Magnum P.I. backdrop
Action & Adventure•Drama•Crime

The Best Episodes of Magnum P.I.

Every episode of Magnum P.I. ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Magnum P.I.!

Binge this in 2d 17h•Peaking at 8.6/10

Thomas Magnum, a decorated former Navy SEAL, returns home from Afghanistan and applies his military skills to become a private investigator in Hawaii taking jobs no one else will—with the help of fellow vets T.C.

Airs on
NBCCBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Magnum P.I. Season 5 Episode 10 - Charlie Foxtrot
    8.6/10(364 votes)

    #1 - Charlie Foxtrot

    S5:E10

    An armed hit team lays siege to Robin's Nest. TC is badly injured while Rick fights for his life. Mid Season Finale

    Director:Lisa Robinson
    Writer:David Wolkove

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 20 - Close to Home
    8.5/10(612 votes)

    #2 - Close to Home

    S4:E20

    Magnum and Higgins are sent on a deadly mission inside a high security correctional center when a ruthless criminal abducts Katsumoto and his ex-wife, Beth.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writer:Eric Guggenheim

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Magnum P.I. Season 5 Episode 6 - Dead Ringer
    8.4/10(344 votes)

    #3 - Dead Ringer

    S5:E6

    Katsumoto's hearing date has arrived and he will learn if his career in law enforcement is over for good or not. Magnum and Higgins are hired to investigate a man their client believes committed murder. Rick's suspicions grow on their relationship.

    Director:Marcus Stokes
    Writer:Barbie Kligman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Magnum P.I. Season 2 Episode 3 - Knight Lasts Forever
    8.3/10(599 votes)

    #4 - Knight Lasts Forever

    S2:E3

    Kumu and Higgins are in danger when Robin's Nest is under siege by mercenaries storming the estate in order to find out the true identity of the White Knight, Robin's muse and literary hero. Also, Rick and T.C. helps one of Rick's employees when his car is stolen, and Higgins finally gives Magnum an answer about if she'll become his partner.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Neil Tolkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Magnum P.I. Season 3 Episode 3 - No Way Out
    8.2/10(499 votes)

    #5 - No Way Out

    S3:E3

    As Magnum, Higgins and TC try to pull one over on a customs agent to get Higgins a green card, armed gunmen suddenly storm the federal building and start taking hostages.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Barbie Kligman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 8 - A Fire in the Ashes
    8.2/10(487 votes)

    #6 - A Fire in the Ashes

    S4:E8

    Magnum starts following Higgins to discover what she’s been hiding, as she’s secretly assigned to infiltrate a group threatening to take down MI-6. Rick struggles after an explosion takes the life of someone important to him.

    Director:Lisa Robinson
    Writer:David Slack

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Magnum P.I.

    READ
  7. Magnum P.I. Season 5 Episode 9 - Out of Sight, Out of Mind
    8.2/10(323 votes)

    #7 - Out of Sight, Out of Mind

    S5:E9

    Magnum and Higgins take on a case that sends Higgins inside a psychiatric hospital. Katsumoto and his son, Dennis, head to the mainland to look at colleges, but their trip takes a harrowing turn when a run-in with a local turns ugly.

    Director:Jay Hernandez
    Writer:David Slack

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 15 - Day the Past Came Back
    8.1/10(595 votes)

    #8 - Day the Past Came Back

    S1:E15

    Magnum discovers that his ex, who landed him and his friends in a POW camp, is on the island and planing to steal a fortune in gold.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writers:Eric Guggenheim, Peter M. Lenkov

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 4 - Those We Leave Behind
    8.1/10(489 votes)

    #9 - Those We Leave Behind

    S4:E4

    Higgins’ therapist hires her to look into why one of her teenage patients died of suicide.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Barbie Kligman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 5 - Til Death
    8.1/10(491 votes)

    #10 - Til Death

    S4:E5

    When Magnum and Higgins are hired by an anxious groom to look into his bride-to-be on the eve of their wedding, what they think is a simple case of cold feet turns into a web of lies and a life-or-death situation for Higgins. Also, TC makes a touching decision on how to help Cade.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Katie Varney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 18 - Shallow Grave, Deep Water
    8.1/10(459 votes)

    #11 - Shallow Grave, Deep Water

    S4:E18

    Magnum goes to extreme lengths to uncover the truth about a crime that may have involved his dear deceased friend, Nuzo.

