When Did Criminal Minds Originally End
The original Criminal Minds run on CBS concluded with its 250th episode on February 19, 2020. That Season 15 finale, titled “The Replicator,” marked the final case for the Behavioral Analysis Unit team in the initial series iteration. The show had aired for 15 seasons and 324 episodes since its premiere on September 22, 2005, building a long-form crime procedural that became one of the highest-rated dramas in network television history. This finale intentionally closed major character arcs while leaving certain elements open, establishing a definitive endpoint for the core BAU story.
Did Criminal Minds Stop After Season 15
Yes, after Season 15 episode 10 “The Replicator,” the series concluded its original run on CBS. The decision not to renew the show followed a long negotiation cycle and reflected a common pattern for decade-long procedurals seeking a clean narrative close. By February 2020, recurring cast members had already been notified of the show’s cancellation ahead of the finale airing. Industry reporting indicated that no new episodes would be produced beyond that date, ending the weekly episode schedule and putting the show into syndication as a finished series.
The Criminal Minds Revival On Paramount+
In November 2020, CBS Studios and distributor Paramount Global announced a revival limited series, Criminal Minds: Evolution, ordered for 10 episodes. The revival returned several original cast members, including Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Kirsten Vangsness, A.J. Cook, and Adam Rodriguez, while welcoming new cast to expand the franchise. Evolution premiered on Paramount+ in 2025, marking the first new episodes to air more than five years after the original series finale. The limited-series format focuses on a fresh case that draws the team back together under new institutional constraints.
Evolution Key Details
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Paramount+ | Official announcement |
| Premiere Year | 2025 | Network press release |
| Format | Limited series | Production statement |
| Original Cast Returns | Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Kirsten Vangsness, A.J. Cook, Adam Rodriguez | Cast announcements |
| Episode Count | 10 | Renewal coverage |
Full Series Chronology And Season Breakdown
Understanding the complete timeline helps clarify what counts as the “last” episode and how the revival fits into the broader franchise history. Below is a concise overview of seasons, episode counts, and original air dates.
| Season | Episodes | Original Start | Original End | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | Sep 22 2005 | May 10 2006 | ||||
| 2 | 23 | Sep 20 2006 | May 16 2007 | ||||
| 3 | 20 | Sep 26 2007 | May 21 2008 | ||||
| 4 | Sep 24 2008 | May 20 2009 | |||||
| 5 | 23 | Sep 23 2009 | May 26 2010 | ||||
| 6 | 25 | Sep 22 2010 | May 11 2011 | ||||
| 7 | 24 | Sep 28 2011 | May 16 2table>| Season | Episodes | Original Start | Original End | |
| 1 | 22 | Sep 22 2005 | May 10 2006 | ||||
| 2 | 23 | Sep 20 2006 | May 16 2007 | ||||
| 3 | 20 | Sep 26 2007 | May 21 2008 | ||||
| 4 | 26 | Sep 24 2008 | May 20 2009 | ||||
| 5 | 23 | Sep 23 2009 | May 26 2010 | ||||
| 6 | 25 | Sep 22 2010 | May 11 2011 | ||||
| 7 | 24 | Sep 28 2011 | May 16 2012 | ||||
| 8 | 24 | Sep 26 2012 | May 8 2013 | ||||
| 9 | 24 | Sep 25 2013 | May 14 2014 | ||||
| 10 | 23 | Sep 24 2014 | May 6 2015 | ||||
| 11 | 25 | Sep 23 2015 | May 4 2016 | ||||
| 12 | 22 | Sep 28 2dult 2016 | May 10 2017 | ||||
| 13 | 2分 then completed annual list, referencing the original series run.
Where To Watch And How To Find EpisodesAs of 2025, the original 15-season series is available in its entirety on multiple streaming services and platforms. The revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution, is exclusive to Paramount+, which also retains many legacy episodes from earlier seasons. Regional licensing may affect availability, so checking local catalogs is recommended.
How To Identify The True FinaleIf you are looking for the last original episode, look for production codes and air dates rather than promotional material. The series wrapped its first lifespan with Episode 10 of Season 15. Any content beyond that in broadcast order belongs to the revival. Streaming services sometimes group episodes differently, so verifying season and episode numbers prevents confusion between finale and revival premiere. SummaryThe last original Criminal Minds episode aired on February 19, 2020, as part of Season 15. The show returned with new episodes in 2025 via the limited series Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+. For most viewers, the original series finale remains the definitive end of the core BAU story, while the revival represents a continuation rather than a direct follow-up to the original broadcast schedule. |