Starting in 2012, Chicago Fire launched as a new NBC drama series following the professional and personal lives of Firefighters within the Windy City. Since then, the franchise has expanded dramatically.
As of this writing, there are three running Chicago series with other crossovers into popular TV series, and a failed attempt at a law spinoff. In March of 2023, the franchise reached its 600-episode milestone, so it’s no overstatement to say that there is a lot to watch. Whether you’ve seen one of the Chicago series or all of them, they aren’t the most simple to follow.
Fortunately, you can watch them in order if you keep a keen eye for crossovers and have a general guide for when each season takes place.
Chicago series watch order
It may seem a daunting task to binge through the Chicago series, especially in chronological order. Thankfully, the easiest way to watch it is via release order, while being mindful of the crossover episodes between shows.
Here is a list of all the Chicago series in release order so you can gauge where all the crossover episodes listed below take place.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire was the very first entry into the Chicago franchise. As the name suggests, this series follows the Chicago Fire Department and is the perfect place to kick off your watch of the series. In the show, the firefighters, rescue squad, and paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51 are sent into situations that often have life and death on the line.
The show keeps viewers on the edge of their seats during each and every episode. Well-known executive producer, Dick Wolf, makes this another popular show that audiences can’t get enough of. Once you’ve finished season one you can also watch season two alongside the next entry into the franchise.
Chicago P.D.
Chicago P.D. is the second series in the franchise to launch alongside season two of Chicago Fire. It follows Chicago P.D.’s Intelligence Unit, which is led by Sergeant Hank Vought. The cases the department faces are intriguing and include things like drug trafficking, high-profile murders, large felonies, and other organized crime.
This is one of the most captivating entries in the Chicago franchise and definitely deserves a watch. Be mindful that there are crossovers with Law & Order and Chicago Fire in the first season of Chicago P.D., so make sure you watch those episodes consecutively.
Chicago Med
The third series to launch was Chicago Med, and it has since become the last multiple-season entry to the franchise thus far. Fans of Grey’s Anatomy might want to check out this show as it has a similar medical drama format. It follows a highly skilled medical team that saves lives while trying to manage their complicated personal lives.
Again, there are plenty of crossovers between this and other Chicago series including in its first season. You’ll want to watch this show season for the season starting alongside season four of Chicago Fire and season three of Chicago P.D.
Chicago Justice
Chicago Justice is the latest Chicago series to debut, but it didn’t last long. The show only ran for a single season which aired alongside season six of Chicago Fire, season five of Chicago PD, and season 2 of Chicago Med.
The show was about the city’s State’s Attorney’s office. Prosecutors and investigators of the office spend their days navigating politics and pursuing justice. The show can feel a little bit like Chicago P.D., with it’s dealings with the law, which might be why it didn’t last long.
Chicago crossover episodes list
When it comes to crossovers with Chicago shows, you should watch up to each part in their respective series before you start the first crossover episode. For the Law & Order crossovers, you need not worry too much and can simply watch them as they fall within the Chicago series they are crossing over into.
Here is a list of all the crossover episodes in the Chicago franchise and where you can catch parts one and two.
- Law & Order SVU: Season 15 Episode 15 – Part 1/2
- Chicago P.D.: Season 1 Episode 6 – Part 2/2
- Chicago Fire: Season 2 Episode 20 – Part 1/2
- Chicago P.D.: Season 1 Episode 12 – Part 2/2
- Chicago Fire: Season 3 Episode 7 – Part 1/3
- Law & Order SVU: Season 16 Episode 7 – Part 2/3
- Chicago P.D.: Season 2 Episode 7 – Part 3/3
- Chicago Fire: Season 3 Episode 13 – Part 1/2
- Chicago P.D.: Season 2 Episode 13 – Part 2/2
- Chicago Fire: Season 3 Episode 21 – Part 1/3
- Chicago P.D.: Season 2 Episode 20 – Part 2/3
- Law & Order SVU: Season 16 Episode 20 – Part 3/3
- Chicago Fire: Season 4 Episode 10 – Part 1/3
- Chicago Med: Season 1 Episode 5 – Part 2/3
- Chicago P.D.: Season 3 Episode 10 – Part 3/3
- Law & Order SVU: Season 17 Episode 14 – Part 1/2
- Chicago P.D.: Season 3 Episode 14 – Part 2/2
- Chicago Fire: Season 5 Episode 9 – Part 1/2
- Chicago P.D.: Season 4 Episode 9 – Part 2/2
- Chicago Fire: Season 5 Episode 15 – Part 1/3
- Chicago P.D.: Season 5 Episode 16 – Part 2/3
- Chicago Justice: Season 1 Episode 1 | Part 3/3
- Chicago P.D.: Season 5 Episode 16 – Part 1/2
- Chicago Fire: Season 6 Episode 13 – Part 2/2
- Chicago Fire: Season 7 Episode 2 – Part 1/3
- Chicago Med: Season 4 Episode 2 – Part 2/3
- Chicago P.D.: Season 6 Episode 2 – Part 3/3
- Chicago Fire: Season 7 Episode 15 – Part 1/2
- Chicago P.D.: Season 6 Episode 15 – Part 2/2
- Chicago Fire: Season 8 Episode 4 – 1/3
- Chicago Med: Season 5 Episode 4 – Part 2/3
- Chicago P.D.: Season 7 Episode 4 – Part 3/3
- Chicago Fire: Season 8 Episode 15 – Part 1/2
- Chicago P.D.: Season 7 Episode 15 – Part 2/2
