NCIS is one of the longest-running crime drama series on CBS. It first aired in 2003 and is currently in its 22nd season. The show follows a team of special agents as they investigate military-related crimes. It has gained a large following and has been praised for its action-packed plotlines. For those looking to jump in, here are the best episodes of NCIS ranked.
The top NCIS episodes all feature exciting investigations with twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Additionally, many of them showcase the personal relationships between the agents and the criminals they're pursuing. From solving cases involving stolen submarines to terrorism, these episodes will keep you guessing until the very end.
From investigating a Navy officer's suspicious death to tracking down a terrorist organization, these NCIS episodes are sure to keep you hooked. Whether you're a long-time fan or a new viewer, these episodes are the perfect way to get into the show. So, read on and discover the best episodes of NCIS ranked.
Written by Sophie and last updated on apr 18, 2024.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Gibbs risks his career when his former commanding officer is accused of stealing the funds.
The episode was rated 7.75 from 510 votes.
After being buried alive, a woman comes out of the grave with amnesia and the only thing she remembers is that there is a bomb aboard a Navy ship. While trying to help Jane Doe recover her identity, the team finds out that not everything is what it seemed at first.
The episode was rated 7.77 from 553 votes.
When a body of a murdered marine is found in the forest, the investigation leads to the local militia and a weapon deal gone wrong.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 460 votes.
A Navy lieutenant who was reported missing nearly ten years ago has been found by a deer hunter. When the NCIS team arrives at the scene to investigate, they see that his remains have been mummified. Now, they have to find out what happened to him and what happened to the one million dollars that he had on his ship.
The episode was rated 7.79 from 645 votes.
The NCIS team is called in when a severed leg bearing a marine tattoo is found in a trash bin, leading them to a small town where a murder scheme is afoot.
The episode was rated 7.79 from 535 votes.
The NCIS team head to Cuba to investigate a Navy translator's connection to smuggling at a detention center after he suddenly dies at the wheel of his car when returning to the U.S. from Guantanamo Bay.
The episode was rated 7.81 from 580 votes.
An NCIS agent who used to work under Gibbs asks for the team's help investigating a case where sailors on an aircraft carrier are dying of a drug overdose, but have no history of any kind of drug abuse.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 586 votes.
A navy dentist stops near the parked car to help a stranded motorist who pulls out a gun. The team investigates a murder with the help from a local sheriff, Charley, when they find out about a the similar murder of the Navy civilian employee in the was going through the nasty divorce,the wife is suspected but her alibi is perfect.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 505 votes.
A marine goes missing after a date with a reporter. During the investigation, the team discovers that three former members of his unit are dead and suspect the unit commander to be a serial killer.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 473 votes.
An NCIS agent has been murdered while investigating a case and the team's job is to find out what happened...
The episode was rated 7.84 from 480 votes.
The team investigates when a Marine recruitment officer is found shot to death by a sniper with a grudge, who leaves a white feather behind.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 529 votes.
After a marine widow receives a call from her dead husband, the NCIS team takes on the case and has to exhume the body to deduce whether the call was a prank or not.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 561 votes.
The terrorist from Bette Noir returns with a plan to attack the President. Gibbs and his team follow the clues to reveal his identity and find Kate who is kidnapped.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 481 votes.
A decomposed body is discovered in a tub of acid at a naval base and Ducky and Abby learn that the victim was a submariner. Gibbs discovers that there have been no reports of a sub crewmember missing, so he deduces that one of the subs has an imposter on board. With this new information, the team must find out which sub the man posing as the victim is in and what intentions he may have towards the sub.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 596 votes.
A terrorist holds Ducky, Gerald, and Kate hostage while NCIS investigate how exactly the terror organization member got a job at the navy base.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 517 votes.
