A Month of Paramount+ is Worth It Just for These 3 Shows

With so many streaming options available today, it can be hard to decide where to place your money for the month. While many of us hop around based on where shows that interest us are premiering/streaming, others of us have our favorite platforms and refuse to deviate from them.

Paramount+ is a platform I’ll never leave, thanks to its mountain of entertainment that features a unique blend of old favorites, hot-topic originals, live TV options—even a complete lineup from Showtime. If you’ve been on the fence about a Paramount+ subscription, here are three shows that’ll make the price of admission absolutely worth it.

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Mayor of Kingstown

Yes, Mayor of Kingstown is a Taylor Sheridan series, but it’s easily his best series to date, especially for fans of tense, character-driven series riddled with breath-holding high stakes so close to reality, they’ll make you shiver. It’s extremely intense with explosive levels of drama and violence that demand a straight binge from viewers.

Jeremy Renner stars in this thrilling gritty crime series whose sights are set on one thing: America’s prison system—moreover, the thriving industry that is incarceration. It follows the well-known McLusky family, who serve as power brokers in the fictional Michigan city of Kingstown, which has neither order nor justice, despite how hard the McLuskys try to bring it.

If you haven’t seen Mayor of Kingstown, you’ll be shocked to know it’s not about a literal mayor at all, but rather a man whose role as the city fixer is to manage warring prison and gang factions, all while trying to squeeze out a little income for himself on the side. Mike McLusky (Renner) didn’t ask for this. The role fell to him after an unforeseen tragedy, and to see him run the city his way has been heart-stopping.

It’s worthy because of the show’s compelling narrative and Renner’s powerfully authentic performance. His emotional control in embodying this character in these situations is so visceral, it puts you right there in his shoes, staring into the face of all that lurks in the shadows.

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Matlock

If you were born in 19-none-of-your-business like I was, you remember the original Matlock series with Andy Griffith. And if you weren’t, and you don’t, but you still dig legal drama TV shows, this gender-swapped reboot fueled by a core mystery is a critically acclaimed, massive hit with monumental ratings. I was skeptical but wound up thoroughly entertained and wanting more.

Kathy Bates (yes, of Misery fame) stars in the new Matlock as brilliant septuagenarian Madeline “Matty” Matlock, who, after achieving success in her younger years, and after losing her daughter to a drug overdose, decides to rejoin the workforce at a particular prestigious law firm. Her unassuming demeanor and witty tactics work to help her excel at exposing corruption and winning cases.

There’s just one catch, though: She isn’t exactly who she says she is, and she’s not there by chance. In fact, she’s led by an ulterior motive, and it’s that motive that we viewers connect to, regardless of what level. Matlock is an intriguing, dramatic, enjoyable watch.

It’s worthy because of its fresh, modern twist around a major contemporary issue, and because of Bates’ charming, cunning, stellar performance as the titular lawyer. Matlock also successfully weaves in plenty of courtroom drama while continuing to work on building the larger narrative arc at play. It never loses sight of that, no matter how complex these subplots get.

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The Dexter Franchise

Yep, it’s true. The best Showtime Original series is streaming all in one place.

News of Dexter Morgan’s return has been all over 2025, for good reason. Not only has the fan-favorite universe been revived, but it has also been continued. With an official prequel now available, as well as the sequel fans have been craving, now is the perfect time to get to know America’s favorite vigilante serial killer with an impeccably timed sense of deadpan humor.

Dexter (2006) focuses on the life of Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), an expert blood spatter analyst with Miami Metro Homicide who moonlights as a vigilante serial killer. The eight-season series takes you through his code, his kills, his adversaries, and his attempts to be normal, right up until they fail in a giant crescendo of panic and desperation.

Series sequel Dexter: New Blood arrived in 2021 and follows Dexter’s son, Harrison (Jack Alcott), on his search for his father nearly a decade later. Series prequel Dexter: Original Sin was released in 2024 and chronicles the titular killer’s life from early childhood right up to the point when he’s officially hired at Miami Metro in the 90s.

Finally, the continuation (and sequel to the sequel) we’ve all been waiting for arrived this summer. Dexter: Resurrection picks up right where New Blood left off and continues this delicious journey of our re-awakened, very hungry Dark Passenger, this time in New York City.

It’s worthy because Paramount+ is the exclusive streaming home for all current and future entries into this expanded franchise.

Aside from these three shows, there are numerous titles in the Paramount+ library worth a subscription, from long-ago classics to old favorites, noteworthy originals, new monthly arrivals, and even live TV options. If you ask me, that’s a whole package.