Paramount+ is an excellent streaming service for building your next movie marathon. It regularly adds new movies and classics from Paramount Skydance studios and others. In fact, it just added 82 new movies and shows on May 1.
So, with tons of newly added movies to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start. The good news for you is that I've looked through the full list of all the recently added films, and I've found the three movies you need to watch first this weekend. Top of the list is "Ali," a Will Smith sports biopic that earned a pair of Oscar nominations. Speaking of pairs, I'm also recommending a sci-fi masterpiece that features Nicolas Cage and John Travolta facing off against each other. Finally, there's a Sean Connery classic that's the first appearance of legendary CIA analyst Jack Ryan, and it's definitely a must-watch this weekend.
So without further ado, here are the three new to Paramount+ movies that you need to be streaming this weekend. If you need more recommendations, check out our full guide to everything new on Paramount+ in May 2026.
'Ali' (2001)
Genre: Sports biopic movie
What's it about? Will Smith stars in this biopic as the iconic boxer Cassius Clay Jr., who would later change his name to Muhammad Ali. It follows the legendary pugilist from his first championship against Sonny Liston to the greatest boxing match of all time: The Rumble in the Jungle against George Foreman.
Why you should watch it: Michael Mann directed this biopic, and I love Michael Mann, but it's worth noting that the reviews were not overwhelmingly positive when it premiered in 2001. Still, Smith's performance as Ali was undeniable. It would earn him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, the first of three such nominations he would receive in his career to date.
Watch "Ali" on Paramount+ now
'Face/Off' (1997)
Genre: Sci-fi action thriller movie
What's it about? FBI special agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) has been chasing down violent criminal Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) for years. But when his chase becomes a mission for revenge, Archer turns to a revolutionary new technology that could give him the edge against Troy.
Why you should watch it: The movie's title alludes to this, but the conceit is that Archer turns himself into Troy, who then transforms into Archer. By the end of this John Woo action thriller, both men fully immerse themselves in the other's being to try and gain victory, creating an incredible movie.
Watch "Face/Off" on Paramount+ now
'The Hunt for Red October' (1990)
Genre: Spy thriller movie
What's it about? CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Alex Baldwin) has been tasked with hunting down Soviet Marko Ramius, captain of the Russian submarine Red October. This submarine has a "caterpillar drive" that makes it nearly undetectable via passive sonar. But when Ramius suddenly activates the drive, Ryan thinks that the Soviet captain is actually trying to defect to the U.S.
Why you should watch it: Submarine war movies are an underrated subgenre (no pun intended). "Das Boot," "U-571" and "Crimson Tide" are all must-watch movies. "The Hunt for Red October" is right up there with them (and superior to "U-571"), so don't miss it now that it's on Paramount+.
Watch "The Hunt for Red October" on Paramount+ now
