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Reality television has been a long-standing genre, but the surge of streaming platforms has fueled its unprecedented growth, adapting the format to various disciplines. While not universally embraced, this production boom has delighted fans of reality TV, transforming it into a globally favored genre for light-hearted binge-watching.
A notable aspect of reality shows is their diverse range, catering to everyone’s tastes. Streaming giants like Netflix host top-tier reality programs, such as Love Is Blind and The Ultimatum, appealing to those captivated by dramatic love narratives. Family-friendly options like Is it Cake? provide shared viewing experiences. For those seeking riveting reality competitions on Netflix, a few must-watch shows keep viewers hooked until the final episode.
As of November 28th, 2023, this article has been updated by Christine Persaud, incorporating additional details on each show’s highlights, cast, release dates, and other pertinent information, ensuring it features the most thrilling and compelling titles available.
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15 Best Reality Competition Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now
The Final Table (2018-Present)
The Final Table is an exhilarating and high-stakes cooking show where accomplished chefs from around the world compete in intense challenges inspired by diverse cuisines. The show features passionate chefs and discerning judges, creating a thrilling race against time as contestants strive to perfect new dishes in each episode. The combination of stunning food visuals, top-notch production, and a focus on different cultures in each episode makes it a must-watch for food enthusiasts and reality show fans alike. Whether you’re a foodie or just love reality TV, The Final Table offers a diverse and delectable viewing experience.
Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr (2019-Present)
“Interior Design Masters With Alan Carr” showcases a group of aspiring interior designers navigating a series of challenging tasks to demonstrate their skills and compete for a coveted contract at a prestigious London hotel. The show stands out for its diverse range of interior design challenges, making it engaging and accessible to a wide audience. Blending the elements of a reality show with the intricacies of the interior design industry, Interior Design Masters strikes a balance between creativity and competitiveness, making it a must-watch for both professionals and enthusiasts in the field.
Run for The Money (2022-Present)
“Run for the Money” is built on an unusual concept where famous participants must outwit mysterious hunters dressed in black to secure a substantial cash prize. Set in the Huis Ten Bosch theme park, the show features a diverse cast of Japanese celebrities, ranging from singers and actors to athletes.
What sets it apart is Japan’s inclination for eccentric themes, seamlessly blending athleticism and strategy with a plethora of surprises. The show’s rapid pace and unforeseen twists make it highly engaging, ensuring viewers are captivated from the inaugural episode to the finale. With just four episodes, it offers a swift and enjoyable binge-watching experience.
Ultimate Beastmaster
Ultimate Beastmaster stands out as a riveting and intense reality competition that pushes participants to their limits on “The Beast” obstacle course. The course is divided into four stages, each presenting unique challenges testing physical strength and mental resilience.
The show’s greatness is amplified by Sylvester Stallone’s role as an executive producer, elevating the stakes and intensifying the course’s difficulty. Celebrity hosts add to the appeal by offering insightful commentary and motivation for participants, making the journey to conquer the beast both captivating for contestants and entertaining for viewers.
Awake: The Million Dollar Game (2019-Present)
Hosted by comedian James Davis, Awake: The Million Dollar Game follows participants as they endure a 24-hour sleepless marathon, engaging in various challenges for a chance to win $1 million. The tasks vary from physically demanding to mentally challenging, becoming increasingly difficult in the state of sleep deprivation.
What Sets It Apart Awake: The Million Dollar Game provides an entertaining binge-watching experience, coupled with humor. The show also sheds light on the significance of sleep, emphasizing the noticeable drawbacks when deprived of it. In a subtle manner, it aims to encourage viewers to prioritize sufficient rest, showcasing the impact of sleep deprivation on daily functioning and cognitive abilities. If you’re seeking a blend of humor, lightheartedness, and intelligence, this show is worth checking out.
Siren: Survive the Island (2023-Present)
Siren: Survive the Island, a South Korean production helmed by directors Lee Eun-kyung, Lee So-min, and Hwang Yun-seo, unfolds on a secluded island with 24 women whose daily professions range from cops and firefighters to soldiers, lifeguards, athletes, and stuntwomen. Divided into six teams, they leverage their professional skills to conquer diverse challenges and endure the island for seven days. Only the triumphant team emerges victorious in the end.
The show’s appeal lies in its fusion of classic genre elements with innovative twists across its concise 10-episode single season, ensuring a quick and engaging viewing experience. Audiences have warmly embraced the charming series, praising its celebration of strong women and marveling at the impressive feats achieved by the contestants.
Next in Fashion (2020-Present)
This Netflix reality series follows a familiar format, featuring designers competing in creative challenges for a cash prize and the opportunity to design for Net-a-Porter. Premiering in 2020 with hosts/judges Tan France and Alexa Chung, the show was initially canceled but revived in 2023 with France and Gigi Hadid. For fashion enthusiasts, the show offers a glimpse into the industry with its focus on emerging talent and the expertise of hosts connected to the fashion world.
The Big Flower Fight (2020-Present)
The 2020 British show “The Big Flower Fight,” hosted by Natasia Demetriou and Vic Reeves with florist Griffith-VanderYacht as the head judge, brings together 10 teams of florists and garden designers with varying levels of expertise. They compete to create impressive floral sculptures, aiming to win the coveted prize of exhibiting their work at London’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
What sets “The Big Flower Fight” apart is its ability to captivate viewers by showcasing a discipline not commonly featured on television. The intricate artistry displayed in the floral sculptures elevates the show beyond the typical perception of shallow reality television. With its concise eight-episode season, it becomes an ideal choice for binge-watching.
