All 10 Shows in NCIS Universe: How to Watch in Correct Order and Stay Sane

Everybody knows that NCIS is one of the biggest TV franchises there is, but what if we tell you that there are even more shows that share the same universe with the series than those which have NCIS in their names.

Sounds intriguing? Then check out our list and the advice on how to watch all the shows in correct order.

10. JAG

Everything started with JAG. It actually gave the start to the whole franchise, and it surprises us that not so many fans actually knew about it. The two episodes that made it all happen were Ice Queen and Meltdown, both from season 8. In these episodes the many NCIS characters were introduced, like Jethro Gibbs, Anthony DiNozzo and others. After that, when NCIS premiered, it featured many JAG characters as well.

So if you never heard of the show but consider yourself a NCIS fan, it’s time to binge JAG right now.

9. First Monday

First Monday didn't last long, but it still shares universes with JAG and NCIS. And you have to thank the character Edward Sheffield for that. It's actually a legal drama that only lasted one season, but is still worth mentioning in this list.

8. NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service

Well, no one will argue with us when we say that this is one of the most popular and successful series in the entire universe. It shares characters with many shows, including JAG, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS Hawai'i.

We first met them all after the series premiered 21 years ago on CBS. Currently, the show is in its 21st season and we can say for sure that the fans of the show remain loyal to it, even with the many character changes the show has undergone over the years.

7. NCIS: Los Angeles

One of the most hyped NCIS series is this one, for sure. Set in LA, the series focuses on the local team, but still shares a lot of characters with some other shows of the franchise, like the OG show or the Hawaiian spinoff.

It premiered in 2009, but unfortunately for fans of the series, it was canceled in 2023, leaving fans wondering what else could have happened to the LA team.

6. Hawaii Five-0

Fans of crossovers have definitely been waiting for this series, as the show has had many with NCIS: Los Angeles and Magnum, P.I. (wait for it). The series also focuses on an elite defense team that is ready to rescue anyone in need, but there's a catch. The governor of Hawaii has to tell them to do it.

5. Scorpion

Now this show ended up in the current list because of its crossover event with the NCIS: Los Angeles team. The episode was called "True Colors" and it featured the elite defense Scorpion team being accused of stealing a valuable painting, which encouraged Cabe Gallo to enlist the help of NCIS: Los Angeles operations manager Hetty Lange.

“Personally I love any crossovers, even small ones. It's always fun when shows acknowledge that each other exists instead of operating in compartmentalized universes, especially when they take place in the same city in the same timeframe. Now I really want to catch up on Scorpion,” Redditor LonestarPSD said.

4. NCIS: New Orleans

This spinoff needs no introduction, as it is also one of the most popular and successful shows to come out after NCIS. The New Orleans edition premiered in 2014 and ran for 7 seasons. And while it has yet to expand its narrative beyond the franchise, it has successfully participated in several crossover events with the original series.

3. Magnum, P.I.

Magnum, P.I. is also part of the NCIS universe, but in a strange way. The series has a crossover episode with the series Hawaii Five-0, which is a reboot of a three-part franchise of Lenkov-verse focusing on the one and only Thomas Magnum (played by the beloved Tom Selleck ). The episode was called Desperate Measures and it follows the investigation done by the Five-0 team and Magnum together.

2. NCIS: Hawaiʻi

Although the recent news about the show's cancellation broke fans’ hearts, it’s still important that we mention the most beloved spinoff here. It premiered in 2021 and shares characters with NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles. Some fans are even saying that the shoe is better than the original one...

“Hawaii is the best. Who is with me? This show has more compelling characters. I don’t understand the Lucy/Whistler hate in this sub - I love them. Jesse and Kai are wonderful. Plus beautiful scenery and they seem more willing to (barely, but impressive for NCIS) comment on racism, issues related to native Hawaiians vs tourists, environmental impact,” Redditor Matzohpizza said.

1. NCIS: Sydney

NCIS: Sydney is the latest spinoff creation in the universe. It features several Easter eggs from the original series, but for now it’s not one of the favorite shows of the franchise so far, but we believe that the Australian version is still on the way to becoming everyone’s sweetheart. The series premiered in 2023 and has 1 season for now.