Criminal Minds is finally returning to our screens, or at least it seems like it is. However, it's departing from the biggest streaming platform in the world, Netflix, right before the big revival.

The show had been on the platform since 2014, but not all seasons of it. The newer seasons were not on the platform, and now, the entire show is being taken off it.

But, is this going to affect the season 16 revival in any capacity? Or is this just a thing running its course?

When Is Criminal Minds Leaving Netflix?

As for the exact date when Criminal Minds will leave Netflix (at least the US Netflix), it's supposed to be on June 30, 2022. All first 12 seasons of the show will be removed from the streaming service on the day.

The show became one of the many removals Netflix decided upon before June 2022. However, the company decided that it would be removed only on the last day of the month.

Initially, only seasons 1 to 10 were supposed to be leaving Netflix. But the company later clarified that it was all 12 seasons that were getting removed.

Where Is Criminal Minds Going After Netflix?

With seasons 13 to 15 already not present on Netflix, the complete removal of the show from the platform has raised questions about where will be its next home. The answer — Paramount+.

The latest seasons were already being streamed on Paramount+, along with the old ones. This departure now means that the show will consider Paramount+ as its home for the foreseeable future.

Kirsten Vangsness is rumored to return to Criminal Minds season 16 after it departures Netflix.

Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia in 'Criminal Minds.' (Photo: Instagram)

Criminal Minds's departure would be a big one for Netflix, as it had been one of the most-watched shows on the platform for the past two years. However, as Netflix had been stalling contracts (which we will come to later), it might not be as big a loss as everyone thinks it is.

Other than Paramount+, Disney holds the rights for international distribution for the show. So, you can watch it there as well.

Why Is Criminal Minds Leaving Netflix?

The reason Criminal Minds is leaving Netflix is that of contractual details.

Netflix had never been a great place to watch the show as it did not have all the seasons. Fans could only watch season 1 through 12 and had to go elsewhere for seasons 13, 14, and 15.

That was because Netflix failed to get the license to stream the newer seasons. And this was because CBS, the parent company for Criminal Minds, had been focusing on their own streaming services instead of third parties like Netflix since 2018.

Many speculate that Netflix had been doing annual contracts with CBS for Criminal Minds and in 2018, CBS chose not to renew their agreements for the show.

The contracts simply ran their course, and that is the main reason for the series leaving Netflix.

About Criminal Minds Season 16 — Release Date and Cast

Criminal Minds season 16 is supposed to be a revival season for the show as the series apparently concluded in February 2020 after 15 seasons.

However, a year after it was supposed to be done, Paramount+ announced that a season 16 had been in the works, albeit in the early stages. Things again went quiet until February 2022, when Deadline reported a few exciting details.

In their report, they claimed that along with Paramount+ being close to finalizing a deal for the show, six cast members were set to return for the revival season. They are Joe Mantegna, Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler, and Paget Brewster.

None of these are confirmed, though, and neither is the release date of the show. But, if things move quickly between concerned parties, we might see some dates soon.