The TV Ratings Guide reports that Paramount+ has unceremoniously canceled 'Criminal Minds,' and that the milestone twentieth season — which wrapped filming weeks ago — was never planned in advance as the show's final chapter.

According to that outlet, the news came as a surprise to the show's cast and crew, who were only informed of the decision today, October 30.

What's On Disney Plus adds that because the season already wrapped, it might not have a proper ending, though the show might have time to put something together.

The Times of India, citing a Deadline report, says the decision to cancel was made quite recently and that the 2027 season will now serve as the finale.

The TV Ratings Guide frames the axing as the first show canceled under the new Paramount+ leadership team, following the recent closure of Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The Times of India notes that merger officially completed on October 6, 2026, in a deal it values at USD 110 billion, combining two of Hollywood's biggest legacy studios.

What's On Disney Plus reports that, per Deadline, the previous regime had recommended ending the show because, despite being a top performer, it is a traditional broadcast-style series that is too expensive for a streaming service.

The surprise is sharper because of how well the revival performed. The TV Ratings Guide notes that 'Criminal Minds' ran five seasons as a Paramount+ original after being revived just two years following the end of its fifteen-year CBS run, and was among the streamer's top-performing originals.

The outlet reports it regularly charted in Paramount+'s daily top ten TV chart, even months out from airing new episodes.

Showrunner Erica Messer said in a statement quoted by the Times of India and What's On Disney Plus: 'It's hard to put into words what Criminal Minds has meant to all of us who have been fortunate enough to be part of this extraordinary journey, first on CBS for 15 seasons and then on Paramount+ for five,' adding that she is 'filled with gratitude' for the cast, crew and the 'incredible fans around the world whose unwavering loyalty has kept Criminal Minds going for two decades.'

The series currently stars Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, RJ Hatanaka, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster, per What's On Disney Plus.

Season 20 premieres in 2027 on Paramount+ in the US and, according to that outlet, on Disney+ around the world.