Let's be real for a second. Finding a way to watch all seasons of NCIS for free is kinda like trying to find one of Gibbs’ rules that he hasn't actually written down yet. It’s tricky. We are talking about a show that has been running since 2003. With the recent launch of Season 23 in late 2025, there are now nearly 500 episodes floating around the digital ether.
If you're looking to binge the whole thing from the very beginning—back when Tony DiNozzo was the king of headslaps and Abby Sciuto was drinking Caf-Pow by the gallon—you've probably noticed that "free" usually comes with a catch.
Honestly, the streaming landscape in 2026 is a bit of a maze. Rights shift, deals expire, and suddenly that season you were halfway through on one app has vanished and popped up somewhere else behind a different paywall. But don't worry. I’ve spent way too much time tracking the Navy CIS team across the web, and I’m going to break down exactly where the episodes are hiding right now.
The Truth About Watching All Seasons of NCIS for Free
Here is the hard truth: There is currently no legal "forever free" platform that hosts every single episode from Season 1 through Season 23 without some kind of trade-off. However, you can absolutely watch large chunks of the show for $0 if you know which apps to rotate.
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Pluto TV is basically the best friend of any NCIS fan on a budget. Since it's owned by Paramount (the same folks who own CBS), they have a dedicated NCIS channel. It’s a "Live TV" experience, meaning you can’t always pick the exact episode, but they run marathons constantly. If you just want the show on in the background while you fold laundry, this is your gold mine.
Then there’s the Sling Freestream and The Roku Channel route. Every now and then, they’ll drop a handful of seasons into their free-to-watch sections. Usually, it’s the "middle seasons"—think Seasons 12 through 15—that rotate in and out. It’s hit or miss, but it costs nothing to check.
Where the Full Catalog Actually Lives
If you want the "all-you-can-eat" buffet where you can pick any episode at any time, you basically have to look at Paramount+. It is the only place in 2026 that houses the entire NCIS universe.
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- NCIS (The Flagship): All 23 seasons.
- NCIS: Sydney: The Australian spin-off.
- NCIS: Origins: The 2025 prequel following a young Gibbs.
- NCIS: Tony & Ziva: The European spin-off that fans waited a decade for.
Now, I know you want it for free. The pro move here is the trial cycle. Paramount+ almost always offers a 7-day or 30-day free trial for new users. If you're a fast binger, you can knock out a few seasons before the bill hits. Just remember to cancel. We've all been there where we forgot and ended up paying for a month we didn't use.
What about Netflix?
This is where people get confused. For years, Netflix had a huge chunk of NCIS. But as of 2026, that relationship is pretty strained. In some regions, Netflix still carries the first 10 or 15 seasons, but they rarely have the brand-new stuff. If you already have a Netflix sub, check there first, but don't expect to find the Season 22 finale or the 2026 winter premiere.
How to Catch New Episodes Without a Subscription
If you are just trying to keep up with the latest cases, you don't actually need a fancy streaming service. Since NCIS is a CBS show, it's broadcast over the air.
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- Get a Digital Antenna: This is the ultimate "free" hack. For a one-time cost of twenty bucks, you get CBS in HD. No monthly fee. Ever.
- The CBS Website/App: Usually, CBS uploads the most recent 3 to 5 episodes for free viewing about 24 hours after they air. You’ll have to sit through commercials, but it’s legal and costs nothing.
- Local Libraries: Don't laugh. Most local libraries have the DVD box sets for almost every season. You can check them out, rip through a season in a weekend, and return them. It’s old school, but it works perfectly.
The VPN "Gray Area"
Sometimes, other countries have better "free" deals. For example, in 2025, a deal was inked to put over 1,000 episodes of the NCIS franchise on the German streamer Joyn for free. In New Zealand, TVNZ+ often carries the newer spin-offs like Tony & Ziva at no cost to residents.
If you use a VPN to make your computer think you’re in Munich or Auckland, you might find a treasure trove. Just be sure to check the terms of service for those platforms.
Actionable Steps to Start Watching Now
If you want to start your NCIS marathon tonight without spending a dime, here is your game plan:
- Download the Pluto TV app immediately and check the "Crime" category for the 24/7 NCIS channel.
- Check the CBS app to see if the first few episodes of Season 23 are available for free (they usually rotate these out after a few weeks).
- Search "NCIS" on The Roku Channel or Tubi to see which specific seasons are currently in their "Free with Ads" rotation, as these change monthly.
- Sign up for a Paramount+ trial only when you have a long weekend or a vacation coming up, so you can maximize the "free" window to watch the exclusive spin-offs like Origins.
The NCIS universe is massive and fragmented, but with a little app-hopping, you can definitely watch the bulk of it without opening your wallet. Just keep an eye on those "limited time" labels on the free apps, or you'll find yourself cut off right in the middle of a cliffhanger.