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Burn Notice

Burn Notice

Spies don't get fired, they get burned

2007–2013Ended7 seasons111 episodes~45 min/epTV-PGMidcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

A formerly blacklisted spy uses his unique skills and training to help people in desperate situations.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Burn Notice?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Burn Notice streaming on Hulu and Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Subscription

Free

Rent / Buy

Buy

Highlights

What stands out about Burn Notice?

Burn Notice earns 5 badges, led by Universally Loved and Heavy for a TV-PG show.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Content

Reception

Is Burn Notice worth watching?

Burn Notice's Midcredits score is the 88th percentile of all shows, from 85K ratings across 2 sources. 88% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

88th percentile

Better received than 88% of shows

85th percentile among Action82nd percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)82nd
Approval (how many liked it)89th

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

78 /100

82nd percentile of all shows

82nd percentile among Action77th percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

Approval

How many liked it

88% liked it

89th percentile of all shows

86th percentile among Action86th percentile among 2000s
88% rated it 7–1012% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

98th percentile

84K ratings across platforms

92nd percentile among Action96th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 15% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A spy forced into freelance problem-solving in Miami, helping civilians while pursuing a personal vendetta.

Fans praised

  • perfect cast chemistry and ensemble acting
  • smart, witty blend of action and humor
  • spy-craft tips in narration are fun and informative

Detractors panned

  • formulaic and repetitive plot structure
  • leads lack emotional range and chemistry
  • unrealistic, dumbed-down villains and solutions

What stands out

ActingDivisive75

Jeffrey Donovan charismatic and believable as Michael; Bruce Campbell steals scenes; Gabrielle Anwar divisive

DialogueDivisive75

Witty, sarcastic banter; narration provides clever spy tips and exposition

CharactersDivisive70

Lovable rogue-ex-spy, boozy sidekick, and trigger-happy ex; later seasons made some characters whiny

HumorDivisive70

Dry sarcasm, verbal sparring, and absurdist moments land well for most fans

AtmosphereDivisive70

Sun-drenched Miami setting with neon, bikinis, and a stylish, laid-back tone

OriginalityDivisive55

Fresh blend of spy thriller and buddy comedy at launch, but derivative and formulaic over time

Effects and spectacleDivisive55

Plenty of explosions and car chases on a basic‑cable budget; effects feel dated

Plot and storyDivisive50

Overarching mystery compelling but episodic jobs become repetitive and implausible

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 13 points higher than women.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 12 points higher than non-US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 2 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart

Episodes

7 seasons

Season 7 · 2013 · 13 episodes

  • S7E1

    New Deal

    Jun 6, 201345 min
  • S7E2

    Forget Me Not

    Jun 13, 201345 min
  • S7E3

    Down Range

    Jun 20, 201345 min
  • S7E4

    Brothers in Arms

    Jun 27, 201345 min
  • S7E5

    Exit Plan

    Jul 11, 201345 min
  • S7E6

    All or Nothing

    Jul 18, 201345 min

Watch experience

What is Burn Notice like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ThrillingTenseWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 15% of showsWry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.Warm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcNew arc each season
TonePlays its spy premise mostly straight but with a wry, self-aware sense of humor, never fully ironic.
The rideThe series maintains a consistent level of tension and excitement, punctuated by moments of warmth and humor, without significant tonal shifts.
StructureEach episode follows a conventional three-act structure with a case-of-the-week, while the season arc provides ongoing serialized threads.
Episode formatEach episode features a self-contained case, often with a client in need, overlaid with the ongoing arc of Michael's burn notice and the organization hunting him.
Season formatEach season introduces a new primary antagonist and arc, while maintaining the same core cast and characters.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe show leaves you entertained and satisfied, with a sense of camaraderie and resolution for the client-of-the-week.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

18% of shows fit this archetype

with Quest underneath

Why this archetypeTypical episode follows Michael using spy skills to protect a vulnerable client from a local tyrant, with the overarching arc of uncovering who burned him.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7% (this title)
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

IdentityLoyalty · 7% of showsJustice · 14% of shows
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores Michael's struggle to maintain his identity as a spy after being cut off from the agency, and how he redefines himself through his work and relationships.
StanceThe show celebrates Michael's resourcefulness and loyalty, depicting his fight against the system as an affirmation of personal integrity and found family.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernRockSupportive music · hybrid
SettingThe seedy underbelly of Miami, filled with criminals, spies, and desperate clients.
MusicA mix of original score and licensed rock tracks that underscore the action and Miami vibe.

Content guide

Is Burn Notice okay for kids?

TV-PG

Burn Notice is rated TV-PG. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (61/100), sexual content at mild (30/100), language at moderate (52/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (62/100) and frightening material at moderate (57/100). Overall it is heavier than 95% of TV-PG shows.

Ratings in 21 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14+
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany16
  • France10
  • Ireland15
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil12
  • Austria16
  • Belgium14
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK16
  • LU16
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway15
  • PortugalNR
  • RO15
  • Russia12+
  • Spain12
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 55% of all showsHeavier than 95% of TV-PG shows
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a TV-PG show
heavier than 86%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-PG show
heavier than 52%
Profanity
Moderate
heavy for a TV-PG show
heavier than 92%
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense
heavy for a TV-PG show
heavier than 96%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
heavy for a TV-PG show
heavier than 78%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is drug and alcohol content and violence.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Burn Notice have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Burn Notice?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Jeffrey Donovan
as Michael Westen
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Gabrielle Anwar
as Fiona Glenanne
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bruce Campbell
as Sam Axe
Established: A standing when this show came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sharon Gless
as Madeline Westen
Emmy nominee: Primetime Emmy nomination — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Coby Bell
as Jesse Porter
Paul Tei
as Barry
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Seth Peterson
as Nate Westen
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Lauren Stamile
as Agent Pearce
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jack Coleman
as Andrew Strong
Marc Macaulay
as Agent Harris
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.

More like this

What are shows like Burn Notice?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Burn Notice include 1-800-Missing (2003), The Sweeney (1975) and Covert Affairs (2010).

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What other shows share a tag with Burn Notice?

106 other shows share the rarest tag below, premise: protector on a journey. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.