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Series like Columbo

Find your next watch through shared stories, themes and creators. See why each series connects, then explore the map.

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Series · 10 connections

Columbo (1971)

Columbo is a friendly, verbose, disheveled-looking police detective who is consistently underestimated by his suspects. Despite his unprepossessing appearance and apparent absentmindedness, he shrewdly solves all of his cases and secures all evidence needed for indictment. His formidable eye for detail and meticulously dedicated approach often become clear to the killer only late in the storyline.

Created byWilliam Link, Richard Levinson

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What to watch after Columbo

A series shortlist from the cached Film Atlas engine. The interactive map may include more titles or newer results. These are similarity matches, not a guarantee of age suitability.

  1. 02

    Quincy, M.E.

    Similar atmosphere

    1976 · 60 min · Crime · Drama · Mystery

    Read synopsis

    Los Angeles County medical examiner Quincy routinely engages in police investigations.

    Why it connects

    • strong genre and series-style overlap
    • shared crime investigation series style
    • shared network: Universal Television, Universal Television Entertainment
    Explore series like Quincy, M.E.
  2. 03

    Mrs. Columbo

    Same creator

    1979 · 60 min · Comedy · Crime · Mystery

    Read synopsis

    Mrs. Kate Columbo, wife of the famous lieutenant, solves crimes as a reporter, while raising her little daughter.

    Why it connects

    • the same creator
    • substantial genre overlap
    • shared network: Universal Television
    Explore series like Mrs. Columbo
  3. 04

    Dragnet

    Similar atmosphere

    1967 · 30 min · Crime · Drama · Mystery

    Read synopsis

    Police Detective Sgt. Joe Friday and his partners investigate crimes in Los Angeles.

    Why it connects

    • strong genre and series-style overlap
    • a closely matched era
    • shared network: Universal Television
    Explore series like Dragnet
  4. 05

    Ellery Queen

    Same creator

    1975 · 60 min · Drama · Mystery

    Read synopsis

    Ellery Queen is an American television detective mystery series based on the fictional character Ellery Queen. It aired on NBC during the 1975-76 television season and stars Jim Hutton as Ellery Queen, David Wayne as his father, Inspector Richard Queen, and Tom Reese as Sgt. Velie. Created by the writing/producing team of Richard Levinson and William Link, the title character "breaks" the fourth wall to ask the audience to consider their solution.

    Why it connects

    • the same creator
    • strong genre and series-style overlap
    • a closely matched era
    Explore series like Ellery Queen
  5. 06

    Ironside

    Similar atmosphere

    1967 · 60 min · Crime · Drama · Mystery

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    When an assassin's bullet confines him to a wheelchair for life ending his career as Chief of Detectives, Robert T. Ironside becomes a consultant to the police department. Detective Sergeant Ed Brown and policewoman Eve Whitfield join with him to crack varied and fascinating cases. Ex-con Mark Sanger is employed by the chief as home help but eventually becomes a fully fledged member of the team also. Officer Whitfield leaves after 4 years service, and is replaced by Officer Fran Belding.

    Why it connects

    • strong genre and series-style overlap
    • a closely matched era
    • shared network: Universal Television
    Explore series like Ironside
  6. 07

    The Rockford Files

    Similar atmosphere

    1974 · 60 min · Crime · Drama · Mystery

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    Cranky but likable L.A. PI Jim Rockford pulls no punches (but takes plenty of them). An ex-con sent to the slammer for a crime he didn't commit, Rockford takes on cases others don't want, aided by his tough old man, his lawyer girlfriend and some shady associates from his past.

    Why it connects

    • strong genre and series-style overlap
    • a closely matched era
    • shared network: Universal Television
    Explore series like The Rockford Files
  7. 09

    McCloud

    Similar atmosphere

    1970 · 120 min · Crime · Drama

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    Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud of the small western town of Taos, New Mexico is assigned to the metropolitan New York City Police Department (NYPD) as a special investigator.

    Why it connects

    • strong genre and series-style overlap
    • a closely matched era
    • shared network: Universal Television
    Explore series like McCloud
  8. 10

    Kojak

    Similar atmosphere

    1973 · 60 min · Crime · Drama · Mystery

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    A bald, lollipop sucking police detective with a fiery righteous attitude battles crime in New York City.

    Why it connects

    • strong genre and series-style overlap
    • a closely matched era
    Explore series like Kojak

How these series recommendations work

Film Atlas combines story similarity, series metadata and TMDB relationship signals. Shared networks can support a match; audience safeguards help avoid poor fits. The explanations above come from the engine’s recorded evidence—not invented reviews.

A similarity match is different from a quality rating. Use the map to explore the connections and decide what fits your mood.

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