    Director:Jay Hernandez
    Writer:David Slack

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 19 - The Long Sleep
    8.1/10(452 votes)

    #12 - The Long Sleep

    S4:E19

    A disoriented man hires Magnum and Higgins to investigate a crime he doesn’t remember after he woke up on the beach covered in blood. Also, T.C. is taken aback when Cade’s biological grandmother makes a surprise visit, and Rick’s feelings for Suzy grow stronger as they prepare for the birth of their first child.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writers:David Wolkove, Mike Diaz, Andre Jackson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Magnum P.I. Season 5 Episode 1 - The Passenger
    8.1/10(494 votes)

    #13 - The Passenger

    S5:E1

    Magnum and Higgins weigh the risks of pursuing a relationship. Rick juggles being a new father and running La Mariana. Katsumoto tries to figure out his next move.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writer:Eric Guggenheim

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Magnum P.I. Season 5 Episode 2 - The Breaking Point
    8.1/10(456 votes)

    #14 - The Breaking Point

    S5:E2

    Magnum and Higgins go undercover as lifeguards in order to solve a murder. Jin Jeong wins a storage unit auction and enlists the help of Rick and TC upon finding a stolen military medal.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writer:Gene Hong

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Magnum P.I. Season 5 Episode 3 - Number One with a Bullet
    8.1/10(384 votes)

    #15 - Number One with a Bullet

    S5:E3

    Katsumoto takes a job providing security for a chart-topping K-pop star. Higgins and Rick find themselves in peril while trying to help Rick's friend. Magnum harbors suspicions about Capt. Greene's death.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:David Wolkove

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 16 - Murder is Never Quiet
    8.0/10(585 votes)

    #16 - Murder is Never Quiet

    S1:E16

    Magnum is hired by a woman to prove that her son didn't kill his girlfriend and has only 24 hours to do so before the accused accepts a plea deal. Also, Rick and TC try to recover stolen appliances that were donated to a wounded veteran.

    Director:David Straiton
    Writer:Barbie Kligman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 17 - Black is the Widow
    8.0/10(581 votes)

    #17 - Black is the Widow

    S1:E17

    After a man is murdered, Magnum poses as a doctor on the same dating app the victim was using in order to find the killer who may be praying on wealthy men.

    Director:Kristin Windell
    Writer:Neil Tolkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 18 - A Kiss Before Dying
    8.0/10(591 votes)

    #18 - A Kiss Before Dying

    S1:E18

    When the Dobermans dig up what appears to be a human bone, Magnum and Higgins help Katsumoto investigate the murder of his former mentor.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writers:Ashley Charbonnet, Barbie Kligman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Magnum P.I. Season 2 Episode 4 - Dead Inside
    8.0/10(550 votes)

    #19 - Dead Inside

    S2:E4

    When Katsumoto suspects that one of his fellow cops is dirty and has stolen evidence, he begrudgingly asks Magnum and Higgins for help. Also, Rick and TC help Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald when his tablet, that contains the Rams’ playbook is stolen.

    Director:Krishna Rao
    Writer:Barbie Kligman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 3 - Texas Wedge
    8.0/10(503 votes)

    #20 - Texas Wedge

    S4:E3

    Magnum, Higgins and Rick go undercover at a ritzy country club when a young caddie is fired after being accused of stealing a member’s golf clubs. Also, Jin’s niece, unaware of her uncle’s shady past, asks him to speak at her school.

    Director:Antonio Negret
    Writer:Gene Hong

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 10 - Dream Lover
    8.0/10(488 votes)

    #21 - Dream Lover

    S4:E10

    When a woman hires Magnum and Higgins to locate a man she met briefly at a coffee shop and felt a spark with, they learn that he is hiding a big secret. Also, Higgins keeps a secret of her own after she has a romantic dream about Magnum.

    Director:Avi Youabian
    Writer:David Wolkove

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 13 - Judge Me Not
    8.0/10(464 votes)

    #22 - Judge Me Not

    S4:E13

    When Hawaii Supreme Court nominee Judge Rachel Park is being blackmailed, she hires Magnum and Higgins who go to extraordinary lengths to help her out. Also, with the pressure of fatherhood looming, Rick suggests changes to make La Mariana more profitable, but TC and Kumo aren’t swayed.

    Director:Benny Boom
    Writer:David Slack

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 14 - Run, Baby, Run
    8.0/10(441 votes)

    #23 - Run, Baby, Run

    S4:E14

    A bail bondsman hires Magnum and Higgins to track down a woman who skipped out on her $250,000 bond. When they locate the body of another P.I. who was previously searching for her, they partner with Det. Lia Kaleo on the case. Also, T.C. and Katsumoto team up on an emotional search for Cade’s mother.

    Director:Roderick Davis
    Writer:David Wolkove

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 15 - Dead Man Walking
    8.0/10(458 votes)

    #24 - Dead Man Walking

    S4:E15

    When Magnum balks at notorious crime boss Osi Shima’s (Eijiro Ozaki) request to find his missing son, Magnum learns he’s been poisoned and has only eight hours to locate Shima’s son to earn the antidote, or else he dies.

    Director:David Straiton
    Writer:Gene Hong

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Magnum P.I. Season 5 Episode 7 - Birthright
    8.0/10(336 votes)

    #25 - Birthright

    S5:E7

    Magnum and Higgins investigate the robbery of an elderly man suffering from Alzheimer’s. The ohana tries to help TC overcome a past trauma.

    Director:Doug Hannah
    Writers:Eric Guggenheim, Andre Jackson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Charlie Foxtrot" is the best rated episode of "Magnum P.I.". It scored 8.6/10 based on 364 votes. Directed by Lisa Robinson and written by David Wolkove, it aired on 4/23/2023. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Close to Home".