Paramount+ Movies You are Sleeping on (but Shouldn’t)

Paramount+ has a deep movie library that ranges from classics to cult favorites and recent originals, and a lot of gems slip past people who stick to the biggest hits. This list spotlights films across genres, decades, and styles that deliver strong casts, sharp filmmaking, or a cool place in movie history. You will find crime thrillers, romantic favorites, under-the-radar sci-fi, and smart comedies that still land today. Each pick includes quick, useful details to help you decide what to watch next.

‘Paper Moon’ (1973)

Peter Bogdanovich directs this Depression-era story about a slick con man who teams up with a sharp young girl on a Midwestern scam run. Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O’Neal headline, with Tatum O’Neal winning an Academy Award at age 10. The black-and-white cinematography frames Kansas and Missouri backroads with crisp period detail. The script adapts Joe David Brown’s novel ‘Addie Pray’ and keeps the grifts coming with smart dialogue.

‘The Conversation’ (1974)

Gene Hackman plays a surveillance expert who records a cryptic exchange and slowly realizes he might be part of something dangerous. Francis Ford Coppola directs a meticulous character study that tracks the ethics of eavesdropping. Walter Murch’s sound design becomes a key storytelling device as the tapes get replayed and decoded. The film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and stands as a landmark of 1970s paranoia cinema.

‘Marathon Man’ (1976)

Dustin Hoffman stars as a grad student pulled into a web involving stolen diamonds and an infamous ex-Nazi dentist. John Schlesinger directs and Laurence Olivier delivers a chilling antagonist. Roy Scheider adds intrigue as a shadowy operative tied to a covert network. The movie blends espionage and psychological tension with New York City locations that ground the danger.

‘The Warriors’ (1979)

A Coney Island gang has to cross New York City overnight after being framed for a high-profile murder at a truce meeting. Walter Hill directs a stylized journey through rival crews, subway rides, and neon-lit streets. The soundtrack and comic-book framing give the story a mythic tone. Its costumes, slang, and roll-call of factions made a lasting pop-culture footprint.

‘Ordinary People’ (1980)

Robert Redford’s directorial debut follows a suburban family coping with grief after a tragedy. Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Timothy Hutton lead a cast that handles difficult material with restraint. The film won Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards. It adapts Judith Guest’s novel and approaches therapy and communication with careful realism.

‘Atlantic City’ (1980)

Burt Lancaster plays an aging small-time numbers runner who crosses paths with a young woman looking for a fresh start. Louis Malle directs a story set during the city’s shift from decline to redevelopment. Susan Sarandon co-stars, and the film earned multiple Oscar nominations. Boardwalk settings and transitional neighborhoods add texture to the characters’ aspirations.

‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ (1982)

Richard Gere plays a naval aviation candidate who must push through a tough training program while figuring out who he wants to be. Debra Winger co-stars as a factory worker, and Louis Gossett Jr. won an Oscar for his drill instructor role. The movie mixes romance, boot-camp challenges, and working-class life in a Pacific Northwest town. Its soundtrack and final scene became instant touchstones.

’48 Hrs.’ (1982)

A cop pulls a convict out of prison for two days to help track down violent fugitives. Walter Hill directs and pairs Nick Nolte with Eddie Murphy in his first film role. The script balances gritty action with sharp comedic back-and-forth. The San Francisco setting and bluesy score support a tight chase structure.

‘Terms of Endearment’ (1983)

This mother-daughter story spans years, careers, and loves with a blend of humor and heartbreak. Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger lead an ensemble that includes Jack Nicholson in a scene-stealing turn. The film won several Academy Awards including Best Picture. Based on Larry McMurtry’s novel, it focuses on everyday choices and the bonds that endure them.

‘Witness’ (1985)

A young Amish boy witnesses a murder, and a Philadelphia detective hides out in rural Pennsylvania to protect him. Harrison Ford earned an Oscar nomination under Peter Weir’s direction. The film contrasts urban corruption with Amish community rhythms. Authentic farm work sequences and barn-raising scenes deepen the culture clash.

