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Trailer

Cops

1989 – nowShow38 seasons1299 episodesTV-14

Reality
75
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.0Metacritic846.7

A nostalgic, tense reality series about everyday modern life and crime.

Good for friends night · binge-friendly · drop-in friendly

Skip it if you want something to laugh at

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Shows with

Episodes

38 seasons · 1299 episodes · best: S21E4 "Resisting Arrest 4" 8.6

Episodes

6.7
6.4
6.0
6.1
6.2
5.9
6.4
5.7
6.0
4.8
6.0
5.3
7.0
7.2
8.2
7.0
7.3
7.9
7.0
7.0
6.9
6.6
6.5
6.4
7.3
7.1
7.0
6.0
5.7
6.5
7.3

Story

Follow real-life law enforcement officers from various regions and departments of the United States armed with nothing but with cameras to capture their actions, performing their daily duty to serve and protect the public.

Feels like

  • Gritty Reality TV
  • Police Procedural Documentary
  • High-Tension Chases
  • Raw and Unfiltered
  • Societal Mirror
  • Adrenaline-Fueled Law Enforcement
  • Cultural Time Capsule
  • Intense Audio Immersion
  • Moral Ambiguity
  • Street-Level Crime Focus

Cast

1 of 1 · most episodes first

Crew

Produced by
Morgan Langley, Bertram van Munster, Andrew Thomas

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

March 11, 1989 · October 9, 2026 · Still running

First aired
March 11, 1989
Latest episode
October 9, 2026
Status
Still running
Length
38 seasons · 1299 episodes
Age rating
TV-14
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Reality
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
31 countries

Tropes

Shock and Awe, Alcohol-Induced Idiocy, Once per Episode +9

  • Shock and Awe
  • Alcohol-Induced Idiocy
  • Once per Episode
  • Content Warnings
  • Un-Cancelled
  • Fell Off the Back of a Truck
  • Deep South
  • Opening Narration
  • Sound-Effect Bleep
  • Eat the Evidence
  • Takes Ten to Hold
  • Reality Show

12 of 39 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Cops?"

Questions about Cops

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Cops?

fuboTVThe RokuYouTube TV

In the United States, Cops streams on fuboTV and YouTube TV, and it is free with ads on The Roku. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. It also streams in 29 other countries.

Is Cops worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75 (IMDb 7 and Metacritic 84). Critics rate it higher (84 out of 100) than audiences (69). Season 11 is the weak spot, with an IMDb average of 4.8 against 8.2 for the best season.

Which season of Cops is best?

Season 18, with an IMDb average of 8.2. Season 11 is the weakest at 4.8. The highest-rated episode is Resisting Arrest 4 (season 21, episode 4) at 8.6, and the lowest is Naked Cops Special Edition (season 14, episode 33) at 4.2.

Is Cops okay for kids?

TV-14ViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

Better for older viewers: it's rated TV-14 in the United States for violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for adults.

How long does it take to watch Cops?

650 h

About 650 hours: 1299 episodes in 38 seasons of about 30 minutes each since 1989, and it's still in production.

Can I half-watch Cops?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with ambiguity at only 4 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it drop-in friendly.

What tropes does Cops use?

Shock and AweAlcohol-Induced IdiocyOnce per EpisodeContent WarningsUn-CancelledFell Off the Back of a TruckDeep SouthOpening NarrationSound-Effect BleepEat the EvidenceTakes Ten to HoldReality Showand 27 more

TV Tropes lists 39 tropes for it, including Shock and Awe, Alcohol-Induced Idiocy, and Once per Episode.