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

Updated Sep 4, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV. There's a way to watch all of the FBI shows in order, including the newest CIA series, and the crossover episodes between shows. The FBI franchise has aired on CBS throughout the 2020s, with three spinoffs joining the original show at one point, despite some of the shows since having been canceled. The FBI 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. Along with FBI, Most Wanted and International were original spinoffs. Both of those shows have since been canceled, while CIA has recently taken their place in the lineup. This extended shared universe has allowed senior members of FBI such as SSA Jubal Valentine to make regular cameo appearances in the other shows, something which has continued with CIA. 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 the audience that wants to catch up quickly. FBI Shows In Release Order 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. These aspects of the series made it extremely popular, which led to the creation of spinoffs. FBI first spawned FBI: Most Wanted, which was 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. Those series ended in 2025, and CIA debuted in early 2026, breaking out of the FBI-centric mold for a new series. FBI Shows Release Order FBI (2018-) FBI: Most Wanted (2020-2025) FBI: International (2021-2025) CIA (2026-) FBI Shows In Chronological Order The chronological order is the same as the release order, as the shows have aired and currently air one after another on Tuesday nights. Since the release of the shows is staggered, the best order would involve first watching the initial 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. CIA can be watched after FBI season 8, as it has no ties to other spinoffs. 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. All FBI Shows In Chronological Order Show and Season Year FBI season 1 2018 FBI season 2 2019 FBI: Most Wanted season 1 2020 FBI season 3 2020 FBI: Most Wanted season 2 2021 FBI season 4 2021 FBI: Most Wanted season 3 2021 FBI: International season 1 2021 FBI season 5 2022 FBI: Most: Wanted season 4 2022 FBI: International season 2 2022 FBI season 6 2023 FBI: International season 3 2023 FBI: Most Wanted season 5 2023 FBI season 7 2024 FBI: International season 4 2024 FBI: Most Wanted season 6 2024 FBI season 8 2025 CIA season 1 2026 FBI season 9 2026 CIA season 2 2026 When Do The FBI Crossovers Take Place 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 CIA season 1, episode 1 When FBI Crosses Over With One Chicago 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? 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 appeared on FBI: Most Wanted. Thus, the spinoffs are still equally enjoyable without watching its parent show. With CIA the only remaining spinoff, which also stands alone, watching each independently isn't an issue. Release Date September 25, 2018 Network CBS Directors Dick Wolf Cast Missy Peregrym Maggie Bell Zeeko Zaki Omar Adom OA Zidan FBI is a procedural drama that explores the workings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's New York office as dedicated agents tackle high-stakes cases involving terrorism, organized crime, and various formidable threats. Writers Dick Wolf Seasons 9 Release Date 2021 - 2025-00-00 Network CBS Writers Dick Wolf, Derek Haas Cast Carter Redwood Andre Raines Vinessa Vidotto Cameron Vo FBI: International follows the elite agents of the FBI's International Fly Team as they travel globally to protect Americans. The series focuses on their complex missions, navigating international law, and challenges posed by various jurisdictions, demonstrating the high-stakes nature of their work. Release Date 2020 - 2025-00-00 Network CBS Showrunner René Balcer Cast Roxy Sternberg Sheryll Barnes Keisha Castle-Hughes Hana Gibson FBI: Most Wanted follows a specialized team tasked with apprehending high-profile criminals on the FBI's Most Wanted list. Led by experienced agents, this mobile undercover unit operates tirelessly in the field, pursuing individuals who are determined to evade justice and ensuring public safety. Seasons 6 Streaming Service(s) Peacock