Do you want to watch people fall in love? Maybe you need to see folks fall off of stuff? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you’re in the right place! Luckily, Netflix has a huge selection of reality programs ripe for the time-wasting.
From Physical: 100 to Too Hot to Handle, here are the 40 most binge-worthy reality shows now streaming on Netflix, in no particular order.
Note: We’ve limited our inclusion of cooking shows to The Great British Baking Show and Nailed It!, but there’s a wealth of goodness in that arena, so check out more of our favorite Netflix cooking shows here. We’re also not listing any docuseries, because that isn’t “reality TV.”
With those caveats out of the way, here are the 40 most addictive reality shows on Netflix.
40. Dubai Bling
Credit: Hyku Desesto / Netflix
Like many of Netflix’s other Bling series, Dubai Bling follows a group of millionaires residing in the biggest mansions, driving the sexiest sports cars, and taking Dubai by storm one $500,000 bill at a time. Sure, the drama is ridiculously out of touch — how dare anyone NOT show up to a Mother’s Day brunch dressed to the nines?! — but nonetheless, the who-said-what and who-hates-who of Dubai Bling makes for some top-notch reality TV viewing. Enjoy the mess. Enjoy the money. Eat up the drama. — Yasmeen Hamadeh, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Dubai Bling is now streaming on Netflix.
39. Nailed It!
Is there any greater pleasure to be had in the entire history of reality television than when Nailed It! hosts Nicole Byer and iconic chocolatier Jacques Torres break down into uncontrollable giggle fits at the sight of one of the contestants’ just revealed baking monstrosities? A cooking show for those of us who can’t tell their tea from their tablespoons, Nailed It! copies the format of most competition shows — force the contestants to copy some outrageously complicated recipe in as short an amount of time as possible. But it lops off the “talent” aspect. These chefs are bad. Real bad. They’re all blessedly in on the joke, and the show finds unfettered joy in their shortbread shortcomings. It’s a feel-good bake-bad classic. — Jason Adams, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Nailed It! is now streaming on Netflix.
38. Zombieverse
Credit: Netflix
In this South Korean reality/variety show, a group of unwitting participants are tricked into believing that they’re in a zombie apocalypse. Yes, every person you see on the show seemingly believes that they’re being attacked by zombies and must save themselves. Now, is it likely that Zombieverse‘s contestants are aware of the ruse? Absolutely. But does that hinder any part of the show? Absolutely not. To truly enjoy Zombieverse, you have to suspend your disbelief and wholeheartedly let yourself join in on the low-stakes screaming, shrieking fun. Every participant is comedic gold. Their acceptance of imminent “death” in the face of the walking dead is top-notch entertainment. And you’ll be begging to be on the show yourself — it looks that fun. — Y.H.
How to watch: Zombieverse is now streaming on Netflix.
37. The Boyfriend
Set somewhere in the gap between The Real World and The Bachelor, the Japanese dating show The Boyfriend drops several gay / bisexual men into a house to live and work together and from there to maybe find romance. Or to maybe just be friends? What’s refreshing about The Boyfriend is it doesn’t put pressure on the men to be extra dramatic or force themselves into relationships — it allows them to be shy, sweet, and to bond over the struggles that they’ve gone through. And so the friendships they form (or don’t) feel more realistic and profound than most of their flashier American counterparts. And don’t forget, this show’s mere existence is a big deal in Japan, where LGBTQ topics remain fraught. But don’t worry, it’s not all emotional heart-to-hearts. The guys also happen to be ridiculously hot, and the show is ludicrously sexy (Usak the go-go-boy makes sure of that). — J.A.
How to watch: The Boyfriend is now streaming on Netflix.
36. Snowflake Mountain
Credit: Netflix
What happens when you plop a bunch of entitled young adults in the middle of the wilderness? You get Snowflake Mountain. As a fellow Gen Z’er, this show made me cringe at my generational comrades. But when you look past the whining, brattiness, and complete lack of even the most basic survival skills, you’ll find a show that is as hilarious as it is heartfelt. Come to watch a bunch of rich kids figure out what a tree is, and stay for the surprising lessons on humanity along the way. — Y.H.
How to watch: Snowflake Mountain is now streaming on Netflix.
35. Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Marie Kondo says it best in a Season 1 episode of Tidying Up: “I love mess.” More precisely, she loves creating order out of that mess. Watching Kondo arrive in the houses of some extremely disorganized people and generate harmony from their piles of junk is not only psychologically pleasing, it might even inspire viewers to make some changes in their own lives. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is now streaming on Netflix.
34. Face Off
For any horror nerd who luxuriated in the pages of Fangoria as a kid (present company very much speaking) Face Off has been a godsend. Pitting the world’s up-and-coming prosthetic make-up artists against one another in weekly challenges — such as “create the troll that lives under this bridge” — this series has proven a parade of delicious grotesquerie, showcasing fresh designs for monsters, aliens, and everything else you can possibly imagine. There’s gore flooding right up to its popping-out eyeballs. The craft on display is astonishing, and seeing how these beasties go from nightmare to flesh will forever be fascinating. — J.A.
How to watch: Face Off is now streaming on Netflix.
33. The Ultimatum: Queer Love
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
The Ultimatum: Queer Love is a queer-centric spinoff of The Ultimatum that follows the same format as the original show: Young couples with conflicting opinions on marriage are forced to make a decision about whether or not they still want to be together after an eight-week trial tests their commitment. By the end of those eight weeks, the couples can either stay together, break up, or (gasp) couple up with someone else featured on the show. The Ultimatum: Queer Love is arguably a first for Netflix for featuring an all-queer cast made up of women and nonbinary people. And if you’re in the mood for drama, trust me, this show delivers it splendidly. You will scream at your TV. — Y.H.
39 binge-worthy LGBTQ TV shows to watch this Pride
How to watch: The Ultimatum: Queer Love is now streaming on Netflix.
32. The Big Flower Fight
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
You ever want to zone out and look at a bunch of nice flowers? The Big Flower Fight is the show for you. Ten florists/garden artists compete in a series of whimsical trials that test their ability to make something beautiful into something even more beautiful, which is just as calming and aesthetically satisfying as it sounds. (And it’s cohosted by Natasia Demetriou, who is brilliant in What We Do in the Shadows and Stath Lets Flats.) — A.F.
How to watch: The Big Flower Fight is now streaming on Netflix.
31. Dirty Jobs
Baritone beefcake Mike Rowe has hosted 10 seasons of this show since 2003, with each episode seeing him become the assistant to a string of real-world professionals whose gigs would make any normie’s knees shake. Guano gathering, worm farming, horse breeding — you name it, this show goes there hard. It’s basically the documentary approach to Fear Factor, with Rowe usually ending up knee-deep in manure. Or worse. But like those segments on Mister Rogers Neighborhood where we would go to the Crayola Factory, there’s a fascination in seeing how things are done. Dirty Jobs just shoves more fists up animal backsides than PBS ever dared. — J.A.
How to watch: Dirty Jobs is now streaming on Netflix.
30. Too Hot to Handle
Credit: Tom Dymond / Netflix
What happens when you put a bunch of hot, horny singles in a villa and enforce a sex ban? Absolute chaos. Too Hot to Handle aims to change its wild singles by showing them there’s more to a relationship than physical intimacy. And just in case you thought the task was impossible, the show has a big punishment — any sexy misstep will result in a massive deduction from the cash prize. The stakes are high in this not-so-steamy show, as participants struggle to keep things rated PG in paradise. — Y.H.
How to watch: Too Hot to Handle is now streaming on Netflix.
29. Amazing Interiors
Seemingly based on the old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover,” Netflix’s Amazing Interiors visits unassuming buildings that hide spectacular secrets. From a house that doubles as an aquarium to a steampunk wonderland, the locations featured in this show are as breathtaking as they are memorable. Each episode runs a little under a half hour, making this the perfect background noise or pre-bed show to bring into your home. As a bonus, check out Interior Design Masters, a British competition series that tasks 10 artists with reimagining commercial spaces like restaurants, model homes, and storefronts. The winner walks away with a high-profile commercial contract to redesign a bar at a London hotel. — A.F.
How to watch: Amazing Interiors is now streaming on Netflix.
28. Say I Do
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
The term “surprise wedding” sounds like a complete nightmare, but Say I Do makes the idea of proposing, planning, and springing a wedding on one’s significant other in less than a week seem like the peak of romance. Part of the show’s charm comes from its uplifting message — that true love deserves to be celebrated in all forms — and the rest comes from its amazing three-man panel of experts who create marriage magic for the adorable couples. Grab a pack of tissues and watch the love unfold. — A.F.