‘Children of a Lesser God’ (1986)

A speech teacher at a school for the deaf forms a complicated relationship with a custodian who is a former student. Marlee Matlin won an Academy Award for her performance. The film explores communication, autonomy, and respect for signing versus speech. The story began as a Tony-winning play and carries that intensity into intimate scenes.

‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ (1987)

Two travelers try to get home for the holiday and hit every obstacle along the way. Steve Martin and John Candy headline under John Hughes’s direction. The film stacks transportation mishaps with tight comedic setups and payoffs. Real airports and Midwest motels add a grounded feel to the escalating trip.

‘The Untouchables’ (1987)

Federal agent Eliot Ness assembles a team to take on Al Capone during Prohibition. Brian De Palma directs with a classical score by Ennio Morricone. Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, and Robert De Niro anchor a story that uses period Chicago locations to strong effect. The Union Station sequence and courtroom finale are staged with operatic precision.

‘Black Rain’ (1989)

Two New York detectives escort a Yakuza killer back to Osaka and get pulled into a turf war. Ridley Scott directs with moody night photography and rain-soaked cityscapes. Michael Douglas and Andy García lead the cast with Ken Takakura as a grounded local cop ally. The film looks at cross-cultural policing and corporate crime in late-80s Japan.

‘The Hunt for Red October’ (1990)

A Soviet submarine captain heads toward the United States with an advanced stealth boat, and analysts race to interpret his intentions. John McTiernan directs a tense naval chess match. Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin lead an ensemble of officers, sailors, and analysts. The production uses detailed sets and model work to visualize Cold War hardware.

‘The Addams Family’ (1991)

A long-lost relative appears and shakes up a macabre household that believes it has finally reunited. Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston, and Christina Ricci define the family’s modern screen image. The production design blends Gothic textures with playful gags in every room. It draws on Charles Addams’s cartoons and updates them with early-90s visual effects.

‘Wayne’s World’ (1992)

Two friends run a public-access show and get a shot at the big time with strings attached. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey bring their sketch characters to feature length. The film weaves rock music, suburban hangouts, and fourth-wall asides into a breezy plot. Memorable needle drops and catchphrases keep the energy high.

‘Searching for Bobby Fischer’ (1993)

A child chess prodigy navigates competing coaching styles and parental expectations. Steven Zaillian writes and directs a story adapted from Fred Waitzkin’s book. Ben Kingsley and Laurence Fishburne play mentors who represent different philosophies. Tournament scenes and park hustles give a clear view of American chess culture.

‘The Firm’ (1993)

A young lawyer joins a prestigious Memphis firm and uncovers a dangerous pattern behind its success. Tom Cruise leads a cast that includes Gene Hackman and Holly Hunter. Sydney Pollack stages legal and investigative set pieces around the city’s landmarks. The script adapts John Grisham’s bestseller with steady procedural detail.

‘Clear and Present Danger’ (1994)

Jack Ryan investigates a cartel connection that reaches into official corridors. Harrison Ford returns to the role in a story that moves between Washington and covert operations abroad. The film features a convoy ambush sequence considered a showcase of tactical staging. It examines policy decisions and field realities side by side.

‘Clueless’ (1995)

A Beverly Hills student takes on the project of improving her classmates’ social lives with mixed results. Alicia Silverstone headlines a modern update of ‘Emma’. The movie captures mid-90s teen culture through wardrobe, slang, and mall life. Amy Heckerling’s script maps character arcs to a clear literary framework.

‘Primal Fear’ (1996)

A defense attorney takes a high-profile case involving a young altar boy accused of murder. Richard Gere and Edward Norton anchor a legal thriller with careful courtroom pacing. The Chicago setting supports investigative threads through churches, media, and law offices. The film explores power dynamics between counsel, client, and the public eye.

