History of Criminal Minds in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 25, 2026

Criminal Minds, created by Jeff Davis, is a police procedural crime drama that premiered on CBS in 2005. The series centers on a team of FBI criminal profilers working within the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). These profilers analyze the most dangerous serial killers and criminals, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. The show delves into the psychology of criminals, providing insights into their motives and behaviors as the BAU team travels the country to solve gruesome and complex cases. Key aspects of the show include profiling techniques, team dynamics, and the personal toll that dealing with such dark subject matter takes on the agents.

September 22, 2005: Criminal Minds Series Premiere

On September 22, 2005, Criminal Minds premiered on CBS. The series, created by Jeff Davis, follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU).

October 2009: Video Game Announcement

In October 2009, CBS announced that Legacy Interactive would develop a video game based on the Criminal Minds show.

February 16, 2011: Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior Debut

On February 16, 2011, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, a spin-off series, debuted on CBS.

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September 6, 2011: Release of 'The Complete Series' on DVD

On September 6, 2011, CBS DVD released "The Complete Series" of Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior on a four-disc set, packaged as 'The DVD Edition'.

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2012: Release of First Criminal Minds Video Game

In 2012, the interactive puzzle game based on Criminal Minds was released, but it did not involve the show's cast or feature their voices.

January 2015: Announcement of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders

In January 2015, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, a new series in the Criminal Minds franchise, was announced with Gary Sinise and Anna Gunn initially cast in lead roles.

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April 8, 2015: Backdoor Pilot Airs

On April 8, 2015, CBS aired a backdoor pilot for Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, a crossover episode titled "Beyond Borders", in the Criminal Minds slot.

March 16, 2016: Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders Series Debut

On March 16, 2016, the second spin-off series, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, debuted on CBS.

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May 16, 2016: Renewal of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders for Second Season

On May 16, 2016, CBS renewed Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders for a second season.

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2016: Audience Popularity Study

In 2016, The New York Times conducted a study of the 50 TV shows with the most Facebook Likes, revealing that Criminal Minds is more popular in rural areas, particularly in the southeastern half of the country.

January 2017: People's Choice Award Win

In January 2017, Criminal Minds won the Best TV Crime Drama award at the People’s Choice Awards.

May 14, 2017: Cancellation of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders

On May 14, 2017, CBS canceled Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders after two seasons due to low ratings.

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2017: People's Choice Award for Best TV Crime Drama

In 2017, Criminal Minds won the People’s Choice Award for Best TV Crime Drama, solidifying its success as a top-rated program on CBS.

2017: Korean Version Launched

In 2017, tvN launched their own Korean version of Criminal Minds, with episodes based on the original American version after its third season.

November 20, 2018: Second Game Release

On November 20, 2018, Tilting Point released a second Criminal Minds game for Android and iOS devices.

February 19, 2020: Series Culmination

On February 19, 2020, Criminal Minds originally concluded after its fifteenth season on CBS.

February 2021: Revival in Early Development

In February 2021, a revival of Criminal Minds was in early development at Paramount+, with a 10-episode revival officially greenlit.

February 2022: Revival Still in Development

By the time of the Television Critics Association winter press tour in February 2022, the Criminal Minds revival was announced to still be in development.

July 2022: Full Season Order for Revival

In July 2022, Paramount+ officially gave the Criminal Minds revival a full season order, with the main cast of the previous seasons expected to return, except for Daniel Henney and Matthew Gray Gubler.

August 2022: Filming for Revival Season Begins

In August 2022, filming began for the revival season of Criminal Minds.

November 2022: Criminal Minds: Evolution Premiere

In November 2022, Criminal Minds was revived and re-titled Criminal Minds: Evolution for its sixteenth season, which premiered on Paramount+.

January 2023: Evolution Renewed for Second Season

In January 2023, Paramount+ renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution for a second season.

May 2023: Home Release Announcement

In May 2023, CBS Home Entertainment announced that Criminal Minds: Evolution would be released to Blu-ray and DVD on June 20, 2023.

June 20, 2023: Evolution Released on Blu-ray and DVD

On June 20, 2023, CBS Home Entertainment released Criminal Minds: Evolution on Blu-ray and DVD, officially dubbing it the "sixteenth season" of the series overall.