best episodes of NCIS poster

From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has a shred of evidence connected to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.

22 Seasons
481 Episodes
Returning Series
Crime Drama Action & Adventure
Cast & Characters
episode image The Stories We Leave Behind
9.6/10 (1130 votes)

#1 The Stories We Leave Behind

S21:E2
Feb 19, 2024

As NCIS mourns the loss of Ducky, the agents find comfort in working on one of his unfinished cases involving a woman whose father was dishonorably discharged from the Marines.

episode image Family First
9.2/10 (1499 votes)

#2 Family First

S13:E24
May 17, 2016

NCIS, FBI and MI6 continue an international manhunt for an escaped British spy who is targeting current and former agents.

episode image Keep Going
9.2/10 (1382 votes)

#3 Keep Going

S14:E13
Jan 24, 2017

During an NCIS hit-and-run investigation, Palmer joins a stranger on the outside ledge of a building in an attempt to save his life.

episode image Truth or Consequences
9.1/10 (1625 votes)

#4 Truth or Consequences

S7:E1
Sep 22, 2009

As the hunt for Ziva's replacement begins, Gibbs and his remaining team members must head back to work with the past still weighing heavily on their minds.

episode image She
9.1/10 (787 votes)

#5 She

S16:E13
Feb 12, 2019

After a malnourished and confused 9-year-old is found hiding in a storage unit, NCIS reopens an old missing persons case when the girl is believed to be the daughter of a Navy recruit who disappeared 10 years ago. Also, Bishop discovers notes that Special Agent Ziva David kept on the case long after NCIS officially stopped investigating.

episode image Call of Silence
9.0/10 (2001 votes)

#6 Call of Silence

S2:E7
Nov 23, 2004

Ernie Yost, an elder Marine veteran confesses to murdering his best friends almost 60 years ago in a war battle and the NCIS's job is to solve all the secrets and save Ernie from prison.

episode image The Arizona
9.0/10 (991 votes)

#7 The Arizona

S17:E20
Apr 14, 2020

The team tries to verify the identity of Joe Smith, who claims he served on the U.S.S. Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and wants to be buried there upon his death.

episode image SWAK
8.9/10 (1452 votes)

#8 SWAK

S2:E22
May 10, 2005

When Tony opens a mysterious letter thinking it's for him, a small puff of white powder comes out and it releases a possible deadly virus. Kate calls for help and soon she and Tony are isolated in a bio-hazard isolation room for precausion. McGee and Gibbs work to discover who sent the envelope and how to cure their friends before its too late for them. Meanwhile, Tony's health gets worse...

episode image Twilight
8.9/10 (1314 votes)

#9 Twilight

S2:E23
May 24, 2005

A group of serial terrorists seek revenge and send Ari (guest star Rudolf Martin) on an assignment to kill Gibbs. The NCIS team goes on a hunt after him, but when they discover that Ari has a bigger plan, it is already too late... the NCIS team will have to face the death of one of their team members...

episode image Requiem
8.9/10 (1261 votes)

#10 Requiem

S5:E7
Nov 6, 2007

Gibbs finds himself emotionally challenged when he agrees to investigate a crime connected to a friend of his daughter, who passed away years ago, and the investigation leads to a shocking conclusion.

episode image Heartland
8.9/10 (1337 votes)

#11 Heartland

S6:E4
Oct 14, 2008

When a murder investigation leads the team to Gibbs' hometown, secrets about his past are revealed.

episode image Great Wide Open
8.9/10 (778 votes)

#12 Great Wide Open

S19:E4
Oct 11, 2021

Gibbs and McGee head to Alaska while the team works at home to uncover the conspiracy behind the serial killer.

episode image Till Death Do Us Part
8.8/10 (1063 votes)

#13 Till Death Do Us Part

S9:E24
May 15, 2012

Terrorism shakes the foundations of the Navy and NCIS to such an extent that Gibbs and the team face surprises that will devastate them.

episode image Check
8.8/10 (920 votes)

#14 Check

S12:E11
Jan 6, 2015

The NCIS team investigates copy-cat crime scenes while Gibbs navigates two ex-wives relentlessly trying to get his attention.

episode image Spinning Wheel
8.8/10 (854 votes)

#15 Spinning Wheel

S13:E11
Dec 15, 2015

After Ducky is attacked by a man claiming to have information about his half-brother who died decades ago, the NCIS team searches for the perpetrator, as Ducky recalls the final emotional days he had with his sibling. Also, with the holidays approaching, Bishop and Jake discuss the future of their relationship.

episode image A Thousand Yards
8.8/10 (492 votes)

#16 A Thousand Yards

S21:E7
Apr 15, 2024

NCIS comes under attack by a mysterious enemy from the past. Also, Vance tries to mend fences with his estranged son by explaining why, despite the ongoing dangers of his job, he still chooses to stay at NCIS.