How to watch: Say I Do is now streaming on Netflix.
27. Old Enough!
The perfect antidote for any of life’s troubles is watching small toddlers run errands in Old Enough! This Japanese reality series sends young children, ages 2 to 5, out into the world to help their parents by performing simple tasks, like running to the store to buy groceries. It’s a simple premise with high emotional stakes. Seriously, you’ll get so invested in these youngsters’ journeys that you’ll cry whenever they return successfully. Reality TV has reached ultimate cuteness. Nothing else compares. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Old Enough! is now streaming on Netflix.
26. Perfect Match
Credit: Netflix
The reality version of an all-stars spinoff, Perfect Match brings in fan favorites from several Netflix reality shows — including Too Hot to Handle, Love Is Blind, and The Circle — and drops them all in a swanky villa to find love. Whoever finds their perfect match on the show is a winner, and whoever’s still single by the end of the evening gets the boot. The drama is real in Perfect Match, where coupling means survival and no one is off limits so long as they’re your type on paper. Steamy poolside conversations and relentless backstabbing? Sign me up. — Y.H.
How to watch: Perfect Match is now streaming on Netflix.
25. Queer Eye
Hard to believe we’re nine whole seasons into the rebooted series of generous queer philanthropy! This refreshed take returned in 2018 after an 11-year break with a brand new Fab Five all ready to primp and tweeze and turn over another round of men in need. But so we are and here they are, proudly showing menfolk how to get the whole “being a man” thing right, episode after tear-jerking episode.
Consisting of experts on food (Antoni Porowski), fashion (Tan France), grooming (Jonathan van Ness), culture (Karamo Brown), and interior design (Bobby Berk up through last season, with Jeremiah Brent replacing him after that), our five-some shows up on a clueless mark’s doorstep, hairbrushes in hand, proceeding to take a week to refashion them in the divine queer image. And it’s not just buffing the outside and rearranging the furniture — it’s the emotional work where the show really sneaks up on you. — J.A.
How to watch: Queer Eye is now streaming on Netflix.
24. Ultimate Beastmaster
Credit: Robert Voets / Netflix
A zanier take on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, Ultimate Beastmaster pits international athletes against one of the hardest obstacle courses ever constructed. Then, they face each other.
In every episode, the competitor with the highest score is named “The Beast.” Then, at the season’s end, nine Beasts compete on a new course to become [insert intense techno music] THE BEASTMASTER. With commentary featuring tons of spectacular hosts from across the globe, Ultimate Beastmaster is essentially the Olympics of reality TV — if the Olympics were pretty dumb. — A.F.
How to watch: Ultimate Beastmaster is now streaming on Netflix.
23. Last Chance U
For young, talented football players hoping to make it to Division I or the NFL but who found themselves in a bit of trouble, a handful of junior colleges in the United States offer them a last chance to turn their lives around and put them on a path to success. Last Chance U focuses on a few different junior college football programs, primarily East Mississippi Community College, and the players who have found themselves there.
Mashable Top Stories
Each season involves a year of a school’s program and gives us an in-depth look at these kids who either couldn’t get into DI schools or were kicked out for one reason or another. Sometimes it’s because of their grades, other times it’s issues with the law. It’s an intimate look at some of the least-privileged youth in America getting an opportunity to make it to the top. — A.F.
How to watch: Last Chance U is now streaming on Netflix.
22. Next in Fashion
Credit: Netflix
Next in Fashion takes the fashion-focused competition popularized by Project Runway and throws the curveballs out the window, allowing designers to focus on creating their best outfits possible without anything to hold them back. The designers themselves all have strong backgrounds, although they aren’t quite household names. And they’re competing to win $250,000 and a retail deal.
In the latest season, hosts Tan France and Gigi Hadid bring a fun dose of humor to this series, which highlights inclusive fashion. With two 10-episode seasons, Next in Fashion is an easy binge for a lazy weekend. — A.F.
How to watch: Next in Fashion is now streaming on Netflix.
