The Big Bang Theory (2007)
Smart is the new sexy.
Physicists Leonard and Sheldon find their nerd-centric social circle with pals Howard and Raj expanding when aspiring actress Penny moves in next door.
| Type | TV series |
|---|---|
| First aired | 24 September 2007 |
| Status | Ended, last episode 16 May 2019 |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Created by | Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady |
| Starring | Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco |
| Seasons | 12 seasons, 279 episodes |
| Episode length | about 22 min |
| Time to watch it all | about 102 hours |
| Rated | TV-14 |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes 81% · TMDB users 7.9/10 |
Where to watch The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is streaming on Max ($18.49 a month) in the US. At ten hours a week, all of the series takes about 3 months of Max, or $55.47 at list price.
We check availability daily. Page last updated 30 September 2026. Prices are standard monthly plans and change often, so check with the service before you sign up.
What kind of watch this is
The Big Bang Theory is a 2007 comedy series created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. It follows physicists Leonard and Sheldon, whose nerd-centric social circle with pals Howard and Raj expands when aspiring actress Penny moves in next door. Each episode runs 22 minutes, and the full 12-season run of 279 episodes totals 102 hours. That is a significant time investment. It suits viewers who enjoy dialogue-driven humor and do not mind a cast that treats intelligence as a personality trait. The premise is simple, but the execution relies on specific character dynamics to hold interest across a long run.
What the critics said
The first season got a lukewarm start. Critics were divided at launch, but consensus shifted as the series ran. Rotten Tomatoes lists an 81% approval rating as of February 2022. Metacritic scores it 61 out of 100 based on 27 reviews, a number that signals generally favorable reception. TV Guide later ranked it #52 among its 60 Best Series of All Time. The shift from mixed to positive suggests the show found its footing.
How it did with audiences
The numbers here are sparse. There is no box office figure to parse, and the budget sits at null, which usually implies a lack of data rather than a zero-cost miracle. What remains is a 7.9 TMDB user score. That is a solid mark.
Awards
The show collected 15 wins from 50 nominations. Jim Parsons took home the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. He also swept the TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy in 2009. The series itself claimed the TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy in 2009 and 2013. Kaley Cuoco and Simon Helberg each picked up Critics' Choice awards in 2013. A steady stream of hardware for a sitcom about physicists.
What came next for the cast
Johnny Galecki traded horror flicks like I Know What You Did Last Summer for action like Hancock. The credits do not mention The Big Bang Theory. They just move forward.
Jim Parsons stepped out of Garden State toward Hidden Figures. The shift is noticeable, though the cause is debatable.
Kaley Cuoco left Charmed for The Wedding Ringer. Simon Helberg went from Old School to A Serious Man. The list keeps growing.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched The Big Bang Theory.
Sources
- The Big Bang Theory on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q8539 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “The Big Bang Theory” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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