NCIS Crossover Episodes Order 2024: NCIS, NCIS Hawai'i, NCIS Los Angeles

With over 1,000 episodes across multiple shows, the NCIS franchise has treated fans to dozens of exciting crossover episodes. This guide details how the NCIS universe grew with new series and celebrated big milestones, explains the order of the major crossover episodes—including collaborations outside the main NCIS shows—and takes a look at the franchise's impact over the years.

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1. How the NCIS Franchise Began

The NCIS journey began on September 23, 2003, when the original series premiered on CBS. It's a military police procedural drama, centered on a team of special agents with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). This is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of the Navy, and they handle criminal cases involving the Navy, the Marine Corps, and their families.

The original NCIS is set in the heart of Washington, D.C. Over time, the rich storytelling and dynamic characters captivated audiences, building a devoted following and paving the way for future spin-offs.

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2. Expansion into Spin-offs

As the popularity of NCIS grew, new shows set in different locations began to emerge. Here's how the franchise expanded:

1. NCIS: Los Angeles launched in 2009, set in sunny Los Angeles, California.
2. The next in line, NCIS: New Orleans, premiered in 2014, showcasing cases set in New Orleans, Louisiana.
3. In 2021, fans traveled to the islands with NCIS: Hawai'i, which takes place in Oahu, Hawaii.
4. The franchise even went global with NCIS: Sydney in 2023, breaking new ground as the first international entry, set in Australia's iconic city.

A fifth spin-off, NCIS: Origins, is in development. This one will dive into the past of the beloved character Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, offering a new perspective on the character originally played by Mark Harmon.

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3. Crossover Episodes and Their Place in the Timeline

With so many shows in the franchise, crossovers became an exciting way to link their stories, often springing from big events or special investigations. Over 60 NCIS crossover episodes exist, sometimes even including collaborations with other CBS series like JAG (which NCIS itself spun out of).

These episodes created opportunities for fan-favorite characters to interact and for viewers to enjoy even bigger, more complex stories. Watching the crossovers in order helps the plotlines make sense and lets you enjoy the "shared universe" the writers have worked so hard to create.

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4. Major Milestones and Celebrations

Despite some spin-offs ending—like NCIS: New Orleans in 2021 after seven seasons and NCIS: Los Angeles in 2023 following a successful 14-season run—the franchise remains an unstoppable force. There's no sign that the NCIS world is slowing down.

A particularly proud moment for the cast and crew—and fans alike—was the franchise's 1000th episode. This aired on April 15, 2024, during NCIS Season 21, Episode 7, titled "A Thousand Yards."

As Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Nicholas Torres, remarked to Entertainment Tonight at the time:

"It's so cool to see all the shows come together to celebrate today. This is their win as [much as] anyone else's, you know?"

He went on to emphasize the collective achievement behind such a milestone:

"Everyone has contributed to these 1,000 episodes — seeing their faces and seeing how proud they are to be here, I think that's also something that we are definitely gonna remember."

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5. How to Watch and What's Next

If you're looking to experience the NCIS universe in its full glory, watching the crossover episodes in their proper order is highly recommended. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, chronological viewing lets you see story arcs and characters connect as they jump from one city (or continent) to another. And with new series like NCIS: Sydney and the upcoming NCIS: Origins on the horizon, there's plenty more action ahead.

You can find a complete list of crossover episodes and guides on how to watch them here.

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Final Thoughts

The NCIS franchise has enjoyed a remarkable run, spanning two decades and thousands of episodes, thanks to its memorable characters, compelling storylines, and the fun of seeing its different shows come together. With new projects in development and a dedicated fanbase, NCIS promises to keep delivering thrilling investigations—and surprising crossovers—for years to come! 🚔🕵️‍♂️