NCIS returns to the big screen in *NCIS: Sea of Secrets* (2026), a high-stakes thriller that blends naval intrigue, personal sacrifice, and global espionage into one gripping narrative. The story begins when a classified U.S. Navy submarine vanishes during a covert mission in the South China Sea. With rising geopolitical tensions and rumors of advanced weapons technology aboard the vessel, the disappearance threatens to ignite an international crisis. The NCIS Major Case Response Team is called in to investigate, led by Special Agent Alden Parker, whose calm leadership is tested like never before.
As the team arrives at a bustling naval base in Hawaii, they quickly uncover inconsistencies in the submarine’s last transmission. What appears to be a mechanical failure soon reveals signs of sabotage. Forensic specialist Kasie Hines discovers encrypted data fragments hidden within the ship’s communication logs, suggesting that someone on board may have been working with an external enemy. Meanwhile, field agents Nick Torres and Jessica Knight track a black-market arms dealer with ties to a mysterious maritime organization known only as “Leviathan Tide.”
The investigation intensifies when a Navy intelligence officer is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Medical examiner Jimmy Palmer determines the cause of death was not accidental, pointing toward a carefully orchestrated cover-up. As clues surface, the team learns that the submarine was carrying a prototype stealth propulsion system capable of shifting the balance of naval power worldwide. If this technology falls into the wrong hands, it could destabilize global security.
Parker faces a personal dilemma when evidence implicates an old colleague from his FBI days, now working as a private security contractor in Southeast Asia. Torn between loyalty and duty, Parker travels undercover to confront him, uncovering a deeper conspiracy involving corrupt defense executives and rogue naval officers. The film’s tension escalates through underwater rescue missions, intense interrogations, and a daring infiltration of an offshore oil rig serving as a hidden command center.
In the final act, the team coordinates a high-risk operation to recover the stolen submarine before it crosses into hostile waters. A fierce battle erupts at sea, combining tactical precision with emotional stakes as Torres risks his life to secure the propulsion system’s data core. Parker ultimately exposes the conspiracy’s mastermind, preventing an international incident and restoring fragile diplomatic balance.
*NCIS: Sea of Secrets* delivers suspense and character-driven drama while exploring themes of trust, betrayal, and the unseen battles fought beneath the ocean’s surface. The film expands the legacy of the long-running franchise, proving that even in the vast silence of the sea, secrets always rise to the surface.
