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.

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

Directors

Dick Wolf

Writers

Dick Wolf

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  Missy Peregrym

  Maggie Bell

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  Zeeko Zaki

  Omar Adom OA Zidan

Release Date

2021 – 2025-00-00

Writers

Dick Wolf, Derek Haas

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  Carter Redwood

  Andre Raines

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  Vinessa Vidotto

  Cameron Vo

Release Date

2020 – 2025-00-00

Showrunner

René Balcer

Writers

René Balcer

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  Roxy Sternberg

  Sheryll Barnes

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  Keisha Castle-Hughes

  Hana Gibson