Hannibal (2013)

Kernel Score: 91% · 2,816 ratings

Genres: Drama, Crime

First aired: 2013-04-04

Seasons: 3 · 39 episodes

Is Hannibal worth watching?

Must-watch. A dark crime series that treats murder as art and builds a hypnotic, unsettling friendship between a gifted profiler and a charming cannibal psychiatrist. The style is extraordinary and the cast is superb, though the finale divides fans.

Watch it if you

  • like slow, stylish psychological thrillers
  • enjoy grim horror-tinged crime stories
  • want a villain with real charm

Skip it if you

  • are squeamish about gore
  • want a plain, procedural case-of-the-week show

Best for: Binge weekend

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Hannibal

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

Both a gift and a curse, Graham has the extraordinary ability to think like his prey—he sees what they see, feels what they feel. But while Graham is pursuing an especially troubling, cannibalistic murderer, Special Agent Jack Crawford teams him with a highly respected psychiatrist – a man with a taste for the criminal minded – Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

Hannibal parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Hannibal is a TV-MA psychological thriller about an FBI profiler pursuing a cannibalistic serial killer.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — TV-MA crime thriller centered on a cannibalistic serial killer, murder investigations, and gothic horror imagery.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-MA rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Shows like Hannibal

If you liked Hannibal, these are the shows we'd watch next.

  • MINDHUNTER (2017) — 88%: Another thoughtful, chilling look inside the minds of killers.
  • Dexter (2006) — 89%: A serial killer series with a darkly charming lead.
  • Sharp Objects (2018) — 87%: Moody, disturbing crime drama focused on damaged people.
  • Killing Eve (2018) — 89%: Cat-and-mouse thriller between a hunter and a stylish killer.
  • You (2018) — 90%: Charming, obsessive protagonist with a sinister secret.
  • Luther (2010) — 88%: Dark, intense detective drama with a brilliant, haunted lead.

Cast

Hannibal FAQ

Is Hannibal worth watching?

Must-watch. A dark crime series that treats murder as art and builds a hypnotic, unsettling friendship between a gifted profiler and a charming cannibal psychiatrist. The style is extraordinary and the cast is superb, though the finale divides fans.

Where can I watch Hannibal?

In the US you can stream Hannibal on Netflix, Prime Video and Philo, watch it free with ads on Plex and buy it from Prime Video.

Is Hannibal OK for kids?

Hannibal is rated TV-MA. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Hannibal is a TV-MA psychological thriller about an FBI profiler pursuing a cannibalistic serial killer.

What shows are like Hannibal?

If you liked Hannibal, try MINDHUNTER, Dexter, Sharp Objects and Killing Eve.