NCIS: Los Angeles backdrop
Action & Adventure•Drama•Crime

The Best Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles

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

Binge this in 9d 21h•Peaking at 10.0/10

The exploits of the Los Angeles–based Office of Special Projects (OSP), an elite division of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service that specializes in undercover assignments.

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons14

All1234567891011121314

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 24 - Unleashed (2)
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #1 - Unleashed (2)

    S8:E24

    Following the kidnapping of Sam's wife, Michelle Hanna, Sam goes rogue from the NCIS team and attempts to stop his arch nemesis Tahir Khaled from ever targeting his family again.

    Director:John Peter Kousakis
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 1 - To Live and Die in Mexico
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #2 - To Live and Die in Mexico

    S10:E1

    Gravely injured and unable to communicate with the team in the U.S., Callen, Sam and Kensi, with an unconscious Deeks in tow, search for a safe way home as a cartel boss places a “dead or alive” bounty on their heads. Also, Mosely and retired Navy Admiral Hollace Kilbride beseech their contacts in Mexico and D.C. for assistance with their missing colleagues

    Director:Frank Military
    Writer:Frank Military

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 11 Episode 10 - Mother
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Mother

    S11:E10

    Akhos Laos , a former black ops agent originally recruited and trained by Hetty Lange, returns to seek revenge on Hetty for the life she introduced him to, on the 250th episode

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writers:Eric Christian Olsen, Babar Peerzada

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 11 Episode 15 - The Circle
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #4 - The Circle

    S11:E15

    Anna Kolcheck returns to warn Callen that he is in danger and he must now work with an archenemy to stop an underground trafficking ring.

    Director:Diana Valentine
    Writer:Andrew Bartels

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 11 - Russia, Russia, Russia
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #5 - Russia, Russia, Russia

    S12:E11

    When Callen goes to the National Counterterrorism Center on the pretext of interrogating a Russian asset from the crashed plane case he investigated months earlier, the tables are turned and he is detained, accused of being a Russian agent.

    Director:Daniela Ruah
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 Episode 22 - Come Together
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Come Together

    S13:E22

    The NCIS team hunts for a heist crew that robs a Los Angeles casino with military-grade power. Also, Kensi and Deeks hear exciting news regarding the adoption and Callen takes a big step in his relationship with Anna.

    Director:John Peter Kousakis
    Writer:Kyle Harimoto

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles

    READ
  7. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 7 Episode 19 - The Seventh Child
    9.7/10(3 votes)

    #7 - The Seventh Child

    S7:E19

    Callen and the team try to save a child in imminent danger who has been brainwashed by a terrorist cell. Also, Deeks and Kensi discuss having children.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 15 - Payback (3)
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #8 - Payback (3)

    S8:E15

    As the team races to save Kensi from Ferris/Sullivan, they find themselves questioning who they can trust when old faces resurface.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 9 Episode 8 - This Is What We Do
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #9 - This Is What We Do

    S9:E8

    The team must find assailants who illegally crossed the border and attacked California Highway Patrol officers; Homeland Security sends Nell's older and bossy sister to assist with the case.

    Director:John Peter Kousakis
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 14 - Smokescreen (1)
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #10 - Smokescreen (1)

    S10:E14

    The NCIS team partners with the FBI to locate a terrorist cell in Los Angeles believed to be preparing for an imminent attack.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Andrew Bartels

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 15 - Smokescreen, Part II
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #11 - Smokescreen, Part II

    S10:E15

    As the team continues to search for a terrorist cell in Los Angeles, Callen and Sam remain trapped in a movie theater after multiple bombs have detonated and every remaining exit is wired with explosives.

