- The Big Bang Theory spin-off “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” ranks first among all four shows with a Metacritic score of 72%.
- The original show, The Big Bang Theory, places third with a 61% Metascore, despite its pop culture status and numerous Emmy wins.
- Young Sheldon, the first spin-off of the franchise, secures the second spot with a 63% Metascore, praised for its heartwarming story and stellar performances.
We’ve ranked all four The Big Bang Theory shows. This comes after the long-running TV franchise expands with the HBO Max premiere of its latest spin-off, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, today. The rankings are based on each series’ approval ratings on Metacritic.
All 4 The Big Bang Theory shows ranked by Metacritic score
4) Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
At the bottom of the list is the CBS sitcom Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. The spin-off follows the aftermath of Young Sheldon’s ending, shifting the story’s focus to the early years of Georgie and Mandy’s life as a married couple. After two seasons, the show has received a 61% Metascore on Metacritic, based on 11 critic reviews. Even though some critics loved the on-screen chemistry between Montana Jordan and Emily Osment, others still had mixed feelings about the duo’s polarizing character dynamics caused by their age gap. Despite the criticisms, the show is still one of the network’s most-watched shows to date. It has already scored a third season renewal.
3) The Big Bang Theory
Surprisingly, the franchise’s main show, The Big Bang Theory, has only placed third on the list. After twelve seasons, the iconic comedy series garnered a 61% Metascore and a generally favorable 7.5/10 user score on Metacritic. Even though the sitcom has become a pop culture staple due to its incredible cast and hilarious gags, the show was criticized for its stereotypical jokes, predictable sitcom formula, and uncharacteristic storylines during its later seasons. During its run, it won 10 major Emmy awards out of 55 nominations. This included Jim Parsons winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series four times for his memorable performance as the eccentric genius, Sheldon Cooper.
2) Young Sheldon
Claiming the second spot is the franchise’s first-ever spin-off, Young Sheldon, which received a 63% Metascore on Metacritic. It follows a young Sheldon Cooper and his very normal family in East Texas. It was an instant hit among the audience, making it one of CBS’ most popular TV shows to date. The series lasted for seven seasons from 2017 to 2024. Many critics and fans loved the Cooper family’s dynamics and its tonal contrast from the original show. It was praised for delivering a heartwarming and more emotional story, which was elevated by stellar performances from its core cast, including Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Montana Jordan, Raegan Revord, and Annie Potts.
1) Stuart Fails to Save the Universe – 72%
Taking the number one spot is HBO Max’s newest sci-fi comedy show, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. So far, it has already received a Metascore of 72% on Metacritic, based on 13 critic reviews. Among the franchise’s shows, the HBO Max spin-off definitely has the most unique concept and premise. It features the return of Kevin Sussman as Stuart, who unexpectedly embarks on a multiversal journey after becoming the “chosen one.” Critics are calling the spin-off a bold and experimental take on the genre. One of the show’s main highlights is the undeniable chemistry among the ensemble cast, which is absolutely the strongest aspect of all of the franchise’s shows.
