You’re staring at the search bar. You just want to see Reid’s floppy hair or Prentiss being a total boss, but the streaming landscape has become a tangled mess of "used to be heres" and "only over theres." Honestly, it’s frustrating. One minute the BAU is on Netflix, the next they’ve packed their go-bags and moved to a completely different digital neighborhood.
If you are hunting for where is criminal minds streaming, the answer depends entirely on whether you want the nostalgic "case-of-the-week" episodes or the gritty, modern revival.
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The Short Version (For the Impatient)
Basically, if you’re in the US, Paramount+ is your one-stop shop. They have everything. All fifteen seasons of the original run and the newer Evolution seasons (which Paramount+ technically labels as seasons 16, 17, and 18).
Hulu still has some skin in the game, but it’s incomplete. Netflix? Yeah, that ship sailed back in 2022. If you’re outside the States, things get weirdly simple because Disney+ usually holds the keys.
Why did it leave Netflix anyway?
For years, Netflix was the unofficial home of the BAU. It was comfortable. Then, the licensing agreements expired. In June 2022, seasons 1 through 12 vanished from Netflix in the US. It was a massive blow to casual binge-watchers.
The reason is simple: corporate greed—or "strategic synergy," if you want to be fancy. CBS (which owns the show) launched Paramount+, and they wanted their biggest hits under their own roof. They didn't want to rent their crown jewels to a competitor anymore.
Deep Dive: Where to Watch Every Season
Paramount+ (The Alpha and Omega)
This is where the show lives now. All 324 episodes of the original series are here. Plus, this is the exclusive home for Criminal Minds: Evolution.
As of early 2026, you can stream:
- Seasons 1-15: The classic CBS run.
- Season 16 (Evolution Season 1): The hunt for Elias Voit and the "Sicarius" network.
- Season 17 (Evolution Season 2): The "Gold Star" conspiracy.
- Season 18 (Evolution Season 3): The latest 10-episode arc that just wrapped up its weekly run.
Word on the street is that Season 19 is already in the works, and that will also be a Paramount+ exclusive.
Hulu (The Middle Child)
Hulu is in a weird spot. For a long time, they only carried the later seasons (13-15) because Netflix didn't have them. Nowadays, you can still find some seasons there, but it’s often tied to a "Live TV" subscription or specific licensing windows that feel like they're constantly shrinking. Don't count on it for a full series marathon.
Disney+ (The International Hero)
If you’re reading this from the UK, Canada, or Australia, you probably know that Disney+ is the place to be. Because of the way international distribution works, the show falls under the "Star" or "Star+" banner.
In Canada, fans get new episodes of Evolution on Fridays, just a day after the US premiere. It’s one of those rare times where international fans actually have a more streamlined experience than Americans.
What about the Spin-offs?
Remember Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior? The one with Forest Whitaker that only lasted thirteen episodes? Or Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders with Gary Sinise?
These are harder to track down. Paramount+ usually has them, but they aren't always front and center. Sometimes they're tucked away in the "You Might Also Like" section. If you’re a completionist, you’ll find them there, though most fans agree the main show is where the real magic is.
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Is it free anywhere?
Short answer: No.
Longer answer: Sorta, if you have rabbit ears.
The show is a staple on ION Television. If you have a digital antenna or a basic cable package, ION runs massive marathons almost every week. It’s not "streaming on demand," but if you just want some background noise while you fold laundry, it’s a great free option.
Pluto TV also occasionally features a dedicated "Criminal Minds" channel or includes it in their "More Crime Drama" rotation, but it’s ad-supported and you can't pick the specific episode you want to watch.
Common Misconceptions
People still think it’s on Netflix. It isn't. Not in the US, anyway.
Another big confusion point is the naming of the new seasons. When you search for Evolution, you might see it listed as "Season 1" of a new show or "Season 16" of the old one. On Paramount+, they’ve recently leaned into the "Season 16, 17, 18" numbering to keep everything in one tidy folder.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to jump back into the world of unsubs and jet-setting profilers, here is your game plan:
- Check your current subscriptions: If you have Paramount+ or Disney+ (outside US), you're already set. Just search "Criminal Minds."
- Trial it out: If you don't have Paramount+, they almost always have a 7-day free trial. You could easily knock out a few of the newer Evolution episodes in a week.
- Check the numbering: If you’re looking for the newest episodes, look for Season 18. It’s the freshest content available as of January 2026.
- Buy it if you love it: If you hate the "streaming shuffle," the original 15 seasons are frequently on sale as a digital box set on Vudu or Apple TV for around $50-$70. It’s a one-time cost to never have to ask "where is it streaming" ever again.
Wheels up.