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The Best Episodes of NCIS

Every episode of NCIS ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of NCIS!

The Best Episodes of NCIS

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...
  1. Background image for Now and Then (II)
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Now and Then (II)

    S23:E5

    The cold case of a small-town death of a naval officer in the ‘90s is unexpectedly re-opened in the present day, sending the team on a manhunt for justice. The crossover starts on NCIS: Origins S02E05 Funny How Time Slips Away (I).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  2. Background image for The Stories We Leave Behind
    9.6/10(1.2k votes)

    #2 - The Stories We Leave Behind

    S21:E2

    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.

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  3. Background image for The Sound and the Fury
    9.5/10(1 votes)

    #3 - The Sound and the Fury

    S23:E3

    When a petty officer’s death is connected to a blackmail investigation, the team is forced to work with Special Agent Sawyer on the case, which takes a terrifying turn for Torres. Meanwhile, Knight is offered an opportunity to train with NCIS Elite.

    Director:Unknown
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  4. Background image for Gone Girls
    9.5/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Gone Girls

    S23:E4

    The team investigates a U.S. marine who is believed to have kidnapped a man's wife.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  5. Background image for Family First
    9.2/10(1.6k votes)

    #5 - Family First

    S13:E24

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  6. Background image for Keep Going
    9.2/10(1.4k votes)

    #6 - Keep Going

    S14:E13

    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.

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of NCIS

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  8. Background image for Truth or Consequences
    9.1/10(1.7k votes)

    #7 - Truth or Consequences

    S7:E1

    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.

    Director:Dennis Smith
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  9. Background image for She
    9.1/10(824 votes)

    #8 - She

    S16:E13

    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.

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  10. Background image for Call of Silence
    9.0/10(2.1k votes)

    #9 - Call of Silence

    S2:E7

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

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  11. Background image for The Arizona
    9.0/10(1.1k votes)

    #10 - The Arizona

    S17:E20

    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.

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  12. Background image for SWAK
    8.9/10(1.5k votes)

    #11 - SWAK

    S2:E22

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

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  13. Background image for Twilight
    8.9/10(1.4k votes)

    #12 - Twilight

    S2:E23

    A group of serial terrorists seek revenge and send Ari 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.

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  14. Background image for Requiem
    8.9/10(1.3k votes)

    #13 - Requiem

    S5:E7

    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.

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  15. Background image for Heartland
    8.9/10(1.4k votes)

    #14 - Heartland

    S6:E4

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

    Director:Tony Wharmby
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  16. Background image for Great Wide Open
    8.9/10(821 votes)

    #15 - Great Wide Open

    S19:E4

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

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  17. Background image for Till Death Do Us Part
    8.8/10(1.1k votes)

    #16 - Till Death Do Us Part

    S9:E24

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

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  18. Background image for Check
    8.8/10(950 votes)

    #17 - Check

    S12:E11

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

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  19. Background image for Spinning Wheel
    8.8/10(887 votes)

    #18 - Spinning Wheel

    S13:E11

    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.

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  20. Background image for A Thousand Yards
    8.8/10(557 votes)

    #19 - A Thousand Yards

    S21:E7

    NCIS comes under attack by a mysterious enemy from the past.

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  21. Background image for Kill Ari (2)
    8.7/10(1.3k votes)

    #20 - Kill Ari (2)

    S3:E2

    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.

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  22. Background image for Judgment Day (2)
    8.7/10(577 votes)

    #21 - Judgment Day (2)

    S5:E19

    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.

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  23. Background image for Shabbat Shalom
    8.7/10(1.1k votes)

    #22 - Shabbat Shalom

    S10:E11

    While the NCIS team investigates the link between a dead journalist and a Petty Officer, Ziva is taken aback by the sudden emotional visit by her father, who she hasn't seen in more than two years.

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  24. Background image for Honor Thy Father
    8.7/10(980 votes)

    #23 - Honor Thy Father

    S11:E24

    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.

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  25. Background image for Scope
    8.7/10(948 votes)

    #24 - Scope

    S13:E18

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  26. Background image for In the Wind
    8.7/10(644 votes)

    #25 - In the Wind

    S17:E11

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

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Best Episodes Summary

"Now and Then (II)" is the best rated episode of "NCIS". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/11/2025. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Stories We Leave Behind".