How To Watch All FBI Shows In Order & When The Crossovers Are

There's a way to watch all three FBI shows in order, including crossovers. The FBI franchise has aired on CBS throughout the 2020s, with two spinoffs joining the original show for a full night of programming. These shows are all part of the One Chicago universe, which means they take place in the same world as Dick Wolf's other two successful series, as well as being able to cross over with one another.

This shared universe has allowed senior members of FBI such as SSA Jubal Valentine to make regular cameo appearances in the other two shows, something which is likely to continue in FBI season 7. Additionally, there have been a number of full crossovers between the FBI shows and, on one occasion, the original FBI had a crossover with Chicago PD. It's helpful to understand the correct order to watch every episode of the FBI franchise in, especially for that part of the audience that wants to catch up before the new season begins.

FBI Shows In Release Order

The Shows Did Not All Begin At The Same Time

FBIwas a standalone show for the first two years of the franchise's existence. When it first began,it stood out among police procedurals because it focused on a small team of FBI agents rather than local police; additionally, it was the first show to feature an Egyptian-born actor in a leading role rather than as a terrorist or villain (viaTime). These aspects of the series made it extremely popular, which led to the creation of spinoffs.

FBI first spawned FBI: Most Wanted, which is about the Fugitive Task Force, another elite FBI team that chases violent criminals who have been evading justice, and which was introduced via a back-door pilot on FBI. This series began in 2020, two years after the original FBI premiered. A year later, FBI: International debuted via a three-episode crossover, the third part of which was also the pilot for the new show.

FBI Shows Release Order

FBI (2018 – )

FBI: Most Wanted (2020 – )

FBI: International (2021 – )

FBI Shows In Chronological Order

They Air Consecutively And Episodes Of One Show Are Not Connected To The Next

The chronological order is the same as the release order, as the shows air one after another on Tuesday nights. Since the release of the shows is staggered, the best order would involve first watching the first two seasons of FBI, then watching season 1 of FBI: Most Wanted, followed by season 3 of FBI. FBI: International premiered the year after FBI: Most Wanted and thus season 1 of that show would be watched after season 2 of FBI: Most Wanted.

For the most part, the FBI shows' stories are independent of one another; thus, it is not necessary to watch FBI: Most Wanted season 1, episode 1 before FBI season 3, episode 2, although this is technically the correct chronological order. It's sufficient to watch each season of each show in chronological order. However, the pilots of each series involve crossovers with the existing shows, so it's important to watch these episodes in order to ensure the story makes sense.

When Do The FBI Crossovers Take Place

There Are Several Throughout The Franchise's Run

FBI: Most Wanted began with a backdoor pilot on FBI, which introduced the main characters. In the middle of its first season, it again crossed over with its parent show. FBI: International was introduced during a three-way crossover, and all three shows crossed over again during its second season. This second crossover was unusual because it began on FBI: International rather than beginning on its parent show.

List of Crossover Episodes

FBI season 1, episode 18 (standalone but served as a backdoor pilot)

FBI season 2, episode 18/FBI: Most Wanted season 1 episode 9

FBI season 4, episode 1/FBI: Most Wanted season 3, episode 1/FBI: International season 1, episode 1

FBI: International season 2 episode 16/FBI season 5, episode 17/FBI: Most Wanted season 4, episode 16

When FBI Crosses Over With One Chicago

Chicago PD's Hailey Upton Comes To New York For One Episode

Chicago PD set up Hailey Upton's best future when she visited FBI in season 2, episode 19. During this episode, Upton was on loan to the FBI while Maggie was unavailable and arrived in New York, where she partnered with O.A. to help solve a case involving a dead body found in a park. This episode was FBI's season 2 finale and comes immediately after the first crossover between FBI and FBI: Most Wanted. There is no corresponding crossover episode on Chicago PD, and Upton is the only character from that show to visit FBI.

Do You Need To Watch FBI To Understand The Spinoffs?

Each Series Stands Mostly On Its Own

While several characters appear in all three FBI series, the spinoffs each stand on their own. Jubal and Isobel, who often make cameo appearances in the other series, are the leaders of the unit in FBI, but their function on the spinoffs is merely to provide input and direction, which can be understood without being familiar with the original series.

FBI: Most Wanted season 5 included the transfer of a character from FBI, and that part of the audience who watched both shows understood that Nina Chase was married to FBI's Stuart Scola. However, the story is easy enough to follow without the details of Scola and Chase's relationship, especially since Scola occasionally appears on FBI: Most Wanted. Thus, the spinoff is still equally enjoyable without watching its parent show.

Source: Time