FBI chronology: A complete guide to watch all shows in the procedural franchise in order

The FBI world has become one of the most interlocked procedural brands in television history, which is supported by the established mechanism of rapid investigation, high-stakes manhunt, and international action that is characteristic of Dick Wolf.

Three of its major series, FBI (2018), FBI: Most Wanted (2020), and FBI: International (2021) have now expanded the franchise to New York, field offices all over the world, and the Fugitive Task Force, establishing a network of occasional cross-overs and narrative tropes.

However, due to the overlapping seasons in which all three shows are aired, the watching experience may be rather tricky. Fans desire the most correct watch order; the watch order that respects the history of episodes aired, retains crossover events in sequence, and matches with official timelines.

Why air-date order matters most

Unlike purely series types of dramas, the FBI franchise is largely episodic. Nonetheless, characters do appear in other parts, multi-series events are actualized during the same evening, and spin-offs were set directly based on broadcast crossovers.

This is why the air-date interleaving technique is often regarded as the sanest and continuity-wise watch order. It puts episodes in the order in which they were originally viewed. It maintains narrative continuity without modifying any optional crossovers, but still places them in the same chronological sequence.

With that said, because the shows are largely procedural and crossovers are far less frequent than in the Chicago or One Chicago universe, alternate viewing orders are still possible.

The ultimate FBI Franchise watch order

The overall plan for the FBI universe, as it should be followed to have the most continuity, is given below.

This order reflects:

The actual premiere dates
The backdoor pilot that propelled Most Wanted
Highly-rated crossover
How International was introduced
Where episodes overlap each other due to overlapping broadcast plans.

This chain correlates with the documented history and timeline of the franchise as well as crossover history.

1. Start with the Flagship: FBI (2018 )

It will start with the first season of the FBI, the show that presented the audience with the field office in New York and provided them with the initial understanding of the style of the franchise.

The original spin-off is also found here. Episodes of note: Season 1, Episode 18 – “Most Wanted”. This is the behind-the-scenes pilot that brought in FBI: Most Wanted. After finishing this season (or even up to S1E18), you are now in a position to rightfully insert the second series into your watch list.

2. Include FBI: Most Wanted (2020 ) into the timeline

The Fugitive Task Force was given its own series in 2020, following the backdoor pilot. Since the broadcast timings of Most Wanted and FBI coincide in specific broadcast periods, episodes in their respective simultaneous seasons should be interspersed by date of airing.

This maintains cross-overs in order and the natural sequential order of events among teams. The following are illustrations of interleaving patterns that depend on overlapping air dates:

FBI Season 2 is a continuation of Most Wanted Season 1.

The FBI Season 3 is an overlap with the Most Wanted Season 2.

Although most episodes are not dependent, the proper sequence of broadcasting will allow you not to deal with confusing continuity issues when having crossover nights.

3. Add FBI: International (2021) to the watchlist next

In 2021, the franchise was again developed with the release of FBI: International. This brought about a Bureau arm worldwide that was working in Europe. Henceforth, all three series, FBI, Most Wanted, and International, lead during the same TV seasons.

Therefore, to be most faithful, all the episodes must be interlaced according to air date. This is particularly significant during the multi-show crossover shows, such as in a case where a single storyline would run on FBI, and later on Most Wanted, and end on International in different parts of the same day.

How crossovers fit into the watch order

The need for fans to have a specific order is primarily caused by crossovers. However, they are uncommon, and when they occur, they rearrange the broadcast evening to narrate one multi-part story.

Typical example of a crossover flow:

FBI → FBI: International → FBI: Most Wanted

International → FBI → Most Wanted

If you prefer a simple approach

Although the air-date order is most comprehensive, it is not the only legitimate order to watch the franchise. Because the majority of the episodes are case-of-the-week, some viewers can follow up:

1. Simple series-by-series order

FBI Seasons 1–latest
FBI: Most Wanted, Season 1- latest.
FBI: International, Season 1-latest.

2. Hybrid Order

Watch each season of FBI, then the season of Most Wanted, then the season of International. You can insert crossover nights in between.

Either of these is okay. However, the interwoven air-date approach is the most factual representation of the franchise to those who desire a maximum level of authenticity with no continuity breaks.

Non-scripted shows and documentary titles

Several docuseries and reality titles bear the name of the FBI, including:

FBI: Declassified

FBI True

FBI Files entries

These do not belong to the written franchise, and they do not relate to the continuity of the three major shows. They can be watched separately anytime.

The intertwined spin-offs, the backdoor pilot, and the multi-show crossover events of the FBI franchise might initially seem to have a simple structure, but appropriate watch order is more crucial to it than it might seem at first. The air-date chronology ensures viewers to get to watch the characters being introduced, references to cases, and crossovers arcs that happened on television in the exact order.

Although the interleaved approach is less convenient than simpler ones like watching each series separately, the inner chronology of the franchise is maintained in the most accurate manner by the interleaved approach. Through such a structure, it is easy to follow the whole FBI universe and see the continuity more clearly, as well as the consistency that prevails in all three shows.

Also read: FBI Season 8 Episode 8: Release date news, time, streaming details, and more

Edited by Tanisha Aggarwal

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