Shows like Sherlock
15 picks with a similar feel
What defines Sherlock, going by its Boxlist taste profile: A smart, weighty crime series: grounded and rough-edged. Best if you like puzzles over plain sailing. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of deep rivalry, mysteries that are not what they seem and an all-consuming quest, plus tags such as misanthrophy, private detective and murder mystery.
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 Sherlock (2010).
- 1
Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
TV7.7
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation.
- 2
True Detective (2014)
TV8.3Slower burn
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: murder mystery, detective, investigation.
- 3
All Her Fault (2025)
TV8.1
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 4
Elementary (2012)
TV7.5
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation.
- 5
Defending Jacob (2020)
TV8.5
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation, murder.
- 6
How to Get Away with Murder (2014)
TV7.9
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: murder mystery, murder.
- 7
The Outsider (2020)
TV7.4Slower burn
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation, murder.
- 8
Mare of Easttown (2021)
TV8.3Slower burn
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation, murder.
- 9
The Blacklist (2013)
TV7.5Slower burn
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 10
Broadchurch (2013)
TV7.9Slower burn
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 11
Presumed Innocent (2024)
TV7.9
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation, murder.
- 12
Sugar (2024)
TV7.3Slower burn
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and an all-consuming quest. Common ground: private detective.
- 13
Perry Mason (2020)
TV7.5Slower burn
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 14
Lupin (2021)
TV7.8
Why it's like Sherlock: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 15
Black Bird (2022)
TV8.1Slower burn
Why it's like Sherlock: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation.
Boxlist compares Sherlock 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 Sherlock?
- Picks with a similar feel include Under the Banner of Heaven, True Detective, All Her Fault and Elementary. Each shares part of Sherlock's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 shows.
- How are these shows like Sherlock chosen?
- Boxlist compares Sherlock 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.