‘Bulworth’ (1998)

A senator in crisis hires a hit on himself and starts speaking bluntly on the campaign trail. Warren Beatty directs and stars, blending political satire with Los Angeles settings. The film tracks media optics, donor influence, and community stops over a frantic weekend. It uses music and rallies to anchor the character’s late-career pivot.

‘Election’ (1999)

A high school election spins out as a teacher and a driven student clash. Alexander Payne directs a sharp adaptation of Tom Perrotta’s novel. Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick lead a cast that leans into suburban detail. The story uses campaign posters, announcements, and hallways to map small-scale politics.

‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ (1999)

A gifted outsider adopts a new identity among wealthy expatriates on the Italian coast. Anthony Minghella directs an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel. Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law headline an ensemble that moves through Rome and the Amalfi coastline. Production design and wardrobe carefully track class and aspiration.

‘Zoolander’ (2001)

A supermodel gets manipulated into an assassination plot during a fashion feud. Ben Stiller directs and stars alongside Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell. The film builds an over-the-top fashion world with runway sets and magazine spreads. Cameos and music videos shape its pop-culture texture.

‘The Sum of All Fears’ (2002)

A new Jack Ryan analyzes a plot that risks a catastrophic escalation between nuclear powers. Ben Affleck takes the role with Morgan Freeman as a senior mentor. The story moves through intelligence briefings, fieldwork, and crisis rooms. Practical effects and miniatures support large-scale sequences.

‘School of Rock’ (2003)

A substitute teacher turns a class into a band and aims for a local competition. Jack Black fronts original songs and rehearsals that double as lessons. Richard Linklater directs with real young musicians in key roles. The film tracks music theory basics, stagecraft, and teamwork through classroom scenes.

‘Team America: World Police’ (2004)

A marionette task force takes on a global threat with elaborate miniature sets. Trey Parker and Matt Stone stage action scenes using handcrafted vehicles and cityscapes. The production relies on puppetry rigs, custom costumes, and meticulous model work. Original songs and practical explosions give it a distinct technical identity.

‘Zodiac’ (2007)

Newspaper staff and detectives follow a serial case that spans years and jurisdictions. David Fincher directs with attention to newsroom routines, handwriting analysis, and forensics of the era. The timeline organizes clues, coded letters, and suspect interviews. San Francisco locations help plot the investigation across decades.

‘The Lovely Bones’ (2009)

A teenager narrates from a liminal space after a crime, watching her family seek answers. Peter Jackson adapts Alice Sebold’s novel with a focus on grief and memory. The film uses visual effects to depict imagined realms and emotional states. The suburban setting and period details ground the parallel perspectives.

‘The Adjustment Bureau’ (2011)

A rising politician meets a dancer and discovers a group that alters people’s paths. The story adapts Philip K. Dick’s short fiction into a romance with speculative rules. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt lead a chase through New York landmarks. Fedoras, doors, and ledgers help define the organization’s mechanics.

‘The Gambler’ (2014)

A literature professor balances debt, classes, and risky nights at underground games. Mark Wahlberg stars with Jessica Lange, John Goodman, and Brie Larson. The film tracks loan sharks, casinos, and campus meetings across Los Angeles. It reimagines a 1970s character study with updated economics and setting.

’10 Cloverfield Lane’ (2016)

A woman wakes up in a bunker where her host claims the outside world is unsafe. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman carry a contained thriller with shifting explanations. The film uses confined spaces, rules, and daily routines to build tension. Sound design and practical effects support a careful final act.

‘The Big Sick’ (2017)

A stand-up comic and a grad student navigate culture, family expectations, and a sudden medical emergency. Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon base the script on their real story. Michael Showalter directs with scenes set in Chicago clubs and hospitals. The film integrates comedy sets, family dinners, and ICU corridors into a cohesive arc.

