Best Police Detective Movies & TV Series of the 1980s

The 19 best-rated police detective movies and TV series of the 1980s on 3eyedraven, ranked by a weighted audience score so the genuinely great rises above one-off perfect ratings. Every title has cast, ratings, trailers and where to watch.

Sledge Hammer! 1986 ★ 8.0

Inspector Morse 1987 ★ 7.9

Miami Vice 1984 ★ 7.5

Lethal Weapon 1987 ★ 7.3

21 Jump Street 1987 ★ 7.3

In the Heat of the Night 1988 ★ 7.6

Lethal Weapon 2 1989 ★ 7.0

Hunter 1984 ★ 7.1

Alien Nation 1989 ★ 7.0

Cagney & Lacey 1982 ★ 7.0

Bergerac 1981 ★ 6.7

Taggart 1983 ★ 6.4

Turner & Hooch 1989 ★ 6.3

Red Heat 1988 ★ 6.2

Tightrope 1984 ★ 6.2

Best Seller 1987 ★ 6.0

Trancers 1984 ★ 5.9

C.H.U.D. 1984 ★ 5.6

Fear City 1984 ★ 5.4