PARAMOUNT+ REVIEW 2026
With a massive library spanning CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon, Paramount+ has evolved into a powerhouse of nostalgia and new-age blockbusters.
Paramount Plus Pros and Cons – Honest 2026 Review
Where Paramount Plus Excels vs. Where It Falls Short
The "Yellowstone" Monopoly
UK Winner: Unlike the US where rights are split with Peacock, UK subscribers get the entire Taylor Sheridan universe in one place. Every season of Yellowstone, 1923, and the new The Madison are exclusive to this app.
Free for Sky Cinema Users
Best Value Perk: If you subscribe to Sky Cinema, check your account immediately. You get the Standard Paramount+ plan (worth £7.99/month) included entirely for free. It turns a paid service into a brilliant free bonus.
Cinema-Grade 4K (Premium)
Visuals: The Premium tier is finally pulling its weight. Watching Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos offers a home cinema experience that genuinely rivals Disney+.
The 50% US Price Hike
Major Con: As of Jan 15th, American subscribers face a massive jump. The "Essential" annual plan rises by 50% (from $59.99 to $89.99). Monthly users in both the UK and US are also paying ~14% more than this time last year.
Zero Live Sports (UK)
UK Limitation: Do not be fooled by US marketing. While American users get NFL and the new UFC rights included, the UK app has zero live sports. We pay a similar price but get a significantly smaller content library.
Sluggish App Performance
Tech Issues: Despite the price rises, the app remains clunky. I frequently encounter buffering wheels and slow menu navigation on LG and Samsung TVs. It lacks the "snappiness" of Netflix, often feeling heavy and unresponsive.
Why Choose Paramount Plus in 2026?
Must-Watch TV • Cinema Blockbusters • Iconic Brands
The Taylor Sheridan Universe
For me, this is the main reason to subscribe. It is the only place in the UK to watch the biggest dramas on television right now, including the entire Yellowstone saga, Lioness, and Tulsa King. If you want "watercooler" TV, you simply have to have this app.
Cinema-Fresh Blockbusters
I find that Paramount+ gets the massive cinema releases faster than anyone else. In 2026, having instant access to huge films like Gladiator II and the latest Mission: Impossible just months after they leave the big screen adds immense value to the monthly fee.
Incredible Brand Variety
I find the mix of content here unique compared to other streamers. Having massive dedicated hubs for brands like Showtime, MTV, and Comedy Central means I can switch from high-end dramas like Yellowjackets to light entertainment and reality TV instantly, keeping my entire household happy.
Paramount Plus UK vs USA: The Key Differences
Why my experience here in Britain is completely different to the American version.
The Yellowstone Situation
UK Winner: This is the biggest shock for my American friends. In the UK, I get every single season of Yellowstone included in my subscription. In the US, the main show is still stuck on Peacock until 2028 due to an old licensing deal, meaning US users only get the spinoffs like 1923 and 1883.
Live Sports (UFC & NFL)
USA Winner: As of January 1st, US subscribers now get exclusive UFC Fight Nights included in their plan, alongside the NFL and Champions League. In the UK, the app has zero live sports coverage. We pay a similar price but miss out on the entire sports catalogue.
Plan Branding & Prices
Different Approaches: The US divides its plans into "Essential" (Ads) and "Paramount+ with Showtime" (No Ads). In the UK, we don't use the Showtime branding for our plans; we simply have Basic (£4.99), Standard (£7.99), and Premium (£10.99), with "Showtime" just being a category inside the app for everyone.
How Does Paramount Plus Keep Up in the Streaming Race?
My Real-World Test: UK vs USA Plan Breakdown (2026)
I have broken down every available plan below. The structure is quite different depending on which side of the Atlantic you are on. In the UK, we have a unique "Standard" middle tier that does not exist in the US, while American users get a more generous device allowance on the cheaper plans.
| Plan Name | Adverts? | Max Resolution | Simultaneous Streams | Downloads? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Basic / Essential UK & USA Entry Level | Yes (Has Ads) | 1080p HD |
UK: 1 Device USA: 3 Devices | No |
|
Standard UK Only (Middle Tier) | No (Ad-Free*) | 1080p HD | 2 Devices | Yes |
|
Premium UK & USA Top Tier | No (Ad-Free*) | 4K UHD + HDR10 |
UK: 4 Devices USA: 3 Devices | Yes |
Note: "Ad-Free" applies to on-demand content only; live channels (US) and some promos may still contain ads. Downloads are for mobile devices only.
