Streaming services may be locked in an endless battle for subscribers, but few are stacking their May 2025 slates as aggressively as Paramount+. With the addition of 92 new movies to its library — including Oscar-winning masterpieces, cult favorites, and genre classics — plus a lineup of original series that are rapidly evolving into must-watch properties, Paramount+ is not just staying in the game. It’s leveling up.
May 1st Movie Drop Brings Oscar Glory and Genre Gold
Call it a mid-year awards encore. Paramount+’s massive movie haul for May kicks off on the first day of the month, and it’s loaded with prestige titles that earned critical acclaim and industry respect. Films like Minari, Parasite, The Queen, Nebraska, and Atlantic City don’t just pad the catalog — they transform it.
Minari — the tender, semi-autobiographical A24 gem about a Korean-American family chasing the American dream in the Ozarks — arrives with a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and an Oscar win for Youn Yuh-jung. Meanwhile, Parasite, Bong Joon Ho’s genre-bending social satire and the first non-English film to win Best Picture, offers a masterclass in storytelling through every frame.
For those who crave emotional resonance over spectacle, The Queen delivers with Helen Mirren’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II during the turbulent aftermath of Princess Diana’s death. And for the road trip enthusiasts among us, Nebraska turns a sweepstakes adventure into a poignant father-son story, with Will Forte showing a quieter side to his comedic chops.
These aren’t just filler films. These are the kinds of movies that redefine what a streaming library can be. And with Parasite and Minari now in the mix, film lovers have every reason to dive into Paramount+ this May.
Original Series Lineup Proves Paramount+ Means Business
While the movie additions are stealing the critical spotlight, it’s the original series where Paramount+ is building long-term momentum. May 2025 brings brand-new seasons and unforgettable finales to some of the platform’s most loyal fan bases.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 premieres on May 8, and it’s doubling down on the psychological intensity that made the original series a procedural powerhouse. With the BAU team forced to collaborate once again with Elias Voit — now a pawn in a darker game — the show is exploring moral gray areas and tactical mind games like never before. Watching the core team of Paget Brewster, Joe Mantegna, and Aisha Tyler navigate this chaos feels like witnessing Batman team up with the Punisher — familiar, but infinitely edgier.
Not far behind is SkyMed Season 3, the high-altitude medical drama that’s quickly become a hidden gem in the streaming ecosystem. Following the lives of nurses and pilots rescuing patients in remote Northern Canada, the new season promises more heart-stopping emergencies, tangled relationships, and emotional rescues. Think Grey’s Anatomy meets Into the Wild — but with way more oxygen debt.
And for those craving something darker and more real, the upcoming season of Happy Face — premiering March 20 but still a key player in the conversation — delves into true crime with a personal twist. Featuring Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid, the series uncovers the psyche of a daughter confronting her serial killer father, while racing to prevent a wrongful conviction. It’s Mindhunter meets Prison Break, but grounded in chilling reality.
Beckham & Friends Live Brings Sports Stardom to Streaming
In a move that blurs the lines between sports broadcasting and entertainment, Paramount+ is launching Beckham & Friends Live — a live talk show hosted by David Beckham. Airing during the UEFA Champions League semis and finals, Beckham will riff off the action with guests from sports and entertainment worlds. It’s a bold experiment in live streaming, and one that could reshape how we watch games. Imagine Off the Air with Deadpool — but with more cleats and charisma.
Paramount+’s May Mix of Nostalgia, Innovation, and Star Power
Beyond the glitz of new releases, Paramount+ is catering to every kind of viewer. Animated comedy fans can jump into Rock Paper Scissors, a wild series about three friends whose everyday problems spiral into absurd adventures. Reality TV junkies have more seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race to feast on. And families can revisit the magic of Charlotte’s Web — because some stories never age.
What’s most impressive about Paramount+’s May slate is how seamlessly it weaves together prestige cinema, genre series, live events, and nostalgic comfort food. It’s a portfolio strategy that Marvel and DC only dream about — a place where Parasite and Criminal Minds exist under the same roof, and somehow, it works.
Why Paramount+ Is Becoming the Underdog Streaming Titan
In a streaming world dominated by Netflix’s volume and Disney+’s franchise firepower, Paramount+ is carving out a unique identity. It’s not about having the biggest budget for superheroes or the most billion-dollar IPs. It’s about curation, confidence, and courage. Adding nearly 100 high-caliber films in one day, while simultaneously pushing original series that engage, challenge, and entertain — that’s a playbook worth watching.
May 2025 might just be the month when Paramount+ steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Whether you’re a die-hard investigator tracking the evolution of the BAU, a cinephile hunting for Oscar gold in streaming form, or just someone looking for a crazy good time with three roommates named Rock, Paper, and Scissors — Paramount+ has you covered.
And honestly, that kind of range is more powerful than any superhero squad.