NCIS: Ranking Every Show in the Franchise

Every NCIS show has its own charm, but if we compare the top five, there's one clear winner. It's the OG, the one that really nailed the NCIS vibe. It's the best because it's consistently good, with characters you just can't help but root for. NCIS started its journey back in 2003, and it's still going. Obviously, the cast has changed over the years, but people are still hooked.

Technically, the whole NCIS thing started with JAG in 1995, but NCIS blew up completely and became way more popular than JAG and all the other related shows.

Like any good crime show, NCIS has its own special thing, and spinoffs each spin on it. We've got NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawaii, and NCIS: Sydney, and it doesn't look like they're stopping anytime soon. With new stuff like Tony and Ziva spin-off and NCIS: Origins coming, NCIS is going to be around for a while.

Speaking of NCIS: Origins, it's going to show us Jethro Gibbs' (Mark Harmon) backstory with new actors and a different timeline. This is great news for fans who have missed Gibbs since Harmon left in season 19. Basically, every NCIS show is about a team in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, so they deal with crimes related to the Navy and Marines. But each show also explores other kinds of crime and even some military or government conspiracies.

5. NCIS: Hawai'i (2021–2024)

This one, set in sunny Hawaii, just never really clicked.

It was a bit of a surprise when NCIS: Hawai'i got canceled, but it wasn't the strongest of the bunch. It had a cool setting and a female lead, Special Agent Jane Tennant (Vanessa Lachey), which was a nice change. But after only three seasons, it was gone, even though NCIS: Sydney premiered while it was still airing.

It's hard to put a finger on what's missing. Maybe crime procedurals aren't as popular as they used to be. In addition, these spinoffs relied on the original NCIS audience, and at the time, other NCIS shows had a stronger fan base. It was starting to find its groove, but TV these days doesn't give shows much time to grow.

Between Tony and Ziva spin-off and NCIS: Origins, they're putting a lot of money into new projects, and it's clear that's where the audience's interest is. CBS said it was about cost and low ratings, but most people agreed Hawai'i was NCIS's weakest show. Maybe it'll come back someday, but for now, it's over.

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4. NCIS: Sydney (2023–present)

It's the latest one, and it's trying to prove itself.

NCIS seems to be going international, with the Tony and Ziva spin-off in Europe and NCIS: Sydney with a joint US/Australian team. One of the best things about Sydney is the tension between the two teams. It makes it even better when they finally start working together.

Sydney is actually filmed in Australia with Australian actors and producers, which is a big deal and shows where the franchise could go. With more people watching streaming, CBS and Paramount+ are trying to cover all their bases. Sydney could lead to more international NCIS shows.

But it's still early days for Sydney, so we'll see how it goes in the long run. Hawai'i's cancellation isn't a great sign, but Sydney feels different. It has a good cast and a fun dynamic. It just takes time to catch up with other shows.

3. NCIS: New Orleans (2014–2021)

The setting and the characters were cool, but not enough.

NCIS: New Orleans brought a Southern vibe to the franchise, exploring crimes from Louisiana to Texas. After Los Angeles did so well, New Orleans needed to show that NCIS could keep going. It also tried to appeal to a new audience.

NCIS: New Orleans brought a Southern vibe to the franchise, exploring crimes from Louisiana to Texas. After Los Angeles did so well, New Orleans needed to show that NCIS could keep going. It also tried to appeal to a new audience.

Before Hawai'i, New Orleans was the first NCIS show to get canceled, which was a pretty big deal. Seven seasons is a decent run, but compared to NCIS and Los Angeles, it didn't make as much of an impact. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really stand out. New Orleans may be the reason the network is spending more money these days.

2. NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023)

Great addition, but not as good as the original.

NCIS: Los Angeles was the first spinoff after the original NCIS became a huge hit, and its fourteen seasons proved LA was a good choice. With LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell, the stories were often about the guys, but that changed over time. It received some criticism, as all procedural programs do, but audiences loved it. Los Angeles agents specialized in undercover work, which made the LA setting even more exciting.

There are tons of crime movies and TV shows set in LA, and Los Angeles recognizes that. It's great to see the NCIS team working with the LAPD. It has a bit of a film noir feel, but the characters and their problems are still relevant today.

NCIS: Los Angeles had a good, long run and knew when it was time to end. It wrapped things up nicely with some exciting cases and the relationships fans were invested in.

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1. NCIS (2003-present)

Original and best.

From Gibbs to Abby (Pauley Perrette), NCIS has had the best characters and some of the most memorable relationships. Although technically a spin-off of JAG, it created the formula that made the franchise so successful. Even with Gibbs and other iconic characters gone, NCIS is still on because people are so invested in the show.

That kind of loyalty is earned. NCIS has proven that it can bounce back from any rough patches and isn't afraid to be a classic crime procedural. Even though some storylines have branched out, many of the best episodes stick to the basics.

That kind of loyalty is earned. NCIS has proven that it can bounce back from any rough patches and isn't afraid to be a classic crime procedural. Even though some storylines have branched out, many of the best episodes stick to the basics.