The Mentalist (2008)

Kernel Score: 92% · 4,175 ratings

Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery

First aired: 2008-09-23

Seasons: 7 · 151 episodes

Is The Mentalist worth watching?

Worth watching. A former fake psychic uses sharp observation and a knack for reading people to help solve murders. It's a polished, charming case-of-the-week series with a long-running story underneath, and the lead is easy to watch.

Watch it if you

  • like clever, character-led crime procedurals
  • enjoy a likeable lead with a mysterious past
  • want a long, comfortable series to settle into

Skip it if you

  • want gritty, realistic police drama
  • dislike case-of-the-week formats

Best for: Comfort binge weekend

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

Where to watch The Mentalist

  • Stream: Hulu
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

Patrick Jane, a former celebrity psychic medium, uses his razor sharp skills of observation and expertise at "reading" people to solve serious crimes with the California Bureau of Investigation.

The Mentalist parents' guide: ages 12+

Parents need to know that The Mentalist is a TV-14 crime drama about a former psychic who solves murders, including a serial-killer arc.

  • Violence & scariness: Moderate — Serial killers and serious crimes, including the ongoing Red John storyline, bring crime-scene and thriller violence within TV-14 limits.
  • Language: Some — Moderate language fits the TV-14 rating.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-14 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Shows like The Mentalist

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

  • Psych (2006) — 89%: Another con-man-style observer helping the police, with more jokes
  • Lie to Me (2009) — 90%: Reading people's tells to crack criminal cases
  • Monk (2002) — 87%: Odd-couple detective with a haunted past
  • Castle (2009) — 88%: Charming lead with an unusual route into police work
  • White Collar (2009) — 90%: Smooth consultant working alongside a by-the-book agent
  • Elementary (2012) — 86%: Sharp-eyed outsider helps the police on murders

Cast

  • Simon Baker as Patrick Jane
  • Robin Tunney as Teresa Lisbon
  • Tim Kang as Kimball Cho
  • Rockmond Dunbar as Dennis Abbott
  • Joe Adler as Jason Wylie
  • Josie Loren as Michelle Vega

The Mentalist FAQ

Is The Mentalist worth watching?

Worth watching. A former fake psychic uses sharp observation and a knack for reading people to help solve murders. It's a polished, charming case-of-the-week series with a long-running story underneath, and the lead is easy to watch.

Where can I watch The Mentalist?

In the US you can stream The Mentalist on Hulu and buy it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At Home.

Is The Mentalist OK for kids?

The Mentalist is rated TV-14. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 12+. Parents need to know that The Mentalist is a TV-14 crime drama about a former psychic who solves murders, including a serial-killer arc.

What shows are like The Mentalist?

If you liked The Mentalist, try Psych, Lie to Me, Monk and Castle.