episode image Kill Ari (2)
8.7/10 (1224 votes)

#17 Kill Ari (2)

S3:E2
Sep 27, 2005

Still stressed over Kate's death, Gibbs is even more hurt when Ari kidnaps Ducky and decides to play with his mind. Gibbs sends Tony to follow Ziva, and after Jenny and Gibbs are almost shot to death, he is even more determined to finish once and for all with Ari, and Ziva's strange connection to Ari will be just the help that he needs.

episode image Judgment Day (2)
8.7/10 (527 votes)

#18 Judgment Day (2)

S5:E19
May 20, 2008

When one of their own is killed, the team must find the killer before they get to another member of the team, Gibbs. In an emotional investigation, the team tries to stay together, against the wishes of Assistant Director Vance.

episode image Shabbat Shalom
8.7/10 (1020 votes)

#19 Shabbat Shalom

S10:E11
Jan 8, 2013

While the NCIS team investigates the link to a dead journalist and a Navy petty officer, Ziva is taken aback by the sudden emotional visit by her father, who she hasn't seen in more than two years. While Ziva questions the purpose of her father's visit as the Director of Mossad, her father insists he is in the U.S. strictly to see his daughter for Shabbat dinner.

episode image Honor Thy Father
8.7/10 (950 votes)

#20 Honor Thy Father

S11:E24
May 13, 2014

The NCIS team investigates whether a fire on a U.S. Navy ship that served as a secret detention site for indicted terrorists was accidental or an intentional diversion for an escape. Meanwhile, Gibbs travels to his childhood home following news of his father’s passing.

episode image Scope
8.7/10 (911 votes)

#21 Scope

S13:E18
Mar 15, 2016

The NCIS team re-examines an ambush on a group of Special Ops snipers in Iraq after an American couple is attacked in the same area six months later. When Gibbs discovers he needs the account of the lone survivor, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Aaron Davis, he tries to connect with the wounded warrior who is being treated for PTSD at Walter Reed Medical Center.

episode image In the Wind
8.7/10 (600 votes)

#22 In the Wind

S17:E11
Jan 7, 2020

Gibbs must face the consequences of helping Ziva with "the one thing" she said she'd take care of before returning to her family.

episode image Kill Ari (1)
8.6/10 (1261 votes)

#23 Kill Ari (1)

S3:E1
Sep 20, 2005

After the terrorist's attack, the NCIS team is shocked and is trying to cope with Kate's sudden death, each in their own way. Now, their mission is to collect all the possible info on Ari and find a way to stop him before he does any more damage. Meanwhile, while feeling guilty over Kate's death, Gibbs is informed that the NCIS director is leaving, and the replacement is Jenny Shepard, a woman Gibbs worked with in the past and had a romantic history with.

episode image Hiatus (2)
8.6/10 (1025 votes)

#24 Hiatus (2)

S3:E24
May 16, 2006

The NCIS team must work on an assignment against a terrorist group without Gibbs, who is still recovering from the explosion. Gibbs has to fight with memory loss, while he's visited by his mentor and his former boss. His help is needed, expecially when the team discovers that Gibbs is the only person who has informations about the terrorists' plans, so he needs to retrieve his memory before the terrorists attack.

episode image Dead Man Walking
8.6/10 (1088 votes)

#25 Dead Man Walking

S4:E16
Feb 20, 2007

When a Navy Lieutenant becomes the victim of radiation poisoning, the NCIS team must find the person who's behind the crime. The Lieutenant, who is working for the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), claims that only his two colleagues knew about his assignment, and whoever it was, the person tried to stop the Lieutenant's next investigation.

episode image Judgment Day (1)
8.6/10 (1083 votes)

#26 Judgment Day (1)

S5:E18
May 20, 2008

When a former NCIS agent is found dead, the entire team is put in danger as they hunt after the killer.

episode image Shiva
8.6/10 (1011 votes)

#27 Shiva

S10:E12
Jan 15, 2013

In the aftermath of an event that strikes close to home, the NCIS team unites to seek answers and demand justice in order to protect their most vulnerable colleagues.

episode image Past, Present, and Future
8.6/10 (1016 votes)

#28 Past, Present, and Future

S11:E2
Oct 1, 2013

Determined to locate Ziva, Tony chases leads in Israel in search of her current whereabouts. Meanwhile, Gibbs and the team continue the hunt for Parsa and his growing terrorist ring.

episode image The Lost Boys
8.6/10 (766 votes)

#29 The Lost Boys

S12:E23
May 5, 2015

The NCIS cyber case turns into a united global effort after evidence confirms “The Calling,” an international terrorist group that recruits children through the internet, has been purchasing S-bombs off the black market.

episode image Bête Noire
8.5/10 (1224 votes)

