Best Paramount+ Original Movies

Beginning with The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, Paramount+ has produced and released 29 original feature films since 2021. While the data varies from day to day, the most streamed Paramount+ original movies of 2023 include Teen Wolf: The Movie and the romantic comedy At Midnight. Of course, popularity doesn’t always equate to quality.

This was proved with the much-divisive Finestkind, which had an amazing cast (including Jenna Ortega) but not much of a believable plot. But, Finestkind is a rarity for Paramount+ originals. In other words, movies with a lot of clout behind them that fall short. From coming-of-age dramas and horror sequels to believed animated movies and hard-hitting dramas, there’s no shortage of high-quality movies to watch on the streaming platform.

Updated on Jan. 31st by Ben Hathaway: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

15 Console Wars (2020)

Not to be confused with the South Park special, Console Wars is a documentary focusing on the battle between SEGA and Nintendo. Specifically, the NES/Sega Saturn era. This Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen-directed doc is an underdog story, and it’ll make the viewer want to go out and buy a retro SEGA console the next day.

More Exciting Than You Might Expect

Given who’s directing it, it’s not so surprising that Console Wars is a well-paced, breezy viewing. Even for those who don’t get into docs, or video games for that matter, there’s something here. What it shows, more than video games, is pure ambition, and that makes for an endearing watch.

14 Milli Vanilli (2023)

After making a splash at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, the Milli Vanilli documentary has since gone under the radar. That’s a shame because it’s incisive. It’s also far from condescending towards its two subjects, and, girl, you know it’s true…true…true…true…true…true they’ve received enough backlash over the years.

Another Charming Documentary

As most know, this German-French pop duo was full of it. They sang none of their songs. But, they had the look. Is this the fault of Fab Morvan and the late Rob Pilatus? Absolutely not, they just received an opportunity and took it. Thankfully, the doc doesn’t chastise them so much as it shows how the music industry got to the point of full-on fakery.

13 Infinite (2021)

Infinite is a sci-fi thriller written by Ian Shorr based on the novel The Reincarnationist Papers by D. Eric Maikranz. The movie is directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Sophie Cookson. The story focuses on Heinrich Treadway, a man constantly haunted by memories of places he’s never been. Riddled by this mystery, he decides to join up with a group of people called The Believers, who claim to have been reborn from past lives, to stop Otto Bathurst, the leader of an extremist group called The Nihilists who wants to wipe out the reincarnates and eradicate life on Earth.

A Subtly Supernatural Story

Antoine Fuqua is a solid filmmaker who rarely delivers something inconsistent. This big, bold adventure suits his talents perfectly. The story in Infinite has an exciting premise touching on reincarnation, which is paramount in plenty of religious beliefs. The film gives an interesting twist by having people remember their past lives. While the story doesn’t make The Believers a group of immortals, it is interesting to see how their present lives play out in contrast to past incarnations. Last but not least is the fact that the movie is an original story for a change, instead of a sequel or reboot of an existing IP. Note that streaming this film requires a Paramount+ Apple TV subscription.

12 The In Between (2022)

Romance and science fiction come together in the film The In Between, written by Marc Klein and directed by Arie Posin. The movie stars Joey King and Kyle Allen and tells the story of Tessa, who doesn’t think she deserves a love story. That changes when she meets Skylar, a young man who’s a romantic at heart. After he perishes in a car accident, Tessa begins her search for Skylar one last time after learning about the concept of The In Between, which would allow her to connect one more time with Skylar before his soul transcends to another plane of existence.

More than Just Romance

The In Between is a movie that is more interested in exploring the depths of the emotion of each character and how their lives have shaped their ability to express themselves to others. Tessa is deeply marked by the fact her biological mother bailed on her. Meeting someone like Skylar brings her out of her shell, and she begins to believe she deserves love. Their strong bond defines her life by making her a bit more outgoing, so she seeks Skylar again after he’s gone. It’s a sweet story that gains leverage for not being cheesy or overtly dramatic.

11 Secret Headquarters (2022)

Secret Headquarters is an original superhero story not attached to any existing comic book IP. Christopher L. Yost, a longtime comic book writer for Marvel, created the original idea. Yost wrote the screenplay with the help of Josh Koenigsberg and Ariel Schulman. Henry Joost and stars Owen Wilson, Walker Scobell, and Jesse Williams direct the film. The story focuses on Jack Kincaid, the greatest superhero on Earth who goes by the moniker of The Guard. His status as a hero has come at the cost of his relationship with his son, who soon finds out his dad is a hero and must assist him as a man named Ansel Argon seeks to get his hands on Jack’s technology to make weapons.

