For decades, television shows have intertwined through crossovers and spin-offs, yet a significant number of viewers are unaware of these constellations of TV shows that coexist within a singular universe. These pairings, whether arising from unexpected spin-offs of less prominent series or being linked by unconventional crossovers and shared nuances, indeed constitute distinct television realms. Consequently, presented here are 10 substantial shared TV universes that have likely eluded your awareness.
When one ponders extensive shared universes, the mind often gravitates towards the realm of movies. Epics such as Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) have elevated shared universes into a cultural phenomenon, with numerous films converging within a consistent timeline. However, an intriguing revelation surfaces—the television domain has harbored some of the most astonishing and captivating shared universes. Driven by the prevalence of spin-offs and episodes that intertwine, TV series have intricately woven a complex tapestry of shared realities, reaching a juncture where almost any two shows can be interlinked. Countless series have been corroborated as coexisting within a singular universe, and the ensuing list unveils the 10 most startling ones.
The X-Files & Breaking Bad
“Breaking Bad” and “The X-Files,” despite their distinct serious and self-contained narratives, intriguingly coexist within a shared universe. The interconnection between these two series goes beyond the scope of a traditional crossover episode but remains indisputable. Both “Breaking Bad” and “The X-Files” feature a prominent presence of a fictional car rental company named Lariat Rent-A-Car. This shared element serves as the undeniable link that unites the two series, implying that the worlds of “Breaking Bad” and “The X-Files” actually exist within a singular expansive universe.
New Girl & Brooklyn Nine-Nine
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “New Girl” stand as beloved Fox sitcoms, seemingly occupying distinct spheres. However, beneath the surface, they coexist within a shared universe. This fact was underscored by the crossover episode of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “New Girl,” broadcasted in 2016, wherein the narrative trails Jess from “New Girl” aiding Jake in pursuing a suspect. Despite “New Girl” being set in Los Angeles and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” taking place in Brooklyn, the proximity of their settings makes their shared universe plausible. While this represents their sole instance of crossover, its intriguing nature remains undeniable.
Wings & Cheers/Frasier
The general populace is aware that “Frasier” emerged as a spin-off originating from “Cheers,” both cherished, enduring sitcoms. Yet, a noteworthy number of enthusiasts remain oblivious to the fact that the shared TV universe of “Cheers” and “Frasier” encompasses another show: “Wings.” Hailing from the 1990s, “Wings” revolves around a diminutive airline enterprise and enjoys an eight-season run. Over the course of these eight seasons, “Wings” intricately interwove with “Cheers” and “Frasier,” featuring recurrent appearances of characters like Cliff, Norm, Frasier, Lilith, and more from the sibling series.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Power Rangers
The franchises of Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exhibit striking parallels, both entrenched as enduring, lighthearted action series. Yet, an intriguing revelation surfaces: the TV series “Power Rangers in Space” and “Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation” share a common universe. In a notable “Shell Shocked” episode of “Power Rangers in Space,” Astronema manipulates the Turtles through brainwashing, aiming to exert influence over the Rangers. Fortunately, the Turtles liberate themselves from Astronema’s sway and join forces with the Rangers to thwart her plans. Following this alliance, the Power Rangers escort the Turtles back to New York. Despite the absence of further TV crossovers, the realm of comic books has witnessed collaborations between these two iconic universes.
Family Matters & Full House
An additional pair of sitcoms that coexist within a shared universe are “Full House” and “Family Matters,” both of which rank among the most legendary sitcoms in history. This interconnected reality is substantiated by a crossover between “Full House” and “Family Matters,” wherein Steve Urkel pays a visit to the Tanner residence. This liaison holds significant ramifications for the universe, as it signifies that the unconventional elements from “Family Matters,” such as cloning, time travel, and malevolent puppets, hold validity within the realm of “Full House,” even if these science fiction and supernatural storylines remain unexplored within the series itself.
The Simpsons & Futurama
“Futurama” and “The Simpsons,” two prominent animated series crafted by Matt Groening, surprisingly coexist within a shared universe. This interconnectedness is underscored in “The Simpsons” episode titled “Simpsorama,” where the Planet Express crew embarks on a journey through time to avert an impending disaster, leading Bender to the task of eliminating Homer Simpson. Consequently, “The Simpsons” unfolds a millennium prior to the events in “Futurama,” yielding peculiar implications. Notably, it was previously established that “The Simpsons” existed as a show within the universe of “Futurama.” Despite this retcon to merge the universes, the enigma persists as to why humans possess yellow skin in “The Simpsons” but not in “Futurama.”
Bob’s Burgers & Archer
Despite their starkly contrasting art styles and narrative tones, “Archer” and “Bob’s Burgers” surprisingly inhabit a shared universe. While cross-references between the two shows are not uncommon, a pivotal moment occurs in “Archer” season 4 when the main spy character loses his memory and relocates to Wander Wharf. In this context, Archer becomes involved with Linda and takes over Bob’s role, operating his burger establishment. The aftermath of this crossover episode leaves numerous inquiries about the canonical status of various elements within the “Archer” and “Bob’s Burgers” universe. Yet, at the very least, the crossover affirms the existence of a mutual television universe encompassing both shows.
Adventures Of Superman & I Love Lucy
“I Love Lucy,” a timeless sitcom that achieved monumental status upon its debut, harbors an unexpected connection within its universe. Surprisingly, an authentic Superman presence exists in the world of the show. In the episode titled “Lucy and Superman” from the sixth season, George Reeves’ portrayal of Superman from “Adventures of Superman” shares screen time with Ricky. While “Adventures of Superman” exists as a television series within the “I Love Lucy” universe, the intriguing aspect is that the episode consistently portrays George Reeves’ rendition of Superman as the genuine article, implying the existence of this superpowered figure within the sitcom’s fictional realm.
Hannah Montana & The Suite Life On Deck & Wizards Of Waverly Place
The Disney Channel often orchestrates crossovers between its shows, effectively establishing a shared universe among several of them. Among these, the notable pinnacle is the three-episode spectacle titled “Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana,” where characters from “Wizards of Waverly Place,” “Hannah Montana,” and “The Suite Life on Deck” converge. This event solidifies the interconnectedness of these three beloved Disney sitcoms. Consequently, due to this crossover, all three series coexist within the same universe. This implies that fantastical elements like wizards and the Tipton hotel chain hold canonical validity across all three TV shows, accentuating the shared narrative realm they inhabit.
Jessie & Ultimate Spider-Man
The children’s sitcom “Jessie” from Disney Channel took an unexpected turn by becoming involved in a Spider-Man narrative, crossing over with the “Ultimate Spider-Man” series. This convergence transpires in the twenty-first episode of the third season of “Ultimate Spider-Man,” titled “Halloween Night at the Museum.” In this episode, the characters from “Jessie” stumble upon one of Morgan Le Fay’s magical swords, compelling Spider-Man to collaborate with Jessie and the kids to thwart her schemes. Given that “Ultimate Spider-Man” is potentially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) multiverse, this implies a peculiar extension: the characters from “Jessie” could conceivably exist within the MCU, resulting in an even more intricate shared universe.