Shows like The Blacklist
15 picks with a similar feel
What defines The Blacklist, going by its Boxlist taste profile: Expect a layered, heavy crime series, dark rather than wholesome. Best if you like depth over escapism. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of deep rivalry, underdogs and mysteries that are not what they seem, plus tags such as crime lord, criminal consultant and criminal mastermind.
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 The Blacklist (2013).
- 1
Clarice (2021)
TV7.2
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: fbi.
- 2
Sherlock (2010)
TV8.5Faster-paced
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 3
FBI (2018)
TV8.0
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and underdogs. Common ground: fbi, investigation.
- 4
All Her Fault (2025)
TV8.1
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 5
The X-Files (1993)
TV8.4
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also intricate and dark, with themes of deep rivalry and underdogs. Common ground: fbi, investigation.
- 6
Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
TV7.7
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 7
Hannibal (2013)
TV8.2Easier to follow
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also weighty and dark, with themes of deep rivalry. Common ground: criminal consultant, fbi.
- 8
Broadchurch (2013)
TV7.9
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 9
Lie to Me (2009)
TV7.9
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: criminal consultant.
- 10
Manhunt (2017)
TV7.7Slower burn
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: fbi.
- 11
Absentia (2017)
TV7.6
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also weighty and dark, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: fbi.
- 12
The Mentalist (2008)
TV8.4
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: criminal consultant.
- 13
Lupin (2021)
TV7.8
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 14
Surviving Escobar - Alias JJ (2017)
TV7.7
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also weighty and dark, with themes of deep rivalry.
- 15
Perry Mason (2020)
TV7.5
Why it's like The Blacklist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
Boxlist compares The Blacklist 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 The Blacklist?
- Picks with a similar feel include Clarice, Sherlock, FBI and All Her Fault. Each shares part of The Blacklist's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 shows.
- How are these shows like The Blacklist chosen?
- Boxlist compares The Blacklist 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.