11 TV Spinoffs That Were So Successful They Spawned Spinoffs Too
Television history is packed with shows that became so popular, they launched their own spinoffs.
But what happens when a spinoff becomes such a hit that it creates even more shows?
Some series have proven so successful that they’ve built entire TV universes, spawning second-generation and even third-generation spinoffs.
These franchises show that lightning can strike twice, or even three times, in the same place!
1. Happy Days: The Spinoff King
Remember when sitcoms ruled the airwaves like superheroes ruled comic books?
This beloved show about life in 1950s Milwaukee didn’t just capture hearts. It launched an empire!
After spinning off from Love, American Style, it created Laverne & Shirley, which became a massive hit itself.
Then came Mork & Mindy with Robin Williams as an alien, and even Joanie Loves Chachi.
The Fonz’s coolness apparently extended to creating entire television families!
2. NCIS: A Military-Sized Franchise
What started as a backdoor pilot on JAG became television’s biggest procedural empire.
NCIS didn’t just succeed; it conquered!
The show spawned NCIS: Los Angeles, bringing West Coast flair to naval investigations. Then came NCIS: New Orleans with jazz and gumbo vibes.
The franchise kept growing with NCIS: Hawaiʻi, NCIS: Sydney, and the prequel NCIS: Origins.
That’s five spinoffs from one spinoff!
3. The Jeffersons: Moving On Up to More Shows
George and Louise Jefferson literally moved on up from All in the Family to their own deluxe apartment.
Their show became one of the longest-running sitcoms with Black leads in television history.
The success was so sweet that it spawned Checking In, focusing on Florence the housekeeper working at a hotel.
Though Checking In was short-lived, the Jefferson legacy remained unstoppable!
4. The Originals: Vampire Royalty Reigns
Klaus Mikaelson and his vampire siblings left Mystic Falls for New Orleans, and magic happened!
Spinning off from The Vampire Diaries, The Originals explored the first vampire family with darker, more mature storytelling.
Witches, werewolves, and vampires clashed in the supernatural capital of America.
Its success birthed Legacies, following the next generation at a school for supernatural kids.
5. Law & Order: SVU’s Crime-Fighting Legacy
Detective Olivia Benson became more than just a character; she became an icon.
Spinning off from the original Law & Order in 1999, SVU tackled sensitive crimes with compassion and intensity.
It became the longest-running primetime live-action series in American television history!
Its success naturally led to Law & Order: Organized Crime, reuniting fans with beloved characters while exploring new criminal territory.
6. Young Sheldon: Big Bang’s Brainy Beginning
Who knew a childhood could be this entertaining?
The Big Bang Theory’s most peculiar character got his own origin story in Young Sheldon.
This prequel showed how a child genius navigated Texas in the 1980s with his loving but bewildered family.
The heartwarming comedy proved so popular that it spawned Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, following Sheldon’s brother into married life.
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Final Frontier
Captain Picard boldly went where no spinoff had gone before!
After the original Star Trek series ended, The Next Generation brought new life to the franchise with fresh characters and updated special effects.
Its massive success launched Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which explored a space station instead of a starship.
Then came Star Trek: Voyager, stranding a crew far from home.
8. Stargate SG-1: Portal to More Adventures
A movie about ancient alien portals became a television phenomenon!
Stargate SG-1 transformed the 1994 film into a decade-long adventure series exploring galaxies through the Stargate.
The show’s incredible run spawned Stargate Atlantis, which discovered a lost city in another galaxy.
Then Stargate Universe took a darker turn with a crew trapped on an ancient ship.
9. The Andy Griffith Show: Mayberry’s Extended Family
Whistling down that country road led to television gold!
After spinning off from The Danny Thomas Show, Sheriff Andy Taylor and his Mayberry neighbors became American television icons.
The wholesome comedy was so beloved that it launched Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., following the lovable gas station attendant into military life.
Then Mayberry R.F.D. continued the small-town stories.
10. Star Wars: The Clone Wars Expands the Galaxy
A long time ago, in an animated series far, far away…
The Clone Wars filled the gap between Star Wars movies with thrilling animated adventures.
Fans fell in love with new characters like Ahsoka Tano while exploring familiar heroes in fresh ways.
Its popularity spawned Star Wars: The Bad Batch, following elite clone soldiers after the war.
11. Vanderpump Rules: Reality Drama Multiplied
What happens when restaurant staff become reality stars?
Spinning off from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules followed Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant employees through their dramatic lives.
The show became a cultural phenomenon with unforgettable moments and personalities.
It spawned Jax & Brittany Take Kentucky and The Valley, proving that drama follows these stars everywhere. SUR-prisingly successful, right?
