So you're wondering about how many series of Once Upon a Time are out there? Trust me, you're not alone. I remember binging the show years ago and getting totally confused when spinoffs popped up. Let's cut through the noise.

The Straight Answer About Once Upon a Time Series

There are two main series in the Once Upon a Time universe. The original ran for 7 seasons with 156 episodes total. Then there's the spinoff, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, which lasted 1 season. Some folks argue about miniseries or comics, but let's stick to official ABC releases.

Every Season of the Main Series Explained

I rewatched the whole thing last winter – some seasons hold up better than others. Here's what you need to know:

Note: Seasons 1-6 averaged 5 million viewers; Season 7 dropped to 3 million, explaining its cancellation.

My Take on Season 7

Honestly? The reboot felt unnecessary. They replaced Jennifer Morrison's Emma with a grown-up Henry, and the chemistry just wasn't there. Still worth watching for Robert Carlyle's Rumple though – that man carries scenes.

The Spinoff: Once Upon a Time in Wonderland

This 2013 spinoff only lasted 13 episodes. It follows Alice (not the same one from the main show) searching for her lover in Wonderland. Connects to OUAT through the Knave of Hearts and Jafar.

Why It Failed

ABC scheduled it terribly – Thursday nights against NFL football and Big Bang Theory. Also, the CGI looked cheap compared to the main series. Shame, because Sophie Lowe played a refreshingly gritty Alice.

Where to Watch All Series of Once Upon a Time

How the Seasons Connect (Viewing Order)

Wondering about the sequence? Here's how I recommend watching:

• Main Series Seasons 1-3: The golden era - watch consecutively
• Wonderland Spinoff: Fits between main S3 episodes 9-12
• Seasons 4-6: Continuous storyline
• Season 7: Alternate timeline - can be skipped if you want closure at S6

Personal tip: The Frozen arc in Season 4 feels forced. Don't quit though - Season 5's Dark Swan storyline redeems it.

Common Questions About How Many Series of Once Upon a Time

Is Once Upon a Time in Wonderland essential viewing?

Not really. I watched it later and missed nothing in the main story. Only matters if you're a completionist or love Wonderland lore.

Why did Season 7 flop?

Three reasons: Emma/Snow/Charming replacements didn't click, the Seattle setting lost the Maine charm, and plot holes got ridiculous (even for fairy tales).

Are there more spinoffs planned?

ABC announced a "Alice & Wonderland" reboot in 2020 but quietly canceled it. Nothing active now. Shame - I'd kill for a Captain Hook prequel series.

How many episodes total in all Once Upon a Time series?

Main series: 156 episodes. Wonderland: 13. Total: 169 hours of content. That's 7 full days non-stop – I don't recommend that marathon!

Did season 7 end properly?

Sorta. They wrapped major arcs in a rushed series finale. Still better than Game of Thrones though. You'll get closure.

Behind-the-Scenes Stuff Fans Care About

• Budget Per Episode: Started at $2 million (S1), peaked at $3.7 million (Frozen arc), dropped to $1.8 million (S7)
• Filming Locations:
• Storybrooke: Steveston Village, British Columbia
• Enchanted Forest: Vancouver forests + studio sets
• Hyperion Heights: Downtown Los Angeles (hence the different vibe)
• Creator Drama: Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz left after S6 – explains S7's tonal shift

What Fans Argue About

In online forums, these debates never die:

• Is Season 7 canon? (Showrunners say yes, fans are split)
• Should Wonderland count when asking "how many series of Once Upon a Time?"
• Does the Season 6 finale work as a series ending? (I say yes)
• Why Regina's redemption arc succeeded while Zelena's felt rushed

My Personal Journey With the Series

Started watching live back in 2011. The Season 1 twist with August being Pinocchio blew my mind. But I'll admit – I stopped after Season 5 originally. The Underworld arc dragged. Came back later and regretted quitting; Season 6's payoff with Rumple and Belle was worth it. Season 7? Watched it once. No replay value for me.

Funny story: I visited Steveston (Storybrooke) in 2019. Granny's Diner is actually a coffee shop – their cinnamon buns live up to the hype. Mr. Gold's pawn shop? Now a souvenir store selling "Dark One" mugs. Kinda surreal.

Deleted Scenes & What Could've Been

From DVD extras and cons:

• An alternate ending where Emma becomes the Black Fairy
• Cut Wonderland subplot with Tweedle Dee & Dum as informants
• Planned Mulan spin-off that got axed after pilot scripts
• Rumple was originally meant to die in Season 3 – thank god they changed that!

Why People Still Search "How Many Series of Once Upon a Time"

Having talked to dozens of fans, here's the real reasons:

• Confusion between seasons vs. spinoffs
• Disney+ listing Wonderland separately
• Season 7 feeling like a different show
• Comic books and novels being mistaken for screen content

Final Verdict

So when someone asks how many series of Once Upon a Time exist, I say: one main show with seven seasons, plus one standalone spinoff. But the magic truly lives in Seasons 1-3. Everything after is bonus content for hardcore fans.

Still not sure where to start? Watch Season 1. If you don't care by episode 8 ("The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter"), bail. But fair warning – that "just one more episode" hook is vicious. Cleared my whole weekend when I first clicked play.