The Most Popular NCIS Series, Ranked

Choose the series you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:45
In a sea of crime dramas, the NCIS franchise stands out with its unique blend of intrigue, camaraderie, and pulse-pounding action. Fans often debate which series captures the essence of NCIS the best, making it a topic of great interest. Collecting the opinions of numerous viewers can shed light on which series truly resonates with the audience. By voting for their favorite series, fans contribute to a dynamic ranking that reflects the collective preferences of the NCIS community. This not only fuels engaging discussions but also helps new viewers identify which series might best suit their tastes. Your vote can influence the standing and guide others in their viewing journey.

What Is the Most Popular NCIS Series?

  1. 1
    69
    votes
    NCIS: Los Angeles
    Cbinnix · Public domain

    NCIS: Los Angeles

    Shane Brennan
    This spin-off series has consistently high ratings and a dedicated fan base. It features an impressive cast of actors, including LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell.
    NCIS: Los Angeles is a popular American action television series that serves as a spin-off of the original NCIS series. It follows a team of Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) special agents based in Los Angeles as they investigate and solve crimes involving the Navy and Marine Corps personnel and national security threats in the city of angels.
    • Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
    • Country of origin: United States
    • Language: English
    • Original network: CBS
    • Original release: September 22, 2009 – present
  2. 2
    23
    votes
    The original series has been on the air for over 18 years and is still going strong. It has a devoted following and consistently high ratings.
    NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is an American crime drama television series that revolves around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, who investigate crimes involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position. The show is known for its mix of crime investigation, action, and a touch of humor.
    • Genre: Crime drama
    • Country of origin: United States
    • Language: English
    • Original network: CBS
    • First aired: September 23, 2003
  3. 3
    27
    votes

    NCIS: New Orleans

    Gary Glasberg
    This spin-off series has a strong cast and interesting storylines that keep viewers coming back. It also has a unique setting, which sets it apart from other crime dramas.
    NCIS: New Orleans is a popular American television series that falls under the crime drama genre. It is a spin-off of the original NCIS series, centering around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in New Orleans.
    • Genre: Crime drama
    • Original release: September 23, 2014 – present
    • Number of seasons: 7
    • Number of episodes: 155 (as of March 2021)
    • Setting: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
  4. 4
    19
    votes

    NCIS: Hawaii

    Christopher Silber
    This newest addition to the franchise is highly anticipated by fans and is expected to be a hit. It features a diverse cast and a beautiful location.
    NCIS: Hawaii is a new spinoff series in the NCIS franchise. It follows a dedicated team of Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents stationed in Hawaii, as they solve crimes involving military personnel, national security, and beyond. The show explores the unique blend of military and island culture, while also delving into personal stories and relationships of the team members.
    • Genre: Crime drama
    • Creator: Christopher Silber
    • Network: CBS
    • First Episode Release Date: 2021
    • Setting: Hawaii, USA
  5. 5
    22
    votes

    JAG

    Although not technically part of the NCIS franchise, many fans consider JAG to be the precursor to NCIS. It had a successful 10-year run and introduced many of the characters that later appeared in NCIS.
    JAG (Judge Advocate General) is a popular American legal drama television series that focuses on military justice and the day-to-day work of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps. The show follows the cases and personal lives of the JAG officers as they investigate and prosecute military crimes. JAG also occasionally features cross-over storylines with other popular television series like NCIS.
    • Genre: Legal drama
    • Country of Origin: United States
    • Language: English
    • Original Network: NBC (Seasons 1-8), CBS (Seasons 9-10)
    • Original Release: September 23, 1995 – April 29, 2005
  6. 6
    7
    votes

    NCIS: Red

    Shane Brennan
    This spin-off series was unfortunately canceled after just one episode, but it still has a dedicated fan base. It featured a strong cast and an interesting premise.
    NCIS: Red is a proposed spin-off of the popular NCIS series. It follows a team of mobile agents, known as the Red Team, who investigate crimes across the United States. The team consists of both experienced NCIS agents and new recruits, providing a fresh perspective to solve cases.
    • Genre: Crime drama
    • Original network: CBS
    • Status: Unaired pilot
    • Spin-off from: NCIS
    • Setting: United States
  7. 7
    1
    votes
    This was the original title of the NCIS series, and it still has a loyal following. It introduced many of the characters that fans have grown to love over the years.
    NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service is a popular American television series that depicts the work of the fictional Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The show revolves around a team of special agents who investigate crimes involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel, both in the United States and overseas.
    • Genre: Police procedural, drama
    • Original release: September 23, 2003 – present
    • Running time: Approximately 42 minutes
    • Total seasons: 18
    • Total episodes: 418 (as of January 2022)
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    NCIS: Los Angeles
    Cbinnix · Public domain

