10 Shows & Movies Similar to The Mentalist (2008)

Description: 'Monk' shares with 'The Mentalist' a focus on a brilliant but eccentric detective solving complex cases. Both protagonists have unique personal struggles—Monk with his OCD and Patrick Jane with his tragic past—adding depth to their characters and the narrative.

Fact: Tony Shalhoub won three Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Adrian Monk. The show was inspired by a real-life detective with OCD. 'Monk' was one of the first shows to successfully blend comedy and drama in a detective series.

Description: 'House' and 'The Mentalist' both center on brilliant but flawed protagonists who solve mysteries—House with medical cases and Jane with crimes. Both characters use unorthodox methods and have troubled personal lives.

Fact: Hugh Laurie's American accent was so convincing that many viewers didn't realize he was British. The character of House was inspired by Sherlock Holmes. The show's diagnostic approach was based on real medical mysteries.

Description: 'Bones' and 'The Mentalist' both combine crime-solving with character-driven storytelling. Both shows feature a team of experts solving complex cases, with a focus on forensic science and psychological insight.

Fact: The character of Temperance Brennan is based on real-life forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs. The show ran for 12 seasons, making it one of the longest-running crime dramas. Emily Deschanel, who plays Brennan, is a vegetarian and animal rights activist in real life.

Description: Similar to 'The Mentalist', 'Psych' features a protagonist with extraordinary observational skills who pretends to be a psychic to solve crimes. Both shows blend crime-solving with humor and wit, creating a light-hearted yet engaging detective series.

Fact: The show's lead, Shawn Spencer, often makes pop culture references, a trait inspired by the actor James Roday's own personality. 'Psych' has a dedicated fan base known as 'Psych-Os'. The pineapple, a recurring motif in the show, appears in every episode as an inside joke among the cast and crew.

Description: 'Castle' and 'The Mentalist' both feature charming, unconventional detectives paired with more by-the-book law enforcement partners. The dynamic between Castle and Beckett mirrors that of Jane and Lisbon, blending crime-solving with personal relationships.

Fact: Nathan Fillion, who plays Richard Castle, is a huge fan of 'Firefly', and references to the show often appear in 'Castle'. The character of Castle was inspired by real-life mystery writers. The show's success led to a series of novels actually written under the name 'Richard Castle'.

Description: Like 'The Mentalist', 'Lie to Me' centers on a protagonist with a unique ability to read people—Dr. Cal Lightman interprets microexpressions to detect lies. Both shows explore the psychology behind crime-solving and feature charismatic leads.

Fact: The character of Dr. Lightman is based on real-life psychologist Paul Ekman. The show uses real case studies to inspire its episodes. Tim Roth, who plays Lightman, was initially hesitant to take on a TV role but was drawn to the character's complexity.

Description: 'White Collar' shares with 'The Mentalist' a focus on a charming, highly intelligent protagonist who uses his skills to solve crimes. Both Neal Caffrey and Patrick Jane have checkered pasts and work closely with law enforcement.

Fact: Matt Bomer, who plays Neal Caffrey, did many of his own stunts. The show was inspired by real-life con artists and white-collar criminals. 'White Collar' was known for its stylish fashion, particularly Neal's suits.

Description: 'Sherlock' and 'The Mentalist' both feature detectives with unparalleled observational and deductive skills. Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock and Simon Baker's Patrick Jane are charismatic, flawed geniuses who solve crimes in unconventional ways.

Fact: Each episode of 'Sherlock' is 90 minutes long, resembling a mini-movie. The show's creators, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, are huge Sherlock Holmes fans. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman went on to star together in 'The Hobbit' series.

Description: 'Rizzoli & Isles' and 'The Mentalist' both feature strong partnerships between detectives and their colleagues, blending crime-solving with personal dynamics. Both shows balance procedural elements with character development.

Fact: The show is based on a series of novels by Tess Gerritsen. Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander had instant chemistry, which contributed to the show's success. The series was praised for its portrayal of female friendship in a male-dominated genre.

Description: 'Elementary' offers a modern take on Sherlock Holmes, much like 'The Mentalist' presents a contemporary version of a detective with Holmesian deductive skills. Both shows delve into the protagonist's personal growth and past traumas.

Fact: This is the first adaptation to cast a woman, Lucy Liu, as Dr. Watson. Jonny Lee Miller's portrayal of Sherlock was praised for its fresh take on the character. The show is set in New York City, a departure from the traditional London setting.