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Hawaii Five-0

Hawaii Five-0

2010–2020Ended10 seasons240 episodes~42 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

Steve McGarrett returns home to Oahu, in order to find his father's killer. The governor offers him the chance to run his own task force (Five-0). Steve's team is joined by Chin Ho Kelly, Danny "Danno" Williams, and Kono Kalakaua.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Hawaii Five-0?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Hawaii Five-0 streaming on Netflix and Paramount+ and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Rent / Buy

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Highlights

What stands out about Hawaii Five-0?

Hawaii Five-0 earns 6 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Fell off.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Hawaii Five-0 worth watching?

Hawaii Five-0's Midcredits score is the 75th percentile of all shows, from 86K ratings across 2 sources. 81% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

75th percentile

Better received than 75% of shows

69th percentile among Action73rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)71st
Approval (how many liked it)74th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

75 /100

71st percentile of all shows

69th percentile among Action70th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

81% liked it

74th percentile of all shows

65th percentile among Action73rd percentile among 2010s
81% rated it 7–1019% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

98th percentile

84K ratings across platforms

94th percentile among Action98th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 12% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A fast-paced, action-heavy police procedural with a strong focus on the central duo's dynamic, set against a stunning Hawaiian backdrop.

Fans praised

  • Steve and Danny's banter and brotherly chemistry
  • Beautiful Hawaiian scenery and location cinematography
  • Action-packed, fun, and lighthearted entertainment

Detractors panned

  • Unrealistic plots and lack of procedural credibility
  • Constant bickering between leads becomes annoying and repetitive
  • Loss of original cast (Chin/Kono) damaged the show's identity

What stands out

CinematographyDivisive82

Beautiful Hawaii scenery and aerial shots widely praised

ActingDivisive72

Chemistry between O'Loughlin and Caan praised; Kim and Park also noted; detractors find leads unconvincing

Effects and spectacleDivisive72

Explosions, car chases, action sequences; some find over-the-top

PacingDivisive70

Fast-paced and kinetic; some critics find action overdone and exhausting

HumorDivisive65

Banter and light moments; detractors find forced and annoying

DialogueDivisive62

Witty banter between leads is highlight; detractors find arguing repetitive and childish

CharactersDivisive60

Steve and Danny relationship central; Chin and Kono beloved; later replacements divisive

Plot and storyDivisive50

Case-of-the-week with ongoing arcs; fans find engaging, detractors call formulaic and ridiculous

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 10 points higher than men.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 23 points higher than over-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 13 points higher than critics.

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

  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Episodes

10 seasons

Season 10 · 2019 · 22 episodes · 8.3 average across 1 rated episode

  • S10E1

    Ua ʻeha ka ʻili i ka maka o ka ihe (The Skin Has Been Hurt By the Point of the Spear)

    Sep 27, 201943 minTMDB rating 8.3
  • S10E2

    Kuipeia e ka makani apaa (Knocked Flat By the Wind; Sudden Disaster)

    Oct 4, 201941 min
  • S10E3

    E uhi ana ka wa i hala i na mea i hala (Passing Time Obscures the Past)

    Oct 11, 201942 min
  • S10E4

    Ukuli‘i ka pua, onaona i ka mau‘u (Tiny is the Flower, Yet It Scents the Grasses Around It)

    Oct 18, 201941 min
  • S10E5

    He ʻoiʻo kuhihewa; he kaka ola i ʻike ʻia e ka makaula (Don’t Blame Ghosts and Spirits for One's Troubles; A Human Is Responsible)

    Oct 25, 201943 min
  • S10E6

    A ʻohe pau ka ʻike I ka halau hoʻokahi (All Knowledge Is Not Learned in Just One School)

    Nov 1, 201944 min

Watch experience

What is Hawaii Five-0 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and charged — a relentless watch that leaves you feeling good.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ThrillingHopefulContemplative
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 15% of showsWarmPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcNew arc each season
ToneThe show plays its action and drama straight, with a warm undercurrent of camaraderie and occasional humour.
The rideEpisodes frequently feature high-stakes chases and shootouts, balanced by lighter banter and family moments, maintaining a consistent thrill level.
StructureEach episode follows a conventional case-of-the-week structure with a beginning, middle, and end.
Episode formatEach episode features a standalone crime case, threaded with seasonal arcs such as McGarrett's father's murder and personal storylines.
Season formatEach season introduces new overarching villain or mystery while the core cast and setting remain the same.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe show leaves viewers entertained and uplifted, with a sense of adventure and team spirit.
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).MonsterPredator
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% (this title) · Tyrant 3% · 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. · Predator: A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).

18% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe show follows a special task force investigating and stopping serious criminals in Hawaii, with each episode typically pitting the team against a new threat.

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 showsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7% (this title)
  • 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%: 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%

Bonds

Family bondsJustice · 14% of showsLoyalty · 7% 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 centers on the familial bonds between the Five-0 team and the drive to seek justice for victims and each other.
StanceThe series celebrates the bonds of found family and the pursuit of justice within the local community.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanWildernessDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernWorldSupportive music · original score · Brian Tyler
SettingOahu, Hawaii
MusicThe theme is an energetic surf-rock rendition of the original's iconic theme.

Content guide

Is Hawaii Five-0 okay for kids?

TV-14

Hawaii Five-0 is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (68/100), sexual content at mild (24/100), language at minimal (10/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (41/100) and frightening material at intense (62/100). Overall it is heavier than 59% of TV-14 shows.

Ratings in 19 other countries
  • Canada14+
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France10
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK16
  • IndiaU
  • LTN-7
  • MexicoAA
  • MY18
  • Norway15
  • PhilippinesPG
  • Portugal16
  • SingaporePG13
  • Spain7
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 46% of all showsHeavier than 59% of TV-14 shows
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 77%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for a TV-14 show
heavier than 21%
Profanity
None / Minimal
light for a TV-14 show
heavier than 3%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 64%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 75%

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

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what TV-14 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 Hawaii Five-0 have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Hawaii Five-0?

Cast

Alex O'Loughlin
as Steve McGarrett
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.
Scott Caan
as Danny Williams
Globe nominee: Golden Globe nomination — Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Taylor Wily
as Kamekona
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Daniel Dae Kim
as Chin Ho Kelly
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Grace Park
as Kono Kalakaua
Chi McBride
as Lou Grover
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Dennis Chun
as Sgt. Duke Lukela
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Masi Oka
as Max Bergman
Jorge Garcia
as Jerry Ortega
Ian Anthony Dale
as Adam Noshimuri

More like this

What are shows like Hawaii Five-0?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Hawaii Five-0 include Arrow (2012), The Bay (2019) and NCIS: Hawai'i (2021).

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302 other shows share the rarest tag below, premise: kidnapping. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.