Looking through the list of everything new on Paramount+ this January 2026, I found over a dozen newly added movies on the streaming service that are clear must-watches. That’s a big number to add to your watchlist this month, and you might be wondering where to start.
Well, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a full list of every must-watch movie added to Paramount+ this January, along with some helpful information. In addition to the title and trailer, I’ve included a brief synopsis and my take on why the movie is a must-watch.
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‘Searching For Bobby Fischer’ (1993)
Genre: Sports drama biopic
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
What’s it about: Based on the life of chess prodigy Joshua Waitzkin (Max Pomeranc), “Searching for Bobby Fischer” follows Josh as he learns chess, playing against Vinnie (Laurence Fishburne) in Washington Square. As his prodigious talent grows, he finds a new mentor in Bruce Pandolfini (Ben Kingsley), a chess master who disapproves of what Vinnie has taught Josh. Now, Josh has to balance what his mentors have taught him in his pursuit of greatness.
Why you should watch it: While nominally about chess, this movie is really an exploration of human nature and relationships. With Pomeranc acting against Fishburne, Kingsley and Joe Mantegna, who play’s Josh’s father, the performances alone are worth the price of admission.
Stream “Searching for Bobby Fischer” on Paramount+ now
‘Dead Man Walking’ (1995)
DEAD MAN WALKING (1995) | Official Trailer | MGM – YouTube
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Genre: Crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
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What’s it about: Based on a non-fiction book by the same name, “Dead Man Walking” stars Susan Sarandon as Sister Helen Prejean. She forms a relationship with Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn), a death row inmate in Louisiana, to whom she becomes a spiritual advisor and works to save him from death by lethal injection.
Why you should watch it: “Dead Man Walking” scored four Oscar nominations, with Sarandon winning for her performance. It’s also poigniant examination of good and evil.
Stream “Dead Man Walking” on Paramount+ now
‘The Crying Game’ (1992)
The Crying Game | Official Trailer (HD) – Forest Whitaker, Stephen Rea | MIRAMAX – YouTube
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Genre: Crime thriller
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
What’s it about: Set against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, “The Crying Game” is largely centered around Fergus (Stephen Rea), a Provisional Irish Republican Army soldier who develops an unexpected relationship with the girlfriend (Jaye Davidson) of a British soldier (Forest Whitaker).
Why you should watch it: There are some excellent performances, but there are also some truly shocking twists. It’s also an incredibly complex story that explores not just nationalism, but race, gender and sexuality in ways that feel organic.
Stream “The Crying Game” on Paramount+ now
‘High Noon’ (1952)
High Noon (1952) Official Trailer – Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly Movie HD – YouTube
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Genre: Western
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
What’s it about: Gary Cooper stars as Marshal Will Kane, who is about to leave the New Mexico town of Hadleyville with his new wife, Amy (Grace Kelly). But before he can leave, word arrives that the criminal Frank Miller (Ian MacDonald) is out of prison and arriving on the noon train. Now, Will must decide whether to leave with his pacifist, Quaker wife, or stay to defend his town and honor — and possibly die.
Why you should watch it: Simply put, “High Noon” is one of the greatest movies ever made. It also has an iconic ending that you’ve likely either seen before or seen referenced in other movies.
Stream “High Noon” on Paramount+ now
‘Serpico’ (1973)
Genre: Crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
What’s it about: Technically a biopic, “Serpico” follows the titular New York Police Department detective Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) as he works as a whistleblower against corruption in the NYPD.
Why you should watch it: At the time the movie was released, some complained about the movie’s portrayal of what were famously real-life events. But Pacino’s performance received near-universal acclaim and is among the best of his incredible career.
Stream “Serpico” on Paramount+ now
‘Blue Story’ (2019)
Blue Story (2020) – Official Trailer – Paramount Pictures – YouTube
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Genre: Musical crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
What’s it about: “Blue Story” follows Marco (Micheal Ward) and Timmy (Stephen Odubola), two friends who get drawn into a London gang war between Marco’s neighborhood gang, the Peckham Boys, and the Ghetto Boys, a gang in Timmy’s neighborhood of Deptford.
Why you should watch it: How many crime drama musicals do you know of? It’s pretty much this and “West Side Story,” and while “Blue Story” isn’t quite at that level, it is a fresh modern take on gang violence.
Stream “Blue Story” on Paramount+ now
‘Baby Driver’ (2017)
BABY DRIVER – Official Trailer (HD) – YouTube
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Genre: Action thriller
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
What’s it about: Ansel Elgort stars as Baby, a getaway driver for Atlanta criminals led by local kingpin Doc (Kevin Spacey). He meets Debora (Lily James), a waitress at Bo’s Diner, and decides it’s time for him to make his own getaway — with her.
Why you should watch it: One of Edgar Wright’s best films and probably the best performance of Elgort’s career, this movie is loaded with excellent car chases and equally excellent performances from a loaded cast.
Stream “Baby Driver” on Paramount+ now
‘Election’ (1999)
Election (1999) Official Trailer #1 – Reese Witherspoon Movie HD – YouTube
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Genre: Black comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
What’s it about: Revolving around a student government election, “Election” stars Matthew Broderick as Jim McAllister. He’s a high school history teacher who persuades football player Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) to run against Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), a student Jim believes needs to suffer after getting away with having an affair with another teacher.
