Best Movies to Stream this Weekend on Paramount+, Including ‘The Friend’

If you are planning a simple movie weekend, Paramount+ has a mix of fresh releases, platform originals, and big franchise favorites that make it easy to press play without overthinking it. This roundup follows a clear order so you can start with the week’s newest arrivals and then move into standout Paramount+ originals before finishing with modern classics tied to fan favorite series on the service.

The first two titles landed this week, so they are at the top for an easy find. After that you will see a run of films made for Paramount+ that highlight new voices and familiar stars, followed by two evergreen picks that connect to worlds many viewers are already exploring on the platform.

‘The Friend’ (2025)

Adapted from the novel by Sigrid Nunez, this drama follows a New York writer named Iris who inherits her late mentor’s Great Dane and slowly rebuilds a life that now includes grief and unexpected companionship. The story moves through literary circles and city apartments as Iris measures memories against the present and learns what it means to keep faith with a friend.

The film is written and directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, a longtime filmmaking duo known for character driven stories with quiet precision. Naomi Watts leads as Iris with Bill Murray featured as the mentor whose death sets events in motion, and the production leans on intimate camerawork and a city setting that frames the bond between person and dog.

‘Halloween II’ (2009)

This sequel continues the story of Laurie Strode as she tries to process the trauma left by Michael Myers while the masked killer begins a new pursuit that cuts through hospitals and small town streets. The plot builds around visions and unraveling identities as Laurie’s world closes in and the threat becomes immediate again.

Rob Zombie writes and directs with an approach that pushes character perspective and visual grit. Scout Taylor Compton returns as Laurie with Tyler Mane as Michael Myers and Malcolm McDowell as Dr Samuel Loomis, while Danielle Harris, Brad Dourif, and Sheri Moon Zombie round out the cast across scenes that connect directly to the preceding chapter.

‘South Park: The End Of Obesity’ (2024)

Cartman hears about new weight loss drugs and pushes for a quick solution while the rest of town chases the same idea with side effects that ripple everywhere. The story runs through school hallways and doctor visits as schemes grow and the boys try to keep up.

Trey Parker writes and directs with voice performances by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, April Stewart, and Mona Marshall. The special is produced for Paramount+ by MTV Entertainment Studios and South Park Digital Studios and uses a feature length format to tell a single self contained story.

‘South Park (Not Suitable for Children)’ (2025)

The town faces a crisis over what is acceptable for kids to watch and the boys land at the center of the mess as usual. Parents, school staff, and local leaders collide while rules shift and everyone argues over boundaries.

The special comes from Trey Parker and Matt Stone with Parker directing and the core voice cast returning. It continues the run of Paramount+ exclusive events made under the ongoing deal with MTV Entertainment Studios and South Park Digital Studios.

‘Novocaine’ (2025)

Nathan Caine is an assistant bank manager with a condition that prevents him from feeling pain and that becomes a strange advantage when a holiday season heist targets his branch. When a coworker named Sherry is taken, Nathan pushes into the chase and follows a line of clues across the city.

Dan Berk and Robert Olsen direct from a screenplay by Lars Jacobson. Jack Quaid stars as Nathan with Amber Midthunder as Sherry and supporting roles for Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon, Betty Gabriel, and Matt Walsh and the film is released by Paramount Pictures.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

Pete Maverick Mitchell returns to Top Gun to train a new squad for a mission that requires precision flying and flawless teamwork. The plot connects Maverick with the son of a fallen friend and builds toward a low altitude strike that tests every pilot.

Joseph Kosinski directs with Tom Cruise leading a cast that includes Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Jon Hamm, and Val Kilmer. Producers include Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, and Christopher McQuarrie and the music team brings together Harold Faltermeyer, Hans Zimmer, and Lorne Balfe.

‘South Park: Joining the Panderverse’ (2023)

Cartman has vivid dreams where familiar faces look and act very different while the town wrestles with changes and worries about new tech tools. The boys chase answers as Randy spins up another side business that ties into the chaos.

Trey Parker directs and co writes with the special produced by MTV Entertainment Studios for Paramount+. The voice cast features Trey Parker, Matt Stone, April Stewart, and Mona Marshall and the movie length format lets the story jump between many versions of the characters.

‘South Park: The Streaming Wars’ (2022)

A water shortage hits town and a dispute over streams turns into a fight that pulls Cartman, Stan, Kyle, and Randy into another round of business plans and neighborhood standoffs. The plot links local politics with a rush of new platforms and a plan at Tegridy Farms.

Trey Parker writes and directs with Parker and Matt Stone leading the voice cast alongside April Stewart and Mona Marshall. The special is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and South Park Digital Studios specifically for Paramount+ and uses the longer runtime to widen the town level stakes.

‘A Walk Among the Tombstones’ (2014)

A former NYPD detective named Matthew Scudder works as an unlicensed private investigator and takes a case from a drug trafficker after a kidnapping ends in tragedy. The search pulls him across New York as he pieces together a pattern and gets close to the people responsible.

Scott Frank writes and directs the adaptation of Lawrence Block’s novel with Liam Neeson leading the cast. Dan Stevens, David Harbour, and Brian Astro Bradley appear in supporting roles and the film leans on location shooting to ground the investigative work.

‘Mean Girls’ (2004)

Cady Heron transfers from home schooling to North Shore High and meets the Plastics while new friendships pull her in a different direction. A crush on Aaron Samuels and a plan to change the social order push the story toward a showdown with Regina George.

Mark Waters directs from a screenplay by Tina Fey with Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, and Amanda Seyfried in the core group. The ensemble also includes Tina Fey, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Franzese, Jonathan Bennett, Tim Meadows, and Amy Poehler and the film was released by Paramount Pictures.

Tell us which of these films you are queuing up on Paramount+ this weekend in the comments.