A Refreshingly New Superhero Story

Coming across a family-friendly superhero story is a rare occurrence these days, especially since most IPs are tied to cinematic universes and world-building. Secret Headquarters is focused on telling a single story and playing out the family dynamic between Jack and his son Charlie, as the first one is aware of the damage he’s been causing to his son by neglecting him for acting responsibly with his powers. Charlie, played by Walker Scobell, comes across as a bit bold at first, but he ultimately falls in line, understanding the importance of his dad’s work. Note that streaming this film requires a Paramount+ Apple TV subscription.

10 Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023)

Read our review

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is a supernatural horror film that works as a prequel to the 2019 remake of Pet Sematary. The film was written and directed by Lindsey Anderson Beer with the assistance of Jeff Buhler on screenplay duty. The movie features the talents of Jackson White, Natalie Alyn Lind, and Forrest Goodluck. Set 50 years ago, the story follows a young Jud Crandall who dreams about leaving his hometown in Ludlow. Still, he soon finds out the dark secrets of the land he lives in, and he’s forced to confront the obscure legacy of his family, which is bound to keep him trapped in the town forever.

A New Twist on Well-Trodden Ground

Pet Sematary is not exactly the most groundbreaking concept to build a franchise on, yet there have been four films based on this Stephen King book, with the new entries well received by audiences. Bloodlines certainly works as a prequel by unraveling the secrets hidden behind the land that brings dead people back to life. However, moving forward with another sequel in this timeline would only rethread events already explored in these two movies. Audiences can still enjoy the film for what it is and look forward to future entries, even if it’s to see how the concept is given a new twist.

9 Good Burger 2 (2023)

Good Burger 2 is a sequel to the original film released in 1997, set in real-time as 23 years have passed. Dexter is now trying to make it as an entrepreneur, while Ed owns the burger joint. The film was written by Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert and directed by Phil Traill. It stars Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, and Jillian Bell. The film begins with Dexter failing to launch a new product, only to crawl back to Good Burger to get his job back. Ed hires back his old friend, but they are being hounded by a large corporation that wants to franchise their business at the expense of all their employees.

Comedy For All the Family

Getting Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell back together for another adventure is a blast. Still, the fact the studio has chosen to age up the characters along with its audience is also amazing. Good Burger 2 is a film about family and friendship before anything else, and while the conflict takes a good portion of the story, the interaction between these two friends sells the film. Children of the 1990s will surely get a kick out of it, while new fans can enjoy some family-friendly comedy that is a throwback to simpler times.

8 Jerry & Marge Go Large (2022)

Based on a true story, Jerry & Marge Go Large is a delightful comedy that follows Jerry and Marge Selbee, a married couple in Michigan. After recently retiring, Jerry uses his skills as a former math teacher to calculate a loophole to increase his chance of winning the lottery. Once he does win the cash prize, Jerry and Marge use their winnings to restore their town.

A Movie that Makes for Wonderful Company

The film is carried by a charmingly cozy affair relying on the star power and onscreen chemistry between Oscar-nominated actors Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening, Jerry & Marge Go Large was praised for its uplifting message and crowd-pleasing warmth. The movie may not linger long after seeing it, but while watching it, it’s nearly impossible not to enjoy the inspiring story and committed performances by two all-time great actors.

7 Significant Other (2022)

Written and directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, Significant Other is a harrowing wilderness survival thriller that sidesteps genre conventions and clichés to deliver an unsettling result. The story concerns Ruth (Maika Monroe) and Harry (Jake Lacy), a couple that encounters a menacing creature while hiking through a dense Oregon forest.

Slow-Burn Horror

Despite the languid pacing and slow-burning effect that may alienate some viewers, Significant Other received plaudits for its twisty storytelling turns and convincing performances from Monroe and Lacy. The plot takes a while to get going, but those patient enough to get past the first act are sure to be rewarded by the thrilling subversion of expectations the final act presents. The mixture of graphic carnage and the disquieting atmosphere are sure to sate most horror fans.

6 Orphan: First Kill (2022)

Speaking of horror fans, Orphan: First Kill is nearly on par with its shockingly disturbing predecessor. Isabelle Fuhrman reprises her role as Esther, a precocious girl who escapes from a psychiatric hospital and poses as the missing daughter of the American Albright family. Things get derailed for Esther when she faces a mother willing to protect her family at all costs.

