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!
The NCIS team springs into action to find the assailant responsible for beating a Marine to death in his own backyard.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 374 votes.
NCIS connects a message in blood left by a murdered Navy commander to a manuscript that may contain classified military information.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 404 votes.
The NCIS team has to find a young girl that was kidnapped, but their investigation turns into something else when her grandfather gets way too involved.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 430 votes.
The dismembered fingertips and teeth of a murdered Marine are discovered in the stolen purse of a pickpocketer, launching NCIS on a mission to find a cold-blooded killer.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 404 votes.
After Tony's ex-partner, Danny Price, appears to be the Port-to-Port Killer's latest victim, he revisits his days as a detective in Baltimore, including his first encounter with Gibbs.
The episode was rated 7.88 from 437 votes.
Gibbs questions Vance's motives when he is asked to interrogate a teenage boy accused of killing his retired Marine father.
The episode was rated 7.91 from 402 votes.
Gibbs and the NCIS team partner with a Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Agent to solve the murder of a Marine gunned down on a dinner boat.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 383 votes.
Gibbs must take desperate measures to protect his loved ones with Paloma Reynosa still on the loose.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 463 votes.
The team scrambles for answers after a shocking ambush reveals a new twist to their current investigation.
The episode was rated 7.94 from 391 votes.
To Gibbs' displeasure, Special Agent E.J. Barrett returns to lead the investigation of a seaman's death that may be connected to a series of port-related murders. Meanwhile, Ziva finally introduces her boyfriend, Ray, to the team.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 428 votes.
The NCIS team undergoes mandatory psych evaluations while investigating the death of a naval commander.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 409 votes.
After new evidence reveals that the Port-to-Port killer has infiltrated the agency, the NCIS teams chase every lead in a race to track him down.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 445 votes.
The team is assigned to protect Ziva's father, when his attendance at a NCIS conference leads to some unexpected surprises.
The episode was rated 8.01 from 395 votes.
The NCIS team tracks a Navy lieutenant's killer after a Pentagon security camera reveals a petty officer committing the crime. Meanwhile, Gibbs announces that Agent Barrett and her team will take over the Port-to-Port serial killer case.
The episode was rated 8.02 from 427 votes.
The eighth season finale of NCIS has put the lives of team members in peril as they come face-to-face with the notorious Port-to-Port killer. CBS has once again tried to leave viewers in suspense with a cliffhanger, but this time, many of them will be binging the show so as to find out what happens next. This has been a long running tactic of the showrunners, and it is time that they stop using it.
NCIS has been a fan favorite show for many years, and the finale of this season has reached a new level of intensity. With the team now facing the Port-to-Port killer, viewers are eager to find out what happens next. The suspense is palpable and it is sure to make the episode an unforgettable one. Fans are hoping that the team make it out alive, but with this notorious killer, anything could happen.
The episode was rated 8.15 from 442 votes.