Why Streaming Feels Fun on Paramount Plus
Optimised Streaming
I noticed the app is excellent at adjusting quality to match my internet connection. Even when my Wi-Fi dropped a bar, the programme kept playing smoothly without buffering, though the picture softened slightly to compensate.
Cinema Quality (Premium Only)
If you pay for the top tier, the visual quality is superb. I watched Special Ops: Lioness in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision, and the colours popped significantly more than on the standard 1080p plan.
Download Limitations
Be careful which plan you choose if you travel. I found that the 'Basic' plan strictly blocks downloads. To watch offline on the train or plane, you must upgrade to the Standard or Premium tiers.
My Personal Top 6: The Best Things I Have Watched on Paramount Plus (January 2026)
3 Movies and 3 TV Shows I Honestly Could Not Switch Off
TV: The Madison
The New Obsession. Just when I thought I was done with the Duttons after the Yellowstone finale, this new spinoff pulled me right back in. Michelle Pfeiffer is absolutely commanding in the lead role. It feels fresher and more modern than the original show but still has that gritty Taylor Sheridan writing I love.
TV: Yellowjackets (Season 3)
The Wild Card. I spent the holidays bingeing the latest season and it is properly unhinged. The show has fully embraced the survival horror aspects now. It is messy and weird and arguably the most original drama on British TV at the moment. Just maybe do not watch it while eating your dinner.
TV: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
The 2026 Reboot. I was sceptical about a teen-focused Trek show but this has surprised me. Watching the new cadets find their feet in the 32nd century brings a younger energy that the franchise needed. It is less about heavy politics and more about fun character drama in space.
Movie: M:I – The Final Reckoning
The Action Masterpiece. This landed on streaming just in time for the new year and it is incredible. I thought they could not top the train stunt from the last film but Tom Cruise somehow managed it. It is the perfect Friday night movie and the practical effects make it feel genuinely dangerous.
Movie: Gladiator II
The Visual Showcase. Even though it hit cinemas back in 2024 I keep coming back to this on streaming. Paul Mescal is fantastic but the real reason I watch it is to show off my TV. The 4K HDR quality on the Premium plan makes the arena battles look absolutely bonkers.
Movie: Top Gun: Maverick
The Ultimate Re-watch. I have watched this five times now and the flight scenes still make me hold my breath. It is rare that a sequel beats the original but this one manages it. If you have a decent sound system or soundbar this film is still the best way to test it out.
Downloads Guide: Sky Bundle vs. The US VPN Method
How offline viewing works with my legitimate Sky account compared to my US VPN workaround.
THE SKY CINEMA PERK
On my main UK account linked to Sky Cinema I get the Standard plan included. This is a massive win because it enables downloads automatically. If I had signed up for the cheapest Basic plan separately I would be blocked from downloading entirely but the Sky bundle unlocks it for free.
THE VPN DOWNLOAD TRAP
When I used a VPN to sign up for the American service (to get the NFL and live sports) I hit a wall. I initially paid for the cheaper US 'Essential' plan and discovered it has zero download capabilities. To download US-exclusive shows I had to upgrade to the expensive 'Paramount+ with Showtime' tier.
THE REGION CONFLICT
This is the tricky part. I found that downloads are region-locked. If I download a movie while connected to the US VPN it often refuses to play if I turn the VPN off later. The app detects I am back in the UK and locks the content. You essentially need to stay connected to the VPN even to watch offline content.
⚠️ My Traveller's Tip: Be careful mixing accounts. I have to completely log out of my Sky UK account and toggle my VPN before logging into my US account. If you mix them up the app gets confused and often wipes your saved downloads.
Does Paramount Plus Have Ads in 2025?
Ad-Supported Essential • Ad-Free Premium • Content Differences
AD-SUPPORTED SUBSCRIPTION
The Essential plan brings down the cost, but swings in ads before and during the biggest shows, movies, and live TV. It’s Un the Fun Monkey’s thrifty jungle pick.
GO AD-FREE
Premium plan = no ads. That’s right—no interruptions when you want to chow down on blockbusters and boxsets.
CONTENT DIFFERENCES
Most movies and series (including originals) are on both plans, but occasional blockbusters or live events may need the Premium tier to avoid extra ads.
Who Should Buy Paramount Plus in 2026?
My Verdict: The Best Use Cases for UK and USA Viewers
The Yellowstone Superfan
UK Winner: If you are in the UK like me this is the only app you need. We get the entire saga. Every season of Yellowstone plus 1923 and The Madison is available in one place.
USA Warning: American users have it harder. While you get the spinoffs here the streaming rights for the original Yellowstone show are often still tied up with Peacock. You might need two subscriptions to watch the whole universe.
