Shows like The Mentalist
15 picks with a similar feel
What defines The Mentalist, going by its Boxlist taste profile: Expect a layered, weighty crime series, small-scale rather than epic. Best if you like depth over escapism. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of culture clash and mysteries that are not what they seem, plus tags such as criminal consultant, police procedural and cop.
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 Mentalist (2008).
- 1
Lie to Me (2009)
TV7.9
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: criminal consultant, police procedural, criminal investigation.
- 2
Castle (2009)
TV8.0Lighter option
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intimate. Common ground: criminal consultant, police procedural, criminal investigation.
- 3
Dexter: New Blood (2021)
TV8.1
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: serial killer.
- 4
Prodigal Son (2019)
TV8.4
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: criminal consultant, serial killer.
- 5
The Blacklist (2013)
TV7.5
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: criminal consultant.
- 6
Bates Motel (2013)
TV8.1
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and intimate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: serial killer.
- 7
Mr. Mercedes (2017)
TV7.2
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: serial killer.
- 8
Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021)
TV8.1
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 9
The Alienist (2018)
TV7.8
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: criminal investigation, serial killer.
- 10
Home Before Dark (2020)
TV7.6
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 11
Dark (2017)
TV8.4
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of culture clash and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: cop.
- 12
Manhunt (2017)
TV7.7
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: serial killer.
- 13
Elite (2018)
TV8.2Easier to follow
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also weighty and intimate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 14
TV7.2
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and intimate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 15
Broadchurch (2013)
TV7.9
Why it's like The Mentalist: Also intricate and intimate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
Boxlist compares The Mentalist 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 Mentalist?
- Picks with a similar feel include Lie to Me, Castle, Dexter: New Blood and Prodigal Son. Each shares part of The Mentalist's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 shows.
- How are these shows like The Mentalist chosen?
- Boxlist compares The Mentalist 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.
- Is there a lighter show like The Mentalist?
- Castle has a similar feel but scores lighter on Boxlist's weightiness scale.