10 Mystery TV Shows Like Criminal Minds You Need to Watch
If you’re a fan of Criminal Minds, you already know the challenge of finding your next binge-worthy mystery series.
Many crime shows focus on action, explosions, or courtroom drama. Criminal Minds has always felt different. The series combines investigations with psychology, behavioral analysis, and the fascinating challenge of understanding why people do what they do.
That’s what keeps many viewers coming back season after season.
The best mystery shows don’t just ask who committed the crime. They ask why. They explore motivations, hidden secrets, and the small details that reveal the truth.
If you’ve already watched Criminal Minds more times than you can count and are looking for your next mystery obsession, here are ten mystery TV shows that deserve a spot on your watchlist.
1. Mindhunter
If Criminal Minds is about catching criminals, Mindhunter is about understanding them.
Set in the late 1970s, the series follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they interview imprisoned serial killers in an effort to develop what would eventually become criminal profiling.
What makes Mindhunter so compelling is that much of the tension comes from conversations rather than action scenes. Every interview feels like a psychological chess match where both sides are trying to gain an advantage.
Fans of behavioral analysis, criminal psychology, and FBI investigations will find a lot to love here. The show explores the early foundations of profiling in a way that feels both fascinating and unsettling.
Unfortunately, the series ended sooner than many fans hoped, but the two seasons we received remain some of the best crime television ever produced.
2. Broadchurch
Few mystery shows create atmosphere as effectively as Broadchurch.
The story begins when a young boy is found dead in a small coastal town. Detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller are assigned to investigate, but the case quickly becomes far more complicated than anyone expected.
What separates Broadchurch from many crime dramas is its focus on the community. Every revelation sends shockwaves through the town. Friendships are tested. Families are strained. Long-held secrets begin to surface.
The mystery itself is excellent, but it’s the emotional weight that makes the series unforgettable.
David Tennant and Olivia Colman deliver outstanding performances, creating investigators who feel authentic and deeply human.
If you enjoy mysteries where setting and atmosphere play a major role, Broadchurch should be near the top of your list.
3. Sherlock
Sherlock Holmes has been adapted countless times, but Sherlock remains one of the most entertaining versions ever created.
Set in modern-day London, the series follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson as they tackle complex cases that seem impossible to solve.
The show’s biggest strength is Sherlock’s extraordinary ability to observe details others miss. Tiny clues become major breakthroughs. Casual observations reveal hidden truths.
While some of the deductions stretch reality, they’re always entertaining to watch unfold.
Fans of Criminal Minds often appreciate investigators who see patterns invisible to everyone else. Sherlock delivers that experience in nearly every episode.
The chemistry between Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman also helps elevate the series far beyond a typical detective show.
4. Mare of Easttown
Mare of Easttown proves that a mystery doesn’t need a flashy setting to be effective.
The series follows detective Mare Sheehan as she investigates a murder in a small Pennsylvania town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
Unlike many television detectives, Mare feels realistic. She’s flawed, exhausted, and carrying personal baggage that affects both her life and her work.
The investigation unfolds gradually, allowing viewers to piece together clues alongside the characters.
One of the show’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. The town feels real. The people feel real. Even the mistakes investigators make feel believable.
The result is a mystery that remains engaging from beginning to end while delivering some genuinely surprising twists.
5. Only Murders in the Building
Not every mystery has to be dark and intense.
Only Murders in the Building offers a refreshing blend of comedy, suspense, and clever storytelling.
The series follows three true-crime enthusiasts who become amateur detectives after a suspicious death occurs in their apartment building. As they investigate the case, they launch a podcast documenting their findings.
What starts as a simple mystery quickly evolves into a complex web of secrets, lies, and unexpected twists.
The show succeeds because it balances humor and suspense remarkably well. The characters are likable, the mysteries are engaging, and the writing consistently keeps viewers guessing.
For fans who enjoy the puzzle-solving aspect of Criminal Minds but want something lighter, this series is an excellent choice.
6. Monk
Before many modern detective shows embraced unconventional investigators, Monk was already doing it brilliantly.