Why you should watch it: Writer/director Alexander Payne is a masterful writer, and “Election” is among his best scripts. If you love a witty, biting comedy, this is a must-watch.
Stream “Election” on Paramount+ now
‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING – Official Trailer (HD) – YouTube
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Genre: Superhero
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
What’s it about: Starring Tom Holland as the MCU’s take on Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, a high school student who fights crime after gaining powers from a spider. He has to navigate taking his crush, Liz (Laura Harrier), to the homecoming dance while also stopping the flying criminal known as Vulture (Michael Keaton) from stealing a plane full of weapons.
Why you should watch it: It’s the best Spider-Man movie. Yes, I said it. Watch it, then tell me I’m wrong.
Stream “Spider-Man: Homecoming” on Paramount+ now
‘The Grifters’ (1990)
The Grifters | Official Trailer (HD) – John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening | MIRAMAX – YouTube
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Genre: Neo-noir crime thriller
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
What’s it about: Con artist Lilly Dillon (Anjelica Huston) visits her son, small-time criminal Roy (John Cusack), en route to a job. She meets his girlfriend, Myra, another con artist, and thus begins a twisty thriller pinning the two women in Roy’s life against each other.
Why you should watch it: The performances are great, but it’s the script that makes this movie a must-watch. You won’t see the ending coming.
Stream “The Grifters” on Paramount+ now
‘The Little Prince’ (2015)
The Little Prince Official Trailer #1 (2015) – Marion Cotillard, Jeff Bridges Animated Movie HD – YouTube
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Genre: Animated fantasy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
What’s it about: A single mother (Rachel McAdams) has planned out her young daughter’s (Mackenzie Foy) life to ensure her success. But the girl throws a wrench in those plans when she befriends the elderly Aviator next door, who tells her the story of the Little Prince (Riley Osborne).
Why you should watch it: It’s probably the only film on this list that’s friendly for the entire family. But it’s also an acclaimed film in its own right, earning praise for its animation.
Stream “The Little Prince” on Paramount+ now
’10 Cloverfield Lane’
10 Cloverfield Lane Trailer (2016) – Paramount Pictures – YouTube
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Genre: Sci-fi horror
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
What’s it about: A companion piece to “Cloverfield,” this story in the franchise follows Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a young woman who wakes up in an underground bunker following a car crash. With her are two men (John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr.) who insist that the Earth’s surface is no longer inhabitable.
Why you should watch it: Despite just a cast of three and largely taking place in a bunker, this movie never feels like it needs more. You’re far too engaged to ever think of it as being threadbare or spartan.
Stream “10 Cloverfield Lane” on Paramount+ now
‘City of God’ (2002)
City of God (2002) Official Trailer – Crime Drama HD – YouTube
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Genre: Epic crime drama
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
What’s it about: Based on a 1997 novel, this 130-minute-long epic explores organized crime in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, ultimately focusing on a gang war between drug dealer Li’l Zé (Leandro Firmino) and the charismatic killer Knockout Ned (Seu Jorge).
Why you should watch it: This movie is basically “Goodfellas” set in Brazil. Is that reductive? Yes. Will you care after watching this masterpiece? Probably not.
Stream “City of God” on Paramount+ now
‘The Martian’ (2017)
The Martian | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX – YouTube
![The Martian | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX - YouTube](https://www.inbella.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1768385545_764_maxresdefault.jpg)
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Genre: Science fiction
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
What’s it about: Matt Damon plays astronaut Mark Watney, who has been stranded on Mars during a dust storm. Now, he must survive for months on the red planet while those on Earth scramble to rescue him.
Why you should watch it: Despite being erroneously billed as a comedy by the Golden Globes, this movie has a few funny moments. But for the most part, it’s a propulsive, engaging sci-fi drama that will have you already rooting for Mark not long after it starts.
Stream “The Martian” on Paramount+ now
‘Zero Dark Thirty’ (2012)
Clerks | Official Trailer (HD) – Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes | MIRAMAX – YouTube
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Genre: Black-and-white comedy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
What’s it about: “Clerks” follows convenience store clerks Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) as they make it through a day’s shift.
Why you should watch it: I could say you need to watch this because it’s an achievement in independent filmmaking. I could tell you that it’s worth watching for the first appearance of Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (writer/director Kevin Smith). But really, you need to watch it for the scene where Dante and Randal debate the ethical ramifications of being a contractor on the Death Star in “Star Wars.”
Stream “Clerks” on Paramount+ now
‘Zodiac’ (2007)
Zodiac (2007) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers – YouTube
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Genre: Mystery thriller
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
What’s it about: “Zodiac” is set in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the notorious serial killer known as the Zodiac Killer was active in the San Francisco Bay Area. It largely centers around Political cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), crime reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.), San Francisco police inspector Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and his partner Bill Armstrong (Anthony Edwards), each of whom plays a key role in the hunt for this dangerous killer.
Why you should watch it: This might be David Fincher’s best film, depending on who you ask. It’s probably between this and “The Social Network.” The ensemble cast alone is worth watching, but the fact that it’s an incredibly crafted film doesn’t hurt.
Stream “Zodiac” on Paramount+ now
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