From courtrooms to covert ops, the NCIS franchise has reinvented the military procedural many times over — with mixed results. Ranking every series highlights where each spin-off succeeds or falls short.
NCIS: Sydney ranks lowest, offering novelty through its Australian setting but relying too heavily on familiar formulas. NCIS: Hawai’i showed steady improvement before its abrupt cancellation, leaving its full potential unrealized. The prequel NCIS: Origins gains momentum by unpacking Gibbs’ past, gradually finding its rhythm.
JAG remains an outlier — more legal drama than procedural — but still holds up as the franchise’s backbone. NCIS: New Orleans thrives on atmosphere and personality, while NCIS: Los Angeles stands out for its action-heavy, cinematic feel.
Ultimately, the original NCIS tops the list, proving that strong characters, evolving storytelling, and emotional stakes are what keep a franchise alive.