Glow Up (2019-Present)
The British BBC Three series “Glow Up,” which debuted in 2019, features Stacey Dooley as the host and Dominic Skinner and Val Garland as the main judges. The show spans five seasons, where makeup artists participate in elimination challenges to vie for the title of Britain’s Next Make-Up Star. Each season introduces contestants to various industry personalities offering career-boosting opportunities. While judges Skinner and Garland remain constant, the hosting role has changed, with Maya Jama hosting the third and fourth seasons and Leomie Anderson joining for the fifth season that premiered in May. “Glow Up” is a fantastic choice for makeup enthusiasts who enjoy a mix of creativity and practical tips, making it both entertaining and educational, especially for those interested in makeup tutorials.
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Rhythm + Flow (2019-Present)
In 2019, Netflix introduced “Rhythm + Flow,” marking its inaugural original music reality TV series. Created by Sam Wrench, the show stars Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and T.I., prominent figures in the music industry. The trio journeys through Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago in search of the next hip-hop sensation vying for a $250,000 cash prize. Despite eager anticipation for a second season, no official confirmation has been made.
Noteworthy Points: The show’s success spawned a French spin-off, “Rhythm + Flow France,” which has already completed two seasons by 2022. The series stands out for showcasing exceptional talent, with numerous standout performances circulating on YouTube. In the realm of singing competitions, “Rhythm + Flow” fills a void by giving hip-hop a prominent platform.
The Mole (2001-Present)
The Mole stands out as the most enduring reality competition series in this lineup. In each season, contestants collaborate rather than compete, aiming to accumulate a prize pot for the ultimate winner. The unique twist lies in the presence of a secret saboteur within the group, working covertly to undermine missions. If this individual manages to remain undiscovered, they claim victory. Originally airing on ABC from 2001 to 2008, the show was revived by Netflix for a sixth season last year, gaining widespread popularity internationally.
What Sets It Apart Adapted from a 1998 Belgian program, The Mole boasts a captivating format that appeals to audiences. The show challenges both players and viewers to discern the saboteur’s identity, demanding sharp perception and strategic thinking. Beyond its surface appearance, The Mole proves to be an intellectually stimulating program. Each episode is riveting and concludes with a cliffhanger, compelling viewers to stay tuned for the unfolding drama.
Blown Away (2019-Present)
Blown Away, a Canadian TV show that debuted on Makeful in 2019 before landing on Netflix, shares similarities with The Big Flower Fight by showcasing a lesser-known craft. Focused on glassblowing, the series spans three seasons where glassblower groups vie in intense challenges to secure a residency at the Corning Museum of Glass in New York. Hosted by Nick Uhas with Katherine Gray as head judge, the show features guest artists providing additional critiques. Blown Away’s Christmas special, hosted by Bobby Berk from Queer Eye, brings back former contestants for a chance at victory. The program sheds light on the intricate world of glassblowing, offering entertainment while revealing the dedication required for this art form, potentially inspiring viewers to explore careers in the field. The competition is both thrilling and competitive, as participants strive to avoid elimination.
Physical: 100 (2023-Present)
“Physical: 100,” a successful South Korean reality competition show available on Netflix, is the brainchild of Jan Ho-gi. Featuring 100 exceptionally fit contestants from various backgrounds, the show unfolds as participants engage in challenging contests to determine the strongest among them. The competition progresses through episodes, eliminating participants until a sole victor emerges to claim a substantial cash prize.
What sets the show apart is its resemblance to the popular 2021 series, Squid Game, particularly in the intricacy of challenges and elimination processes. The abundance of contestants adds a dynamic element with diverse personalities, creating a more intense and fast-paced experience compared to reality shows with fewer competitors. The spectacle lies in witnessing these remarkably fit individuals pushing their physical limits.
Nailed It! (2018-Present)
If you’re not exactly a kitchen expert, attempting the gourmet dishes showcased on competitive cooking shows like MasterChef or The Great British Bake Off might seem daunting. However, Netflix’s hit series, Nailed It!, offers a refreshing twist. The show, hosted by Nicole Byer alongside chef Jacques Torres, features three amateur bakers in each episode. Despite their limited culinary skills, they compete for a special trophy and a $10,000 prize, proving that even those with minimal cooking prowess can find success. Nailed It! has gained popularity for its relatable and humorous approach, earning it several Emmy nominations across its seven seasons and two Holiday specials since its 2018 premiere. The show’s charm lies in its celebration of imperfections, allowing viewers to laugh alongside contestants as they attempt, and often hilariously fail, to recreate various dessert treats.
The Circle (2020-Present)
Completing this list is The Circle, a reality competition show that stands out as one of the most innovative and captivating productions in recent years. Launched in 2020, it is an adaptation of the British series of the same name, drawing inspiration from the pervasive influence of social media in contemporary society. In each season, participants cohabit in a shared space but can only communicate through a dedicated social media app, where they anonymously rate their fellow contestants. The top two scorers must then agree on eliminating another player. What sets The Circle apart is the option for participants to either be themselves or adopt entirely different personas.
The show has garnered success with multiple seasons and international versions, all accessible on Netflix. The appeal of The Circle lies in its portrayal of some of the best aspects of humanity. Participants, who might never have crossed paths in real life, open up about their emotions and confrontations, leading to unexpected and heartwarming friendships.
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