Summary

It ’s not just film that can have a wide array of projects within the same dealership , television has suppress this sphere as well , but not every TV show with a deal universe is created equal . The concept of having multiple television serial publication that all take place in the same population is not new . Still , the popularity of franchises working this way has exploded in recent years . Using the shared creation formatallows for deep centering to be placed on the traditional knowledge of the world , and expands the chance for multiple coevals to experience the story .

However , creating a partake in universe is not as simple-minded as having a whirl - off and having little to no part , concepts , or stories in vernacular . A really successful universe has crossovers , deals with similar themes in singular ways , and introduce new idea and canyon to the narrative seamlessly . At the heart of this , there must be intent . There must be a why behind the twist - offs , and a clear recess within the cosmos that each show fulfil .

While there are plenty of well - cognize crossing over and spin - offs , many TV audience have no musical theme that these TV shows make up 10 weird divvy up television universe of discourse .

10 TV Show Shared Universes You Had No Idea Existed

10The Cheers Universe

Cheers; The Tortellis; Frasier; Wings; St. Elsewhere

Cast

The two considerably - know iterations of theCheersfranchise are the original show , Cheers , and the just as successful spin - off , Frasier . However , there are also two other , lesser - known , addition , as well as the canonical truth that all of these display take place within theSt . Elsewhereuniverse . Though there are many theories about just how many shows take lieu insideSt . Elsewhere , the four core shows all have some overlap . The Tortellisfocuses on two habitue from theCheersbar , Nick and Loretta , andWingsfollowing the events of a small New England airport where characters fromCheershad been known to make an coming into court .

Though this is a sizable enfranchisement and the situation comedy shade of the show remains ordered , it ’s onlyCheersandFrasierthat feel like they truly share a office in the telly universe . Part of this is due to the popularity of these display , andFrasier ’s key character , Frasier ( Kelsey Grammer ) , spent so long play this role onCheersbefore the spin - off . The succeeder of the two main shows , regrettably , does not make up for the promiscuous connection to the others , and being in theSt . Elsewhereuniverse call into interrogative the reality of the integral franchise .

9The Vampire Diaries Universe

The Vampire Diaries; The Originals; Legacies

The Vampire Diarieswas a wildly successful teen drama when it aired , so it only made horse sense to flourish into a greater universe of characters . The Originalstells the fib of the original lamia family after they allow Mystic Falls andLegaciescenters on Hope ( Danielle Rose Russell ) , the daughter of one of the original . Each show introduces the characters in the show that came before andthe myths , legends , and devil that dwell each tarradiddle stay the same . Despite this , afterThe Vampire Diaries , the magic of that series was never quite retake . Though the fight for right and wickedness were just as epical , the spin - offs were n’t as good .

8One Chicago

Chicago Fire; Chicago P.D.; Chicago Med; Chicago Justice

There have been manyOne Chicagocrossoversthroughout each show ’s run , but nothing less can be look from a universe make by Dick Wolf . Though technically part of the large Dick Wolf universe that also encompasses theLaw & Orderfranchise , One Chicagohas grow into its own full - fledged universe with enough shows to turn up it . All centering around different branches of the first responders ' units in Chicago , every show flare-up with drama and life - or - decease spot . Despite this , it does n’t have the same impact that other procedural universes do . The formula and stake of the crossover events can chop-chop become repetitive , and it ’s easy to fall back interest group .

7The NCIS Universe

Jag; NCIS; NCIS: Los Angeles; Hawaii Five-0; NCIS: New Orleans; Magnum P.I.; NCIS: Hawai’i; MacGyver; NCIS: Sydney

Though by far the most significant , NCISwas not the first show in the universe , but the 2d . Jagpremiered first and thenNCISwas developed in its backwash . From there , the macrocosm exploded with several series concentrate on Naval and Marine reprehensible investigations , and others being more general crime procedurals . Regardless of where the shows take place , they all have one matter in vulgar ; they ’re pop and consistent . Shows in theNCISuniverseengage the viewers by exposing them to an aspect of reprehensible investigating they ’re not intimate withand develop strong characters that hold their own in the crossover episode .

6Arrowverse

Arrow; The Flash; Supergirl; Legends of Tomorrow; Black Lightning; Batwoman

Though D.C. Comics has gained sight of recognition in the film land , the television shows that take inspiration from the comics have been just , if not more , successful . Within theArrowverse , many great fighter have rise to establish themselves , but not all the display stand the trial run of time . Beginning withArrow , which tells the write up of Oliver Queen ( Stephen Amell ) aka the Green Arrow , the dealership shortly exploded , butno series had the seniority ofThe Flash .

The Flashran for nine seasons , and it ’s an index of how strong a universe is when the show that starts it all is eclipsed by a spin - off . DespiteThe Flash ’s popularity , the other shows were still strong , and they were all open of standing alone within the franchise . Each show take something original to the existence andused crossovers to their advantage or else of relying on them for drama and drawing in viewer .

The Arrowverse add many DC report and character to life on The CW between 2012 and 2023 , and the raw DC Universe can learn from its winner .

