Reality is a beloved category of television, from highbrow to low. Thankfully,Netflixunderstands just how great this genre is, offering a wide variety of options, from their own creations to older choices to discover. So many options, in fact, that it can be hard to decide which are worth watching. To help you out, we’ve narrowed down the selections on Netflix to the best of the best. Check out our list of the best reality shows on Netflix below.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for here? Check out the bestdrama,comedy, orthrillershows on Netflix, or see our recommendations for thebest shows on the platformoverall.
Is it Cake?
Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 5.9/10
Is It Cake?
At the intersection of quirky baking shows and social media trends is the competition reality seriesIs it Cake?Hosted bySaturday Night Live’sMikey Day,Is it Cakeputs its 9 bakers to the ultimate test – can they make cake look like everyday items? In each episode, 3 of these talented bakers have to convincingly recreate things like fresh produce, handbags, and bucket hats out of cake to fool a panel of judges. The winner of the group receives a cash prize, and a bonus if they can determine which money-related object is cake.Is it Cakeis part game show, part baking competition, and a lot of fun to watch. —Brynna ArensWatch on Netflix
The Ultimatum: Queer Love
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.7/10
Netflix puts a new spin on an old classic withThe Ultimatum: Queer Love, giving audiences a new host and new expressions of love. HostJoAnna Garcia Swisher(Reba) takes over for the Lacheys to bring in a new set of couples consisting of women and non-binary partners who are ready to draw a line in the sand to determine the future of their relationship. Like the previous series, the couples spend their time dating the other contestants in mock marriages to test whether they are in the relationship because they care or just because their partner is there. The series is a refreshing take on the typically heteronormative reality dating shows and is great about showcasing the concerns of people dating in queer spaces.Watch on Netflix
Love is Blind
Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Love Is Blind
Singles who want to be loved for who they are, rather than what they look like, have signed up for a less-conventional approach to modern dating.
Claiming to be more of a social experiment than a reality dating show,Love is Blindwas built on the premise of singles getting to know each other and proposing marriage before ever seeing their potential partner. After four seasons of dramatic storylines,Love is Blindis fully woven into pop culture conversations. Featuring married couple co-hostsNick LacheyandVanessa Lachey,Love is Blindintroduces audiences to different attractive, like-minded, family-oriented young people each season before, narrowing them down to focusing on only the couples who can produce great television. Love it or hate it,Love is Blindis a trainwreck reality dating show lovers can’t turn off.– Yael TygielWatch on Netflix
Physical: 100
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.6/10
One hundred contestants in top physical shape compete in a series of grueling challenges to claim the honor - and cash reward - as the last one standing.
A South Korean response to extreme challenge competition series,Physical: 100has been compared toThe Titan Games,Special Forces, andAmerican Ninja Warrior. Created byJang Ho-gi,Physical: 100gathered a collection of one hundred diverse athletes with backgrounds ranging from weightlifters, gymnasts, and wrestlers to Olympians, special operations soldiers, and Navy SEALs. Through head-to-head individual and team challenges,Physical: 100uses a tournament structure to narrow the field, aiming to uncover the ideal human physique regardless of gender, experience, and training and hand them a cash prize.– Yael TygielWatch on Netflix
Bling Empire
IMDb: 5.8/10
Originally described as real-lifeCrazy Rich Asians,Bling Empirebegan as a fascinating look at culture, assimilation, and status. The first American series to highlight an entirely East and Southeast Asian cast,Bling Empirefocuses on a group of wealthy socialites from the Los Angeles area, and through its three seasons, the series has evolved from absurd to refreshing. Centering on a lavish and fun-loving group, including modelKevin Taejin Kreider,Christine Chiu(Dancing with the Stars),Anna Shay,and DJKim Lee,Bling Empiremanages to entertain with trashy drama while also revealing an intriguing celebration of culture.– Yael TygielWatch on Netflix
The Toys That Made Us
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.9/10
The Toys That Made Usis a fascinating documentary series where each episode dives into the history and obsession with specific toys and some of the United States’ greatest toy franchises. Created by the brilliantBrian Volk-Weiss, a thorough investigator and skilled documentarian, and playfully narrated byDonald Ian Black, the series showcases the journey from conception to cult status of iconic playthings like Barbie Dolls, LEGOs, and Professional Wrestling Action Figures. Presented across four-episode seasons with cute anecdotes and flashy, exciting graphics,The Toys That Made Uscaptivates its audience with unexpectedly interesting content.– Yael TygielWatch on Netflix
Love on the Spectrum
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.6/10
A documentary series following young adults on the autism spectrum as they explore the unpredictable world of love, dating and relationships.
Love on the Spectrumis a striking and raw docuseries about a selection of endearing young adults living on the autism spectrum who embark on dating adventures. Through these honest stories,Love on the Spectrumfollows as these individuals handle vulnerability, seeking partners, dating, and even heartbreak. Although with unique circumstances,Love on the Spectrumreveals universal truths of love and companionship. Unmasking both similarities and differences with neurotypical family members and friends,Love on the Spectrumprovides an organic view into the lives of the people it features. – Yael TygielWatch on Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Cheertook the world by storm when it premiered in 2020 – and for good reason. The show follows the cheerleading team at Navarro College in the small town of Corsicana, Texas. Led by their intense yet caring coachMonica Aldama, the school has won a record number of championships, and the series shows all that it takes to premiere for such an event. The team uses grit and determination to overcome tragic pasts and injuries and make their dreams come true. The series won several Emmys for its first season and has been nominated for three more for its second season. –Taylor GatesWatch on Netflix
My Unorthodox Life
IMDb: 5.7/10
My Unorthodox Lifefollows fashion mogulJulia Haartand her childrenBatsheva, Miriam, Shlomo,andAron.This reality series shows what their life is like since Julia left her husband and the family’s strict Orthodox Jewish community and brought her kids with her to New York City. They have all adjusted differently to life outside the community. Miriam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and embraced the world completely because she is now free to embrace her bisexuality. Batsheva, the oldest, is more hesitant because so much of her life was spent living life by incredibly specific rules. Shlomo is trying to find the balance between honoring the religious traditions he grew up with and finding his own path in religion. Aron, the youngest, splits his time between Julia and her ex-husband, who still lives in the community. Julia wants her kids to have the opportunity to find their own voice and place in the world without the predetermined roles dictated by their community.My Unorthodox Lifehas a lot of heart – it’s abundantly clear how much Julia cares about her kids – while also featuring plenty of escapism through watching their wealthy lifestyle and the growth of Julia’s fashion empire. -Brynna ArensWatch on Netflix
Selling Sunset
IMDb: 6.6/10
Selling Sunsetis a show that features beautiful homes and even more beautiful people, high price tags and even higher drama. Featuring the realtors at The Oppenheim Group in Los Angeles,Selling Sunsethas become a bit of a cultural phenomenon – and for good reason. It’s an endlessly entertaining guilty pleasure. From the rivalry between Chrishell and Christine to Davina’s struggle to sell a $75 million house, there’s never a dull moment in this soapy series.- Taylor GatesWatch on Netflix
