Television series

Manimal

Name: Manimal
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery
Released: 1983
Cast: Glynn Turman, Michael D. Roberts, Melody Anderson, Simon MacCorkindale, Reni Santoni

A 1983 NBC series about a shape-shifting doctor who becomes a vigilante detective, transforming into animals to solve crimes. It's earnest, preposterous, and unironically committed to its premise—pure pulp adventure with a side of practical effects charm. Perfect for anyone who loves high-concept '80s genre television and doesn't mind camp.

TVMaze rating

3.2

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you have a soft spot for earnest, early-eighties crime shows where the gimmick is the whole pitch and the chases are played completely straight.

Skip it if you want a sleek modern procedural with a steady tone; the transformation effects and pulpy, uneven plotting show their age across a single season.

What it asks of you: Eight episodes of about an hour each, so it asks for a light commitment, and it moves briskly with a pulpy, cheerful pace rather than demanding close attention.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

The Incredible Hulk1977

Another superhero with an uncontrollable gift forced into the margins of society, solving crimes and helping people. Bill Bixby's weariness mirrors the existential weight of being different. Equally committed to its absurd premise.

But Slower paced than Manimal and heavier on pathos; if you want the fun without the angst, this leans too far the other way.

Automan1983

Aired the same year as Manimal and shares its DNA: a computer-generated superhero helps a cop solve crimes using ridiculous high-tech powers. Same '80s earnestness, equally unpretentious, genuinely fun.

But The computer effects are dated in a way that might feel actively difficult to watch now, even to VFX enthusiasts.

Tales of the Gold Monkey1982

Period adventure series with the same adventuresome DNA and episodic crime-solving structure. Pulp adventure that knows what it is and commits fully. Great sense of fun without winking at the camera.

But Removes the superhero element entirely—if you're here specifically for the shape-shifting, this is a step down in spectacle.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Manimal

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Thriller1973

Both are '70s/'80s NBC genre series that treat their wild premises with complete seriousness and expect audiences to follow along month after month. Same network, same gambit: swing big or go home.

An obscure NBC anthology series where each episode features a different supernatural or paranormal premise. Same network, same era, same fearless willingness to try anything on prime time. High-concept monster-of-the-week done seriously. Criminally forgotten and genuinely creepy.

But Entirely episodic with no through-line; and the special effects are much more low-budget and rough around the edges than even Manimal's practical work. Can feel genuinely cheap.

The Spy Who Loved Me1977

Bond at its most cheerful and preposterous. Doesn't apologize for its silliness and somehow that makes it work. Same confidence in wild premise, same commitment to the bit.

But Very much a Bond film; if Roger Moore's style grates on you, nothing here will change your mind.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker1972

A reporter investigates supernatural crimes with the same episodic structure and oddball-against-the-system energy. Genuinely influential and smarter than it has to be about its premise.

But Darker and more horror-focused; the tone is considerably more dour than Manimal's adventure register.

Knight Rider1982

Michael Knight and KITT solve crimes together. Started just before Manimal and dominated primetime precisely because it nailed what audiences wanted: a gimmick, an attractive lead, episodic cases, and zero self-consciousness.

But More slickly produced, which paradoxically makes it less fun than Manimal's scrappier charm for some viewers.

The Equalizer2021

A retired spy helps people outside the system. Shares Manimal's template: mysterious hero, helper network, episodic justice. Built to last (it ran for four seasons) and better at the formula than Manimal ever was.

But Serious and procedural where Manimal leans adventurous; trades fun for competence.

Cover Up1984

A stuntman and a reporter solve crimes while pretending to be married. Bonkers premise played absolutely straight. Same '80s network TV spirit as Manimal, same commitment to the ridiculous.

But Only ran 18 episodes and feels more scattered; the premise doesn't quite cohere the way Manimal's does.

Venom1981

Both explore the space between human and animal—but while Manimal celebrates transformation, Venom treats the boundary as terrifying and morally murky. Inverse tones on the same theme, and Venom does the dark version completely seriously.

Klaus Kinski and Sterling Hayden are trapped in a townhouse with a black mamba and a gang of thieves. Tense, thrilling, impossible to look away from. Pure visceral filmmaking that trusts you to care about characters and animals in danger.

But It's a real snake, really in danger, and watching animals suffer—even for art—is genuinely difficult. Not a fun movie; it's punishing and will upset you.

The Howling1981

Both hinge on human-animal transformation, but Howling treats it as tragedy and corruption where Manimal treats it as superpower fantasy. Same special-effects era, wildly different philosophical register about what changing shape means.

A reporter stumbles onto a community of werewolves in the California wilderness. Smartly written, genuinely unsettling, and packed with creature effects that still hold up. Body horror that functions as genuine social commentary.

But People die badly and often. This is horror, not adventure; if you're here for fun, the violence and suffering will feel misplaced.