21. Alone
Survival is the future, so get your journey started by studying this competition series. Alone isolates a bunch of individuals in harsh remote terrains, usually of the Arctic sort, with limited supplies, leaving them to the business of not dying. And whoever can not die the longest wins! It’s really that simple, but watching these folks tough it out appeals to the doom-prepper in us all — who amongst us hasn’t convinced themselves they could suss out the nonlethal berries or build a fire from a flint stone and their left elbow? Especially with half a million dollars waiting for us at the end of the long, hungry trail. Bring on the bear meat! — J.A.
How to watch: Alone is now streaming on Netflix.
20. The Circle
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
A social media competition that starts boring and ends batshit, The Circle is an acquired taste.
Split into 12 episodes, this blend of Fox Reality’s Solitary and MTV’s Catfish tasks contestants with winning over strangers through a platform called The Circle. They can play as themselves or play as someone else; all that matters is gaining influence and inching closer to that $100,000 prize. — A.F.
How to watch: The Circle is now streaming on Netflix.
19. Squid Game: The Challenge
I don’t think many of us watched South Korea’s dystopian smash hit drama Squid Game — which saw a few hundred desperate criminal types dumped into a life-or-death Battle Royale type competition from hell — and thought to ourselves, “Gee, they should make that real.” But some clever British reality show producers looked at those international streaming figures and sure did. And so 2023 gave us just that. Bring on all of our favorite death traps — the big robot girl shooting people, et cetera — just minus the death part … for now. Who knows what wonders the future holds? All in the name of rewarding one lucky “survivor” with the biggest winner jackpot in history, four and a half million dollars, on the other side. Make it dystopia but fun, they said! — J.A.
How to watch: Squid Game: The Challenge is now streaming on Netflix.
18. Dating Around
Credit: Netflix
Netflix’s first original dating show may be packaged in romantic cinematography, but make no mistake: Dating Around can get just as dramatic as ABC’s The Bachelor.
Contestants — diverse in age, race, and sexuality, but universally unlucky in love — head out for a night in New York City. Each participant goes on an identical date (all eat at the same restaurant, go to the same bar, etc.), and focuses on sparking a connection with the episode’s eligible bachelor or bachelorette. There are intimate conversations, surprising accusations, and lots of awkward pauses. You’ll fall in love. — A.F.
How to watch: Dating Around is now streaming on Netflix.
17. Ghost Hunters
Who ya gonna call? If you answered TAPS and not Bill Murray then you’re already a fan of Ghost Hunters, the two-decades-running series that began on SyFy back when it was still called Sci Fi. TAPS is an acronym for “The Atlantic Paranormal Society,” a group that originally consisted of part-time-plumbers, part-time paranormal hunters Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson — this twosome would visit supposedly haunted locations armed with their night-vision cameras and record whatever spectral mayhem they could find.
Needless to say our Hunters have not uncovered practical evidence of life after death — that probably would’ve grabbed some headlines. But, bumbling about in the dark listening for creaks and cackles of the unknown kind, they’ve scratched a spooky itch for horror lovers anyway. Everything from the Paranormal Activity to the Conjuring franchise have to pay homage to this series. — J.A.
How to watch: Ghost Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.
16. Floor Is Lava
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Floor Is Lava is stupid fun — emphasis on stupid. Netflix puts a Legend of the Temple spin on Wipe Out in this show, which pits teams against themed obstacle courses. The twist? The obstacles are submerged in lava (well, orange water). Once you fall in, you’re out. Is it high art? Absolutely not. Is it a fun watch if you need to kill some time? You bet your butt it is. — B.E.
How to watch: Floor Is Lava is now streaming on Netflix.
15. Love on the Spectrum
An American spin-off of an Australian series, the two seasons of Love on the Spectrum take a look into the specific delights and travails of dating while autistic. Doing its best to represent a wide range of experiences — prominently featuring a dating coach who is herself on the spectrum helps keep things from feeling exploitative — the show casts people with varying behaviors and lifestyles. And then goes about displaying their particular journeys, one little love story at a time. Giving sweet voice to rich and complicated lives that aren’t often showcased in this way in popular media, I’ll take a hundred shows like this over another batch of wine-slinging Housewives any day. — J.A.
How to watch: Love on the Spectrum is now streaming on Netflix.
