Criminal Minds: Evolution may be the third season of the streaming revival, but it is officially Season 18 of the long-running franchise that began in 2005 on CBS.
The series is a direct continuation of the original Criminal Minds, carrying over its core characters, overarching storylines and the structure of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). Rather than reinvent the formula, Evolution deepens it, shifting to serialized storytelling and darker psychological terrain while preserving the ensemble that defined the show’s early success.
Now streaming on Paramount+, Season 18 picks up six months after a prison attack on serial killer Elias Voit (Zach Gilford), whose digital cult of killers continues to operate in his wake. The BAU—including familiar agents Rossi, Prentiss, JJ, Garcia and Alvez—must work alongside the very criminal they once hunted. And in a long-awaited return, Matthew Gray Gubler’s Dr. Spencer Reid is set to reappear, marking another connective thread between the CBS original and this evolving revival.
Why It Matters
Unlike reboots or spinoffs, Criminal Minds: Evolution continues directly from the CBS series, maintaining its original characters and building on past storylines. The move to Paramount+ allows for darker themes and serialized arcs, giving longtime fans a more intense, layered version of the show while still honoring its procedural roots.
What to Know About ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’
The 10-episode season premieres May 8 and will release weekly every Thursday through July 10. Episode titles for the first two are confirmed: “Swimmer’s Calculus” (May 8) and “The Zookeeper” (May 15). The remaining episode titles are pending release dates through early July.
The returning ensemble includes Joe Mantegna as David Rossi; Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss; A.J. Cook as JJ Jareau; Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez; Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia; Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis; and Ryan-James Hatanaka as Tyler Green. Gilford continues as Voit. Gubler’s one-episode return as Reid—long hinted at—is now confirmed, according to multiple outlets.
How to Stream ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 is available exclusively on Paramount+. New episodes are released each Thursday at 3 a.m. ET, according to Decider. The series is included with Paramount+’s Essential ($7.99/month) and Paramount+ with Showtime ($12.99/month) subscription plans. A one-week free trial is available for new users. All 15 original seasons of Criminal Minds are also streaming on the platform, according to Decider.
‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Episode Schedule
Here is the official release schedule for Season 18 of Criminal Minds: Evolution:
Episode 1 – “Swimmer’s Calculus” – May 8
Episode 2 – “The Zookeeper” – May 15
Episode 3 – Title TBD – May 22
Episode 4 – Title TBD – May 29
Episode 5 – Title TBD – June 5
Episode 6 – Title TBD – June 12
Episode 7 – Title TBD – June 19
Episode 8 – Title TBD – June 26
Episode 9 – Title TBD – July 3
Episode 10 – Title TBD (Finale) – July 10
Each episode will drop weekly on Thursdays through the season finale.
What People Are Saying
A Reddit user named u/Loose-Masterpiece-50 posted in April about the difference between the two iterations: “Expect your favourite characters in a vastly different setting. It is not the same format as the original and as someone who loves the original series, I think the change is probably better for them to keep the show around. Making it too similar I fear would’ve led to a cancellation. I enjoy it, but for different reasons than I like the original run.”
A Reddit user named u/Affectionate-Day6849 posted in April: “I advise you to open your mind to watch Evolution and remember that it’s not like the original Criminal Minds. Then see if you like it or not. I personally like Evolution. I have criticisms like I do with the original series, but I’m happy to be excited for a new season of Criminal Minds in 2025.”
What’s Next
With its hybrid procedural-serialized format, Season 18 continues to develop story arcs across multiple characters. Showrunner Erica Messer hinted that both JJ and Dr. Lewis will have expanded narratives in the current season, and the door remains open for other past characters like Josh Stewart’s Will LaMontagne and Felicity Huffman’s Dr. Jill Gideon to return, according to TV Insider.
Paramount+ has already renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution for Season 19, indicating continued momentum for the streaming-exclusive revival. The next new episode will debut on May 15.
