Must-See Movies on Paramount+ (January 2024)
If you want to see movies to watch on Netflix, or you want movies organized by genre, read my post Netflix Movies to Watch by Genre.
These are the best movies on Paramount+ for January 2023. Each movie includes a trailer to make it easy to preview, a short plot summary to give you a rough idea if you have no idea what it’s about, and a link to the movie on Paramount+ so you don’t have to search for it.
If you have read my movie lists, you know that I base my lists off of a combination of movies that I have seen and enjoyed (or ones that are on my personal list to see soon), and movies that were successful and well received in general. Sometimes I may include a movie that didn’t impress me but got rave reviews from others, or a movie that I loved despite it being poorly received by critics and the general audience.
Some are still on the list from December 2023, and some are new.
Kids movies and documentaries are at the bottom.
This post does not contain any affiliate links, and everything on here is sincerely recommended by me. See a movie you really liked or one you think should be added to the list? Leave a comment and let me know. Hope you find something great to watch!
(p.s. If you are looking for movies to watch on Hulu, check out this movie list. )
American Beauty
This 1999 Academy Award winner gives us a narrative of a man living the American Dream who is going through a midlife crisis. It is a simple plot – mundane, even – yet profoundly deep as we are left to consider life, relationships, and meaning. It will leave you reflecting. It won the Academy Award for best picture.
The tERMINATOR: gENYSIS
I watched this as a standalone film, not having seen the previous Terminators, and it was easy to follow and really well done. If you plan to watch the other ones and don’t want to spoil them, maybe don’t watch this first, but if you just want a good sci-fi action movie with a good plot and sub-plot, this was very good on its own.
Sweeney Todd
Turning a Broadway show into a film is always a harrowing endeavor, but in this case, it was done very well. Johnny Depp stars as Sweeney Todd in this stage-to-screen musical. Excellent music, but choose a different movie if you are squeamish.
Top Gun (1986)
Maverick’s (Tom Cruise) high-flying antics, romance, and rivalry in elite fighter school.
Top Gun: Maverick
Maverick returns to train a younger group of fighter pilots in this new sequel.
The Truman Show
Jim Carrey stars as Truman, I won’t give much away if you’ve never seen it, but it’s a really great movie.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this film stars Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button, a man who is born old and spends his life aging in reverse. It is a compelling and emotional story, and leads to some deep contemplation about the nature of time, the human experience, and the acceptance of the inevitable cycle of life and death.
Collateral
The Godfather
Titanic
The well known, timeless classic love story of two people aboard the Titanic.
mISSION iMPOSSIBLE mOVIES
All of the Mission Impossible movies are currently on ParamountPlus. I haven’t seen these but they are on my must-see list. Only the first three are also available on Netflix.
Arrival
Jack Reacher
Star Trek
Multiple Star Trek options are available on Paramount+
bAD nEWS bEARS
A misfit Little League baseball team and their reluctant coach overcome challenges and learns life lessons in this comedy.
Shawshank Redemption
An incarcerated banker forms enduring friendships and finds hope in Shawshank prison.
The Wolf of Wall Street
A stockbroker (DiCaprio) who engages in extravagant excess, corruption, and illegal activities, leading to his downfall and legal consequences. The film, directed by Martin Scorsese, offers a satirical and cautionary tale of the greed and moral bankruptcy prevalent in the financial world during the 1990s. Based on a true story.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Ferris (Broderick) skips school and has a fun day with his best friend and girlfriend while the principle seeks to catch him. This classic is always worth watching.
Forrest Gump
Forrest (Tom Hanks), a simple man, recounts the events of his life, which are serendipitously intertwined in major historical events.
Indiana Jones Movies
Indiana Jones movies starring Harrison Ford are all on Paramount+ for January 2024
Transformers Movies
Paramount+ does not have the first two Transformers movies, but it does have the four most recent ones, plus the spin-off movie Bumblebee.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
A journalist and a hacker investigate a wealthy family’s dark secrets, unveiling corruption and violence in this thrilling mystery based on the book. Starring Daniel Craig.
Pretty In Pink
If you are needing a John Hughes fix, this 80’s n flick starring Molly Ringwald is on Paramount+ for January 2024
Gladiator
A gladiator (Crowe) who was a former emperor seeks revenge in the Roman Colosseum, defying corrupt empire’s tyranny.
zOOLANDER
If you are looking for a spoofy crass comedy, this goofy movie is about a dim-witted male model (Ben Stiller) who gets manipulated by the villain (Will Ferrel) into an assassination plot. Hilariously clueless fashion satire ensues, blending comedy and absurdity.
Catch Me If You Can
This movie is based on a true story. Teen prodigy Frank Abagnale Jr. (DiCaprio) cons his way across the world, pursued by determined FBI agent (Tom Hanks). Personally, I recommend it as a really great movie.
aLMOST fAMOUS
This coming of age movie is about an awkward, sheltered teen journalist who tours with rock band in the 1970’s. He navigates fame, friendship, love, and self discovery in this film that blends humor, drama, and heartfelt moments. This was recently moved from ShowTime to the basic Paramount+
Terms of Endearment
Terms of Endearment is a poignant film of an adult daughter and her mother as they navigate through love, loss, and laughter, portraying the enduring, complex, and heartfelt nature of family. Starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, and Jack Nicholson, it won five Oscars including Best Picture.
Dirty Dancing
Shy good girl “Baby” (Jennifer Gray) meets handsome dance instructor (Patrick Swayze) on her family’s summer vacation. This was recently moved from ShowTime to the basic Paramount+
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Starring Audrey Hepburn, this is an old classic about an eccentric New York socialite and her unconventional romance with a struggling writer in Manhattan.
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady is a classic musical where a linguistics professor transforms a Cockney flower girl into a refined lady, exploring societal expectations and love.
Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile
This 1974 version of one of Agatha Christie’s novels is about a murder mystery being solved on the Nile River.
"The Battle of..." smithsonian Series
"the day..." Smithsonian Series
If you enjoy historical documentaries, Smithsonian has a series of documentaries including:
clifford The Big Red Dog
This heartwarming tale, based on the children’s book series, follows an enormous puppy named Clifford and his owner, Emily Elisabeth.
Antz
A worker ant challenges conformity, embarks on an adventure, and discovers individuality amidst a colony’s epic struggle for survival
Paw PaTROL: The Mighty Pups
Paramount+ has the newest Paw Patrol movie which was in theaters a few months ago. It tells how the pups get their super powers. Paramount+ also has many Paw Patrol episodes and the first Paw Patrol movie. My kids have watched this multiple times and we all love it.
Mario Brothers
I watched this with my kids and it was surprisingly good. I have vague childhood memories of the Mario Brothers game which gave some context to the characters, but that isn’t necessary as my kids have never played it and they really liked it.