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Columbo

1971 – 2003Show10 seasons67 episodesTV-PG

CrimeDrama
83
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.3Metacritic–8.6Rotten Tomatoes–83%

A nostalgic, intriguing crime series about crime and mystery, with standout performances and dialogue.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares, big ideas or adrenaline.

Shows with

Episodes

10 seasons · 67 episodes · best: S3E2 "Any Old Port in a Storm" 8.3

Episodes

7.5
7.5
7.8
7.7
7.4
7.4
7.8
7.3
7.6
7.4

Story

Oh, just one more thing...

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.

Feels like

  • Inverted Detective Procedural
  • Charismatic Eccentric Sleuth
  • Golden Age Mystery
  • Witty Intellectual Banter
  • Comfortable Nostalgia
  • Puzzle-Solving Focus
  • Theatrical Performance
  • Low-Stakes Tension
  • Classic Whodunit Structure
  • Accessible Family Entertainment

Cast

24 of 725 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Vincent McEveety, James Frawley, Patrick McGoohan
Written by
Jackson Gillis, Peter S. Fischer, Steven Bochco
Produced by
Everett Chambers, Edward K. Dodds, Dean Hargrove
Music by
Dick De Benedictis, Patrick Williams, Mike Post

Everyone

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

Facts

September 15, 1971 · January 30, 2003 · Ended

First aired
September 15, 1971
Last aired
January 30, 2003
Status
Ended
Length
10 seasons · 67 episodes
Age rating
TV-PG
Content
Violence, Strong Language
Genres
Crime, Drama, Mystery
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
65 countries

Tropes

Just for the Heli of It, Perp Sweating, Evil Cannot Comprehend Good +9

  • Just for the Heli of It
  • Perp Sweating
  • Evil Cannot Comprehend Good
  • Right-Hand Attack Dog
  • Hoist by His Own Petard
  • Massive Numbered Siblings
  • Justice by Other Legal Means
  • Supreme Chef
  • Artistic License – Physics
  • Fatal Flaw
  • Greedy Televangelist
  • Asshole Victim

12 of 300 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Columbo?"

Questions about Columbo

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Columbo?

PrimePeacockFandango at Home FreePeacock Premium+Tubi TV

In the United States, Columbo streams on Prime and Peacock, and it is free with ads on Fandango at Home Free and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 24 other countries.

Is Columbo worth watching?

83
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83 (IMDb 8.3).

Which season of Columbo is best?

Seasons 3 and 7, with an IMDb average of 7.8. Season 8 is the weakest at 7.3. The highest-rated episode is Any Old Port in a Storm (season 3, episode 2) at 8.3, and the lowest is Last Salute to the Commodore (season 5, episode 6) at 6.2.

Is Columbo okay for kids?

TV-PGViolenceStrong language

Yes: it's rated TV-PG in the United States for violence and strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Can I half-watch Columbo?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 5 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it drop-in friendly.

What tropes does Columbo use?

Just for the Heli of ItPerp SweatingEvil Cannot Comprehend GoodRight-Hand Attack DogHoist by His Own PetardMassive Numbered SiblingsJustice by Other Legal MeansSupreme ChefArtistic License – PhysicsFatal FlawGreedy TelevangelistAsshole Victimand 288 more

TV Tropes lists 300 tropes for it, including Just for the Heli of It, Perp Sweating, and Evil Cannot Comprehend Good.