Top 10 Movies To Watch This Week on Paramount Plus | May 18, 2025

Looking for something good to watch this week on Paramount Plus? We’ve got you. Whether you’re into action, comedy, drama, or something completely unexpected, Paramount Plus has a killer lineup right now. We’re talking classic slashers, animated chaos, heartwarming family stories, and even some apocalyptic madness. If you’re trying to avoid scrolling for an hour trying to pick something, don’t worry—we’ve already done the hard part. Here are the top 10 movies you absolutely need to check out this week.

Rango (2011)

Okay, if you’ve never seen Rango, you’re in for a treat. It’s an animated Western, but like… a really weird, hilarious, and surprisingly deep one. Johnny Depp voices Rango, this clueless chameleon who accidentally becomes the sheriff of a dusty desert town called Dirt. And he’s not even remotely qualified, which is what makes it amazing.

It’s like if you threw a spaghetti Western, a Looney Tunes cartoon, and a Johnny Depp fever dream in a blender. The animation is stunning, the jokes are sharp, and the voice cast is stacked—Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy, Ned Beatty, and more. But what really makes Rango a must-watch is how it balances goofy comedy with some genuinely epic, emotional moments. It’s basically a love letter to Westerns with a side of pure chaos.

Hostage (2005)

If you’re in the mood for something dark and intense, Hostage is the way to go. Bruce Willis is at his absolute best here, playing a burned-out hostage negotiator who thought he’d left that life behind—until a botched robbery spirals into a full-blown nightmare, with a family trapped inside their own home and Willis caught in the middle.

This is not your typical action movie. It’s tense, brutal, and honestly way more emotional than you’d expect. Ben Foster is straight-up terrifying as one of the criminals, and the whole thing just keeps you on edge. It’s like Die Hard if Die Hard was way more depressing. So if you’re ready for a gritty thriller that doesn’t pull any punches, this one’s a no-brainer.

Instant Family (2018)

Need something that’ll make you laugh, cry, and maybe call your mom? Instant Family is perfect. Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne star as a couple who decide to adopt three kids at once, and let’s just say they have no idea what they’re getting into. It’s hilarious and chaotic, but also so, so sweet.

This isn’t just some fluffy feel-good movie, though. It’s actually based on director Sean Anders’ real experience adopting, which means it’s got way more heart (and way more realness) than you’d expect. The kids are amazing, especially Isabela Moner as the tough-but-vulnerable big sister. And with Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro as the no-nonsense social workers, you’re basically guaranteed to have a good time. Whether you’re a parent, thinking about being one, or just like a good laugh-cry combo, this one’s a must.

World War Z (2013)

Ready for some non-stop chaos? World War Z is like a global zombie panic button. Brad Pitt is running, flying, and somehow still looking cool while the entire world goes to hell around him. It’s not just a zombie movie—it’s a full-on, worldwide disaster.

What makes this one stand out is the scale. We’re talking massive, swarming hordes of zombies, entire cities getting overrun, and Brad Pitt just trying to keep his family alive while also, you know, saving humanity. The action scenes are wild (that wall-climbing zombie scene is straight-up iconic), but it’s also surprisingly smart, exploring how different countries would react to a pandemic. If you love action, tension, and watching Brad Pitt try not to get eaten, this is for you.

Scream (1996)

Sometimes you just can’t beat a classic, and Scream is a masterpiece. This isn’t just a slasher—it’s THE slasher. It’s like a horror movie that knows it’s a horror movie, and it’s making fun of itself while still being scary as hell. You’ve got Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) just trying to survive high school while a psycho in a ghost mask starts murdering her friends. Fun times, right?

But what makes Scream a legend isn’t just the scares—it’s the way it totally reinvents the genre. Wes Craven basically looked at every horror cliché and said, “Let’s use all of them, but make it brilliant.” It’s got the perfect mix of humor, horror, and some of the most iconic phone calls in movie history. And the cast? Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette—legends. Even if you’ve seen it a million times, it’s always worth a rewatch.

Scream VI (2023)

Okay, if you thought the Scream franchise was out of steam, think again—Scream VI is here to prove you wrong. The survivors from the last movie have ditched Woodsboro and tried to start fresh in New York City, but guess what? Ghostface isn’t done with them. And now, instead of stalking high school hallways, they’re dodging death in crowded subway cars, dark alleys, and even a massive bodega. City of dreams? More like the city of nightmares.

