How to watch

Criminal Minds Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch Criminal Minds and its spin-offs in order

Last updated: July 7 2026

Written by: ChronoBob

Criminal Minds is one of the most successful procedural dramas in television history, following the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit as they profile and pursue serial killers. With 15 seasons, a revival, and a spin-off, this guide keeps you on the right track.

CBS's Criminal Minds premiered in 2005 and ran for fifteen compelling seasons, making the BAU team — including Spencer Reid, Derek Morgan, and Emily Prentiss — household names. The show's mix of psychological profiling, tense procedural mysteries, and ongoing character arcs kept audiences hooked for nearly two decades. A revival series, Criminal Minds: Evolution, brought the team back on Paramount+ in 2022.

🕐 Release Order

The main series and its spin-offs aired separately and are largely self-contained. For the full experience, watch the main series first before moving to the spin-off and revival.

  1. Criminal Minds Season 1 (2005–2006)
  2. Criminal Minds Season 2 (2006–2007)
  3. Criminal Minds Season 3 (2007–2008)
  4. Criminal Minds Season 4 (2008–2009)
  5. Criminal Minds Season 5 (2009–2010)
  6. Criminal Minds Season 6 (2010–2011)
  7. Criminal Minds Season 7 (2011–2012)
  8. Criminal Minds Season 8 (2012–2013)
  9. Criminal Minds Season 9 (2013–2014)
  10. Criminal Minds Season 10 (2014–2015)
  11. Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders Season 1 (2016) — Spin-off
  12. Criminal Minds Season 11 (2015–2016)
  13. Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders Season 2 (2017)
  14. Criminal Minds Season 12 (2016–2017)
  15. Criminal Minds Season 13 (2017–2018)
  16. Criminal Minds Season 14 (2018–2019)
  17. Criminal Minds Season 15 (2020) — Series finale
  18. Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 1 (Paramount+, 2022–2023)
  19. Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 (2024)

The story chronology follows the release order precisely. Criminal Minds is an episodic procedural with ongoing character arcs — both are best followed in broadcast order.

📖 Story Chronology

Criminal Minds is a procedural drama that progresses in a linear timeline. While most episodes are standalone cases, the long-running character arcs and recurring villains make it important to watch in order.

  1. Criminal Minds Seasons 1–5 (2005–2010) — The core team is assembled and tested
  2. Criminal Minds Seasons 6–10 (2010–2015) — Team changes and evolving threats
  3. Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (2016–2017) — The BAU goes international
  4. Criminal Minds Seasons 11–15 (2015–2020) — The final chapter of the original run
  5. Criminal Minds: Evolution (2022–present) — A modern revival with serialised storytelling

Which Order Should You Choose?

Watch the main series from Season 1 in order. Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders is a fun but skippable spin-off that stands entirely on its own. Criminal Minds: Evolution is a direct sequel to the main series and rewards long-time viewers — you'll get much more out of it having watched all fifteen original seasons.

🔗 Related Guides

  • Breaking Bad Watch OrderGuide
  • Dexter Watch OrderGuide
  • True Detective Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!