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How to watch Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe in order (release and chronological)

Want to get started on Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory? Wondering how Stuart Fails to Save the Universe fits in with both shows? We have the answers

Guides by Joshua Lapin-Bertone, Contributing writer

Published on Thu Aug 06 2026

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. Like the Big Bang it was named after, the television franchise has grown, taking on a life of its own with spinoffs like Young Sheldon, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Are you looking to watch The Big Bang Theory and its spinoffs, 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, Young Sheldon, and spin-offs in release order

The Big Bang Theory television universe consists of four 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 currently continues with Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, a spinoff about Sheldon's brother, and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, a multiverse adventure starring the gang's friend Stuart Bloom.

How to watch The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, and spin-offs in chronological order

The Big Bang Theory family of shows jump all around the timeline. Between the original show, Young Sheldon, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, 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 Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage season 1
1995: Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage season 2
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
2026: Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 1

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

Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage is a spin-off of Young Sheldon, starring Sheldon’s older brother Georgie 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 Georgie (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 Georgie and Mandy’s marriage has an expiration date. The unanswered 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.

Is Penny in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe?

Yes, Penny is in the second episode of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, but it’s an alternate universe version of the character. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe plays around the multiverse, and the second episode features a version of Penny who is a freedom fighter. Notably, this version of Penny is brunette, not blonde.

Does Raj die in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe?

Yes, Ra dies in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, but it’s an alternate version of the character. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe deals with different universes, and the first episode is partially set in an alternate timeline where a post-apocalyptic Pasadena is ruled by Barry Kripke. That universe’s version of Raj attempts to fix a device that could save reality, but Kripke shoots him in the book.

The original version of Raj, the one we followed on all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory, is presumably still alive and well (as long as Stuart can save the universe).

Why did Young Sheldon end so abruptly?

Young Sheldon ended because the story had reached its endpoint. The Big Bang Theory established that Sheldon Cooper left for Caltech at age 14 shortly after his father died. By 2024 the series had lasted for seven seasons, and it would’ve been hard for the audience to buy that Sheldon still wasn’t 14 yet. The writers and producers would’ve either had to fundamentally change the show, focusing on Sheldon’s Caltech life without his family, and ignore the continuity established by The Big Bang Theory. Ultimately, they decided that the show had reached its natural conclusion.

Did Mary remarry after George died?

No, Sheldon’s mother Mary Cooper never remarries after her husband George dies. However, she does date a few different men. On Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, we see Mary date a man named Joseph and Georgie’s business rival Fred. On The Big Bang Theory, Mary dates a man named Ron and forms a close connection with Leonard’s father Alfred.

Is Sheldon actually autistic in real life?

No, Jim Parsons, the actor who portrayed Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory, is not autistic in real life. Iain Armitage, the actor who played the character on Young Sheldon, is not autistic either. In fact, there has never been any official confirmation that Sheldon is canonically autistic, although it remains a popular fan theory. Jim Parsons has noted that he recognizes some Asperger’s Syndrome behaviors in Sheldon, but stopped short of diagnosing the character. The writers and producers have made similar statements, saying that they don’t want to box Sheldon in with any specific diagnosis.

Why did they replace Penny?

Because the pilot version of the character didn’t test well with the audience. In the original unaired pilot, the female neighbor was named Katie, not Penny, and she was played by Amanda Walsh. Katie had more cynical and abrasive personality, and test audiences thought she was too mean to Sheldon, Leonard, and the gang. The character was reworked into Penny, who had a friendlier personality, giving the show more heart. Kaley Cuoco was cast in the role, and the rest is history.

Why did the Big Bang Theory end?

The Big Bang Theory ended after 12 seasons because Jim Parsons was ready to leave the show, and the producers didn’t want to continue the show without him. The series was still a ratings success, and could’ve continued longer, but Parsons was ready to try new roles, and he felt he had done all he could with Sheldon Cooper. That being said, 12 seasons is a pretty impressive run for a multi-camera sitcom, and it’s rare for a modern comedy to be on the air that long. Besides, as this guide demonstrates, the franchise lives on with multiple spinoffs.

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

If you’re looking to watch Young Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory, and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, a Max subscription is your best bet. The streaming service is currently home to both of the television comedies. For Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, you'll have to switch over to Paramount+. Please note, the availability of these titles could change as streaming licenses expire and new deals are made. 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.

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Joshua Lapin-Bertone: Joshua is a pop culture writer specializing in comic book media. His work has appeared on the official DC Comics website, the DC Universe subscription service, HBO Max promotional videos, the Batman Universe fansite, and more. In between traveling around the country to cover various comic conventions, Joshua resides in Florida where he binges superhero television and reads obscure comics from yesteryear.