Bones is one of those fun crime-fighting shows where two characters have a on-again off-again relationship, but ultimately take their jobs as FBI investigator and forensic anthropologist very seriously. If you enjoy thrilling crime shows that involve a little romance between characters, we have compiled a list of twenty shows that are like Bones you should be adding to your watchlist.
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20. The Rookie, Hulu and Apple TV (2018-Present)
It’s never too late to start a new career path, right? Well that’s especially true for John Nolan in The Rookie, who is a 40-year-old rookie cop trying to join the ranks of the LAPD. He’s met with skepticism from others, and has to prove himself in this fast-paced environment to show he really can be a cop.
19. FBI, Paramount Plus and Fubo TV (2018-Present)
FBI is about the inner workings of the New York City office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is a fast-paced drama where you will see detectives struggle to find justice for victims who are killed. FBI has numerous seasons ready to stream on Paramount Plus or Fubo TV.
18. FBI: Most Wanted, Prime Video and Apple TV (2020-Present)
A spin-off of the original FBI is the new show FBI: Most Wanted. This newer crime show follows a division of the FBI who are tasked with tracking and capturing notorious criminals that have landed themselves on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, hence the name.
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17. Major Crimes, Philo and Prime Video (2012-2018)
Major Crimes is about Sharon Raydor, who has intellectual smarts combined with a calm and temperamental team of experts to solve high-profile murder cases. In between all the cases she is solving, she is protecting her teenager, who witnesses a horrific crime. There are six seasons of Major Crimes where you will see how Sharon balances her cases and her personal life.
16. Law and Order: Organized Crime, Prime Video and Apple TV (2021-Present)
Originally appearing in other Law and Order episodes, Detective Elliot Stabler returns to the NYPD after a devastating personal loss, this time to battle organized crime in a specialized unit of the same name. Between large and small threats, the team must navigate the criminal world and put the bad guys away.
15. In Plain Sight, Prime Video and Apple TV (2008-2012)
In Plain Sight is about a U.S. Marshal, Mary Shannon, who must hunt down witnesses for federal cases in the witness protection program and relocate them for their safety. There are five seasons of the show where you see Mary helping people with different issues that need to be in the witness protection program.
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14. CSI, Hulu and Paramount Plus (2000-2015)
One of the original crime shows is CSI, also known as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation or CSI: Las Vegas. In the show, a dedicated group of forensic investigators at the Las Vegas Crime Lab work to solve grisly crimes in Sin City, all while navigating their own personal relationships.
13. 9-1-1, Hulu and ABC (2018-Present)
9-1-1 is a series that follows first responders, police officers, and dispatchers and how they handle weird situations they encounter in Los Angeles, California. Like Bones, you will see the characters go through many ups and downs in their personal and work lives. 9-1-1 has multiple seasons streaming on Hulu right now.
12. Blindspot, Prime Video and Apple TV (2015-2020)
In Blindspot, a woman with non memories of her past is found naked in Times Square with her body fully covered in intricate tattoos. After being discovered, it is revealed that her tattoos are in fact a road map that show a larger conspiracy of crime, and will slowly bring Jane Doe closer to her true identity.
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11. Rizzoli & Isles, Max and Philo (2010-2016)
Rizzoli and Isles have to do with Detective Jane Rizzoli and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Maura Isles, who team up to solve crimes in Boston. Not only does it have suspense, but there is constant humor throughout each episode of the show’s seven seasons. When you think you can’t laugh anymore, they surprise you with more funny and witty moments.
10. The Finder, Disney Plus and Apple TV (2012)
The Finder features in Bones in Season Six, Episode Nineteen. The show is about Walter, an Iraq war veteran who suffered a brain injury. He has remarkable investigative abilities, which he uses to solve complex cases. There is only one season of The Finder, but it is an exciting season where you see how he uses unusual tactics to solve cases.
9. Criminal Minds, Hulu and Paramount Plus (2005-2020)
Criminal Minds is about the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis, an elite group of profilers who analyze the nation’s most dangerous serial killers and heinous crimes. They use the crime scenes and people’s actions to apprehend the killers before they flee and strike again. There are fifteen seasons of Criminal Minds, and each season the group of profilers puts their lives and families at risk of getting hurt or, worse, killed.
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8. Sherlock, Philo and Prime Video (2010-2017)
Sherlock is about a modern Sherlock Holmes who lives in the 21st century in London. London is filled with mystery, crime, and deceit. When the police are so desperate, they call Sherlock Holmes so he can use his unconventional methods of deduction to shed light on the case. There are four seasons of the show where Sherlock is put in everyday situations, which makes the show a delight to watch.
7. The Closer, Hulu and Prime Video (2005-2012)
The Closer is about Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson, who runs the Priority Homicide Division of the LAPD with an unusual style. Brenda’s ability to read people and obtain confessions allows her to solve the city’s most challenging and sensitive cases. The Closer has seven seasons where you see Brenda read people and solve all different types of cases.
6. Psych, Apple TV and Peacock (2006-2014)
Psych is about a novice sleuth who convinces the police that he has psychic powers that will help solve cases. Shawn and his best friend hired consultants to help solve complicated cases. The show has eight seasons where you will see how Shawn and Gus solve cases using Shawn’s so-called psychic powers.
5. Lie to Me, Hulu and Prime Video (2009-2011)
Lie to Me is about Cal Lightman, an expert on facial expressions and body language, who uses those things to expose the truth behind the lies. There are three seasons of Lie to Me, where you see different body language and facial expressions that criminals use to tell themselves without saying anything.
4. Elementary, Hulu and Prime Video (2012-2019)
Elementary is a modern take on the cases of Sherlock Holmes, a recovering drug addict and a former consultant to Scotland Yard who assists the New York City Police Department in solving crimes. There are seven seasons of Elementary where you will see Holmes go through the ups and downs of all the cases he is assigned.
3. Lucifer, Netflix and Hulu (2016-2021)
Lucifer is a fantasy crime show where Lucifer is the king of Hell, taking a break from his duties on earth and living with no responsibilities. A friend of his is murdered in front of his club, and now he has to help a detective out so he can find out the truth. The show has six seasons where you see Lucifer grow and want to become more than just the King of Hell.
2. Leverage, Prime Video and Sling TV (2008- 2012)
Leverage is about a crew of high-tech crooks that steal from wealthy criminals and corrupt businessmen who have stolen from middle-class people. There are five seasons of Leverage where you see all different types of rich criminals and businessmen and what the crew will do to them when the criminals do bad things to good people.
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1. Castle, Hulu and Philo (2009-2016) / Shows like Bones
Castle is about a novelist, Richard Castle, in which a serial killer imitates the plots of one of his novels. He received permission from the Mayor of New York City to tag along with the NYPD homicide investigation team only for research purposes. The show has eight seasons where you see a novelist being invited to help solve cases because of his out-of-the-box thinking.
Crime-filled shows are not only intense but keep you glued to the screen as investigators try to find the perpetrators. If you enjoy shows like Bones that show the darker side of the world, make sure to check out at least a couple of these entertaining crime shows on our list.