Sports Fans
USA Essential: For American viewers this subscription is essential. It is the cheapest way to stream the NFL and Champions League and March Madness.
UK Avoid: Do not buy this for sports in Britain. I found the UK app has absolutely zero live sports coverage. You will need TNT Sports or Sky Sports for that.
Reality TV Junkies
Global Value: If you love unscripted drama this is your new home. I can binge endless seasons of Survivor and The Challenge and Jersey Shore. Whether it is the classic MTV shows or the new All Star Shore the sheer volume of reality content here keeps me glued for hours.
Horror Aficionados
Global Value: This is my go to app for scares. The 'Peak Screaming' collection is genuinely impressive. From the Scream franchise and A Quiet Place to psychological thrillers like Dexter and Yellowjackets I find myself returning to their horror hub all year round not just at Halloween.
Cord Cutters (USA)
USA Specific: For my American friends the Premium plan is a brilliant replacement for cable TV. You get your local CBS station live for news and primetime shows. In the UK we do not get any live channels so it functions purely as an on demand library like Netflix.
Sci Fi Geeks
Global Value: For years being a Trek fan meant hunting across Netflix and Amazon. Now finally every single series is under one roof in both the UK and the US. You can watch everything from the 1960s original to Strange New Worlds and the new Starfleet Academy.
Most Controversial Paramount Plus Shows
My Take on the Scandals That Shook the Platform
Yellowstone (The Costner Feud)
The off screen drama eclipsed the actual show for me. Kevin Costner's messy exit and the decision to kill off John Dutton off screen left me and many other fans furious. It felt like the biggest show on TV ended with a whimper rather than a bang due to ego clashes.
Halo (The Fan Revolt)
This was a lesson in how not to adapt a video game. As a fan I hated that Master Chief constantly removed his helmet. The writers openly ignoring the lore made it hard to watch and its cancellation was arguably celebrated more than its premiere.
Tulsa King (Set Allegations)
Sylvester Stallone's mob hit was marred by serious allegations of a toxic environment on set. Reading reports that background actors were mocked led to the casting agency quitting which cast a dark shadow over an otherwise fun series for me.
South Park (The Banned List)
While the specials are exclusive here I noticed five specific episodes remain banned by Paramount due to depictions of religious figures. It sparks a constant debate about censorship. Is a streaming service truly the home of a show if it hides the most controversial chapters?
Our 2026 Score: 8.0/10
Tom Cruise and Starfleet keep it afloat but the January 15th price hike stings. Down from 8.2/10 in 2025.
The "Academy" Premiere (+1.5)
The hype for Star Trek Starfleet Academy is real. With the double episode premiere dropping this Thursday on Jan 15th the platform finally has a fresh flagship to replace Discovery. It is the big event TV launch that subscribers have been waiting for since the merger closed.
The "Final Reckoning" (+1.0)
Paramount Skydance has nailed the cinema to home window. Mission Impossible The Final Reckoning landed on streaming just in time for the holidays on Dec 4th and it looks incredible. Having a billion dollar blockbuster included in the standard monthly price adds immense value.
The "Skydance" Price Hike (-1.2)
This is the main reason for the score drop. The new pricing structure kicks in on January 15th pushing the Ad Free plan to £10.99. If you are reading this before Thursday you have roughly 72 hours to lock in an annual plan at the old rate.
The "Free Trial" Extinction (-0.5)
We were disappointed to see the classic 7 day free trial quietly removed for new accounts this month. It makes it much harder to recommend the service to friends who just want to try before they buy. This feature had been standard for years.
The "UFC" Envy (-0.5)
As of January 1st US subscribers now get exclusive UFC Fight Nights included in their package which replaced ESPN. UK users get nothing. Paying nearly the same price as American users but missing out on the biggest sports addition of the year feels incredibly unfair.
The Interface Lag (-0.3)
Despite the rebranding to "Paramount Skydance" last August the app itself has not improved. We still encounter buffering issues on the Standard plan and the menu navigation often feels two steps behind your remote control clicks compared to the snappy Disney+ app.
How We Rate Paramount Plus
Affiliate Disclosure We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links, however, commission rates are never a factor in our rankings.
Our final score for Paramount Plus is calculated using the 'Balanced Default' weighting profile. This ensures a fair, comparable score against all other providers. See our full ranking methodology here.
How this ensures transparency:
This approach lets us judge the best service for each customer without bias. Commission, CPA, payout rates, and margins are not used anywhere in the scoring model, so providers cannot buy a higher rank. Every score is computed for what’s best for the customer.