Netflix's Top Detective Shows: 25 crime dramas to Keep You Guessing!
Netflix Detective Shows: A Genre Reimagined
Detective shows are huge on Netflix! From classic whodunits to sci-fi twists, the streaming giant's got a crime drama for everyone. This isn’t simply those basic procedurals either! netflix keeps those audiences on their toes; those audiences anticipating and eagerly predicting various twists in several different series which include wildly varying formats! Those expectations get completely reimagined in surprisingly great ways, constantly keeping that audience guessing, and really making some serious changes which have a massive overall impact.
We're diving into 25 of Netflix's best; ranging across multiple styles and tones – including some comedies, sci-fi thrillers – and really showcasing just how versatile and popular crime dramas continue to be!
25 Must-Watch Detective Shows on Netflix: From Hilarious to Heart-Stopping
25. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021): Workplace Comedy Meets Police Procedurals
This isn't your typical detective show. It's a workplace sitcom focusing on the hilarious NYPD's 99th precinct! The cases are there, but the main focus remains on those truly lovable and memorable characters. Their relationships and comedic dynamics are what made it a massive eight-season hit.
24. Bodies (2023): A Time-Traveling Mystery!
Based on a graphic novel, Bodies is WILD. One body appears across four different timelines, involving four separate detectives. This isn't simply some whodunit – its use of multiple times and timelines completely changed what the audience could've possibly predicted, forcing viewers to keep thinking. The changes also display the variations that could emerge by using only slight shifts in various points of history; this shows the creativity involved!
23. The Indian Detective (2017): A Short, Sweet, and Hilarious Crime Comedy
This one is fast, four episodes with Russell Peters’ humor, featuring William Shatner as the villain! It ends on a cliffhanger; so be warned: there’s likely never going to be a season 2.
22. Murderville (2022): Improv and Murder – a Surprisingly Hilarious Mix!
This one’s different: It uses improvisation! Will Arnett plays a detective teaming up with celebrity guest stars to solve different mysteries each episode. The guests completely improvise! It’s surprisingly fun. A totally new way to watch detective work that keeps things fresh, unusual, and deeply hilarious for most.
21. Lockwood & Co. (2023): Teen Ghost Hunters Take on Supernatural Crimes
This spooky mystery has teenagers tackling ghosts. It involves an agency run by kids; an incredibly innovative approach! While a season 2 seemed like a certainty initially and something totally inevitable. Unfortunately it got cancelled after one season!
20. The Good Detective (2020): A K-Drama with a Unique Detective Partnership
This awesome K-drama brings two totally opposite detectives. They investigate a previously unsolved murder, creating incredible levels of suspense, intensity, and that much-needed detective conflict and tension. Its surprising popularity also got this show a second season.
19. Killing Eve (2018-2022): A Cat-and-Mouse Game of Love and Murder
This British series features a cat-and-mouse game; between a bored M15 agent and a super dangerous assassin. They hunt one another–and weirdly fall for one another. The romance (and the incredible acting from Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer) are as thrilling as that never-ending chase!
18. Lucifer (2016-2021): The Devil Goes Detective
Lucifer, the Devil himself decides to live on Earth! He becomes a crime solver working with a police detective. This unique blend mixes classic detective storytelling, crime, with seriously awesome urban fantasy elements; all coming together to create a critically-lauded series which has many followers!
17. The Lincoln Lawyer (2022-): Legal Eagle Meets Streetwise Detective
Based on the Michael Connelly novels, it involves a defense attorney; however the protagonist (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) acts as a street detective who does whatever it takes to unearth hidden truths within cases, this makes the character surprisingly effective, bringing a much-needed sense of streetwise detective investigation into what could have been an otherwise typical crime procedural. This has earned a season 2 and this series remains on going and likely will return.
16. Longmire (2012-2017): A Western Detective Series with an Epic Ensemble Cast
This amazing blend has the feel of the wild west, but within a contemporary context! Robert Taylor plays a Wyoming sheriff investigating crimes with those ever-present tribal matters. This great crime drama’s been lauded as a surprisingly enjoyable blend; and a compelling twist on those classic crime procedurals!
