shared universe
Interlocking story realm
A shared universe is a fictional setting—with its characters, locations, and history—used across multiple works by different creators or across different media.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe connects dozens of films and television series; the Star Trek franchise spans shows, movies, and novels all set in the same timeline.
The crossover confirmed both shows exist in a shared universe.
Iconic space fantasy franchise
- Star TrekSpacefaring TV franchise
- ArrowverseShared TV superhero continuity
- crossoverGenre-blending work or transition
- spin-offDerivative from a parent
sequel · prequel · reboot · trilogy · installment · cinematic · blockbuster · box office
Accepted authoritative works
- continuityUninterrupted progression or coherence
- timelineOrdered display of events
- retconRetroactive narrative revision
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
storyline · character arc · ensemble cast · team-up · cameo · tie-in · interconnectivity · saga
Context of events
- cosmologyStudy of universal structure
- geographyStudy of places
- historyRecord of past events
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
magic system · technology · cultures · species · languages · religions · politics · factions
Amateur work using existing characters
- headcanonUnconfirmed fan-created backstory
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- wikiUser-editable web pages
- subredditTopical online community space
fan theory · convention · cosplay · collectibles · debate · speculation · deep cut · reference
Star Wars
Iconic space fantasy franchise
- Star TrekSpacefaring TV franchise
- ArrowverseShared TV superhero continuity
- crossoverGenre-blending work or transition
spin-off · sequel · prequel · reboot · trilogy · installment · cinematic · blockbuster · box office · merchandise
canon
Accepted authoritative works
- continuityUninterrupted progression or coherence
- timelineOrdered display of events
- retconRetroactive narrative revision
lore · storyline · character arc · ensemble cast · team-up · cameo · tie-in · interconnectivity · saga · anthology
setting
Context of events
mythology · magic system · technology · cultures · species · languages · religions · politics · factions · map
fanfiction
Amateur work using existing characters
- headcanonUnconfirmed fan-created backstory
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- wikiUser-editable web pages
fan theory · subreddit · convention · cosplay · collectibles · debate · speculation · deep cut · reference · callback
- comicscomic books, comic book, comic strip, comic art, comic panel
- contemporary storytellingpodcasts, streaming series, graphic novels, video games, fan fiction
- franchisesfranchise, Star Wars, franchising, franchises, franchisor
- Franchise Mediafranchise, spin-off, spinoff, sequel, prequel
- book seriestrilogy, duology, tetralogy, pentalogy, saga
- collaborationscollaborators, joint task force, joint project, duo, coalition forces
shared universealternate universe
Hypothetical divergent reality
parallel universe · discontinuity · non-canonical · multiverse · reboot
share, shared, sharing, diverse, universe, diversity, shares, unshared, sharer