The Ultimate Guide to Mind-Blowing TV Show Shared Universes Revealed

Summary

Many TV shows are part of shared universes, whether through spin-offs, crossovers, or shared details, connecting unexpected shows together.

Shows like Cheers, Frasier, Wings, Full House, and Family Matters all coexist in a shared universe, with characters making appearances in multiple shows.

Unexpected crossover examples include Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl, as well as Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, demonstrating how seemingly unrelated shows can be connected within a collective television universe.

TV shows have been interconnecting and branching out for decades, but many viewers are unaware of these shows existing within the same unified world. Whether they are unexpectedly spin-offs of less popular series or linked through unusual crossovers or shared elements, these TV show combinations are indeed part of the same television universe. Hence, we present 10 immense TV-shared universes that will astound you.

When discussing expansive shared universes, fans typically consider movies. Franchises like Star Wars, the MCU, and the DCU have transformed shared universes into a cultural phenomenon, with numerous films existing within a single coherent timeline. However, it turns out that some of the most astonishing and captivating shared universes actually reside in the realm of television. With the abundance of spin-offs and crossover episodes, TV shows have intricately intertwined a complex network of shared universes, to the extent that nearly any two shows can be linked. Numerous series have been officially confirmed to coexist within the same universe, and here are the 10 most mind-blowing revelations.

10 Cheers/Frasier & Wings

9 Brooklyn Nine-Nine & New Girl

Aside from being a well-known spin-off of Cheers, Frasier is also part of a shared TV universe that includes another beloved sitcom called Wings. This sitcom, which aired in the 1990s, revolves around a small airline company and enjoyed a successful eight-season run. Surprisingly, many fans are unaware of this delightful connection. Throughout its duration, Wings had numerous crossover episodes with both Cheers and Frasier, offering fans the joy of seeing familiar characters like Cliff, Norm, Frasier, Lilith, and more make appearances on the show.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl, two popular Fox sitcoms, may appear unrelated, but they actually exist in a shared universe. This was confirmed through a crossover episode in 2016, where New Girl's Jess aids Jake in tracking down a suspect. Despite New Girl being set in Los Angeles and Brooklyn Nine-Nine in Brooklyn, it is not far-fetched for these shows to coexist. Although their crossover was a singular event, it remains a fascinating connection.

8 Full House & Family Matters

Two other sitcoms that exist within the same fictional universe are Full House and Family Matters, both of which are widely recognized as iconic sitcoms. This connection is solidified by a crossover episode involving characters from both shows, where Steve Urkel pays a visit to the Tanner family's house. This crossover holds significant implications for the shared universe, as it signifies that the peculiar elements showcased in Family Matters, such as cloning, time travel, and malevolent puppets, are considered part of the established storyline in Full House. Despite the absence of these science fiction and supernatural plots in the series, they are acknowledged as canon.

7 Power Rangers & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchises share similarities as long-standing, adventurous series. Surprisingly, the TV shows Power Rangers in Space and Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation coexist in the same fictional universe. In Power Rangers in Space's "Shell Shocked" episode, Astronema manipulates the Turtles by brainwashing them to control the Rangers. Fortunately, the Turtles break free from Astronema's grasp and join forces with the Rangers to defeat her. Subsequently, the Power Rangers bring the Turtles back to New York. Despite comic book crossovers, no further TV crossovers have occurred since then.

6 Futurama & The Simpsons

Futurama and The Simpsons, both animated series created by Matt Groening, are popular and actually exist in the same universe. In the episode "Simpsorama" of The Simpsons, the Planet Express crew travels back in time to prevent a future disaster, during which Bender is tasked with killing Homer Simpson. This revelation indicates that The Simpsons takes place 1000 years before Futurama. Curiously, it had previously been established that The Simpsons was a television show within the Futurama universe. Although their shared universe has been retconned, the question remains as to why humans in The Simpsons have yellow skin while those in Futurama do not.

5 Archer & Bob’s Burgers

Despite their distinct art styles and narratives, Archer and Bob's Burgers actually exist within the same universe. While both shows have made references to one another, Archer season 4 presents an episode where the main spy character experiences amnesia and relocates to Wander Wharf. During his stay there, Archer forms a relationship with Linda and takes over Bob's burger restaurant. While there are still uncertainties surrounding the continuity of various elements in the Archer and Bob's Burgers universe, the crossover confirms that both shows coexist in a shared TV universe.

4 Breaking Bad & The X-Files

3 I Love Lucy & Adventures Of Superman

Despite being serious and self-contained, both Breaking Bad and The X-Files surprisingly coexist in the same universe. In this shared world, a subtle but undeniable connection between the two shows emerges. Lariat Rent-A-Car, a prominent car rental company, exists in both Breaking Bad and The X-Files. This fictional entity serves as a small but powerful link, confirming that these two acclaimed series exist within a larger narrative framework.

I Love Lucy, a beloved sitcom, gained tremendous popularity upon its release, making it one of the greatest shows of all time. Surprisingly, within the world of I Love Lucy, an actual Superman exists. In Season 6's episode "Lucy and Superman," George Reeves' portrayal of Superman from Adventures of Superman interacts with Ricky. Despite Adventures of Superman being a fictional show within the universe of I Love Lucy, "Lucy and Superman" consistently refers to George Reeves' character as the genuine Superman, suggesting that this superpowered individual truly exists within the sitcom's universe.

2 Ultimate Spider-Man & Jessie

Disney Channel's children's sitcom Jessie surprisingly crossed paths with Spider-Man in the Ultimate Spider-Man series. In the episode titled "Halloween Night at the Museum" from season 3 of Ultimate Spider-Man, the cast of Jessie stumbles upon one of Morgan Le Fey's enchanted swords. Spider-Man joins forces with Jessie and the kids to put a stop to her evil plans. The existence of Jessie characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's multiverse adds an extra layer of oddity to this shared universe.

1 Wizards Of Waverly Place & Hannah Montana & The Suite Life On Deck

Disney Channel shows often have crossovers, where multiple series exist within the same universe. One notable crossover is the three-episode special "Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana." This special brought together characters from Wizards of Waverly Place, Hannah Montana, and The Suite Life on Deck. As a result of this special episode, all three of these beloved Disney sitcoms now share the same universe. This means that elements like wizards and the Tipton hotel chain are considered part of the canon in all three TV shows.