But this isn’t just another slasher—it’s a total reinvention. Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera are back, and they’re absolute powerhouses. Plus, the film has this gritty, almost survival-horror vibe that makes it way scarier than you’d expect. New York is just as much of a character as Ghostface, and watching the masked killer hunt through a packed city is pure chaos. If you thought you knew how a Scream movie goes, this one’s gonna surprise you.

School of Rock (2003)

Look, if you need a feel-good, rock-your-face-off kind of movie, School of Rock is the obvious choice. Jack Black is at his absolute best here as Dewey Finn, a washed-up rock musician who fakes his way into a substitute teaching job at a posh private school. But instead of teaching math and science, he turns his class of straight-laced kids into a full-blown rock band.

But it’s not just about the laughs (and there are a lot of them). This movie is basically a love letter to music, and there’s something genuinely magical about watching these shy, uptight kids come out of their shells and find their inner rock stars. Joan Cusack is hilarious as the strict but secretly awesome principal, and the kid actors are crazy talented. Whether you’re in the mood to laugh, sing, or just feel a little better about life, School of Rock delivers every time.

Mean Girls (2024)

Okay, so you’ve seen the original Mean Girls, but this new musical version? It’s got all the drama, comedy, and savage burns of the classic, but with some absolutely killer songs. Angourie Rice steps into the role of Cady Heron, the sweet, awkward new girl who gets caught in the middle of a high school popularity war led by the iconic Regina George (Reneé Rapp). And yes, the Plastics are just as vicious as ever.

But it’s not just a copy-paste of the original. This new version leans way more into the over-the-top musical chaos, and the cast is loaded with talent. The songs are catchy, the choreography is a blast, and it somehow feels both nostalgic and totally fresh. If you love the original, you’ll love this—and if you somehow never saw it, this is a perfect place to start. It’s just so… fetch!

Better Man (2024)

This one’s a trip, but in the best way. Better Man is a biographical musical about Robbie Williams—but instead of just being a straight-up drama, it’s this surreal, fantasy take on his life, where he’s sometimes portrayed as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee. Yeah, you read that right. And somehow, it totally works.

Directed by Michael Gracey (the guy behind The Greatest Showman), it’s a wild, emotional, and incredibly creative take on fame, identity, and everything that comes with being a pop star. Jonno Davies is incredible as Robbie, bringing all the swagger, charm, and chaos you’d expect. But this isn’t just a tribute—it’s a full-blown rollercoaster through the highs and lows of fame. If you love musical biopics like Rocketman or Bohemian Rhapsody, this one’s got your name all over it.

Zoolander (2001)

If you’ve never seen Zoolander, stop everything and fix that immediately. It’s one of the most hilariously unhinged comedies ever made. Ben Stiller is Derek Zoolander, a clueless but ridiculously famous male model who somehow gets roped into a wild conspiracy to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. And why? Because he’s “really, really, ridiculously good-looking.” No, seriously—that’s the whole plan.

This movie is pure, glorious chaos. It’s packed with insane one-liners, larger-than-life characters, and a fashion world so absurd it makes real runways look tame. Will Ferrell is Mugatu, the fashion villain of your dreams (or nightmares), and Owen Wilson’s Hansel is the laid-back, too-cool rival who steals every scene. And the whole thing is packed with cameos from everyone—David Bowie, Billy Zane, even Donald Trump (don’t ask). It’s stupid in the smartest way possible, and you’ll be quoting it forever. Orange mocha frappuccinos, anyone?

Wrap Up

Alright, there you go—the top 10 movies you absolutely need to check out this week on Paramount Plus. Whether you’re in the mood to laugh, cry, get your heart racing, or just turn your brain off for a bit, there’s something here with your name on it.

Feeling nostalgic? Fire up School of Rock and rock out with Jack Black. Need some chaos? Scream VI will have you double-checking your locks. In the mood for something sweet? Instant Family has enough heart to make you tear up, and enough jokes to keep it from getting sappy.

Look, the worst part of streaming is scrolling for an hour trying to decide what to watch—so don’t. Pick one of these, grab some snacks, and let the binge begin. And if you end up loving (or hating) any of them, come back and tell us all about it. We love a good “that was way better than I thought” moment. Happy watching