10 Shows and Movies Like Columbo (1971) for Mystery Lovers

Description: Perry Mason, like Columbo, is a classic courtroom drama with a focus on solving crimes through legal expertise. Both shows feature brilliant protagonists who are always one step ahead of their adversaries. While Perry Mason is a defense attorney and Columbo a detective, both use their intellect to uncover the truth, often in dramatic courtroom or interrogation scenes.

Fact: Raymond Burr, who played Perry Mason, won two Emmy Awards for the role. The show was based on a series of novels by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason had a perfect record—he never lost a case in the original series.

Description: McCloud, like Columbo, is a police procedural with a charismatic lead who solves crimes through unconventional methods. Both shows are part of NBC's 'Mystery Movie' wheel series and feature a mix of humor and suspense. The storytelling often involves fish-out-of-water elements, with McCloud being a cowboy in New York City.

Fact: Dennis Weaver, who played McCloud, was already famous for his role in Gunsmoke. The show was known for its unique blend of Western and urban crime drama. McCloud ran for seven seasons as part of the 'Mystery Movie' series.

Description: McMillan & Wife shares with Columbo a blend of crime-solving and lighthearted moments, often involving a married couple. Both shows are set in the 1970s and feature charismatic leads who solve crimes through wit and charm. The storytelling is often intricate, with a mix of humor and suspense.

Fact: The show was part of NBC's 'Mystery Movie' wheel series, which also included Columbo. Rock Hudson, who played Stewart McMillan, was a major Hollywood star before transitioning to TV. The show was known for its stylish 1970s aesthetic and fashion.

Description: Magnum, P.I. shares with Columbo a mix of crime-solving and lighthearted moments, though it leans more into action and adventure. Both shows feature charismatic leads who use their wits to solve cases, and both have a strong sense of place—Columbo in Los Angeles and Magnum in Hawaii. The storytelling often involves intricate plots where the protagonist outsmarts the antagonist.

Fact: Tom Selleck was initially reluctant to take the role because he didn't want to be typecast as a 'beach bum.' The show's iconic red Ferrari was a 1980 Ferrari 308 GTS. Magnum, P.I. was one of the first shows to blend action, drama, and comedy seamlessly.

Description: Like Columbo, Murder, She Wrote features a brilliant detective who solves crimes through keen observation and deductive reasoning. Both shows have a 'whodunit' format where the audience is often shown the crime upfront, and the fun lies in watching the detective piece together the clues. Additionally, both protagonists, Jessica Fletcher and Columbo, are unassuming yet highly intelligent, often catching criminals off guard with their seemingly casual demeanor.

Fact: Angela Lansbury, who played Jessica Fletcher, was nominated for 12 Emmy Awards for her role but never won. The show was so popular that it ran for 12 seasons and 264 episodes. The fictional town of Cabot Cove, where Jessica Fletcher lives, holds the record for the highest per capita murder rate in television history.

Description: Matlock shares with Columbo a focus on a brilliant, somewhat eccentric protagonist who solves crimes through intelligence and attention to detail. Both shows often feature courtroom drama, though Matlock is more lawyer-centric while Columbo is police-centric. The storytelling in both is methodical, with the protagonist often revealing the truth in a dramatic climax.

Fact: Andy Griffith, who played Ben Matlock, was already a TV legend from The Andy Griffith Show. Matlock was known for its Southern charm, set in Atlanta, Georgia. The show ran for nine seasons and was popular among older audiences.

Description: Ironside shares with Columbo a focus on a brilliant detective who solves crimes through intelligence and perseverance. Both protagonists have unique traits—Columbo with his rumpled coat and Ironside in a wheelchair. The storytelling is methodical, with a focus on solving crimes through careful deduction.

Fact: Raymond Burr, who played Ironside, was already famous for Perry Mason. The show was groundbreaking for featuring a disabled protagonist in a leading role. Ironside was known for its jazzy theme music and San Francisco setting.

Description: Hawaii Five-O, like Columbo, is a classic police procedural with a strong sense of place—Columbo in Los Angeles and Five-O in Hawaii. Both shows feature charismatic leads who are relentless in their pursuit of justice. While Five-O is more action-oriented, both have intricate plots and a focus on solving crimes through detective work.

Fact: The show's iconic theme song is one of the most recognizable in TV history. Jack Lord, who played Steve McGarrett, was known for his strict professionalism on set. The original series ran for 12 seasons, making it one of the longest-running crime dramas of its time.

Description: Banacek shares with Columbo a focus on a brilliant detective who solves crimes through intelligence and attention to detail. Both shows are part of NBC's 'Mystery Movie' wheel series and feature charismatic leads. Banacek, like Columbo, often outsmarts criminals through clever deduction, though Banacek focuses more on insurance fraud.

Fact: George Peppard, who played Banacek, was already famous for Breakfast at Tiffany's. The show was known for its Polish-American protagonist, a rarity on TV at the time. Banacek's opening sequence featured a catchy theme song and stylish visuals.

Description: Kojak, like Columbo, is a police procedural with a strong, memorable lead character. Both shows are set in urban environments and focus on solving crimes through meticulous detective work. While Columbo is more about the 'howcatchem' format, Kojak is a traditional 'whodunit,' but both feature detectives who are relentless in their pursuit of justice.

Fact: Telly Savalas, who played Kojak, shaved his head for the role, making him one of the first bald leading men on TV. The character's catchphrase, 'Who loves ya, baby?', became a cultural phenomenon. Kojak was based on real-life NYPD detective Thomas J. Cavanaugh.