14. The Mole
Credit: James Gourley / Netflix
Netflix’s reboot of the beloved original show is as exhilarating and suspenseful as you’d hope. In The Mole, a group of strangers work together to earn money that only one of them will get to take home. The catch? Someone in the game is “the mole,” a double agent secretly working to sabotage the group. The tension is sky-high, both because of the challenges and because (quite understandably!) none of the participants trust each other. And, at the end of each day, the group is forced to answer questions about who they think the mole is, with whoever’s furthest from the truth being sent home. It’s brutal. It’s callous. And it’s such great TV. — Y.H.
How to watch: The Mole is now streaming on Netflix.
13. The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On
Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman / Netflix © 2022
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On is trashy reality TV of the highest order. Each of the show’s six main couples is facing the same dilemma: One partner wants to get married, and the other has doubts. Now, with the help of Love Is Blind‘s Nick and Vanessa Lachey, these 12 people will test their commitments to each other… by breaking up and choosing new partners. Honestly, it’s a train wreck disguised as an experiment to find your true love. But you know what they say about train wrecks: You can’t look away. And you certainly can’t look away from the mess that is The Ultimatum. — B.E.
How to watch: The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Married at First Sight
Everything old is new again! Taking us back to ye olde days of arranged marriages, this long-running series pairs up total strangers who agree to get married based on the decisions of relationship experts. And then the series follows them for eight weeks as they get to know each other, to see if the so-called experts know what’s up or are, dare I say, up their own asses. And seeing as how the show has, after 17 seasons, a success rate of around 16% I’d say they’re pretty firmly planted in the latter.
But that doesn’t rob us the viewers of entertainment value! After all, people who’d sign up for this show already seem like big bundles of red flags, so why not toss them at each other like the romantic version of gladiators in Ancient Rome? In like lions, out like delicious Christians. — J.A.
How to watch: Married at First Sight is now streaming on Netflix.
11. Blown Away
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
In the back-breaking world of glass arts, the stakes couldn’t be higher. One wrong move and an award-winning masterpiece can become worthless shards. For the competitors in Blown Away, the pressure is on to nail weekly challenges and progress closer to the coveted title of “Best in Glass.” There’s screaming, there’s crying, and there’s a whole bunch of people casually saying “glory hole,” all next to a 2,000-degree furnace. — A.F.
How to watch: Blown Away is now streaming on Netflix.
10. Fastest Car
Man, f*ck the rich. In this Netflix auto-racing series, owners of luxury supercars go up against “sleeper cars” (older models improved by skilled gearheads) in a quarter-mile race for a chance at the season championship.
It’s high speed and high intrigue as viewers guess which racer will reign supreme. Trust me when I say, even if you’re not “into” racing, nothing beats a 1992 Honda Civic stomping a Lamborghini. — A.F.
How to watch: Fastest Car is now streaming on Netflix.
9. Rhythm + Flow
Credit: Eddy Chen / Netflix
Netflix’s first original music competition show is basically American Idol, but waaay more badass.
Celebrity judges T.I., Chance the Rapper, and Cardi B (with help from guests including Snoop Dogg, DJ Khaled, and Ty Dolla $ign) scout the cities of Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago in hopes of discovering raw talent in the world of hip-hop. The criticism is excellent, albeit occasionally vicious, and the good performances are really, really good.
Buckle up, pick a favorite, and see who wins the $250,000 grand prize. — A.F.
How to watch: Rhythm + Flow is now streaming on Netflix.
8. Death by Magic
Magician Drummond Money-Coutts (aka “DMC”) takes his job very seriously. An escape artist with decades of experience, DMC knows all too well how stunts and tricks can go wrong. In his Netflix series Death by Magic, the daredevil illusionist takes on feats with a proven track record of killing those who attempt them. The result is a fist-clenching, teeth-grinding fiasco as utterly nerve-racking as it is impressive.
Not interested in watching a dude almost die? You can also check out former Cupcake Wars host Justin Willman’s show Magic for Humans, also on Netflix. — A.F.
How to watch: Death by Magic is now streaming on Netflix.
7. Love Is Blind
Credit: Adrian S. Burrows Sr. / Netflix
Love Is Blind combines the best of Dating in the Dark, Bachelor in Paradise, and Married at First Sight with just a sprinkle of Trading Spaces and Say Yes to the Dress.
As hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey explain, the matchmaking experiment begins with a pool of contestants getting to know each other via “pods,” adjoining rooms where they can talk to their hearts’ content but never see who they’re dating. If they agree to get engaged, the participants are allowed to meet face-to-face — where both their personalities and appearances can shine. Then, mayhem ensues. Weddings are planned, hearts are broken, and dental hygiene is discussed. Swoon. — A.F.
