Top 5 Must-Watch Paramount+ Shows This Week: January 12–16, 2026

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If you’re looking for something new to watch on Paramount+ this week, you might be curious about what’s actually worth your time. It’s worth noting that despite the Golden Globes being streamed on Paramount+, very few of their original shows received nominations in 2026.

From January 12th to 16th, 2026, Paramount+ will launch a new series perfect for science fiction lovers. Beyond that, Taylor Sheridan’s popular shows remain strong, and there are also some great older movies and series available if you’re in the mood for a classic.

Matlock

I was so thrilled to see Matlock get a Golden Globe nomination in 2026, especially for Kathy Bates! She’s fantastic as Madeline Matlock, a lawyer carrying on the name of the original Ben Matlock, who Andy Griffith famously played. It’s not a direct continuation – Madeline isn’t related to Ben – but it’s a really sweet tribute. Apparently, the original Matlock was her late daughter’s favorite show, so she decided to honor her memory by using the name. It adds a lovely layer to the reboot, and I’m rooting for Kathy!

If you enjoy legal shows, high-quality TV, or the work of Kathy Bates, you should definitely start watching Matlock soon, especially since it was recently recognized at the 2026 Golden Globes. The second half of season two is coming to CBS and Paramount+ in late February, so now is a great time to catch up on this popular crime drama if you haven’t seen it yet.

MobLand

Besides “MobLand,” no other shows from Paramount+ received recognition at the 2026 Golden Globes. “MobLand” featured stars Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren, but only Mirren was nominated for an award – Best Actress in a TV Drama, though she didn’t win, losing to Rhea Seehorn from the acclaimed series “Pluribus.” Mirren was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille award, however.

Throughout 2025, MobLand quickly became a standout series on Paramount+, and many felt it should have received more awards attention. Created by Guy Ritchie, the show dives into the gritty world of London’s criminal underworld. If you enjoy crime dramas such as Mayor of Kingstown and Peaky Blinders, MobLand is a must-watch series you’ll want to binge on Paramount+.

School Spirits

If you’re looking for a great fantasy drama, check out School Spirits on Paramount+. With the third season arriving on January 28th, now’s the perfect time to start watching – or revisit the series if you’re already a fan! It’s a critically acclaimed show, earning a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is considered a hidden gem.

School Spirits centers around Maddie Nears, a teen played by Peyton List, who finds herself investigating her own death from the afterlife. Stuck at her high school, she teams up with other ghosts to solve the mystery, and along the way discovers some surprising secrets about her living friends. Based on a popular graphic novel, it’s an enjoyable show to watch without any heavy violence.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

This week, Paramount+ is launching the new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy with its first two episodes on Thursday, January 15th. A second season is already planned for the show, which continues the story after the events of Star Trek: Discovery. You can watch all five seasons of Star Trek: Discovery now on Paramount+.

Similar to the later seasons of Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set in the 32nd Century, long after the original Star Trek series with Captain Kirk, Spock, and the USS Enterprise. The show stars Holly Hunter, Stephen Colbert, and Paul Giamatti, and is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys Star Trek’s TV shows and movies. It currently has an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Landman

Now that Landman has finished its second season (the finale aired January 18th), it’s a good time to catch up on Taylor Sheridan’s latest hit. However, opinions on season 2 are mixed – while some viewers still love it, others find it doesn’t live up to the first season, resulting in a fairly low 40% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The first season of the Billy Bob Thornton drama was a big hit for Paramount+. While the second season is still very popular – currently the most-watched show on Paramount+ in the U.S. – many viewers feel the quality has dropped. It’s moved away from being a gripping thriller and now feels more like a drawn-out soap opera. Despite this, Landman is still enjoyable, and it remains to be seen if the season finale this Sunday on Paramount+ can improve things.

Looking for something new to stream this week? Ebaster has updated its guides to help you find the best shows and movies on Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, and HBO Max.

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2026-01-13 03:11