An Absurd Yet Brilliant Premise and Story

Like the first film, the sinister sequel relies on a well-executed, bone-clattering twist that forces viewers to reassess everything that came before it. Hailed for leaning into its absurdly campy premise, Orphan: First Kill keeps viewers off-balance and on edge throughout the knotty story turns. The performances are believable, the violence is unsettling, and the final act soars to such an operatic fever pitch that it’s nearly impossible to shake the film once the credits roll.

5 Blue’s Big City Adventure (2022)

Blue’s Big City Adventure

Release Date

November 18, 2022

Runtime

1h 22m

Studio

Paramount

Franchise

Blue’s Clues

Blue’s Big City Adventure is a fun and fast-paced children’s film that appeals to the whole family. At a brisk 74 minutes, the movie follows a young boy named Josh and his pet dog Blue who venture to New York to audition for a Broadway musical. With a positive message of inclusion, snappy upbeat music, and a triumphant finale, it’s hard to resist the movie’s charms.

Gentle Family Fun

Although the Blue’s Clues spinoff movie is aimed at viewers 10 and under, the catchy songs, vibrant colors, and superb animated artwork are sure to appeal to older viewers as well. Director Matt Stawski uses his background directing music videos to choreograph big sweeping musical numbers that are incredibly joyous but also have big dramatic stakes. Above all, the broad appeal of the movie’s sweet sincerity makes it enjoyable for everybody.

4 Honor Society (2022)

Honor Society is an irresistible coming-of-age movie and romantic comedy that hits all the right notes it aims for. The plot concerns Honor Rose (Angourie Rice), an aspiring Harvard student who decides to sabotage her three biggest competitors from being accepted to the Ivy League university. One of her rivals includes Michael Dipnicky (Gaten Matarazzo), a brilliant but socially awkward classmate. Over time, Honor and Michael develop a sweet adolescent romance.

Immaculate Old School Rom-Com Vibes

The movie feels like a throwback John Hughes-style rom-com while breathing fresh life into the genre thanks to its hilarious fourth-wall-breaking, Honor Society drew acclaim for several reasons. Chief among them is Rice’s tour-de-force performance as an ambitious student willing to bend the rules to get what she wants. The movie was also extolled for the romantic rapport between Rice and Mararrazo, which resonates as a reminder of the pain, angst, agony, and nerves of being a teenager.

3 Three Months (2022)

Written and directed by Jared Frieder, Three Months is a timely and topical coming-of-age tale about a teenager in Florida named Caleb (Troye Sivan). One day before graduating from high school, Caleb learns he’s been exposed to HIV. As he nervously awaits test results over the summer, he grapples with big existential questions while following his heart to find true love.

A Truthful and Entertaining Journey

Three Months is a compelling coming-of-age character study that explores deep issues that many people in the LGBTQ+ community currently experience. Aside from giving voice to a marginalized group and advocating inclusion, the movie received positive reviews for Sivan’s (an Australian pop star) edgy screen presence. Best of all, the movie takes what could be a sad and depressing subject and injects it full of vivacious humor and uplifting sentiment.

Related

22 Best Horror Movies on Paramount+ to Watch Right Now

Paramount+ has some great picks for horror films, from the scariest movies to bona fide classics.

2 Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe (2022)

With a whopping 97% Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes Rating, Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe is easily one of the best Paramount+ Original Movies on record. The story finds the titular slackers traveling to the future, where they are wildly confused about the so-called advances society has made in the past quarter-century. Hilarity ensues when they are faced with concepts such as “male privilege” and several similar social perceptions of the 2020s.

Ridiculous and Hilarious Comedy

Indeed, the brilliant comedic mind of Mike Judge returns to comment on society’s absurd developments since Beavis and Butt-Head did America in the ’90s, serving as an uproarious comedy that is both novel and nostalgic at once. While admittedly silly and sophomoric, the movie was lauded for its hilarious skewering of Gen-Z and for delivering an endearing, fast-paced joke machine with big, gut-busting laughs.

1 76 Days (2020)

76 Days is the best and most important Paramount+ Original Movie on record. The raw, riveting, and all-time great documentary charts 76 days inside a hospital in Wuhan, China, during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak. A moving story of scientific acumen and human resilience, the movie is both difficult and painful yet surprisingly life-affirming in the end.

A Massively Important Reminder of the Severity of COVID

With universally glowing reviews from critics and general moviegoers alike, 76 Days is a timely and important movie about a real and relatable topic everyone experienced in 2020. The must-watch doc educates, entertains, enlightens, and perhaps most telling, offers a ray of optimism in the end thanks to cooperative international efforts and humanitarian triumphs. Many documentaries can feel like homework to get through. 76 Days feels like an intimate home movie everyone can identify with.