Top 7 New Movies on Paramount+ in October 2025

ts K (Tommy Lee Jones) and J (Will Smith) is a masterwork of character establishment, giving each man their own arc while still engaging in some of the sharpest banter of the 1990s. Director Barry Sonnenfeld brings all the slickness he learned as a Coen Brothers cinematographer to the film, giving New York City a glowing sheen of steel blues and neon greens that feels lifted from another dimension.

There’s a reason why the Men in Black organization has remained fascinating despite the diminishing returns of its sequels. The original film is a tightrope walk of tone, managing to be fun and exciting while also offering thought-provoking meditations on our place in the universe. It may come as a bit of a surprise to those who remember it as simply a Tom Jones cassette vehicle, but “Men in Black” is a film searching for cosmic order in a disorderly world.

“Napoleon Dynamite” (Fox Searchlight)

“Napoleon Dynamite”

Who knew that a film about a tetherball-playing, fantasy-loving, moon boot-wearing nobody could speak to an entire generation? “Napoleon Dynamite” did just that, catapulting to instant cult classic status upon its 2004 release.

Directed by Jared and Jerusha Hess and starring Jon Heder in the title role, “Napoleon Dynamite” is an exercise in tone control and side-eye character humor. The film follows the titular teenager as he navigates high school existence with a panache all his own. Whether he’s relying on his untapped martial arts expertise to defend his friend’s honor or awkwardly dancing to Jamiroquai in front of the school, Napoleon makes every moment count. It’s a rare intersection of character progression, narrative momentum and genuine pathos that make “Napoleon Dynamite” a joy to revisit, quirky tater-tot side dishes notwithstanding.

“The Founder” (Weinstein Company)

“The Founder”

Though it’s far from perfect, John Lee Hancock’s “The Founder” spins the origins of McDonald’s into a fascinating business yarn. The film takes McDonald’s figurehead Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) from a somewhat obscure background in kitchen gadget sales to a mainstay in the fast-food world. Kroc buys into the McDonald brothers’ enterprise with promises of streamlined service, only to use the information against them in a hostile takeover of their beloved hamburger joint.

Keaton, doing some of his best, most morally ambiguous work as Kroc, leads a company of excellent character actors. Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch are emotionally resonant as the McDonald brothers, while Laura Dern brings fierce sincerity to her role as Kroc’s first wife. The screenplay, by Robert Siegel, doesn’t pull any punches in illustrating the ruthless willingness of capitalism to consume its creators in the name of progress. It’s a fascinating dive into a world where very little is sacred, even the Big Mac.

“Harold and Maude” (Paramount)

“Harold and Maude”

If you’d like a break from all the doom and gloom of fall juju, look no further than “Harold and Maude.” Hal Ashby’s 1971 cult classic is easily one of the best dark comedies ever made, a simple story about a morbid young man (Bud Cort) whose obsession with death leads him into a love affair with octogenarian Maude (Ruth Gordon). The film’s reputation as an off-kilter and hopeful love letter to joy is well-earned — Ashby transforms the macabre into the marvelous, finding the heart in the unlikeliest of places.

What lifts “Harold and Maude” beyond mere early ‘70s quirk is its pitch-perfect performances. Cort and Gordon are wonderful in their roles, crafting characters with such precise nuance that it’s impossible not to root for their strange, misguided endeavor. Cat Stevens’ music (performed here interstitially) is iconic, lending the film a timeless melancholy that would make even Wes Anderson jealous.

Whether you’re in the mood for a good cry or a scare (or both!), there’s plenty to choose from on Paramount+ this October. These seven films offer a wide range of emotions and themes, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Cozy up with a good blanket and your favorite snack, and dive into the diverse and engaging world of movie entertainment available on Paramount+.