Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state, then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started….then some other stuff happened and we got some sitcoms.

In 2007 Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady brought The Big Bang Theory to CBS, and television hasn’t been the same since. Audiences fell in love with the four adorable geniuses, and their street-smart (but clumsy) next-door neighbor Penny. 

Sheldon Cooper is an unforgettable character, whether he’s saying ‘bazinga,’ or repeating Penny’s name as he knocks on her door. As such, it wasn’t long before the character’s backstory was explored in the sitcom Young Sheldon. Like the Big Bang it was named after, the television franchise has grown, taking on a life of its own.

Are you looking to watch The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, but aren’t sure where to start? Popverse has you covered! This guide will tell you everything you need to know about watching the hit television franchise. Let’s get started….

How to watch The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon in release order

The Big Bang Theory television universe consists of three shows….so far. The Big Bang Theory premiered in 2007, and its success led to a spin-off called Young Sheldon premiering in 2017. As the title implies, Young Sheldon focused on the childhood of Sheldon Cooper. For a time The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon were on the air simultaneously. The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019, and Young Sheldon took its final bow in 2024. The franchise continues with a new sitcom, George and Mandy’s First Marriage.

If you want to watch these sitcoms in release order, here’s how to do it. 

• The Big Bang Theory season 1 (2007-2008)
• The Big Bang Theory season 2 (2008-2009)
• The Big Bang Theory season 3 (2009-2010)
• The Big Bang Theory season 4 (2010-2011)
• The Big Bang Theory season 5 (2011-2012)
• The Big Bang Theory season 6 (2012-2013)
• The Big Bang Theory season 7 (2013-2014)
• The Big Bang Theory season 8 (2014-2015)
• The Big Bang Theory season 9 (2015-2016)
• The Big Bang Theory season 10 (2016-2017)
• The Big Bang Theory season 11 (2017-2018)
• Young Sheldon season 1 (2017-2018)
• The Big Bang Theory season 12 (2018-2019)
• Young Sheldon season 2 (2018-2019)
• Young Sheldon season 3 (2019-2020)
• Young Sheldon season 4 (2020-2021)
• Young Sheldon season 5 (2021-2022)
• Young Sheldon season 6 (2022-2023)
• Young Sheldon season 7 (2024)
• George & Mandy’s First Marriage season 1 (2024-2025)

How to watch The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon in chronological order

The Big Bang Theory family of shows jump all around the timeline. Between the original show, Young Sheldon, and George & Mandy’s First Marriage, the franchise timeline covers 30 years! How does it all fit together? If you like timelines, and want to watch The Big Bang Theory/Young Sheldon universe in chronological order, here’s how to do it! 

• 1989: Young Sheldon season 1
• 1990: Young Sheldon season 1 and Young Sheldon season 2
• 1991: Young Sheldon season 2, Young Sheldon season 3, and Young Sheldon season 4
• 1992: Young Sheldon season 4, Young Sheldon season 5, and Young Sheldon season 6
• 1993: Young Sheldon season 6 and Young Sheldon season 7 
• 1994: Young Sheldon season 7 and George & Mandy’s First Marriage season 1
• 2007: The Big Bang Theory season 1
• 2008: The Big Bang Theory season 1 and The Big Bang Theory season 2
• 2009: The Big Bang Theory season 2 and The Big Bang Theory season 3
• 2010: The Big Bang Theory season 3 and The Big Bang Theory season 4
• 2011: The Big Bang Theory season 4 and The Big Bang Theory season 5
• 2012: The Big Bang Theory season 5 and The Big Bang Theory season 6
• 2013: The Big Bang Theory season 6 and The Big Bang Theory season 7
• 2014: The Big Bang Theory season 7 and The Big Bang Theory season 8
• 2015: The Big Bang Theory season 8 and The Big Bang Theory season 9
• 2016: The Big Bang Theory season 9 and The Big Bang Theory season 10
• 2017: The Big Bang Theory season 10  and The Big Bang Theory season 11
• 2018: The Big Bang Theory season 11 and The Big Bang Theory season 12
• 2019: The Big Bang Theory season 12

How does George & Mandy’s First Marriage fit in with The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon? 

George and Mandy’s First Marriage is a spin-off of Young Sheldon, starring Sheldon’s older brother George Cooper and his wife Mandy McAllister. As the title implies, the series focuses on their misadventures as a young married couple. The sitcom takes place shortly after the final season of Young Sheldon, and 13 years before the pilot of The Big Bang Theory. 

An older version of George (played by Jerry O’Connell) appeared in The Big Bang Theory episode ‘The Sibling Realignment’ where we learn that he’s been divorced twice. Between that factoid and the title, it’s safe to assume that George and Mandy’s marriage has an expiration date. The question is, how many seasons will the show run before the inevitable divorce? 

Does The Big Bang Theory share a universe with any other shows? 

There is an interesting link between The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men. During the Big Bang Theory episode ‘The Gothowitz Deviation,’ the gang can be seen watching Oshikuru: Demon Samurai. This is a fictional anime that was introduced in Two and a Half Men. In fact, Charlie Sheen’s character Charlie Harper wrote the anime’s theme song. 

Does this mean Two and Half Men and The Big Bang Theory share a universe? Probably not. Various episodes of Two and Half Men reference The Big Bang Theory as a fictional show in their universe. The character Bertha mentions wanting to watch an episode, and the character Jake references Sheldon’s catchphrase. 

Interestingly, Charlie Sheen also appears as himself in The Big Bang Theory episode ‘The Griffin Equivalency.’ It’s worth noting that both shows were co-created by Chuck Lorre. 

How does all of this work? Don’t think too hard about it. They’re all sitcoms, so just think of the Oshikuru moment as a fun Easter egg.  

Do I need to watch The Big Bang Theory to understand Young Sheldon? 

Watching The Big Bang Theory before Young Sheldon will enhance your viewing experience, but it isn’t essential. Young Sheldon is a prequel, focusing on the childhood of Sheldon Cooper. Therefore, you don’t need to know anything about his adult life on The Big Bang Theory before diving in. However, if you do watch The Big Bang Theory first, you will understand some of the Easter eggs and foreshadowing. Jim Parson and Mayim Bialik reprise their roles as adult Sheldon and Amy Farrah Fowler for the Young Sheldon finale, which will seem more emotionally significant if you’ve watched The Big Bang Theory. 

Either way, you’ll have a great viewing experience. It just depends on if you prefer release order or chronological order. 

Where can I watch The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon? 

If you’re looking to watch Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory, a Max subscription is your best bet. The streaming service is currently home to both of the television comedies. George & Mandy’s First Marriage is currently a new series, so it’s not expected to drop on any streaming services until the first season has finished airing. However, like other CBS sitcoms, episodes of George & Mandy’s First Marriage will be available to rent or purchase digitally from a variety of video-on-demand platforms, including Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

Now you have everything you need to begin your Big Bang viewing journey! Sit back and relax….as long as you stay out of Sheldon’s seat. 

Want to know what's coming up next in pop culture? Check out our guides to upcoming movies, upcoming TV shows, upcoming comics, and upcoming comic conventions. If you're looking for specific franchises or genres, we have all the upcoming MCU, upcoming Star Wars, upcoming Star Trek, and upcoming DC movies & TV for you. If you're a fan of superheroes and not specific to just Marvel or DC, we have overall guides to all the upcoming superhero movies and upcoming superhero TV shows (and new seasons) as well.