Adrian Monk is a former homicide detective whose obsessive-compulsive disorder and numerous phobias make everyday life a challenge. At the same time, those same traits allow him to notice details that everyone else overlooks.
What makes Monk so enjoyable is the balance between humor and mystery. The show never forgets that solving crimes is the main focus, but it also allows its characters to feel warm and relatable.
Many episodes follow a classic mystery formula where viewers are given pieces of the puzzle and challenged to figure out the solution before Monk does.
Fans of Criminal Minds often enjoy investigators with unique ways of seeing the world. Monk delivers that in every episode.
7. Castle
Castle brings a lighter tone to the mystery genre without sacrificing strong investigations.
The series follows bestselling mystery author Richard Castle as he begins consulting with the NYPD and working alongside detective Kate Beckett.
At first glance, Castle seems like an unlikely investigator. He’s not a police officer or profiler. He’s a writer.
But that’s exactly what makes the show work.
Castle approaches cases from a storyteller’s perspective. He constantly asks questions, explores possibilities, and imagines scenarios others might dismiss. The result is a series filled with clever cases, memorable characters, and plenty of humor.
The relationship between Castle and Beckett becomes one of the show’s biggest strengths, giving viewers a reason to stay invested beyond the mysteries themselves.
8. Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars proves that age has little to do with investigative talent.
The series follows Veronica, a student who spends her time solving mysteries and uncovering secrets in her seemingly perfect California town.
What starts with smaller investigations gradually expands into larger and more dangerous cases. Along the way, Veronica uses intelligence, persistence, and observation to uncover truths many people would prefer remain hidden.
The show excels at blending mystery, drama, and character development.
Perhaps most importantly, it understands that every community has secrets. Behind the picture-perfect image of Neptune lies corruption, betrayal, and long-buried scandals waiting to be exposed.
If you enjoy mysteries built around uncovering hidden truths, Veronica Mars remains one of the genre’s standout series.
9. True Detective
For viewers looking for something darker and more atmospheric, True Detective is an easy recommendation.
Each season tells a different story with a new cast, allowing the series to explore a wide range of mysteries and investigative styles.
The first season is particularly memorable, following detectives Rust Cohle and Marty Hart as they pursue a disturbing case spanning many years.
What sets True Detective apart is its atmosphere. The setting feels almost like another character. Every location contributes to the growing sense of unease.
The series focuses heavily on psychology, obsession, and the personal toll investigations can take on those involved.
It’s not always an easy watch, but it’s one of the most compelling mystery series ever created.
10. The Mentalist
If you enjoy investigators who rely on observation rather than technology, The Mentalist deserves a place on your watchlist.
The series follows Patrick Jane, a consultant who assists law enforcement by using exceptional observational skills and an understanding of human behavior.
Jane isn’t psychic, despite what many people believe. His success comes from paying attention.
He notices inconsistencies.
He spots details others ignore.
He understands how people think.
Those qualities make him one of television’s most entertaining investigators.
For Criminal Minds fans, the appeal is obvious. Like the members of the BAU, Patrick Jane often solves cases by understanding people rather than simply collecting evidence.
His methods may be unconventional, but they’re endlessly fascinating to watch.
Final Thoughts
One of the reasons Criminal Minds has remained so popular is that it combines mystery, psychology, and human behavior into something more than a traditional crime show.
The ten series on this list each capture part of that formula in their own way.
Some focus on profiling and criminal psychology. Others emphasize observation, deduction, or the emotional impact of crime on a community. Together, they represent some of the best mystery television available today.
Whether you’re looking for intense psychological suspense, clever detective work, small-town secrets, or unforgettable characters, there’s a good chance you’ll find your next favorite show somewhere on this list.
And if you’re as fascinated by observation, behavioral clues, and investigative psychology as I am, be sure to join the Velvet Raven Books newsletter. Every week I share mystery recommendations, behind-the-scenes insights, and updates from the world of Samantha Hayes and Willow Creek.
Until then, happy watching, and keep paying attention to the details. Sometimes they’re the most important clues of all.
Diana Freel
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