Mindhunter might not be coming back, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t similar (and sometimes better) crime thriller TV shows out there for fans to check out. The Netflix series was a certified hit when it debuted on the streaming service in 2017. Unfortunately, its glory seemingly wasn’t meant to last, as Mindhunter has essentially been canceled after two seasons.
There have been rumors and reports about executive producer David Fincher reviving the TV show via a Mindhunter movie (or three). However, nothing has been confirmed as of the writing of this article. As such, fans have no choice but to either rewatch Mindhunter‘s 19 episodes or move on by watching 10 crime thrillers that some consider better than the Netflix series.
10
Twin Peaks
1990–1991, 2017
Twin Peaks often lands a spot on lists chronicling the best TV shows of all time, and for good reason. The Fox surrealist crime thriller series premiered in 1990 and, similar to Mindhunter, initially ran for two seasons. Showtime revived Twin Peaks in 2017 for a third season, and just like the first two, it was met with widespread critical acclaim.
Twin Peaks follows Kyle MacLachlan’s FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper as he investigates the murder of Laura Palmer, a teenager living in the fictional town of Twin Peaks. Those interested will have to check out the show to learn more (and to avoid any spoilers). But trust us, Twin Peaks is well worth the watch. It received 18 Emmy nominations, after all.
9
Black Bird
2022–2022
Apple TV’s miniseries Black Bird might only be six episodes long, but it’s perfect for those who loved Mindhunter, given its true crime story. The show stars Taron Egerton as Jimmy Keene, a man who faced a 10-year prison sentence but made a deal with the FBI to avoid it. He only had to drag a confession out of a serial killer.
In the show, Jimmy works as an FBI operative. He infiltrates the prison where Larry Hall resides and befriends the murderer, just like how it happened in real life. Black Bird dramatizes the true story, of course, but the way in which it does so is similar to Mindhunter‘s format. It’s much more gripping, disturbing, and fast-paced, though.
Nevertheless, the Apple TV limited series received universal praise. Paul Walter Hauser, who played Hall, even won an Emmy for his performance, while Egerton was also nominated for his role in the Black Bird cast. Unfortunately, he lost to Beef‘s Steven Yeun.
8
True Detective
2014–Present
Perhaps True Detective as a whole isn’t better than Mindhunter. However, its first and fourth seasons definitely are. Nothing will ever truly compare to season 1 of the anthology crime drama, which starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as homicide detectives investigating the murder of Dora Lange. It received positive reviews from fans and critics alike and was nominated for several awards.
The following seasons of True Detective feature new cast members and follow different stories. While the middle seasons couldn’t compete with the first one, True Detective: Night Country (aka season 4) was a return to form for the series. It was the most-watched season of the HBO crime thriller, while Jodie Foster took home the Emmy for her performance in Night Country.
7
Fargo
2014–Present
Fargo has run for five seasons and 51 episodes, and it’s still as good as it was during its first season. The FX black comedy crime thriller is based on Joel and Ethan Coen’s 1996 movie of the same name, and similar to True Detective, it’s an anthology series. Each season features a new setting, cast of characters, and story.
Despite their differences, Fargo‘s five seasons all revolve around law enforcement officers and varying, captivating cases. All of them have also received high praise from audiences, and they were recognized for their work. Over the course of its run, Fargo has garnered 28 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning three, including Outstanding Miniseries for its first season.
6
Mare Of Easttown
2021–2021
Mare of Easttown captivates its audience from the start, and it never lets its foot off the gas. The HBO crime thriller miniseries follows a detective investigating the murder of a teenager and the disappearance of a young girl. Its premise might sound simple, but Mare of Easttown is anything but, as evidenced by its positive reviews and universal acclaim.
Of course, Mare of Easttown receives a boost from Kate Winslet’s performance as the main character, which earned her an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. She is absolutely magnificent as the main character, and many have stated that it’s one of her best roles to date. Without Winslet, Mare of Easttown wouldn’t have received as much praise.
5
Oz
1997–2003
The Mindhunter characters spend a lot of their time in prisons, while Oz takes place entirely in one prison. HBO’s crime thriller, which served as the cable network’s first hour-long drama series, centers around the fictional Oswald State Correctional Facility, nicknamed “Oz.” Throughout its six seasons, the show follows inmates and correctional officers as they struggle for power within the prison’s walls.
Oz is engaging, brutal, and simply a phenomenal show. Its stories, themes, tones, etc., are brilliant and more than worthy of praise. So, if one enjoyed Mindhunter, then Oz will certainly pull them in, and it might just convince them that it’s better than the Netflix series.
4
The X-Files
1993–2002, 2016–2018
Watching The X-Files is a significant time commitment, but it’s worth it. The popular Fox drama series, starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, respectively, follows the two FBI agents as they investigate “X Files” cases, which contain paranormal elements. While Mulder is a true believer, Scully is an unyielding skeptic.
Unlike Mindhunter, The X-Files dives deep into the sci-fi and supernatural genres, but its crime and thriller themes remain strong. Its legacy is simply unmatched. For starters, Mulder and Scully are one of the best detective duos ever. Holden Ford and Bill Tench don’t hold a candle to them. The X-Files was also a pop culture phenomenon, and many shows can’t compare to it.
3
Hannibal
2013–2015
Hannibal is unlike any other show in the history of TV, and that’s a good thing. In fact, it’s mightily impressive and is why the NBC psychological crime thriller is held in such regard. Unfortunately, low ratings led to Hannibal‘s cancellation after only three seasons, but that doesn’t take away the fact that it’s one of the best series of the 2010s.
Hannibal chronicles the relationship between forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Mads Mikkelsen, and FBI Special Agent Will Graham, portrayed by Hugh Dancy. After Graham becomes Lecter’s patient, they form a bond that is quite complicated, given that Lecter is the serial killer Graham is searching for. It’s fascinating watching the two characters interact and try to dissect their confusing feelings.
2
Sharp Objects
2018–2018
Sharp Objects, based on Gillian Flynn’s 2006 book of the same name, centers around Amy Adams’ Camille Preaker, a reporter who returns to her hometown following the murders of two girls. Its premise might sound similar to Mare of Easttown‘s, but the HBO psychological crime thriller’s story and characters separate it from the crowd. It’s simply much darker, making it all the more compelling.
Sharp Objects went on to receive many nominations at prestigious award shows and was praised by critics and fans alike. It has the ability to pull in viewers and keep them captivated from beginning to end. It’s a limited series, though, meaning it only contains eight episodes, but each one of them is all-consuming.
1
Criminal Minds
2005–2020, 2022–Present
Even though not all Criminal Minds episodes and/or seasons can even be compared to Mindhunter, the TV show’s history and perseverance make it better than the Netflix series. Some might disagree, of course, but the CBS police procedural show has 18 seasons and over 350 episodes under its belt. And many of those episodes are nothing short of spectacular.
Whereas Mindhunter chronicles the foundation of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit in the late 1970s, Criminal Minds follows BAU profilers in the present day. They utilize the playbook that Ford, Tench, and Wendy Carr wrote to solve crimes across the country. The show is just highly addictive, and it has the upside of containing over 350 episodes, while Mindhunter only has 19.
