate nominations. It even got a surprising nomination for Best Film before ultimately losing to Everything Everywhere All at Once.
5 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was a notable high-point in terms of fantasy films when it debuted in 2023. Taking a more comedic and lighthearted approach to the genre, Honor Among Thieves sees Chris Pine leading a band of rogues as a charismatic bard. After a tragic loss turns him to a life of thievery, an opportunity to bring back a deceased loved one presents itself in the form of a powerful tablet. There’s just one problem: he’ll have to steal it from a dangerous Red Wizard. Alongside Pine are Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, and Hugh Grant in the main cast.
An Unexpectedly Great Game Adaptation
Following the less-than-beloved Dungeons & Dragons films of the 2000s, Honor Among Thieves embraces its tabletop roots with plenty of hilarious moments in between dramatic showdowns. It may not have broken even at the box office, but it was an effective introduction to the expansive universe of Dungeons & Dragons for a brand-new audience. Should it be made on a smaller budget, a sequel may even be on the cards for Honor Among Thieves soon.
4 South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut (1999)
![Split image of Jerry And Marge Go Large, Beavis and Butthead Do The Universe, and Significant Other on Paramount+](https://static1.moviewebimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/best-original-movies-on-paramount-to-watch-right-now.jpg)
15 Best Original Movies on Paramount+ to Watch Right Now
The best original movies that are available on Paramount+ include horror, romance, comedy, and coming-of-age dramas.
Before the turn of the millennium, South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker would hit theaters with South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut. Though the title implies an explicit euphemism, it’s certainly an apt description of the film itself. When Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny sneak into a viewing of the latest Terrence and Phillip film, the ensuing moral panic may put the fate of the world in their unwitting hands. This musical comedy sees Matt Stone and Trey Parker reprising their roles for the majority of the cast, with additional voice performances provided by Isaac Hayes and Mary Kay Bergman. George Clooney, Brent Spiner, Mike Judge, and Eric Idle also lend their voices to a handful of supporting characters.
A Perfect Big-Screen Adventure for South Park
For as crass as it is, this bold South Park film would go on to become one of the greatest R-rated animated films in history. It would additionally spawn several iconic songs that are still beloved by South Park fans to this day, with “Blame Canada” in particular securing an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
3 Blue Velvet (1986)
Requires Paramount+ with Showtime
David Lynch continued his spree of experimental films with 1986’s Blue Velvet, a neo-noir mystery thriller. Kyle MacLachlan stars as Jeffrey Beaumont, a college student returning to North Carolina after his father’s health takes a turn for the worse. After discovering a severed human ear in a vacant lot, Jeffrey will be put on a terrifying journey loaded with intrigue, violence, and some of the most surreal cinematography ever put on the big screen. Alongside MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, and Dean Stockwell are attached to the film’s cast.
Some of Lynch’s Finest Work
Though Blue Velvet initially split critical opinions, it has since been reappraised as one of the most intriguing film releases of the 1980s. It would earn Lynch an Oscar nomination for Best Director, and its extensive use of taboo content and heavy symbolism cemented it as one of the greatest thrillers ever made. It would also feature a score by Angelo Badalamenti, who would later collaborate with David Lynch on Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive.
2 Chinatown (1974)
Chinatown is not only one of the greatest films on Paramount+, it’s one of the greatest films ever made. Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway star in this subversive ’70s crime drama set in the star-studded streets of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the rivers in this illustrious city start to run red when a routine investigation leads to a world of backstabbings, deceit, and political scandals. John Hillerman, Perry Lopez, Burt Young, and John Huston round out the film’s main cast, with direction provided by the famed but controversial filmmaker Roman Polanski.
An All-Time Great Screenplay
One of Chinatown‘s greatest strengths has to be its excellent screenplay, where each and every line of dialogue serves a genuine purpose in pushing the story forward. Robert Towne, who authored the screenplay, would even go on to win an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The film secured 11 Oscar nominations total, including Best Director, Best Actor for Jack Nicholson, Best Actress for Faye Dunaway, and Best Cinematography.
1 The Mission: Impossible Franchise (1996 – 2023)
We couldn’t pick just one Mission: Impossible film for this list, so we’ve opted to include the whole shebang. Of course, special mention has to go to the most recent film in the franchise, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Set six years after the original 1966 TV series, Mission: Impossible sees Tom Cruise playing Ethan Hunt, a member of the Impossible Missions Force, as he takes on an escalating series of death-defying geopolitical missions all across the globe. Tom Cruise is a permanent fixture of the series, both producing and starring in every film, with several notable directors attached to each separate entry. Christopher McQuarrie has directed the latest three films in the series, with an upcoming eighth film still in production.
Beloved and Legendary, It’s Hard Not to Love Mission Impossible
Mission: Impossible is one of the most iconic action-adventure franchises ever made. Tom Cruise famously does his own stunts for every film, and notable directors like Brian De Palma, John Woo, and Brad Bird were attached as directors in the early entries. They’ve accumulated a total of over $4 billion at the global box office since they debuted in 1996.