When people ask how many series exist within the Breaking Bad universe, they're usually surprised by the answer. While the franchise is anchored by two core live-action television series, the wider universe spans feature-length continuations, animated shorts, and digital minisodes. Created by Vince Gilligan, the Albuquerque crime saga expanded far beyond Walter White's initial descent into the methamphetamine trade.
Understanding the full scope requires looking past simple episode counts and examining how the narrative extensions fit together. Whether you're planning a rewatch or exploring the franchise for the first time, mapping out the entire collection prevents major spoilers and clarifies how each piece contributes to the overarching story.
The Core Live-Action Series
The primary foundation of the franchise consists of two critically acclaimed shows that aired on AMC. Together, they form one of the most cohesive storytelling arcs in television history.
Breaking Bad (2008–2013)
The flagship series that started it all ran for five seasons and 62 episodes. It follows Walter White, an underpaid and overworked high school chemistry teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who receives a terminal lung cancer diagnosis. To secure his family's financial future, Walt teams up with a former student, Jesse Pinkman, to manufacture and distribute crystal meth. The show tracks Walt's psychological transformation from a mild-mannered educator into a ruthless drug kingpin known by the pseudonym Heisenberg.
Better Call Saul (2015–2022)
Serving as both a prequel and a sequel to the original show, this legal crime drama ran for six seasons and 63 episodes. It centers on Jimmy McGill, a small-time con artist trying to legitimize his career before eventually morphing into the morally flexible criminal lawyer Saul Goodman. The series also features black-and-white flash-forward segments set after the conclusion of Breaking Bad, detailing Saul's hidden life under an assumed identity.
Feature Films and Digital Spin-offs
Beyond the two main television shows, the franchise includes cinematic and short-form projects that flesh out specific character fates and past histories.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
Released as a Netflix original film before airing on AMC, El Camino acts as a direct sequel to the series finale. It picks up immediately after the events of "Felina", focusing entirely on Jesse Pinkman as he evades the law, confronts his trauma, and attempts to forge a viable path toward personal freedom.
Slippin' Jimmy (2022)
This animated web series consists of six short episodes released during the final season of Better Call Saul. Styled after 1970s cartoons, it explores the childhood exploits of Jimmy McGill and his older brother Chuck in Cicero, Illinois, leaning heavily into comedy and classic movie tropes.
Digital Minisodes and Training Videos
AMC also produced several auxiliary content packages that add flavor to the universe:
- Original Minisodes (2009–2011): A collection of 17 short, comedy-focused web clips featuring various characters during the timeline of the original series.
- Employee Training Videos (2017–2022): Interactive promotional shorts released across multiple seasons of Better Call Saul, featuring Gus Fring, Mike Ehrmantraut, and Kim Wexler in character.
Recommended Viewing Orders
If you're diving into the franchise, picking the right sequence dictates how plot twists land. Viewers generally debate between two primary paths.
Release Order
Watching projects in the order they premiered preserves every intended mystery and narrative reveal.
- Breaking Bad (Seasons 1–5)
- El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
- Better Call Saul (Seasons 1–6)
Following this path ensures you experience Better Call Saul with the exact background knowledge the writers assumed audiences would possess. Characters who appear as minor players initially gain immense depth because you already know where they end up.
Chronological Order
For a second-time viewer or an adventurous newcomer, rearranging the timeline offers a different perspective on the narrative arc.
- Better Call Saul (Seasons 1 through 6, up to the penultimate episode)
- Breaking Bad (Seasons 1–5)
- El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
- Better Call Saul (Series Finale episodes)
While chronological viewing shifts the dramatic irony, it can spoil certain fates of characters who appear in both shows. Most critics recommend sticking to release order for a first-time watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to watch Breaking Bad before Better Call Saul?
You don't legally have to, but watching Better Call Saul first ruins several major plot twists regarding who survives the original series. The prequel is specifically designed to subvert expectations built during the original run.
Is El Camino required viewing?
Yes, if you want a definitive conclusion to Jesse Pinkman's storyline. While Breaking Bad ends with his escape, El Camino provides the emotional closure and logistical struggle required for him to truly start over.
Are there any upcoming series planned for the franchise?
Creator Vince Gilligan and AMC have moved on to other projects, meaning the universe is currently complete. No active sequels or additional spin-offs are in production.
How many total episodes are across the main shows?
Combined, Breaking Bad (62 episodes) and Better Call Saul (63 episodes) total 125 regular television episodes, excluding movies and shorts.
