The best reality competition shows of all time
The top 3 according to 1,485 votes from people: Survivor (2000-) · The Amazing Race (2001-) · RuPaul's Drag Race (2009-). (Updated Jul 21, 2024.)
Islands, kitchens, runways and runways of a different kind: the reality competitions critics and viewers rank highest (Variety, Collider, Looper).
Top 14
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1
Survivor (2000-)
Castaways vote each other off the island.
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2
The Amazing Race (2001-)
Teams of two race around the world.
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3
RuPaul's Drag Race (2009-)
Drag queens compete to be America's next drag superstar.
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4
The Great British Bake Off (2010-)
Amateur bakers in a tent, the kindest show on TV.
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5
Project Runway (2004-)
Designers, a deadline and Tim Gunn's 'make it work'.
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6
Top Chef (2006-)
Professional chefs and impossible challenges.
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7
American Idol (2002-)
The blueprint for TV singing competitions.
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8
Big Brother (2000-)
Strangers locked in a house with cameras everywhere.
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9
Hell's Kitchen (2005-)
Gordon Ramsay yelling at two brigades of chefs.
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10
MasterChef (2010-)
Home cooks under Gordon Ramsay's gaze.
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11
The Traitors (2023-)
Faithfuls hunt traitors in a Scottish castle.
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12
Dancing with the Stars (2005-)
Celebrities paired with professional dancers.
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13
The Circle (2020-)
Players compete only through a social media app.
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14
The Voice (2011-)
Blind auditions and spinning chairs.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (3)
Survivor at #1 is right, 40+ seasons and still the best game on TV
The Traitors this high after a few seasons? Fun but let's calm down
Bake Off is the only reality show that makes me feel better about humanity