Where to Watch Every NCIS Show and Spinoff
The NCIS franchise has become a television powerhouse, with over two decades of gripping naval crime investigations, beloved characters, and high-stakes drama. What started as a backdoor pilot on the show JAG has blossomed into a global phenomenon with seven distinct series. Navigating the sprawling universe of NCIS, from the main show to all its six spinoffs, can be a challenge for even the most dedicated fan. With some shows on network television and others on streaming platforms, it can be tough to know where to start your binge-watching journey.
This guide is your ultimate map to the NCIS universe, revealing where you can stream or watch every show, including the ones that have been canceled and the brand-new ones.
The Flagship: NCIS (2003–Present)
The show that started it all, NCIS, has been a staple of CBS’s primetime lineup for over two decades. Following the Major Case Response Team in Washington, D.C., led by iconic agents like Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Alden Parker, the series has built a loyal following with its compelling blend of procedural drama and character-driven storytelling.
- Where to Watch: The most comprehensive library of NCIS episodes can be found on Paramount+. The streaming service is the go-to destination for the entire franchise, offering every season of the flagship series. Select seasons may also be available on other streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, but Paramount+ is the most reliable source for the full run.
The Spin-Offs: A Guide to the Universe
The success of the original series led to the creation of six different spinoffs, each with its own unique setting and team. Here’s where you can find them.
1. NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023)
The first spinoff in the franchise, NCIS: Los Angeles, introduced viewers to the Office of Special Projects (OSP), a clandestine division of NCIS that handles deep-cover operations and high-stakes cases. With its focus on action and espionage, the show captivated audiences for 14 seasons. It was the first NCIS show to get canceled, ending its run in May 2023.
- Where to Watch: Despite its cancellation, all 14 seasons of NCIS: Los Angeles are available for streaming. You can find the entire series on Prime Video.
2. NCIS: New Orleans (2014–2021)
Set in the vibrant and often dangerous city of New Orleans, this spinoff followed Special Agent Dwayne Cassius “King” Pride and his team as they investigated crimes involving military personnel in the Big Easy. The show was known for its distinct Southern flair and was a fan favorite for its character-driven plots and city-specific atmosphere. The show was the second NCIS series to be canceled, wrapping up in May 2021 after seven seasons.
- Where to Watch: All seven seasons of NCIS: New Orleans are available for streaming on Paramount+.
3. NCIS: Hawaiʻi (2021–2024)
Making history as the first NCIS series with a female lead, NCIS: Hawaiʻi centered on Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant and her team at the Pearl Harbor Field Office. The show was praised for its stunning visuals and a focus on the unique culture and challenges of the Aloha State. Despite a loyal following, the show was surprisingly canceled after just three seasons in May 2024.
- Where to Watch: The entire series run of NCIS: Hawaiʻi is available on Paramount+.
4. NCIS: Sydney (2023–Present)
The newest and first-ever international installment of the franchise, NCIS: Sydney follows a joint team of U.S. NCIS agents and Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers as they solve crimes involving naval personnel in Australia. The show’s unique dynamic and new setting have been a hit with fans. It was a breakout hit in its inaugural season and has been greenlit for a third.
- Where to Watch: As an original production for the streaming service, NCIS: Sydney is exclusively available on Paramount+.
5. NCIS: Origins (2024–Present)
A prequel series, NCIS: Origins takes fans back to the early days of the original show’s most iconic character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The series, set in 1990, explores Gibbs’s first days at the NCIS Camp Pendleton office as he begins his career. The show is the newest series on this list and serves as a direct link to the flagship show.
- Where to Watch: As a new CBS series, NCIS: Origins episodes stream on Paramount+ the day after they air on network television.
6. NCIS: Tony & Ziva (2025–Present)
Perhaps the most anticipated spinoff in the franchise’s history, NCIS: Tony & Ziva reunites fan-favorite agents Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo). The limited-run series, with its initial 10-episode order, follows the couple and their daughter on the run in Europe.
- Where to Watch: NCIS: Tony & Ziva is a Paramount+ original and is available exclusively on the platform.
The Canceled Spinoffs: The Ones That Almost Were
Over the years, the NCIS universe has had a few attempts at spinoffs that didn’t make it to a full series. These shows exist as backdoor pilots, which are special episodes of a parent show designed to introduce a new series. While you can’t stream a full series for these, you can still watch their introductory episodes.
NCIS: Red (2013)
Introduced as a two-part backdoor pilot during Season 4 of NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: Red was a concept for a new series about a mobile team of NCIS agents who travel the country in a high-tech bus, solving crimes. The episodes, titled “Red” and “Red-2,” featured a new cast including Kim Raver and John Corbett. The series was not picked up by the network.
- Where to Watch: Since it’s a part of the main series, you can watch the backdoor pilot episodes of NCIS: Red by streaming Season 4, Episodes 18 and 19 of NCIS: Los Angeles on Prime Video.
The Origin: JAG (1995–2005)
To truly understand the NCIS universe, you have to go back to its roots. NCIS itself is a spinoff of the military legal drama JAG. The show introduced the characters of Gibbs and his team in a two-part episode that served as a backdoor pilot for the series we know and love today.
- Where to Watch: The entire series of JAG is available to stream on Paramount+ and Prime Video. The two-part backdoor pilot for NCIS can be found in Season 8, Episodes 20 and 21, titled “Ice Queen” and “Meltdown.”
The Ultimate Binge-Watching Strategy
For the most complete NCIS experience, a Paramount+ subscription is a must-have. It offers the flagship show, along with NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawaiʻi, NCIS: Sydney, NCIS: Origins, and NCIS: Tony & Ziva. To watch NCIS: Los Angeles and its backdoor pilot, you’ll need to turn to Prime Video.
Whether you’re a long-time fan looking to revisit every episode or a newcomer trying to make sense of the vast franchise, this guide should provide you with everything you need to start your journey. The NCIS universe is more expansive and accessible than ever before, promising countless hours of thrilling television.
