Some TV shows with the most spin-offs are a staple in our daily lives, providing us with hours of premium entertainment.
These shows are so popular and successful that despite the several spin-offs, they each have their loyal fan base.
From sitcoms to dramas, these shows have captivated audiences even after their original runs have ended.
In this listicle, we will explore some of the successful TV shows with the most spin-offs, so you can continue to stay inspired to stream or watch them.
For devout followers and curious observers, get ready for these TV shows with the most spin-offs and discover how they have made the most significant impact on the small screen.
1. Law & Order (1990)
- Starring: George Dzundza, Chris Noth, Dann Florek, Michael Moriarty, Richard Brooks, Steven Hill, Paul Sorvino, Carolyn McCormick, Jerry Orbach, S. Epatha Merkerson, Jill Hennessy, Sam Waterston, Benjamin Bratt.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Law & Order is an iconic American television series that first aired in 1990 and ran for 20 seasons.
The show follows the lives of police officers and prosecutors who work together to solve crimes in New York City.
It is one of the TV shows with the most spin-offs, each with a unique flavor and take on the criminal justice system.
The shows are famous for focusing on the complexities of criminal investigations and trials.
Some show spin-offs include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU), Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Law & Order: Organized Crime.
For longtime fans and newcomers, there is something for everyone in these compelling shows.
2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000)
- Starring: William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, Jorja Fox, Paul Guilfoyle, Eric Szmanda, Robert David Hall, Louise Lombard, Wallace Langham, Lauren Lee Smith.
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
When CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered in 2000, it revolutionized the procedural crime genre.
The show kept up with a team of forensic investigators as they solved complex crimes in Las Vegas.
Its blend of science, drama, and suspense structure made it one of the TV shows with the most spin-offs.
Over the years, the show has spawned three break-outs: CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, and CSI: Cyber.
Overall, the CSI franchise has been quite successful and is one of television’s most influential crime procedural series.
Its shows have each brought something unique to the crime investigation scene.
Following this, fans of the original CSI and its spin-offs will always have a special place in their hearts for these shows.
3. Star Trek (2009)
- Starring: John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, Eric Bana, Leonard Nimoy.
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Star Trek has been around for over 50 years, mashing up science fiction and social commentary in ways that have drawn in generations of fans.
The series has been praised for its diverse cast and thrilling plot while also being one of the TV shows with the most spin-offs in its own right.
In 2009, the franchise was given new life with the release of the film, Star Trek, directed by J.J. Abrams.
The success of the 2009 film led to the development of several spin-offs, including the sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, in 2013 and Star Trek Beyond in 2016.
These films continued the story of the Enterprise crew as they faced new challenges and explored new worlds.
The 2009 reboot also led to the development of a new TV series, Star Trek: Discovery, which premiered in 2017.
Another spin-off, Star Trek: Picard, gained a dedicated fanbase following its release in 2020.
These numerous spin-offs have greatly helped expand the Star Trek universe while staying true to the franchise’s core values.
4. Doctor Who (1963)
- Starring: William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Capaldi, Jodie Whittaker, Ncuti Gatwa.
- IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Doctor Who is a British television series that has been quite ravaging since its debut in 1963.
Though it has undergone many changes, it has maintained its status as a cultural phenomenon.
The film is not just among the TV shows with the most spin-offs but has influenced many other shows in the sci-fi genre.
The first spin-off was K-9 and Company, aired in 1981, followed by Torchwood in 2006.
Another popular spin-off of the franchise, The Sarah Jane Adventures, premiered in 2007 and ran for five seasons.
Lastly, the 2016 installment, Class, was also a hit and was well-received by fans of the original.
Doctor Who’s popularity in TV shows has led to a renewed interest in science fiction, inspiring a new generation of writers and filmmakers alike.
Now is a perfect time if you haven’t checked out the show or its spin-offs.
5. The Real Housewives (2006)
- Starring: Taylor Armstrong, Camille Grammer, Adrienne Maloof, Kim Richards, Kyle Richards, Lisa Vanderpump, Brandi Glanville, Yolanda Hadid, Carlton Gebbia, Joyce Giraud de Ohoven, Eileen Davidson.
- IMDb Rating: 5.4/10
Introducing the Real Housewives franchise in 2006 brought fans a new wave of entertainment.
It began with the original series, The Real Housewives of Orange County, which followed the lives of five affluent women living in Southern California.
Over the years, it has become one of the TV shows with the most spin-offs, set in cities across the United States and beyond.
This reality TV’s other varieties include The Real Housewives of New York City, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and The Real Housewives of New Jersey, among others.
With so many different Housewives series, there’s never been a better time to get your fix on drama and glamour on.
6. The Bachelor (2002)
- Starring: Chris Harrison, Jesse Palmer, Sean Lowe, Brad Womack, Ben Higgins, Catherine Lowe.
