Top 5 Must-Watch Paramount+ Shows This Week: Dec 29–Jan 2, 2026

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Here are 5 top shows on Paramount+ perfect for binge-watching this week, from December 29th, 2025, to January 2nd, 2026. The list includes a fantastic modern Western, a beloved animated classic, a powerful historical drama, and a highly-rated sci-fi series that expands on an existing story.

As a total film buff, I’m excited to share some great streaming picks to kick off the new year! Ebaster’s got you covered across platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. Right now, I’m absolutely recommending this new crime thriller – it’s getting rave reviews with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, so you have to check it out!

1923

Taylor Sheridan’s Western drama, 1923, is currently one of the most popular shows around the world. As a prequel to Yellowstone, the series tells an epic story over 15 episodes and recently finished its second season of seven episodes in April 2025.

Featuring Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Brandon Sklenar, and a talented cast, 1923 is a highly praised original series by Taylor Sheridan. It boasts a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and received two Emmy nominations – a significant achievement for any show from Sheridan.

Kevin Costner’s character in Yellowstone, John Dutton, has a great-uncle named Jacob Dutton, who is played by Ford in 1923. If you’re looking for a captivating Western series set in the early 1900s, full of action, drama, and adventure, 1923 is a top pick on Paramount+.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Many people consider the original Avatar: The Last Airbender to be one of the best animated series ever created, and it’s often praised as one of the greatest TV shows of all time. With a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9.3 rating on IMDb, this show appeals to viewers of all ages, despite being initially marketed towards children.

I absolutely loved Avatar: The Last Airbender! It originally came out on Nickelodeon back in 2005 and has 62 episodes spread over three seasons. Just to be clear, it’s totally different from James Cameron’s Avatar – this one’s about a young airbender named Aang. He teams up with his friends Katara and Sokka, and together they have to learn all four elements – water, earth, fire, and of course, air – to restore balance to the world. It’s a really amazing story!

If you’re searching for a great show to watch with your kids, Avatar: The Last Airbender is an excellent choice. It’s also perfect for adults who want a heartwarming, gentle, and nostalgic series to enjoy.

Fellow Travelers

If you enjoyed Heated Rivalry and are looking for something similar now that its first season is over, Fellow Travelers is a great option. Like Heated Rivalry, it’s adapted from a book and tells the story of a secret, decades-long relationship between two men who work for the government, set against the backdrop of the anti-LGBTQ+ climate of 1950s America.

With just eight captivating episodes, Fellow Travelers features strong performances from Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey, both Emmy-nominated for their portrayals of Hawk Fuller and Tim Laughlin. The show tells the story of their complicated, decades-long love affair, which unfolds over 30 years and concludes during the height of the 1980s AIDS crisis.

With a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Fellow Travelers is a compelling series that blends a dramatic true story with passionate romance and heartbreaking moments. If you enjoyed Heated Rivalry, this is the perfect show to watch on Paramount+ this week.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

With the new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy arriving on January 14, 2026, fans can get their sci-fi fix now by watching Star Trek: Strange New Worlds or any other Star Trek show available on Paramount+, including Discovery, Voyager, and Enterprise.

Paramount+ is the best place to watch all things Star Trek, and Strange New Worlds is a standout series that has revitalized the franchise. The show, which currently has three seasons totaling 30 episodes with two more seasons planned, takes place before the original Star Trek from 1966. It follows the adventures of the USS Enterprise and its crew, led by Captain Christopher Pike, played by Anson Mount.

Premiering in 2022, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a show almost anyone can enjoy, even kids, as it’s rated TV-PG. While Paramount+ doesn’t always focus on science fiction, Strange New Worlds is one of the best and most captivating sci-fi series available.

Mayor of Kingstown

Since its premiere in late October, Mayor of Kingstown has been incredibly popular on Paramount+. Now that season 4 has finished, it’s the perfect time to watch the new season – or even the whole series – from beginning to end.

The latest season of Mayor of Kingstown is receiving widespread praise from both critics and viewers. It currently boasts a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and many episodes have earned scores of 9.0 or higher on IMDb. Created by Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan, and with Dave Erickson as executive producer, this season of Mayor of Kingstown is a standout crime thriller and considered one of the best of 2025.

In the intense series Mayor of Kingstown, Jeremy Renner plays a man who keeps the peace between prisoners and criminals in the corrupt town of Kingstown, Michigan. The show boasts a strong cast, a compelling storyline, and visually striking, hard-hitting action. If you’re searching for a new series to get lost in, Mayor of Kingstown is available to stream on Paramount+ now.

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2025-12-29 22:02