‘Annihilation’ (2018)

An expedition enters a quarantined zone where biology behaves unpredictably. Alex Garland adapts Jeff VanderMeer’s novel with a focus on fieldwork and observation. The team maps mutations, samples specimens, and logs anomalies under a shimmering canopy. Practical effects and location work blend with digital enhancements to visualize changes.

‘Overlord’ (2018)

Paratroopers behind enemy lines discover a hidden lab with grim experiments. The film starts with a World War II mission and pivots to horror elements. Practical makeup, stunts, and production design sell the bunker’s spaces. The story integrates war tactics with smaller survival choices.

‘Crawl’ (2019)

A daughter checks on her father during a hurricane and both end up trapped in a flooded house with alligators. Alexandre Aja directs a tight survival thriller set mostly in crawlspaces and a basement. Rain, wind, and rising water levels function as constant pressure. The film uses practical sets and VFX to coordinate animal interactions.

‘Jerry & Marge Go Large’ (2022)

A retired couple discovers a lottery loophole and forms a small syndicate to play by the rules. Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening lead a story inspired by reported events. The film shows spreadsheets, road trips, and convenience store stops that enable the strategy. Community fund uses and audits come into play as totals grow.

‘Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe’ (2022)

A space program mishap propels two teens into modern-day America after a time jump. The film blends classic hand-drawn style with updated tech jokes and fish-out-of-water gags. It includes riffs on streaming interfaces and campus talks. The plot uses sci-fi setups to reconnect the duo with present-day situations.

‘The In Between’ (2022)

After a tragic accident, a teen believes she is receiving signs from her boyfriend from beyond. Joey King stars in a story that mixes grief with photography motifs. The film uses Polaroids, galleries, and road trips to track memory. Its timeline alternates between courtship and recovery.

‘Honor Society’ (2022)

A driven high school senior plots her way toward a top recommendation and hits unexpected complications. Angourie Rice and Gaten Matarazzo lead a story that follows applications, extracurriculars, and internal interviews. The movie looks at how students stack resumes and manage assignments. Guidance office scenes and volunteer gigs figure into the plan.

‘Orphan: First Kill’ (2022)

A patient escapes a secure facility and reenters a family under assumed identity. Isabelle Fuhrman returns to a role that uses perspective shifts and household staging. The film balances case files, art therapy moments, and domestic routines. Practical effects and framing maintain continuity with earlier material.

‘Pet Sematary: Bloodlines’ (2023)

Set years before another story in the same town, this prequel follows a young man who wants to leave home but confronts a buried local secret. The film connects military service, family ties, and rural Maine history. It logs incidents that shaped later events and places. The script introduces earlier caretakers and maps the woods with specific landmarks.

‘Finestkind’ (2023)

Two brothers on a New England fishing boat take a risky offer that draws them into crime. The film tracks seasonal work, quotas, and harbor economics. Fishing scenes show gear, ice, and auction routines. Family commitments, debts, and coast guard presence crank up pressure.

‘Good Burger 2’ (2023)

Old friends reunite at a burger joint and face a new corporate challenge. The film brings back original characters and sprinkles in cameos. Kitchen gags and franchise playbook jokes structure the plot. The production revisits uniforms, menu boards, and training videos as visual callbacks.

‘Teen Wolf: The Movie’ (2023)

A new threat rises in Beacon Hills and draws familiar faces back to respond. The film continues a story from a series with returning cast members and new allies. It uses mountain roads, warehouses, and hospital wings for set pieces. Pack dynamics, rituals, and local history drive the conflicts.

‘Love in Taipei’ (2023)

A Taiwanese American teen attends a summer program in Taipei and discovers the city while sorting out friendships and goals. The film adapts Abigail Hing Wen’s novel ‘Loveboat, Taipei’. Night markets, dance rehearsals, and heritage sites anchor the setting. Family expectations and school records shape the choices that follow.

Share your favorite under-the-radar Paramount+ movies in the comments so everyone can find a new go-to watch.