The essential episodes of Columbo
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Columbo — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Columbo's first mystery pits him against a cheating doctor out to get rid of his wife in favor of his young, pretty actress girlfriend.
- 02
A wealthy art collector is murdered, and all signs point to a robbery gone wrong. But the nephew's alibi is a little too convenient, and Columbo pulls a fast one to ferret out the killer.
- 03
In London, a respected Shakespearean acting duo cover up the unintended killing of their producer.
- 04
A chess player murders his opponent before a big match. Lt. Columbo must out-maneuver this crafty, but craven, killer.
- 05
The director of a government institute that employs various scientific geniuses commits a clever murder. But another kind of genius is on the case: Lt. Columbo.
- 06
The first secretary to the Suarian king may have immunity from the consequences of committing murder, but Lt. Columbo is wilier than any foreign diplomat.
- 07
A stage illusionist kills his employer and makes it look like a contract killing; it's up to Lt. Columbo to trick the master trickster.
- 08
The Bye-bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case
Sigma Society member Oliver Brandt murders his business partner when he threatens to expose him as an embezzler and constructs a seemingly foolproof alibi.
- 09
Food critic Paul Gerard, who has been extorting money from restaurant owners in exchange for good reviews, murders one when threatened with exposure.
- 10
Columbo investigates the apparent drowning of a famous painter's first wife.
- 11
When Dian Hunter, the publisher of the men's magazine "Bachelor's World", wants to sell her stock to a media tycoon, her adulterous partner Sean Brantley objects. Soon afterwards, Miss Hunter apparently disappears on a London-bound flight.
- 12
Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star
Columbo is pitted against an equally brilliant, nationally recognized criminal defence lawyer who murders his rock star girlfriend when he discovers she is seeing another man.
- 13
Columbo attends his nephew's wedding and as the couple get ready to leave on their honeymoon, the bride disappears; Columbo investigates and suspects his nephew may have made a few enemies on the police force.
- 14
When Graham McVeigh kills his brother and frames a mob bookie for the crime and then kills the bookie and claims self-defense. He finds himself facing trouble from both Columbo and the bookie's superior in the mob.
- 15
Columbo gets a taste of the Los Angeles rave scene as he investigates the apparent suicide of a tabloid reporter.
Shows like Columbo
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
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Eavesdropping on the life of Sidney Chambers, a charismatic, charming, crime-fighting clergyman, and his partner in crime Police Inspector Geordie Keating, became a highlight for the audience who revelled in their on… - 02Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of High Potential2024–presentSame network — ABC·
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- 05Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of Elementary2012–2019·CBSElementary is a modern-day take on the classic Sherlock Holmes story about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases.
- 06Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of Dexter2006–2013·Paramount+ with Showtime
He's smart, he's good looking, and he's got a great sense of humor.
