Entertainment

9.7k voters

The Best Reality Competition Series

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated April 29, 2021 63.7k votes 9.7k voters 416.7k views126 items

List RulesVote up your favorite reality shows with a competitive game angle. No quiz shows or traditional game shows.

These are best reality TV competition series, ranked by fans and critics. Reality shows are among the most-watched programs on TV, and they are easy to produce due to their low production costs, lack of staff, and quick turn-around. Early programs like Survivor and Big Brother gained international audiences who loved watching real people compete for money and fame. High-pressure situations, 24/7 filming, and clashing personalities ensured frequent drama and excitement as alliances and enemies were created and destroyed.

In recent years, more generic reality competition shows have given way to more specialized contests. Dance competition series range from So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars to Dance Moms. Travel shows are favorites, as are fashion competitions, talent and singing shows - from American Idol to The Voice to The X Factor - which are consistently among the highest rated programs on TV - ever.

In that spirit, it's time to get competitive. Vote for your favorite reality competition shows to move them up the list. You can also customize and rank your own list by clicking Rerank. Then, check out which reality shows are airing new episodes in 2020.

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1
2,892
1,137
Survivor
Jeff Probst
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2
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The Amazing Race
Phil Keoghan
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3
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The Challenge
T.J. Lavin, Johnny 'Bananas' Devenanzio
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4
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Big Brother
Julie Chen, Phil Proctor
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5
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Hell's Kitchen
Gordon Ramsay, Jean Philippe Susilovic
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6
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Face Off
McKenzie Westmore
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7
642
266
American Ninja Warrior
Matt Iseman, Jenn Brown
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8
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Project Runway
Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum
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9
617
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Ink Master
Dave Navarro, Chris Nunez
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10
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Chopped
Ted Allen, Alex Guarnaschelli
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11
1,607
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RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul, Michelle Visage
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12
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The Voice
Adam Levine, Blake Shelton
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13
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America's Next Top Model
Adrianne Curry, Yoanna House
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14
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Top Chef
Emeril Lagasse, Gail Simmons
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15
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The Great British Bake Off
Sue Perkins, Mel Giedroyc
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16
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The Circle
Michelle Buteau
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17
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Whodunnit?
Gildart Jackson
18
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Cupcake Wars
Candace Nelson, Florian Bellanger
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19
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Fear Factor
Joe Rogan
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20
176
169
Iron Chef
Masaharu Morimoto, Hiroyuki Sakai

21
108
68
Nailed It!
Nicole Byer, Jacques Torres
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22
150
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Solitary
Steven Gee, Nikki Knight
23
282
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The Great Food Truck Race
Tyler Florence
24
343
384
Cake Boss
Buddy Valastro
25
125
112
MasterChef Australia
Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris

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