Criminal Minds has been running since 2005. It ran for 15 seasons on CBS. Then it came back on Paramount+ as Criminal Minds: Evolution. Season 19 is now airing in 2026, and Season 20 is already confirmed for 2027. Whether you are starting from the very beginning or catching up on the latest season, this guide tells you exactly where to watch Criminal Minds right now, including free options.
About Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds is a CBS network drama created by Jeff Davis that premiered on September 22, 2005. It follows a team of FBI profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) who catch criminals by thinking like them. The show ran for 15 seasons and 324 episodes on CBS, concluding on February 19, 2020.
| Detail | Info |
| Original Network | CBS (Seasons 1–15) |
| Streaming Network | Paramount+ (Seasons 16–19, US) |
| International Streaming | Disney+ (UK, Australia, Canada, NZ, Ireland) |
| Total CBS Seasons | 15 |
| Total Episodes (CBS) | 324 |
| Revival Name | Criminal Minds: Evolution |
| Revival Seasons | 16–19 (ongoing) |
| Season 20 | Confirmed for 2027 |
| Created By | Jeff Davis |
| Premiered | September 22, 2005 |
| Original Series Finale | February 19, 2020 |
In 2022, the series returned on Paramount+ with a new subtitle: Evolution. The revival follows BAU members facing a network of serial killers. It is considered a continuation of the original series, with seasons numbered accordingly.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 premiered on May 28, 2026, on Paramount+ in the US. The series has also been renewed for a milestone 20th season, set for 2027, as per Paramount Express.
Main Cast of Criminal Minds
| Character | Actor | Seasons |
| David Rossi | Joe Mantegna | 3–present |
| Emily Prentiss | Paget Brewster | 2–present |
| Jennifer “JJ” Jareau | A.J. Cook | 1–present |
| Penelope Garcia | Kirsten Vangsness | 1–present |
| Dr. Tara Lewis | Aisha Tyler | 11–present |
| Luke Alvez | Adam Rodriguez | 12–present |
| Elias Voit | Zach Gilford | 16–present |
| Tyler Green | RJ Hatanaka | 17–present |
| Derek Morgan | Shemar Moore | 1–11 |
| Dr. Spencer Reid | Matthew Gray Gubler | 1–15 |
| Aaron Hotchner | Thomas Gibson | 1–12 |
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Where to watch Criminal Minds?
Original Series (Seasons 1–15)
All 15 seasons of Criminal Minds are available to stream on Hulu.
The crime drama is also available to watch for free on Pluto TV, including a 24/7 live TV channel dedicated to the show.
Paramount+ is also a home for all 15 seasons of the original run.
| Platform | Seasons Available | Cost | Notes |
| Hulu | 1–15 | Subscription | All episodes on demand |
| Paramount+ | 1–19 | Subscription | All seasons including Evolution |
| Pluto TV | Select seasons | Free (with ads) | 24/7 live channel + on demand |
| Amazon Prime Video | 1–15 | Buy / Rent | Per episode or season purchase |
| Apple TV | 1–15 | Buy / Rent | Per episode or season purchase |
| Fandango At Home | 1–15 | Buy / Rent | Per episode or season purchase |
| Microsoft Store | 1–15 | Buy / Rent | Per episode or season purchase |
| YouTube | 1–15 | Buy / Rent | Per episode or season purchase |
| Philo | Select seasons | Subscription | Budget-friendly live TV plan |
Criminal Minds: Evolution (Seasons 16–19)
Paramount+ is the exclusive streaming home for Criminal Minds: Evolution in the US. New episodes from Season 19 drop on Thursdays. The platform carries all 18 past seasons of Criminal Minds as well.
The subscription starts at $9.00 a month for the ad-supported Essential tier, and $14.00 a month for the Premium tier, which removes ads and adds Showtime programming and a CBS live stream.
| Season | Subtitle | Year | Platform (US) | Episodes |
| Season 16 | Evolution (Season 1) | 2022–2023 | Paramount+ | 10 |
| Season 17 | Evolution (Season 2) | 2024 | Paramount+ | 10 |
| Season 18 | Evolution (Season 3) | 2025 | Paramount+ | 10 |
| Season 19 | Evolution (Season 4) | 2026 | Paramount+ | Airing now |
| Season 20 | Evolution (Season 5) | 2027 | Paramount+ | Announced |
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Where to watch Criminal Minds by region?
In the US, Criminal Minds: Evolution is on Paramount+. In Canada, the UK, and Australia, the streaming home is Disney+.
Season 19 premiered on May 28, 2026 on Paramount+ in the United States. It is also available on Disney+ in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
| Region | Platform (Original Series) | Platform (Evolution) |
| United States | Hulu, Pluto TV, Paramount+ | Paramount+ |
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | Disney+ |
| Australia | Disney+ | Disney+ |
| Canada | Disney+ | Disney+ |
| Ireland | Disney+ | Disney+ |
| New Zealand | Disney+ | Disney+ |
| Other regions | Varies by country | Disney+ (most regions) |
Is Criminal Minds free to watch?
Yes. Criminal Minds is available to watch for free on Pluto TV, including a live channel that runs episodes around the clock with no subscription or sign-up required.
However, free options only cover the original CBS run (Seasons 1–15). Criminal Minds: Evolution (Seasons 16–19) requires a Paramount+ subscription in the US, or a Disney+ subscription internationally.
| Free Option | What You Get | Catch |
| Pluto TV | Seasons 1–15 (on demand + live) | Ads |
| Paramount+ Free Trial | All seasons including Evolution | Trial period only |
Is Criminal Minds on Netflix?
No. Criminal Minds is not available on Netflix in the US, but there are many similar shows that you can watch on the same network. All titles below are currently available on Netflix US.
| Show | Genre | Seasons | Why Watch It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindhunter | Crime, Drama | 2 | FBI agents in the 1970s develop criminal profiling – the very science Criminal Minds is built on |
| The Sinner | Crime, Psychological Thriller | 4 | A detective digs into the psychology behind crimes rather than just who did them |
| Hannibal | Psychological Thriller | 3 | An FBI profiler works with a psychiatrist who is secretly a serial killer; returned to Netflix US in July 2026 |
| You | Psychological Thriller | 4 | A dark, addictive look inside the mind of a killer – told from the killer’s perspective |
| Lupin | Mystery, Crime | 3 | A slick French crime series about a master of disguise; fast-paced and clever |
Is Criminal Minds on Amazon Prime?
The original seasons are available to buy or rent on Amazon Video (Prime Video) but they are not included free with a standard Prime subscription. Also, Criminal Minds: Evolution is not on Amazon Prime.
However, Prime Video has some of the best criminal profiler and crime drama content outside of Paramount+. All titles below are available on Prime Video US with a standard Prime subscription.
| Show | Genre | Seasons | Why Watch It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross | Crime Drama, Thriller | 2 (Season 3 announced) | A forensic psychologist and detective who gets inside killers’ minds – the closest thing to Criminal Minds on Prime |
| Bosch | Crime Drama | 7 + spinoffs | A brilliant LAPD detective who bends rules to close cases; slow-burn and character-driven |
| The Devil’s Hour | Psychological Thriller | 2 (Season 3 coming) | A woman and a detective unravel a supernatural mystery rooted in dark psychology |
| Harlan Coben’s Lazarus | Psychological Thriller | 1 | A forensic psychiatrist uncovers cold-case murders tied to his father’s death |
| Reacher | Action Crime | 3 | A former military investigator with brilliant deductive instincts takes on corruption |
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