How to watch: Love Is Blind is now streaming on Netflix.
6. The Great British Baking Show
The feel-good jewel in the royal crown of cooking competition series, this long-running BBC staple gathers together a baker’s dozen of amateur bakers give or take, proceeding to then whittle down week to week based on their biscuit (that’s Brit for “cookie”) and cake-slinging skills. Hosts and judges of the show have varied over the years (with celebrity chef Paul Hollywood, who’s been a judge for the entire run, being the main exception) but one thing has stood the test of time — awash in figgy food porn and delectable accents, this is comfort viewing of the highest order. — J.A.
How to watch: The Great British Baking Show is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Physical: 100
Credit: Netflix
What is the perfect physique? That’s the question this survival-of-the-fittest show aims to answer. From bodybuilders to gymnasts and Olympic athletes, 100 participants are put to the test in grueling physical competitions that range from wrestling and racing to endurance challenges. Physical: 100 is made of pure adrenaline; it’s like watching gladiators fight in a colosseum, with one lone victor claiming a cash prize and eternal bragging rights. — Y.H.
How to watch: Physical: 100 is now streaming on Netflix.
4. Bling Empire
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Billed as the reality-show version of Crazy Rich Asians, Bling Empire delivers on the glitz and glamour of its wealthy subjects by offering a peek into their opulent lives. Pool parties, trips to Europe, shopping sprees, and closets to die for are typical rich people reality-show standards. Yet Bling Empire‘s charming cast keeps this show a cut above the rest. — A.F.
How to watch: Bling Empire is now streaming on Netflix.
3. Awake: The Million Dollar Game
So, a whole bunch of people count quarters for 24 hours. Thousands and thousands of dollars worth of quarters. No paper, no pen, no breaks, no naps. Then, the competition begins.
In Awake: The Million Dollar Game, these sleep-deprived contestants must take part in Minute to Win It-style challenges designed to exploit their exhaustion. (As an example, in Episode 1, participants are tasked with chugging frozen drinks because sleep deprivation makes you more sensitive to temperature.) There are a dozen caveats round to round, made 10 times more spectacular by just how tired everyone is. Logic goes out the window. Coordination is a no-show, and emotional stability is mixed.
Just…watch this. Episodes are 40 minutes. It’ll change your life. You’re welcome. — A.F.
How to watch: Awake: The Million Dollar Game is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Hack My Home
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
If you’re a fan of ingenious interior design, Hack My Home is right up your alley. Informed by the ways the pandemic has changed how we exist at home, Hack My Home sees a group of four brilliant designers teaming up to help reinvent someone’s living space. The key here is that Hack My Home isn’t just about making a participant’s house prettier, it’s about maximizing their space to its fullest potential — and trust me, you’ll be in awe when you see how they can transform a single room. If you ever thought a living room was just a living room, think again, because Hack My Home‘s designers have at least 10 different ways to change it into the pantry/office space/playroom of your dreams. — Y.H.
How to watch: Hack My Home is now streaming on Netflix.
1. The Real World
For some reason Netflix has two seemingly random seasons of the granddaddy of all Reality Television streaming right now — the show’s 9th season, which took place in the year 2000 and was set in New Orleans, and the show’s 16th season, which came out in 2005 and took place in Austin, Texas. Why they chose these two out of the series’ 33 total seasons I can’t tell you, but since they’re stand-out classics — the New Orleans season is my favorite of them all — I’m happy they did!
The setup, in case you’re unaware, is seven-ish strangers — always young, always hot — who’ve chosen to live in a house together while cameras film their every move. Hardly a novel conceit now — that’s the plot of half the shows on this list — but it was when it began, and no series milked more from it than MTV’s phenom did. New Orleans’ stand-outs include boisterous Melissa, religious Julie, and the gay perfection that is Danny, while Austin centers on the budding romance between Melinda and another Danny. Cue lots of drinking, lots of fights, and lots of sex, not always in that order (or kept exclusive from one another, for that matter). — J.A.
How to watch: The Real World is now streaming on Netflix.
UPDATE: Dec. 18, 2024, 4:00 p.m. EST This article was originally published Jan. 13, 2020. It has been updated with the latest streaming options.