#30 Bête Noire

S1:E16
Mar 2, 2004

A terrorist holds Ducky, Gerald, and Kate hostage while NCIS investigate how exactly the terror organization member got a job at the navy base.

episode image Under Covers
8.5/10 (1124 votes)

#31 Under Covers

S3:E8
Nov 8, 2005

When bodies of two hired assassins are delivered to the NCIS team, Ziva & Tony go undercover assuming the victim's identities in order to find the person who hired the assassins for their mission. While working on the case, Ziva & Tony spend some quality time in a luxury hotel and the attraction between them arises. Gibbs discovers that his team is not the only one working on the case.

episode image Cloak
8.5/10 (891 votes)

#32 Cloak

S6:E8
Nov 18, 2008

A strange delivery in a box arrived at the Navy facilities: The delivery driver and a Navy MP officer discover it is a sailor's corpse. A shocking revelation comes to light after the team is forced into playing a dangerous war game.

episode image Aliyah
8.5/10 (988 votes)

#33 Aliyah

S6:E25
May 19, 2009

Ziva's homecoming to Israel with Gibbs and the team is not a happy reunion with her father, the enigmatic and powerful head of Mossad. As tensions rise, Gibbs is forced to make a decision that sends shock waves through NCIS.

episode image Rule Fifty-One
8.5/10 (918 votes)

#34 Rule Fifty-One

S7:E24
May 25, 2010

Gibbs heads to Mexico to face his demons and make a startling decision.

episode image Baltimore
8.5/10 (898 votes)

#35 Baltimore

S8:E22
May 3, 2011

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.

episode image Swan Song
8.5/10 (947 votes)

#36 Swan Song

S8:E23
May 10, 2011

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.

episode image Devil's Trifecta
8.5/10 (906 votes)

#37 Devil's Trifecta

S10:E9
Dec 11, 2012

Gibbs teams up with FBI Agent Fornell on a joint NCIS/FBI investigation after Fornell becomes the target of a shooting, but they face an unexpected twist in the case when their mutual ex-wife, Diane Sterling, gets involved. Meanwhile, rumors run wild among the group after Diane stays overnight at McGee’s.

episode image Seek
8.5/10 (853 votes)

#38 Seek

S10:E18
Mar 19, 2013

A widowed Marine wife, whose husband was seemingly killed by a Taliban sniper, asks Gibbs' help to find out the truth. Meanwhile Vance is conducting interviews for a nanny.

episode image The North Pole
8.5/10 (590 votes)

#39 The North Pole

S17:E10
Dec 17, 2019

Gibbs and the team help Ziva with the "one thing" she said she'd take care of before returning to her family.

episode image Everything Starts Somewhere
8.5/10 (641 votes)

#40 Everything Starts Somewhere

S18:E2
Nov 24, 2020

Flashbacks reveal the murder case that first introduced young Gibbs to NCIS and his introduction to young, new-to-America Ducky.

Cast & Chracters

character image Timothy McGee

Timothy McGee

Actor: Sean Murray
character image Nick Torres

Nick Torres

Actor: Wilmer Valderrama
character image Jessica Knight

Jessica Knight

Actor: Katrina Law
character image Jimmy Palmer

Jimmy Palmer

Actor: Brian Dietzen
character image Leon Vance

Leon Vance

Actor: Rocky Carroll
character image Kasie Hines

Kasie Hines

Actor: Diona Reasonover
character image Alden Parker

Alden Parker

Actor: Gary Cole

The highest rated episode of NCIS is "The Stories We Leave Behind" (S21E2) with a rating of 9.60.

This episode received 1,130 votes.

It aired on February 19, 2024.


The lowest rated episode is "Gut Punch" (S18E11) with a rating of 6.90.

This episode received 550 votes.

It aired on April 6, 2021.

The highest rated episode is "Bête Noire" (S1E16) with a rating of 8.50.

This episode received 1,224 votes.

It aired on March 2, 2004.


The lowest rated episode is "The Immortals" (S1E4) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 1,173 votes.

It aired on October 14, 2003.

The highest rated episode is "Call of Silence" (S2E7) with a rating of 9.00.

This episode received 2,001 votes.

It aired on November 23, 2004.


The lowest rated episode is "Vanished" (S2E3) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 907 votes.

It aired on October 12, 2004.

The highest rated episode is "Kill Ari (2)" (S3E2) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 1,224 votes.

It aired on September 27, 2005.


The lowest rated episode is "Switch" (S3E5) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 856 votes.

It aired on October 18, 2005.

The highest rated episode is "Dead Man Walking" (S4E16) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 1,088 votes.

It aired on February 20, 2007.


The lowest rated episode is "Brothers in Arms" (S4E21) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 776 votes.

It aired on April 24, 2007.

The highest rated episode is "Requiem" (S5E7) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 1,261 votes.

It aired on November 6, 2007.


