Shows like Elementary
15 picks with a similar feel
What defines Elementary, going by its Boxlist taste profile: Expect a layered, serious crime series, dark rather than wholesome. Best if you like depth over escapism. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of personal growth, troubled leads and deep rivalry, plus tags such as recovering addict, police investigation and detective.
Here are 15 shows with a similar feel, ranked by how closely they match that profile. Treat them as picks to try, not a definitive list.
Based on Elementary (2012).
- 1
Sherlock (2010)
TV8.5
Why it's like Elementary: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation.
- 2
Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
TV7.7
Why it's like Elementary: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation.
- 3
True Detective (2014)
TV8.3Slower burn
Why it's like Elementary: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: police investigation, detective, investigation.
- 4
Lupin (2021)
TV7.8
Why it's like Elementary: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 5
All Her Fault (2025)
TV8.1
Why it's like Elementary: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 6
Mare of Easttown (2021)
TV8.3Slower burn
Why it's like Elementary: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of troubled leads and deep rivalry. Common ground: detective, investigation.
- 7
FBI (2018)
TV8.0
Why it's like Elementary: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 8
Black Bird (2022)
TV8.1Slower burn
Why it's like Elementary: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of troubled leads and deep rivalry. Common ground: detective, investigation.
- 9
The Blacklist (2013)
TV7.5Slower burn
Why it's like Elementary: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 10
Defending Jacob (2020)
TV8.5
Why it's like Elementary: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation.
- 11
Mindhunter (2017)
TV8.0Slower burn
Why it's like Elementary: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: police investigation.
- 12
Broadchurch (2013)
TV7.9Slower burn
Why it's like Elementary: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 13
Prodigal Son (2019)
TV8.4Slower burn
Why it's like Elementary: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of personal growth and troubled leads.
- 14
Presumed Innocent (2024)
TV7.9
Why it's like Elementary: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 15
Power (2014)
TV7.6
Why it's like Elementary: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of troubled leads and deep rivalry.
Boxlist compares Elementary with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point. Ratings are TMDB audience scores out of 10.
Which of these suit you?
Take the taste test and every pick shows how well it matches you.
Take the taste testQuestions
- What should I watch if I like Elementary?
- Picks with a similar feel include Sherlock, Under the Banner of Heaven, True Detective and Lupin. Each shares part of Elementary's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 shows.
- How are these shows like Elementary chosen?
- Boxlist compares Elementary with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point.