20 Best Detective Shows for Anyone Who Loves to Help Crack the Case
- 1/21
20 Best Detective Shows for Anyone Who Loves to Help Crack the Case
If you've ever found yourself screaming at your television as you watch the best crime drama shows, you're not alone. We, too, love to help our favorite TV detectives crack the case, whether we're qualified to solve crime or not (we're not). And our list of the best detective shows of all time will have you playing the armchair sleuth every. single. episode.
Whether you like acclaimed British mysteries like Sherlock and Broadchurch or police procedurals like Law & Order: SVU and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, there are plenty of gripping detective shows to choose from on this list, and probably even a few you haven't seen before. If you're in the mood for a cozy mystery, why not try Midsomer Murders? Not only is it considered one of the best detective television shows of all time, but there are also 23 seasons and counting for the most epic binge-watch. If you like mystery thriller movies and TV series, try Killing Eve or The Fall for two very suspenseful, action-packed games of cat and mouse. And if you're into true crime podcasts like Ree, then Mindhunter on Netflix is a must-watch. It follows two FBI agents in the '70s who discover more about the psychology of real-life serial killers by studying them—sometimes a little too closely. So are you ready to find your next favorite detective show? Grab your evidence bag and get to it!
IMDb - 2/21
Sherlock
amazon.com
$14.97
Join Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman) as they face off against Professor Moriarty and a slew of other villains. This modern reimagining of the classic mystery novels is not to be missed!
IMDb - 3/21
Broadchurch
amazon.com
$16.99
This slow-burning British mystery series about two detectives investigating the murder of an 11-year-old boy will keep you guessing until the last episode. Over the course of three acclaimed seasons, Broadchurch set the new standard for police procedurals.
Amazon - 4/21
Happy Valley
amazon.com
$16.99
There's nothing "happy" about this award-winning series that centers on a strong-willed police sergeant seeking justice for her late daughter. But what it lacks in sunniness it makes up for in suspense, dark humor, and a spectacular performance from star Sarah Lancashire.
Amazon - 5/21
Midsomer Murders
amazon.com
$4.99
Midsomer Murders is considered one of the best detective television shows in history, and it's not hard to see why. With a talented cast, complex mysteries, and a cozy vibe, this show will keep you coming back season after season–and the best part is, there are 23 of them and counting!
Amazon - 6/21
Luther
amazon.com
$9.99
This BBC show starring Idris Elba is full of shocking twists and turns. Don't be surprised if you end up watching the entire first season in one day!
Amazon - 7/21
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
amazon.com
$34.99
Dun, dun! Mariska Hargitay is the heroic Olivia Benson, who leads a squad of detectives taking on the most heinous criminals in New York City.
Amazon - 8/21
Vera
amazon.com
Based on the works of crime author Ann Cleeves, this show follows the obsessive Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope as she tries to crack some of the toughest cases in England's Northumberland county.
Amazon - 9/21
True Detective
amazon.com
$22.99
There are now three seasons of this gritty HBO show, all examining a different case that will keep you guessing until the end.
IMDb - 10/21
Veronica Mars
amazon.com
$42.99
Who says teens can't solve crime? In season one of Veronica Mars, our favorite teen detective shows she's got what it takes to crack a case that's very close to home: the murder of her best friend.
IMDb - 11/21
Mindhunter
e net
netflix.com
$2017.00
The Netflix original follows two FBI agents in the '70s who discover more about the psychology of serial killers by studying them—sometimes a little too closely.
IMDb - 12/21
The Fall
amazon.com
$7.99
Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) is hot on the trail of serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan). But will she be able to catch him before he takes more lives?
IMDb - 13/21
Mare of Easttown
amazon.com
$14.99
Kate Winslet's spellbinding performance (not to mention her mastery of the Philly accent) made this story about a troubled detective investigating the murder of a young woman in a small town must-watch TV.
Amazon - 14/21
Blue Bloods
amazon.com
$9.99
Come to crack the criminal cases, stay for the Reagan family dinners made famous by Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes, and the man, the myth, the mustache, Tom Selleck.
CBS Photo Archive - 15/21
Killing Eve
amazon.com
A ruthless assassin and a desk-bound MI5 security officer engage in a dangerous game of cat and mouse in this popular British spy thriller based on the Villanelle novels by Luke Jennings.
Amazon - 16/21
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
amazon.com
$14.99
CSI had several stars throughout its 15-year run, including William Petersen, Laurence Fishburne, and Ted Danson.
Amazon - 17/21
The Sinner
amazon.com
$19.99
Bill Pullman stars as Detective Harry Ambrose, who investigates a different grisly murder in each season of this anthology series. In season one, Ambrose must uncover the real reason why Cora Tannetti (Jessica Biel) stabbed a man to death.
Amazon - 18/21
Bosch
amazon.com
LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch investigates the Dollmaker murders and other gruesome mysteries in this binge-worthy procedural.
IMDb - 19/21
The Killing
amazon.com
$9.99
Based on the Danish television series Forbrydelsen, this atmospheric thriller follows murder investigations by homicide detectives Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman).
Amazon - 20/21
Twin Peaks
amazon.com
$9.99
Kyle MacLachlan shines as FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, who is trying to solve the mysterious death of teen homecoming queen Laura Palmer in the fictional small town of Twin Peaks, Washington.
ABC Photo Archives - 21/21
Criminal Minds
amazon.com
$9.99
We were crushed when Criminal Minds ended in 2020, but there’s no reason we can’t re-watch every hour with the BAU again, right?
Amazon