The lowest rated episode is "Tribes" (S5E11) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 767 votes.

It aired on January 15, 2008.

The highest rated episode is "Heartland" (S6E4) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 1,337 votes.

It aired on October 14, 2008.


The lowest rated episode is "Knockout" (S6E18) with a rating of 7.00.

This episode received 832 votes.

It aired on March 17, 2009.

The highest rated episode is "Truth or Consequences" (S7E1) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 1,625 votes.

It aired on September 22, 2009.


The lowest rated episode is "Code of Conduct" (S7E5) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 753 votes.

It aired on October 20, 2009.

The highest rated episode is "Baltimore" (S8E22) with a rating of 8.50.

This episode received 898 votes.

It aired on May 3, 2011.


The lowest rated episode is "Dead Air" (S8E5) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 746 votes.

It aired on October 19, 2010.

The highest rated episode is "Till Death Do Us Part" (S9E24) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 1,063 votes.

It aired on May 15, 2012.


The lowest rated episode is "The Missionary Position" (S9E20) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 692 votes.

It aired on April 10, 2012.

The highest rated episode is "Shabbat Shalom" (S10E11) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 1,020 votes.

It aired on January 8, 2013.


The lowest rated episode is "Hereafter" (S10E15) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 678 votes.

It aired on February 19, 2013.

The highest rated episode is "Honor Thy Father" (S11E24) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 950 votes.

It aired on May 13, 2014.


The lowest rated episode is "Bulletproof" (S11E15) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 655 votes.

It aired on February 25, 2014.

The highest rated episode is "Check" (S12E11) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 920 votes.

It aired on January 6, 2015.


The lowest rated episode is "No Good Deed" (S12E20) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 612 votes.

It aired on April 7, 2015.

The highest rated episode is "Family First" (S13E24) with a rating of 9.20.

This episode received 1,499 votes.

It aired on May 17, 2016.


The lowest rated episode is "Double Trouble" (S13E4) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 625 votes.

It aired on October 13, 2015.

The highest rated episode is "Keep Going" (S14E13) with a rating of 9.20.

This episode received 1,382 votes.

It aired on January 24, 2017.


The lowest rated episode is "Philly" (S14E5) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 623 votes.

It aired on October 18, 2016.

The highest rated episode is "Two Steps Back" (S15E22) with a rating of 8.30.

This episode received 756 votes.

It aired on May 8, 2018.


The lowest rated episode is "Ready or Not" (S15E9) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 666 votes.

It aired on November 21, 2017.

The highest rated episode is "She" (S16E13) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 787 votes.

It aired on February 12, 2019.


The lowest rated episode is "A Thousand Words" (S16E7) with a rating of 7.60.

This episode received 541 votes.

It aired on November 13, 2018.

The highest rated episode is "The Arizona" (S17E20) with a rating of 9.00.

This episode received 991 votes.

It aired on April 14, 2020.


The lowest rated episode is "Institutionalized" (S17E6) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 530 votes.

It aired on November 5, 2019.

The highest rated episode is "Everything Starts Somewhere" (S18E2) with a rating of 8.50.

This episode received 641 votes.

It aired on November 24, 2020.


The lowest rated episode is "Gut Punch" (S18E11) with a rating of 6.90.

This episode received 550 votes.

It aired on April 6, 2021.

The highest rated episode is "Great Wide Open" (S19E4) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 778 votes.

It aired on October 11, 2021.


The lowest rated episode is "First Steps" (S19E14) with a rating of 6.90.

This episode received 436 votes.

It aired on March 7, 2022.

The highest rated episode is "Too Many Cooks (I)" (S20E10) with a rating of 8.10.

This episode received 488 votes.

It aired on January 9, 2023.


The lowest rated episode is "The Good Fighter" (S20E6) with a rating of 7.10.

This episode received 399 votes.

It aired on October 24, 2022.

The highest rated episode is "The Stories We Leave Behind" (S21E2) with a rating of 9.60.

This episode received 1,130 votes.

It aired on February 19, 2024.


The lowest rated episode is "Prime Cut" (S21E9) with a rating of 7.20.

This episode received 315 votes.

It aired on April 29, 2024.

The highest rated episode is "Empty Nest" (S22E1) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 344 votes.

It aired on October 14, 2024.


The lowest rated episode is "Foreign Bodies" (S22E2) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 309 votes.

It aired on October 21, 2024.

Name Department Job
Carla Dean Costume & Make-Up Hairstylist
Craig Harvey Crew Technical Advisor
Leon Carroll Jr. Crew Technical Advisor
David Schiller Production Production Supervisor
Donald P. Bellisario Production Executive Producer
Susan Bluestein Production Original Casting
Matt Hawkins Sound Theme Song Performance
Maurice Jackson Sound Theme Song Performance
Neil Martin Sound Theme Song Performance

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