Television series

Magnum P.I.

Name: Magnum P.I.
Genre: Drama, Action, Mystery
Released: 2018
Cast: Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Tim Kang

Other titles called Magnum P.I.: the 1980 series (CBS).

A reboot of the 80s classic, this Magnum P.I. trades nostalgia for a fresh take on the formula: a charming veteran private investigator solves crimes across Hawaii with an eclectic crew of equally capable friends. It's propulsive, good-natured, and built for watching in clusters—clever cases, gorgeous locations, genuine affection between characters.

TVMaze rating

3.6

If you liked this

Hawaii Five-02010

Same island, similar mix of character banter and satisfying case-solving. If you like the rhythm of Magnum—standalone mysteries interspersed with deeper ensemble dynamics—this hits the same note with equal conviction.

But It runs long (10 seasons), and the early-season freshness can feel diluted by year five. The show doesn't always know when to let an idea breathe.

Blue Bloods2010

Another procedural that prioritizes the people over the mysteries. Watch it for the cases, stay for the recurring family and team dynamics that deepen across seasons. Same warm competence Magnum trades in.

But It's very traditional network TV—sometimes boringly so. If you want surprises or moral ambiguity, you'll wait a while for them.

The Mentalist2008

A charismatic lead with a gift for reading people, solving one-off crimes with style, and maintaining an ensemble cast you actually want to spend time with. Lighter tone than prestige crime drama, heavier than pure action.

But The central mystery loses momentum after season three. Once you've solved that core puzzle, some viewers find less reason to stay.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Magnum P.I.

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

The Expanse2015

Both center on a found family of outsiders solving problems together, where the crew's loyalty and banter matter as much as the cases. Both make you want to live inside their world.

A ragtag crew of veterans and misfits solve mysteries and fight corruption across the solar system. It shares Magnum's deep ensemble affection and the pleasure of watching capable people improvise—but in hard sci-fi rather than sunny procedural. Far more ambitious and morally complex.

But The first season is slow and demands investment before the scope reveals itself. If space opera sounds exhausting, you'll want to skip it.

Burn Notice2007

A spy on the run solving cases in Miami with a tight group of competent friends. Magnum's DNA is all here: veteran protagonist, witty voiceover, found-family crew, exotic location. Pure entertainment.

But The formula doesn't evolve much. If you tire of the repetition, later seasons won't refresh you—they'll just be more of the same.

NCIS2003

The gold standard of ensemble procedurals: strong cases, characters who genuinely care about each other, and the satisfaction of mysteries solved cleanly each week. Massively watchable if you surrender to the rhythm.

But It's been on for twenty+ seasons. Some find it creaky and dated; the tone can ping-pong between dark and comedic without warning.

Lethal Weapon2016

Two veterans (one a cop, one recently separated from military life) pair up to solve crimes with banter, loyalty, and genuine warmth. The buddy dynamic runs deep. Shorter run, so it stays lean.

But The show was cancelled mid-season due to behind-the-scenes friction, and it shows in the final episodes. Feels incomplete.

MacGyver2016

Another military reboot with a similar vibe: smart protagonist, globe-trotting cases, found family in the agency team, and the pleasure of watching a capable person improvise under pressure.

But The writing can be thin, and the formula—problem, quick solution, move on—doesn't allow for much character depth or surprise.

Person of Interest2011

Two men with different skill sets help people in danger one case at a time while building to a larger mythology. Smarter than standard procedural, with ensemble warmth and genuine stakes underneath.

But It requires patience in the early seasons, and the mythology payoff is divisive. Some feel the ending undermines what came before.

Psych2006

A fake psychic and his best friend solve crimes in Santa Barbara with humor, heart, and consistent wit. If you want Magnum's warmth and charm but cranked toward comedy, this is the move.

But The jokes can feel forced, and the case-of-the-week structure grows stale by the end of its eight-season run. Less substance than Magnum.

Andor2022

Both follow competent veterans using wits and networks to navigate systems that don't serve them. Both understand that the best spy stories are about people, not explosions.

A former soldier caught in larger political machinery learns to survive and resist. It's also a spy story with great ensemble work—but instead of Hawaii's brightness, it's European shadows and moral grey. Serious where Magnum is light.

But It's slow-burn and grim, with minimal humor. If you watch Magnum for escapism and fun, this is the opposite approach to similar material.

Poker Face2023

Both are case-driven episodic mysteries where the protagonist's skill at reading people is the real engine. Both trust the audience to enjoy the craft of a solved puzzle, week after week.

A woman with an uncanny ability to read people drives across America solving one mystery per episode. It's Magnum's case-of-the-week structure, but each episode is a different genre, directed by major filmmakers—mystery as carnival rather than formula.

But It's deliberately stylized and artificial, prioritizing mood and cleverness over character consistency. The tone shift from episode to episode isn't for everyone.