    NCIS: Los Angeles

    Shane Brennan
    Red - This was a backdoor pilot for a potential spin-off series, but it never made it to air. However, fans still talk about what could have been.
    NCIS: Los Angeles is a popular American action television series that serves as a spin-off of the original NCIS series. It follows a team of Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) special agents based in Los Angeles as they investigate and solve crimes involving the Navy and Marine Corps personnel and national security threats in the city of angels.
    • Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
    • Country of origin: United States
    • Language: English
    • Original network: CBS
    • Original release: September 22, 2009 – present
  9. 9
    2
    votes

    NCIS: The Cases They Can't Forget

    CBS Television Studios
    This true crime series features real-life cases that inspired episodes of NCIS. It adds a new dimension to the franchise and is popular with fans.
    NCIS: The Cases They Can't Forget is a spin-off series of the popular NCIS franchise, focusing on notable cases that have deeply impacted the team and left a lasting impression. It provides viewers with an in-depth look at some of the most complex and compelling investigations encountered by the NCIS agents.
    • Genre: Crime, Drama
    • Original release: May 29, 2017 – present
    • Format: Documentary-style series
    • Running time: Approximately 1 hour
    • Number of seasons: 3 (as of September 2020)
  10. 10
    3
    votes

    NCIS: Gibbs' Rules

    Donald P. Bellisario
    This web series explores the famous rules that Gibbs lives by. It's a fun and interesting addition to the franchise.
    NCIS: Gibbs' Rules is a set of guidelines created and followed by Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the main character of the TV series NCIS. These rules serve as a code of conduct and principles for Gibbs and his team to navigate through their cases and personal lives. The rules are often mentioned, quoted, and expanded upon throughout the series, providing insight into Gibbs' character and approach to solving crimes.
    • Total rules: currently 61
    • First appearance: Season 1, Episode 7
    • Core rules: 50 rules that serve as the foundation
    • Additional rules: 11 rules introduced throughout the series
    • Rule #1: "Never let suspects stay together"

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Ranking factors for popular series

  1. Critical reception
    The opinions of critics can greatly influence a show's popularity. Look at reviews, ratings, and recommendations from reputable sources such as Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, the Television Critics Association, or other highly regarded sources.
  2. Awards and nominations
    Prestigious industry awards such as the Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards can be an indicator of a show's quality and popularity.
  3. Social media engagement
    The popularity of a series can be gauged by the level of engagement it receives on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit. Look at how many followers each series has, and the level of interaction through likes, shares, and comments.
  4. Longevity and episode count
    The number of seasons and episodes can serve as an indicator of a show's popularity. Generally, successful and popular shows tend to run longer and have a greater number of episodes.
  5. Cast and guest star popularity
    The popularity of the main cast members and guest stars can contribute to a series' overall popularity. Look at the social media following and fan base of the actors, as well as any notable guest appearances.
  6. Spin-offs and franchise expansions
    Successful and popular shows often inspire spin-offs or other extensions of the franchise. The existence and success of spin-offs can contribute to the original series' popularity.
  7. International appeal
    Some series may be more popular in certain countries or regions. Consider factors such as international syndication, streaming availability, and international audience reception to determine global popularity.
  8. Fan response
    The passionate fan base of a show can greatly contribute to its overall popularity. Pay attention to fan forums, social media groups, and fan-created content such as fan art, fan fiction, and videos.
  9. Impact on pop culture
    Lastly, consider the impact a show has had on popular culture as a whole. This can include catchphrases, notable scenes, or characters that become part of the broader cultural conversation.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular NCIS series. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or series is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2536 views
  • 170 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each series once every 24 hours. The rank of each series is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular ncis series

NCIS, or Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is a popular American television series that has been on the air since 2003. The show follows a team of special agents who investigate crimes that involve members of the Navy and the Marine Corps. With its engaging plotlines, well-developed characters, and thrilling action sequences, NCIS has captured the hearts of fans all over the world. Over the years, the show has spawned several spin-offs, including NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the various NCIS series and delve into which one is the most popular among fans.

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