    Director:Sherwin Shilati
    Writer:Matt Klafter

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 8 - Love Kills
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #12 - Love Kills

    S12:E8

    When NCIS investigates the murder of a man about to reveal the source of a massive counterfeiting operation, an old acquaintance becomes their prime suspect and reveals the true reason for her return. Also, Deeks struggles during training to become an official NCIS agent

    Director:Dan Liu
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 12 Episode 9 - A Fait Accompli
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #13 - A Fait Accompli

    S12:E9

    While NCIS must track down an organized crime leader who is trying to buy stolen defense technology, Callen goes to Anna to ask the ultimate question. Also, Deeks is kicked out of NCIS training only to find that Hetty has a life-changing surprise for him.

    Director:Eric A. Pot
    Writers:Kyle Harimoto, Matt Klafter

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 2 Episode 6 - Standoff
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #14 - Standoff

    S2:E6

    Callen's ex-partner (Marisol Nichols) takes a Navy recruitment center hostage.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Joseph C. Wilson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 16 - Blye, K. (1)
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #15 - Blye, K. (1)

    S3:E16

    The team searches for new evidence to prove Kensi Blye’s innocence after she is taken into custody as the lead suspect in a murder investigation involving her deceased father’s sniper unit.

    Director:Jonathan Frakes
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 18 - Red (1)
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #16 - Red (1)

    S4:E18

    Callen and Sam fly to Idaho and join forces with NCIS: Red, a mobile team of agents who live together and investigate crimes in various locations, when a murder weapon found there matches one used in a national security case in Los Angeles.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 4 Episode 19 - Red (2)
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #17 - Red (2)

    S4:E19

    While the LA team chases leads digitally and locally, the NCIS: Red team travels in their mobile trucks, nicknamed "Laverne and Shirley", in a race to track down a cunning terrorist before he disappears.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 6 Episode 12 - Spiral
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #18 - Spiral

    S6:E12

    The team investigate an arms dealer but are interrupted as the suspect's building is overrun by terrorists.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 2 - Belly of the Beast (2)
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #19 - Belly of the Beast (2)

    S8:E2

    The team travels to Syria to apprehend a High Value Target where one team member is severely injured when the mission goes awry.

    Director:Terrence O'Hara
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 8 Episode 19 - 767
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #20 - 767

    S8:E19

    After an engineer who was developing a new guided missile destroyer is murdered, Callen and Sam go undercover to track his co-worker aboard a plane to Tokyo to sell the classified intel. Also, Deeks plans a surprise get-together for Kensi and her out-of-town friends.

    Director:Benny Boom
    Writer:Kyle Harimoto

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10 Episode 24 - False Flag
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #21 - False Flag

    S10:E24

    Callen and Sam work with Navy Captain Harmon "Harm" Rabb, Jr. (David James Elliott) to locate a group of ISIS sympathizers aboard the USS Allegiance. Also, Hetty enlists her friend, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah "Mac". Mackenzie (Catherine Bell), to help obtain information from a Russian diplomat.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Frank Military

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 21 - Found
    9.2/10(5 votes)

    #22 - Found

    S1:E21

    The NCIS team races to save one of their own when they receive video evidence of Special Agent Dominic Vail being held hostage months after he was kidnapped.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 23 - Burned
    9.2/10(4 votes)

    #23 - Burned

    S1:E23

    After Callen's cover is blown and compromises the unit, the NCIS team races to find out who is behind the security breach.

    Director:Steve Boyum
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 Episode 24 - Callen, G
    9.2/10(4 votes)

    #24 - Callen, G

    S1:E24

    Callen races against a ruthless adversary to locate a woman who knows the whereabouts of a forgotten fortune earmarked to fund a new war in the Middle East - and also holds the tantalizing key to his unknown past.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Shane Brennan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. NCIS: Los Angeles Season 3 Episode 7 - Honor
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #25 - Honor

    S3:E7

    The NCIS team must determine whether a dishonorably discharged Marine is the target of an international set-up or if he committed murder

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Unleashed (2)" is the best rated episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles". It scored 10/10 based on 2 votes. Directed by John Peter Kousakis and written by R. Scott Gemmill, it aired on 5/14/2017. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "To Live and Die in Mexico".