10 Best TV Shows Like Only Building Murders
Thanks to the casting of comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short, Hulu’s original detective series Only the murders in the building is one of the best-received new shows to hit the airwaves in 2021. The show follows a trio of eccentric aliens who converge to investigate a mysterious murder in their apartment building and discuss their progress on a podcast on the real crime.
Only the murders in the building joins a rich tradition of hysterical thriller on television where the humorous interaction between eccentric amateur sleuths and various gruesome crime scenes provides endless entertainment.
ten Bored To Death – Stream on HBO Max
Written by acclaimed New York novelist Jonathan Ames, Bored to die is a hilarious half-hour detective comedy that boasts a similar premise and the same hip, quirky tone as Only murder in the building. Equally embarrassed, the show follows Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman), a failing writer who begins moonlighting as an amateur sleuth with his clumsy pals, Ray (Zach Galifianakis) and George (Red Danson).
Just as Charles draws on his past acting experience on an 80s crime show. Only murders, Jonathan also draws on detective novels from the past to learn the tricks of the trade on Bored to die. Both shows prioritize original characters over plot, and offer compelling glimpses into New York City life.
9 The # 1 Detective Agency for Women – Stream on HBO Max
One of the most enchanting crime comedies to watch with Only the murders in the building is HBO’s much underrated original series The # 1 Detective Agency for Women, the first show ever shot in Botswana, Africa. The show follows Precious Ramotswe (Jill Scott), a bright and empowered woman who opens the country’s first female-owned detective agency. Hilarious, unique and exhilarating, the show is a must-see.
With the help of his hilarious assistant Grace (Anika Noni Rose), Precious solves a host of high-profile crimes, ranging from kidnapping and illegal contraband, mysterious hospital deaths and more. As well as celebrating the empowerment of women, the warmth of the characters and the colorful setting give off positive vibes that even Steve Martin and Martin Short couldn’t eclipse.
8 Castle – Stream on DirecTV
Nathan Fillion gives a comedic stunt as the titular star of Chateau, a popular detective novelist who discovers that a serial killer is copying the sadistic plots of his bestselling books. As such, he manages to gain access to the NYPD Homicide Unit to dig up the dirt on the assailant along with his partner Kate (Stana Katic).
The meta-narrative of Castle’s fictional crime stories comically brought to life reflects the self-reflexivity of Only the murders in the building, where the three protagonists share an obsession with podcasts about real crime, only to begin their own when a real murder strikes The Arconia.
7 Monk – Stream on Amazon Prime Video
Tony Shalhoub has won three Primetime Emmys for his tumultuous turns as Adrian Monk, the titular detective whose stellar career is cut short due to his crippling OCD. Taking on a new post as a consultant, his condition leads to a series of heart-wrenching misadventures.
Despite the grim subject matter and the tragedy plaguing Monk, the show is treated with such a light and skillful comedic touch that the main character ends up triumphing due, not despite, to his obsessive-compulsive disorder. Possessing over 300 phobias while being compelled to investigate grisly crime scenes provides a relentless hilarity and level of discomfort that is too reminiscent of those who live in. Only the murders in the building.
6 Psych – Stream on Amazon Prime and Peacock
One of the funniest and longest-running detective comedy series features Psychic, which is currently airing on Peacock and chronicles the savage exploits of Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez), an amateur sleuth who claims to have psychic powers that can be used to solve crimes. When the police hire him accordingly, it’s up to him and his best friend Burton (Dule Hill) to keep their promise.
Aside from the similar premise of a novice detective sticking out his head and facing deadly consequences, Psychic is required to appeal to Only murders in buildings fans for how emphasizes the search for true friendship in an unlikely place.
5 My Life is Murder – Aired on Acorn TV
For another airy and hugely entertaining crime comedy, listen to My life is murder. TV legend Lucy Lawless plays Alexa Crowe, a fearless investigator who takes on the establishment and solves the most enigmatic crimes while facing her daily misadventures in Australia. The show is basically Véronique Mars for adults.
And like Only the murders in the building, my life is murder deserves praise for picking lead actors over 50, a trend that probably would never have happened a generation ago. Plus, Alexa is just as capable, oddly playful, and as witty as Martin and Short in the way she solves crimes.
4 Research Group – Stream on HBO Max
For fans of Only the murders in the building in search of a darker comedy with sinister overtones, the original HBO series Research group is the place to be. The show traces a quartet of young solipsists who undertake an amateur investigation into the mysterious disappearance of an old friend from college.
The biting sitcom marries the traditional half-hour comedy format with groundbreaking originality, with characters laughably egotistical but easy to understand when they embark on heart-wrenching storylines. Dory’s (Alia Shawkat) specific story is also unexpectedly tender and touching, as is Mabel (Selena Gomez) ‘s story on Only the murders in the building.
3 Death In Paradise – Stream on Britbox
For an expressly English comedy about a funny TV detective who is not very good at his job, Death in paradise is the display of the absolute destination. The show follows the grumpy exploits of DI Richard Poole (Ben Miller), a very British middle-aged detective who hates all things sun and leisure and is sent to the Caribbean to solve a murder.
The fish out of the water crime comedy is the perfect companion across the pond for Only the murders in the building, because DI Poole is the epitome of eccentric TV sleuths who can’t adapt to his new surroundings. His dissatisfaction with Heaven brings endless laughs, as do the anthology sequels featuring various head detectives.
2 Queens Of Mystery – Stream on Acorn TV
Given the age of their target population, Queens of mystery might just be the closest to a genre swap version of Only the murders in the building. The latter is about a quartet of middle-aged sisters who write detective novels that use their past research to join forces and solve a spate of police murders in a posh English hamlet.
Just like George and Oliver do with Mabel in Only the murders in the building, the three sisters find help from their niece Matilda (Olivia Vinall), 28, who opens their eyes to a whole new wealth of intergenerational information that is proving invaluable in solving the murders.
1 Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency – Stream on Hulu
As the show comes alive with a dose of the supernatural, Dirk Gently’s holistic detective agency has the same whimsical tone, tenor and temperament as Hulu’s new thriller. Samuel Barnett stars as the main character, an eccentric spiritual sleuth who solves crimes through kismet with his equally quirky partner Todd (Elijah Wood).
The absurd humor and weird characters of the show always take precedence over the main crime, which is a tip Only the murders in the building also uses to keep the audience as engaged as possible and to generate as much sympathy as possible for goofy sleuths. It is not their exceptional professional performances that make them endearing, it is quite the opposite in both shows.