David Corenswet as Superman with Arrow and the Flash from CW’s Arrowverse

5Buffyverse

Buffy The Vampire Slayer; Angel

It ’s a testament to how effective a franchise is when all it take are two show to create a loyal and dedicated pursuit . Buffy The Vampire SlayerandAngelwork so well because they sustain each other , and make their existences potential . Angle ( David Boreanaz ) was a primary character onBuffyfor the first three seasons , and as such an crucial part of Buffy ’s ( Sarah Michelle Gellar ) life , it was impossible that he could fade aside and never be heard from again . Though it’snot full of life to watch the crossovers to know what ’s happen in the various show , it impart depth and complexness to the rich human race of the characters .

4The Walking Dead Universe

The Walking Dead; Fear The Walking Dead; The Walking Dead: World Beyond; Tales of The Walking Dead; Daryl Dixon; The Ones Who Live; The Book of Carol

The universe ofThe Walking Deadkeeps expand , and it ’s for one ground : the awful graphic symbol . Like the original show , the extra series leave compelling reference who are leisurely to spend time with . Many of the spin - offs search single history for these characters , likeThe Walking Dead : Daryl DixonandThe Ones Who experience , but some just explore the expanded universe and delve into the concealed details of the world . Seeing overlap between the shows and finding Easter eggs within them experience like a rewarding gem hunt for those ascertain , anddoesn’t ram the concept of the enfranchisement , just utilise it to make the humankind experience lived in .

3The CSI Universe

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; CSI: Miami; CSI: NY; CSI: Cyber; CSI: Vegas

There ’s a reason that procedurals do so well in create franchise , particularly crime procedurals . offense is everywhere and so are the people who solve it . In theCSIuniverse , the characters all have a special way of investigate criminals , but the location and squad who do the investigation make all the difference . EachCSIseries follow a exchangeable formula , butthere ’s a way to keep a formulaic show interesting , and the enfranchisement achieves this through exciting criminals and plots .

to boot , though the shows stick to scientific discipline and fact most of the time , they do n’t shy away from ramp up the interpersonal drama when call for . This comes through in the crossover , aseach team drawing card has a different style , and they on occasion irritate against each other . It ’s difficult to know who to root for , as so many of thebest characters in theCSIuniversestay with the audience forever .

2Law & Order

Law & Order; Special Victims Unit; Organized Crime; Criminal Intent; Trial by Jury; LA; True Crime

The first and best of the Dick Wolf universe of discourse is theLaw & Orderfranchise . Though the shade and themes have change greatly since the originalLaw & Orderpremiered in 1990 , each spin - off carries a piece of the show with it . Since the offset , the universe of discourse has revolutionized the crime procedural by record not only the detective doing their work but also the attorney in prosecution . Though the shows that pursue bind largely to that format , they differentiated themselves by make do with unparalleled aspects of the criminal justice system . The success ofLaw & Order : SVUshowcases how significant and popular the universe has become .

1Star Trek

Star Trek: The Original Series; The Animated Series; The Next Generation; Deep Space Nine; Voyager; Enterprise; Discovery; Short Treks; Picard; Lower Decks; Prodigy; Strange New Worlds

Not only one of the greatest TV and film franchises in account but also one of the longest - running . Since the premiere ofStar Trek : The Original Seriesin 1966 , the dangerous undertaking of those traveling through space at the behest of the Federation have to accommodate modern themes with every new looping . This is no well-heeled task and one of the intellect thatStar Trekis a home name to this Clarence Day . As space is multitudinous , so are the escapade of the gang that man the star ships of the universe of discourse , andthe ability of the serial to stay truthful to the original lore while create new account themselves .

Star Wars Stormtrooper

Kirk and Spock in Star Trek and Benson and Stabler in SVU

Sam, Diane, and Frasier in Cheers

Headshot Of Ted Danson In The 96th Annual Oscars

Headshot Of Shelley Long

Cast Placeholder Image

Headshot Of Rhea Perlman

Headshot Of Paul Wesley

Headshot Of Ian Somerhalder In The 12th Annual SAG Awards

Headshot Of Kat Graham

Headshot OF Candice King

Voight (Jason Beghe) talks on the phone in Chicago PD

Mark Harmon as Gibbs wearing a black cap in NCIS

A custom image of The CW’s DC Arrowverse Shows The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Black Lightning, and Legends of Tomorrow

Headshot Of Stephen Amell In The  F*ck Cancer Gala

Headshot Of David Ramsey

Headshot Of Emily Bett Rickards In The 71st Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards

Headshot Of Katie Cassidy IN The 31st Annual Race To Erase MS Gala 2024

Headshot Of Sarah Michelle Gellar IN The Los Angeles Premiere Of ‘The Girl In The Pool’ At The ALO HQ Screening Room

Headshot Of Nicholas Brendon

Headshot Of Alyson Hannigan

Rick Grimes and Michonne looking to the side in The Walking Dead

Headshot Of Steven Yeun IN The 35th Annual Producers Guild Awards

Headshot Of Andrew Lincoln In The Los Angeles Premiere Of AMC+’s ‘The Walking Dead

Headshot Of Chandler Riggs In The Los Angeles premiere of AMC+ ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’

Headshot Of Laurie Holden In The 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

CSI

Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Picard. Patrick Stewart as Admiral Jean-Luc Picard. Kate Mulgrew as Captain Kathryn Janeway, Robert Beltran as Chakotay, Roxann Dawson as B’Elanna Torres, Garret Wang as Harry Kim, Jennifer Lien as Kes, Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine, Tim Russ as Tuvok, Robert Duncan McNeil as Tom Paris.

Headshot Of William Shatner

Headshot of Leonard Nimoy