15. Dead Boy Detectives (2024): Supernatural Sleuths from the Sandman Universe
This newly-released series takes on those eerie possibilities in a mystical investigation into death! Neil Gaiman fans will especially love this and its surprisingly close links to Sandman; including cameo appearances of actors appearing in both productions.
14. Monk (2002-2009): OCD and Hilarious Crime-Solving!
Tony Shaloub's hilarious portrayal of Adrian Monk is a comedic triumph! His OCD makes his investigations hilariously chaotic – but still manages to create incredible and well-written mysteries that have been celebrated!
13. The Blacklist (2013-2023): A Fast-Paced Thriller with an Unreliable Narrator
This series is about James Spader’s charismatic and brilliant criminal; who mysteriously decides to aid the FBI. This features incredible performances, and amazing pacing – it just never lets you pause, which generates immense levels of excitement throughout, The twists, coupled with fast pacing make this a series which kept viewers constantly interested. Sadly, it recently ended.
12. Mindhunter (2017-2019): A Psychological Deep Dive into the Minds of Serial Killers
Based on a true story, Mindhunter gives an unique and intense look into the creation of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit. It follows agents investigating the inner workings of those criminals, using experimental methods and real case studies; delivering something both enthralling and quite intense for most.
11. The Sinner (2017-2021): An Anthology Series Exploring Crimes of Passion
With Bill Pullman as the lead detective in multiple unrelated cases in this series, this anthological format generates immense opportunities to create several wildly varying scenarios, including crimes that challenge notions of guilt; using those intense psychological perspectives that create incredible and enthralling plots! Each new case keeps you constantly guessing and intrigued. This was unexpectedly renewed for several seasons!
10. Lupin (2021-): A Stylish Gentleman Thief’s Epic Revenge
Based on the Arsène Lupin stories, Lupin features a charismatic thief, and incredibly fun heist storylines; generating amazing intrigue for its audiences through the creative use of disguises. Its popularity resulted in sequels!
9. Inside Man (2022): A Twisting Prison-Based Mystery
David Tennant and Stanley Tucci star in this seriously mind-bending prison thriller that crosses locations from the United States to the English countryside. Expect wild twists – Stephen Moffat (Sherlock) created this crazy puzzle box! There remains even some intrigue about a possibility of this production's sequel which ends in those various cliffhangers, something that most viewers can eagerly anticipate, creating opportunities for multiple revisits which could be quite worthwhile.
8. Stay Close (2021): Intertwined Lives and Hidden Secrets
Based on a Harlan Coben novel, it expertly builds suspense through cleverly intertwined plots surrounding various characters. The show brilliantly weaves together those interconnected storylines – a suburban mom, a photojournalist, a detective – each person with dark secrets.
7. Collateral (2018): A Gripping Four-Part Crime Thriller
Starring Carey Mulligan, this gripping series cleverly interweaves characters and societal structures within the narrative itself. It showcases a series focused less on the resolution and more on the characters and how the intense interactions affected those individuals. That complexity makes it stand out.
6. Deadwind (2018-): A Finnish Noir Mystery with Personal Trauma
This intense Finnish crime drama brilliantly integrates personal grief and professional challenges, using compelling characters against this somber, emotionally charged environment that makes it engrossing and immersive to those viewers who frequently follow such dark and compelling mysteries. A dark and very immersive experience. That Nordic noir ambiance helps it shine among other similarly styled series!
Conclusion: Netflix's Crime Scene is Packed With Amazing Entertainment
Netflix’s crime dramas range across multiple styles; ranging from hilariously enjoyable workplace comedies to grim crime dramas that delve deep into those darkest corners of humanity and morality! This huge array creates choices; allowing many to rediscover something fresh. Each one showcases incredibly unique talent, memorable plots; and brilliant innovation which kept them at the top, while providing new options across every possible taste imaginable! A superb collection! Enjoy!
