Since its debut in 2008, Breaking Bad has been hailed as one of television’s greatest achievements. When Better Call Saul premiered in 2015 as a prequel centered on morally flexible lawyer Saul Goodman, many fans and newcomers were left with a key question: Should you watch Better Call Saul before or after Breaking Bad?
The answer isn’t entirely straightforward. It depends on what kind of viewer you are, how much you value chronological narrative, and whether you want to experience character arcs in the order they were written or in the order they occurred. Both viewing approaches have merits—but they offer different emotional journeys.
The Basics: What Comes First in the Timeline?
Chronologically, Better Call Saul takes place before the events of Breaking Bad. It begins in the early 2000s and explores the transformation of Jimmy McGill—a struggling, idealistic attorney—into the morally compromised Saul Goodman, criminal lawyer for hire. Along the way, the series provides deeper insight into familiar faces like Mike Ehrmantraut, Gus Fring, and Hector Salamanca, while also introducing new characters such as Kim Wexler and Nacho Varga.
Breaking Bad, by contrast, starts in 2008 with Walter White’s descent into the meth underworld. Saul Goodman is introduced in Season 2 as a comic relief character who gradually becomes integral to Walter’s empire.
So, if you’re going strictly by timeline, Better Call Saul would come first. But that doesn’t necessarily make it the ideal viewing experience.
Option 1: Watching Better Call Saul First
Pros
- Chronological ClarityWatching Better Call Saul first gives you a seamless understanding of how characters got to where they are in Breaking Bad. You’ll see the slow, deliberate descent of Jimmy into Saul. This makes his behavior in Breaking Bad feel more grounded and tragic, rather than merely sleazy or comedic.
- Deeper Appreciation of Secondary CharactersMike Ehrmantraut, Gus Fring, and Hector Salamanca are all much more developed in Better Call Saul. Watching it first adds depth to their motivations and conflicts when they reappear in Breaking Bad.
- Kim Wexler’s ArcKim Wexler, one of the most compelling and original characters in the Better Call Saul universe, is not present in Breaking Bad. Seeing her journey first helps shape the emotional tone of the entire universe. Her absence in Breaking Bad becomes a lingering mystery that adds poignancy.
- Slower Build, Stronger PayoffBetter Call Saul is more methodical, with an emphasis on character development over action. Watching it first lets you ease into the world before Breaking Bad escalates into darker, more explosive territory.
Cons
- Spoilers and Meta-KnowledgeWhile Better Call Saul avoids directly spoiling major Breaking Bad events, it’s full of winks and nods meant for fans of the original series. Watching it first may cause confusion or dilute the impact of those moments if you’re unfamiliar with what they’re referencing.
- Shift in ToneThe transition from Better Call Saul to Breaking Bad is a dramatic tonal shift—from slow-burn legal drama to high-stakes crime thriller. If you watch them in this order, the change might feel abrupt or jarring.
Option 2: Watching Breaking Bad First
Pros
- Original Intent and PacingBreaking Bad was written and aired first. Watching it before Better Call Saul honors the creator’s intended release order and mirrors how most fans experienced the story. It allows Saul Goodman to enter as comic relief and evolve into a more central figure, with Better Call Saul later providing the emotional backstory.
- Stronger Emotional ResonanceWhen you watch Better Call Saul after Breaking Bad, you already know where Jimmy ends up. This knowledge adds a layer of tragic irony to his decisions and relationships, particularly with Kim. You see the inevitable fall from grace unfolding in slow motion.
- Enhanced Appreciation of Character ComplexitySeeing Saul Goodman at his most corrupt in Breaking Bad, then rewinding to his earlier, more sincere self in Better Call Saul, adds depth. You’ll notice traits and habits that were once comedic taking on a darker, more tragic dimension.
- Spoilers AvoidedSome events in Better Call Saul carry more weight if you already know what they lead to. Watching Breaking Bad first avoids the risk of having major plotlines inadvertently spoiled by prequel context.
Cons
- Character GapsIf you watch Breaking Bad first, characters like Kim Wexler and Nacho Varga will be unfamiliar. You’ll go into Better Call Saul retroactively learning about people who had no presence in the original series.
- Reduced Tension in Prequel ArcsSince you already know who survives and who doesn’t (at least for characters who appear in Breaking Bad), some suspense may be reduced in Better Call Saul.
A Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds?
Some viewers suggest a hybrid order: watch Breaking Bad first, then Better Call Saul, and finish with El Camino, the Breaking Bad epilogue film centered on Jesse Pinkman. Others propose pausing Better Call Saul midway, watching Breaking Bad, then returning to complete Saul for a nonlinear but emotionally layered experience.
Another idea is to treat the shows like chapters: Better Call Saul as the origin story, Breaking Bad as the climax, and El Camino as the aftermath. Depending on your preferences, this could enrich your understanding of the character arcs and plot resolutions.
What Critics and Fans Say
Critics often praise Better Call Saul for standing on its own merits, not simply as a prequel but as a sophisticated drama in its own right. Many fans who watched Breaking Bad first report that Better Call Saul deepened their appreciation of the universe, while new viewers who started with Saul found it a strong and accessible entry point.
Ultimately, your viewing order should align with what you value most: suspense and surprises (Breaking Bad first) or slow-building emotional insight (Better Call Saul first).
No Wrong Answer, Only Different Experiences
There’s no single “correct” way to experience Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad. Both series are masterclasses in character development, storytelling, and moral complexity. Whether you follow the release order or the chronological timeline, you’ll be rewarded with a rich, interconnected narrative world.
If you’re new to the franchise, consider starting with Breaking Bad to enjoy the ride as originally intended. If you’re drawn to character-driven drama and want to understand the roots of Saul Goodman’s choices, Better Call Saul offers a compelling place to begin.
Either way, you’re in for one of the finest storytelling experiences modern television has to offer.