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Goliath

Goliath

2016–2021Ended4 seasons32 episodes~60 min/epTV-MAMidcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

Once a powerful lawyer, Billy McBride is now burned out and washed up, spending more time in a bar than a courtroom. When he reluctantly agrees to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the biggest client of Cooperman & McBride, the massive law firm he helped create, Billy and his ragtag team uncover a vast and deadly conspiracy, pitting them all in a life or death trial against the ultimate Goliath.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Goliath?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Goliath streaming on Prime Video.

Subscription

Free

Highlights

What stands out about Goliath?

Goliath earns 8 badges, led by Universally Loved and Top 10% of shows.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Cast

Reception

Is Goliath worth watching?

Goliath's Midcredits score is the 92nd percentile of all shows, from 66K ratings across 2 sources. 91% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

92nd percentile

Better received than 92% of shows

93rd percentile among Drama92nd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)85th
Approval (how many liked it)95th

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

79 /100

85th percentile of all shows

87th percentile among Drama84th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

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

Approval

How many liked it

91% liked it

95th percentile of all shows

95th percentile among Drama94th percentile among 2010s
91% rated it 7–109% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

98th percentile

65K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Drama97th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 2% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A noir-tinged legal drama with a charismatic lead performance by Billy Bob Thornton.

Fans praised

  • Billy Bob Thornton's performance as a charismatic washed-up lawyer
  • Nina Arianda's scene-stealing Patty Solis-Papagian
  • Noir atmosphere and strong visual identity of Los Angeles

Detractors panned

  • Season 2's gratuitous gore and amputee fetish subplot
  • Seasons 2-3 plot incoherence and meandering
  • Overreliance on drug-induced dream sequences

What stands out

Acting85

Billy Bob Thornton's commanding lead; Nina Arianda's Patty earns standout praise

AtmosphereDivisive78

Seedy LA noir tone consistently praised, even by detractors

CharactersDivisive70

Richly drawn main cast, but season 2-3 weakens side characters

TensionDivisive65

Courtroom scenes gripping; later seasons' suspense undermined by confusion

OriginalityDivisive60

Noir-infused legal drama feels fresh in season 1, derivative Twin Peaks homage later

PacingDivisive55

Bingeable season 1; seasons 2-3 slow and meandering

DialogueDivisive55

Sharp moments but often clunky or too reliant on foul language

Plot and storyDivisive50

Season 1's strong legal thriller falls into incoherent cartel/amputee plots

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 29 points higher than under-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 11 points higher than users.

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

  • Women vs men 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Episodes

4 seasons

Season 4 · 2021 · 8 episodes · 6.1 average across 5 rated episodes

  • S4E1

    Hadleyville

    Sep 23, 202149 minTMDB rating 6.1
  • S4E2

    The Pain Killer

    Sep 23, 202149 minTMDB rating 6.1
  • S4E3

    Signed, William Hamilton McBride

    Sep 23, 202149 minTMDB rating 6.2Season best
  • S4E4

    Forcibly Removed

    Sep 23, 202140 minTMDB rating 6.1
  • S4E5

    Spilt Milk

    Sep 23, 202155 min
  • S4E6

    Rundleworks

    Sep 23, 202145 minTMDB rating 6.1
  • S4E7

    Lawyer Trickery Bullshit

    Sep 23, 202154 min
  • S4E8

    It's Time

    Sep 23, 202154 minFinale

Watch experience

What is Goliath like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, serious and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you fired up.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseContemplativeBittersweet
Heaviest: late
Dry humor
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Wry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcNew arc each season
ToneThe series plays its legal drama and noir elements straight, maintaining a brooding atmosphere with occasional dark humour.
The rideThe series maintains a tense, brooding atmosphere with contemplative pauses, and the emotional weight accumulates toward the finale.
StructureEpisodes follow a conventional three-act structure with investigation and courtroom climaxes.
Episode formatEach season has a central legal case that spans multiple episodes, while the protagonist's ongoing personal journey and the larger conflict with the firm provide a serialized arc.
Season formatEach season centers on a new major case and set of antagonists, though the same core cast continues and personal arcs carry forward.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Rousing · 9% of showsThought-provoking
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves a sense of hard-won justice that inspires but also stirs questions about power and the law.
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).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% (this title) · 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. · Corporate villainy: A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).

18% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe typical episode follows Billy McBride investigating and exposing corporate wrongdoing in legal battles.

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 showsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · 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% (this title): Justice 14% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% (this title) · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% (this title) · 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%

Morality

Redemption · 3% of showsJustice · 14% of showsRevenge · 1% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series centers on a fallen lawyer's quest to reclaim his integrity by taking on corrupt institutions, blurring the line between righteous justice and personal vengeance.
StanceThe series questions whether personal redemption is possible within a corrupt legal system, and whether justice can ever be pure.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernJazzSupportive music · original score
SettingLos Angeles legal world — high-rise law firms and gritty streets
MusicThe score blends orchestral tension with occasional jazz cues reflecting the LA noir setting.

Content guide

Is Goliath okay for kids?

TV-MA

Goliath is rated TV-MA. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (65/100), sexual content at intense (61/100), language at severe (84/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (86/100) and frightening material at moderate (58/100). Overall it is heavier than 78% of TV-MA shows.

Ratings in 15 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada18+
  • Germany12
  • France18
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil16
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK18
  • MexicoD
  • Norway18
  • RO18
  • SingaporeR21
  • Spain18
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
  • Türkiye18+
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 88% of all showsHeavier than 78% of TV-MA shows
Violence & Gore
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 49%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 65%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for a TV-MA show
heavier than 81%
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
heavy for a TV-MA show
heavier than 92%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 47%

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

Heavy almost across the board: drug and alcohol content, language, violence, and sexual content. Everything else sits at or below what TV-MA shows usually carry.

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 Goliath have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Goliath?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor; Billy Bob Thornton won the Globe for this show.

Billy Bob Thornton
as Billy McBride
Globe win: Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Nina Arianda
as Patty Solis-Papagian
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Tania Raymonde
as Brittany Gold
Diana Hopper
as Denise McBride
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Julie Brister
as Marva Jefferson
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Ana de la Reguera
as Marisol Silva
William Hurt
as Donald Cooperman
Established: A standing when this show came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Shelby Rabara
as Sumi Sen
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
David Sampen
as Bartender
Mark Duplass
as Tom Wyatt

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What are shows like Goliath?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Goliath include Reasonable Doubt (2022), The Lincoln Lawyer (2022) and Law & Order True Crime (2017).

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What other shows share a tag with Goliath?

80 other shows share the rarest tag below, kind of show: legal thriller. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.