- IMDb Rating: 3.2/10
The Bachelor has been a fun buzz for fans since 2002, with its dramatic rose ceremonies and steamy love triangles.
The reality dating show is about a single man searching for love among eligible bachelorettes.
It falls under the TV shows with the most spin-offs over the years, each with a unique twist on the formula.
One of its most popular spin-offs is The Bachelorette, which debuted in 2003. 2014 ushered in another spin-off, Bachelor in Paradise.
This brought together former contestants from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” for a second chance at love in a tropical paradise.
Interestingly, The Bachelor franchise doesn’t just stop at dating shows.
The 2010 release, specifically for winning cash prizes, and The Bachelor Winter Games (2018), a winter sports-themed dating competition.
One of the most recent is The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart (2020), which combines the elements of the first show with a singing competition.
7. The Walking Dead (2010)
- Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Jeffrey DeMunn, Steven Yeun, Chandler Riggs, Norman Reedus, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Michael Rooker, David Morrissey, Melissa McBride, Scott Wilson, Michael Cudlitz, Emily Kinney, Chad L. Coleman, Lennie James, Tom Payne.
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
The Walking Dead has been around long enough with a gripping portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies.
The show has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also amassed a large and dedicated fanbase.
The popularity of The Walking Dead has made it among the TV shows with the most spin-offs.
The first spinoff, Fear the Walking Dead, premiered in 2015 and was set in the same universe as its predecessor.
Following this, The Walking Dead: World Beyond was introduced in 2020 and focused on young survivors navigating a dangerous and unfamiliar world.
The franchise’s success has led to the creation of several other break-outs, including a trilogy of movies starring Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes.
The show and its spinoffs are popular because they offer more than just zombie action.
Whether you are into the original series or one of its spinoffs, the mark they have left on the television landscape is no denying.
8. Law & Order: SVU (1999)
- Starring: Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer, Dann Florek, Michelle Hurd, Stephanie March, Ice-T, BD Wong, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Adam Beach, Michaela McManus, Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish, Raúl Esparza.
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Law & Order: SVU is one of the most popular and enduring television dramas ever. It is among the TV shows with the most spin-offs, despite being an installment in a larger franchise.
The first spinoff to emerge from the Law & Order universe was Law & Order: Criminal Intent in 2001.
This paved for Law & Order: Trial by Jury in 2005. In 2012, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit spawned a spinoff titled Law & Order: True Crime.
More recently, Law & Order: Organized Crime premiered in 2021, starring Christopher Melon, returning in his role as Detective Elliot Stabler from SVU.
While the shows often deal with timeless issues like crime, justice, and morality, they also tackle contemporary problems just for you.
9. Power Rangers (1993)
- Starring: Austin St. John, Thuy Trang, Walter Jones, Amy Jo Johnson, David Yost, Jason David Frank, Catherine Sutherland, Nakia Burrise, Steve Cardenas, Johnny Yong Bosch, Tracy Lynn Cruz, Blake Foster, Patricia Ja Lee.
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
In 1993, action movie enthusiasts were introduced to a group of teenagers with incredible powers to defend the planet from evil.
The original series followed five teenagers carefully chosen to protect the world from the evil Rita Repulsa and her minions.
One of the first spin-offs was Power Rangers Zeo, which aired in 1996.
This was accompanied by Power Rangers Turbo, which introduced a new team of rangers and vehicles to battle evil.
The franchise continued to evolve with other spin-offs like Power Rangers In Space, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, Power Rangers Time Force, and many more.
The franchise recently released a feature film in 2017 and a new series, Power Rangers Beast Morphers, which premiered in 2019.
This is one of the TV shows with the most spin-offs, having kick-started an experience that still resonates with fans today.
10. NCIS (2003)
- Starring: Mark Harmon, Sasha Alexander, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, David McCallum, Sean Murray, Cote de Pablo, Lauren Holly, Rocky Carroll, Brian Dietzen, Emily Wickersham, Wilmer Valderrama, Jennifer Esposito, Duane Henry, Maria Bello, Diona Reasonover, Katrina Law, Gary Cole.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
NCIS, or Naval Criminal Investigative Service, hit the big screen in 2003 and has since kept its fans successfully entertained.
As one of the longest-running and most successful crime dramas on television, it’s no surprise that it is among the TV shows with the most spin-offs.
While taking viewers on new adventures, the spin-offs have also kept the world of NCIS alive and well.
Some include NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawai.
The NCIS franchise is remarkable in how each spin-off carves out a new identity while retaining the original look.
Despite the settings and storylines being different, each show is anchored by the core values: of honor, loyalty, and justice.
You can join the millions of viewers who have made NCIS one of television’s most beloved and successful franchises.
