Paramount+ is currently the "Taylor Sheridan and SpongeBob" app, but this weekend it’s trying to be something else: the home of the most anticipated social-deduction adaptation in years. If you’re looking for a reason to keep that subscription active, the Among Us animated series is the main event, alongside the premiere of the next chapter in the Yellowstone universe, The Madison.
This weekend on Paramount+, the big draw for families is the Among Us series, which translates the "sus" energy of the game into a surprisingly sharp animated comedy. For the adults (and older teens who’ve followed the Duttons), The Madison offers a Michelle Pfeiffer-led pivot away from the ranch and into a Montana-set family drama. If those don't hit, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remains the best thing on the platform for the elementary-school set.
The Among Us animated series is finally here, and it’s effectively the "water cooler" show for the middle-school crowd this weekend. Based on the trailer and the early buzz, this isn't just a low-effort cash-in on a viral game. It’s produced by Titmouse (the studio behind The Legend of Vox Machina), which means the animation actually has some teeth.
What makes this worth your Saturday night isn't just the bean-shaped astronauts; it’s the voice cast. You’ve got Patton Oswalt, Elijah Wood, and Ashley Johnson bringing a level of comedic timing that elevates the "who-dunnit" premise. If your kid spent 2020-2022 screaming about "imposters," they are going to be all over this. The show is expected to lean into the paranoia and dark humor of the source material without getting unnecessarily graphic. It’s a masterclass in social dynamics—watching characters lie, deflect, and build alliances is exactly what made the game a hit, and it’s the core of the show’s appeal.
For families, this is a great co-watch because it’s essentially a logic puzzle wrapped in a cartoon. You can bet on who the imposter is before the big reveal at the end of the episode.
If you thought the end of Yellowstone meant the end of Taylor Sheridan’s grip on your Sunday nights, think again. The Madison is set to drop its first episodes, and it’s a bit of a departure. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, it follows a family moving from New York City to the Madison River valley in central Montana.
While the original Yellowstone was a modern-day Western soap opera about land and power, The Madison looks like it will focus more on grief and the "fish out of water" trope. It’s still Sheridan, so expect beautiful vistas, some rough language, and a lot of people staring intensely at the horizon. It’s likely to land best with older teens and parents who want a drama that feels "prestige" but doesn't require a history degree to follow the family tree.
If the Among Us hype is too much and the Dutton drama is too heavy, the move is Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This series bridges the gap between the Mutant Mayhem movie and its eventual sequel.
What sets this apart from the 50 other versions of the Turtles is the art style and the characterization. The Turtles actually sound and act like teenagers—they’re awkward, they make bad jokes, and they’re obsessed with their phones. It’s one of the few shows for kids that captures the current Gen Z/Gen Alpha vibe without feeling like it’s trying too hard. It’s fast-paced, visually inventive, and genuinely funny. If your kid is into action but you’re tired of the "toy commercial" feel of most superhero shows, this is the one to put on.
Paramount+ knows its audience, and that audience loves Billy Bob Thornton. Landman is currently in its second season (or late in its first, depending on how the 2026 schedule shook out), and it’s the definition of "Dad-Core." Set in the world of Texas oil rigs, it’s about the roughnecks and wildcat billionaires making a killing in the Permian Basin.
It’s gritty, it’s loud, and it’s very masculine. It’s not a "family watch" in the traditional sense, but if you have a high-schooler interested in industry, economics, or just seeing Billy Bob Thornton play a cynical fixer, it’s a solid pick. Just be prepared for the Sheridan-standard level of grit.
If you’re diving into the Among Us series this weekend, don't just let it wash over the kids. This is the perfect bridge to talk about social deduction and critical thinking.
The show is built on the same "trust but verify" mechanics as the game. After an episode, ask:
- "What was the specific piece of evidence that made you think it was the Blue crewmate?"
- "How did the imposter manage to flip the script and blame someone else?"
If they love the "who-is-the-liar" vibe, you can pivot them toward classic board games like The Resistance or Codenames, which build the same mental muscles without the screen.
The "Paramount+ Vibe" is generally a bit older than Disney+ or even Netflix’s kid section. Even their animated hits like Among Us or Star Trek: Prodigy tend to have more complex plots and occasionally darker themes.
The biggest friction point on Paramount+ right now is the ad-supported tier. If you’re on the cheaper plan, the ad breaks are frequent and often poorly timed (right in the middle of a punchline or a dramatic reveal). If you’re planning a family movie night for something like The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, the extra five bucks for the "Premium" tier is usually worth it to avoid the jarring transition from Bikini Bottom to a car insurance commercial.
Q: Is the Among Us show okay for younger kids? It's expected to be rated TV-Y7 or TV-PG. While it features "eliminations" (like the game), it’s handled with comedic, cartoonish energy rather than graphic violence. If your kid can handle the game, they can handle the show.
Q: Do I need to watch Yellowstone to understand The Madison? Based on the premise, no. While it exists in the same universe, The Madison is being framed as a standalone story. It’s a "tonal sequel" rather than a direct continuation of the Dutton ranch plot.
Q: What’s the best show for a 10-year-old on Paramount+ right now? Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the gold standard for that age. It hits the sweet spot of action, humor, and "cool" factor without being too babyish or too mature.
Paramount+ is leaning hard into its "Big IP" strategy this weekend. You’ve got the Among Us series for the gamers, The Madison for the drama seekers, and a deep bench of Turtles and SpongeBob (wait, wrong platform—check our best shows for kids list for the real SpongeBob links) for the animation fans. It’s a stacked weekend that actually justifies the subscription for more than just the NFL in the fall.
- Check out our full best shows for kids list for more Paramount+ gems.
- If your kids are into the social world of Among Us, read our guide on navigating social deduction games.
- Ask our chatbot for a personalized weekend watchlist
