One of the most glorious film studios also has a growing streaming platform that showcases original movies and series from varied genres. While Paramount continues to produce big-budget theatrical releases, Paramount+ aims for more diverse streaming options including a host of Star Trek spin-offs as well as recent hype-machines such as the Halo series. 

Regardless of the genre, users on Reddit have many praises to sing about such Paramount+ originals. Even if they might not thoroughly appreciate a show or a movie, particular aspects would serve as redeeming elements for Redditors. 

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Star Trek: Picard

Jean-Luc Picard is one of the most iconic Star Trek characters, thanks to Sir Patrick Stewart’s performance. Set years after Star Trek Nemesis, Picard covers the next chapter in the retired Starfleet admiral’s life. As he grieves the death of Data and Romulus’ destruction, the show covers the different experiences that he undergoes in his final moments. 

Redditors have been loving it not just for its nostalgia factor but also its technical aspects. For instance, as Redditor bewarethetreebadger compares Picard with recent Star Trek offerings, “No crazy lens flares, no Dutch angles, no constantly rotating camera. It’s silk for the eyes.”

ICarly (2021-)

The original iCarly was a live-action 2000s show from Nickelodeon that followed a teenage girl’s unexpectedly viral success through an internet show. Now, years later, Paramount+ has revived the series with all the cast members appearing as their grown-up selves. While there were fears around this revival being unnecessary, it has actually opened to positive reviews.

As Redditor Sumit316 sums it up well, “The new iCarly is weirdly good. There is a certain comfort in revisiting these characters at this point in their lives.”

Ascension (2021)

Ascension is an Oscar-nominated documentary feature that explores the everyday struggles of the working populace in China. To achieve the so-called “Chinese dream,” the people must prioritize maximizing their productivity above everything else. Through this approach, the film also touches upon the different social classes in the country’s society and their specific issues.

Some Redditors such as Reddit1396 loved the Jessica Kingdon-directed documentary for its raw footage instead of specific interviews. “It goes in order from the bottom of the tower (manufacturing industry, lowest wages) to the top (corporate elites)…this film clearly has a coherent message and flow. To me, it was a perfect film. There aren’t any interviews if that’s what you’re looking for. Just footage.”

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South Park: Post Covid (2021)

Post Covid is one of the several Paramount+ TV specials that the South Park franchise has planned. There are a lot of COVID-related jokes as expected but it also goes down as one of the best South Park episodes due to the emotional depth it carries, especially towards its ending. 

When it comes to Reddit, the South Park fan community has been in awe of the dark ending. As AmmathornOP puts it in a nutshell, “The real comedy was the humanity that (Eric) Cartman received from the love of his family only to sacrifice it for the benefit of everyone else. The comedy is so perfect, it’s tragedy.”

1883 (2021-2022)

A prequel to the neo-Western series Yellowstone, 1883 tells the origins of the Dutton family as they travel from Texas to Montana in search for a better future. Thrown in the mix are romantic angles, family values, and Civil War flashbacks.

Viewers have been in awe with the gritty tone of the show that explores the tragedies the family undergoes. Performances of cast members like Sam Elliot, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill were also applauded. To quote Redditor, StandUpForYourWights, “The writing is so much better than Yellowstone. There are just so many really believable characters in it. The work Sam Elliot is doing really helps me forget that I am watching TV.”

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run (2020)

The latest in the line of SpongeBob SquarePants movies, Sponge On The Run finds the titular protagonist teaming up with his best friend Patrick to find his missing snail Gary. His misadventure leads him to all sorts of mysterious creatures including the likes of King Neptune and Keanu Reeves voicing a tumbleweed spirit!

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With its delightful cameos and usual brand of over-the-top humor, Sponge On The Run entertained the franchise’s fans even though a large consensus prefers the other two previous feature films as better alternatives. Still, this Paramount+ original’s 3D animation came as a breath of fresh air. “…the 3D space actually lets the animators put in more details than normal, makes it a little more lively.”, says Redditor Ninclemdo.

Star Trek: Discovery (2017-)

True to the nature of Star Trek shows, Discovery also touches upon space exploration from the perspective of a starship captain (series protagonist Michael Burnham in this case). Set in the events before Star Trek: The Original Series, the show follows the adventures of Burnham’s crew aboard the USS Enterprise. 

When it comes to fan reactions from “Trekkers”, Discovery has had a polarizing reception initially but is now received positively by many. According to Reddit user turandorf, the show’s “seriously amazing VFX” helps in elevating it above its peers. Redditor adamthinks adds, “Overall it’s the best Trek show since Deep Space 9 and could very well be better by the time it finishes its story. It’s not without faults but it’s very very good.

The Twilight Zone (2019)

When it comes to sci-fi and horror anthologies, The Twilight Zone with its essential episodes is an unmatched contender. Its revivals, however, have had a hit-or-miss approach with their episodes. Hosted by Jordan Peele, the 2019 revival still had its fair share of proponents who backed it despite the mixed reception.

NoGenji_ICantHealYou is one of those viewers who have embraced it positively, “They really seem to be embracing the idea that Twilight Zone isn’t a “horror” show, it’s just a “this is f****** weird” show and I’m loving it. In my opinion, they’ve been getting better and better with every episode”.

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Madame X (2021)

Pop queen Madonna released her 14th album Madame X while she was living in Portugal and collaborating with local musicians. The accompanying tour film proved to be quite a highlight for Madonna’s recent career, satisfying her loyal fan groups.

Reddit was equally impressed with Madonna’s return to the stage, calling it one of her best tours. To quote Reddit user dearjessie, “All little clips and bits that were incorporated into this concert are actually not distracting but dare I say open her songs even more?”.

Why Women Kill (2019-)

The dark comedy anthology series Why Women Kill jumps between different time periods in history to recount iconic crimes committed by women. However, rather than stereotyping the killers, the episodes humanize these characters and elaborate on the reasons that drove them towards violence.

With its second season premiering on Paramount+, Why Women Kill became a binge-able hit as is evident from favorable fan reviews. Redditor fransdicket comments a simple verdict to put it in a nutshell, “It’s funny, dramatic, and addictive.”

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About The Author


Shaurya Thapa
(727 Articles Published)

Shaurya Thapa is an Indian freelance journalist who mostly dabbles in writings on cinema, music, and human interest features. When it comes to Screen Rant, he writes lists on a wide array of subjects ranging from international films to mainstream Netflix series and comic book trivia. He also hosts a podcast called ‘BhindiWire’, an Indian parody of IndieWire.

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