Top 10 Netflix Original Reality Shows

Cooking competition shows are extremely popular, and in 2018 Netflix released a high brow take on the genre that put chefs from different backgrounds into teams of two. In each episode, the focus is on the cuisine of a specific country, forcing the chefs to get creative and leave their comfort zones. But these are no home cooks; they’re definitely pros and the dishes they create are next level when it comes to presentation. In the end, the chefs have to compete as individuals against one another, but don’t worry we won’t tell you how it turns out.

In 2019, Netflix had a Valentine’s Day present for all the lonely hearts out there: a new dating show with an interesting format that marked the streaming service’s first foray into the genre. All six episodes of the show were released at once, with each one focusing on a different single person as they went on blind dates. What set this show apart though was the diversity of the people involved, with different ages, races and sexual orientations all being represented. Fans of the show will be happy to know that in 2020 Netflix confirmed that another season is in the pipeline!

What’s not to love about the opportunity to ogle some expensive Los Angeles real estate? There have been plenty of high end real estate shows in the past, but this one focuses more on the drama between the agents and less on the actual practicalities of buying and selling houses. “Selling Sunset” focuses on real estate brokerage firm the Oppenheim Group, and its latest incoming agent, Chrishell Stause, who you might recognize from her acting roles. The other women don’t take her under their wings as much as she might like and she faces an uphill battle to make it work in this new position.

We’ve all experienced trying to make something we saw online only to find ourselves in an epic fail situation. This show capitalizes on the hilarity of those disasters, and asks inexperienced contestants to try to match high concept baking creations- despite the fact that they have no idea what they’re doing. “Nailed It!” isn’t a show that takes itself seriously, and the contestants are usually good sports about just how awful their cakes turn out to be. The series also does crossovers with other popular Netflix personalities, like when they featured the Fab Five on one episode.

Marie Kondo became a global sensation after her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” was released. Her KonMari method of organizing one’s possessions caused many of us to ditch old clothes that no longer sparked joy. In 2019, she got her own Netflix show, where she helps families who need assistance with their overcrowded homes. Kondo has a calming presence that gives this series a very different vibe from shows like “Hoarders,” and it’s the perfect thing to binge-watch when you need inspiration to clean up your apartment.

Netflix sure knows how to hook us. The concept for “Love is Blind” may seem ridiculous, but once you start watching we promise you won’t be able to look away. The idea is that singles are set up to meet one another, speed dating style, but the catch is that they aren’t able to actually see one another. Sure, that’s an interesting twist on your average dating show, but this one raises the stakes and gives the dudes the opportunity to propose just days after first meeting their potential spouses. But it’s only AFTER a proposal is made that they get to see each other. You might want to clear your calendar so you can binge this all in one go.

The idea behind “The Circle” revolves around the fact that no one can ever really know who they’re talking to online. Netflix borrowed the concept from a British show, also called “The Circle”. How it works is that contestants are set up in separate, isolated apartments but are able to communicate with one another using The Circle, a network that allows them to change their identities and present themselves however they want, in an effort to make their fellow players like them. The prize for being the most popular is a whopping $100,000, so you know this crew is giving it their all.

If you love “Queer Eye’s” resident fashion guru Tan France, then you’ll definitely want to check out this show, which premiered in 2020. France teams up with the ultimate influencer, Alexa Chung for this reality competition show. “Next in Fashion” is kind of like an update on “Project Runway”, where designers are working towards a $250,000 prize and an opportunity to design a collection for Net-a-Porter. The show features plenty of beautiful sartorial looks as well as interesting celebrity judges from the industry, like Monique Lhuillier, Adriana Lima and Tommy Hilfiger.

At the beginning of 2020, it seemed like every single person in the world was glued to their laptops watching docuseries “Cheer”. This Netflix original focuses on the Navarro College Bulldogs Cheer Team as they work towards competing in Daytona, Florida. The show gives a brutal inside look at how rigorous the sport of cheerleading can be, as viewers bear witness to terrifying stunts and the inevitable injuries that come along with them. Head coach Monica Aldama takes her leadership role seriously, and won’t let these kids slack off for a single second.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Ultimate Beastmaster” (2017-18)

“Sugar Rush” (2018-)

“Amazing Interiors” (2018-)

“Styling Hollywood” (2019-)

“Dancing Queen” (2018-)

Netflix created a whole new Fab Five when they launched their reboot of “Queer Eye” in 2018. Since then, the five guys have become a beloved pop culture phenomenon. This iteration of the show is less about the practical aspects of the makeover, and more about the guys actually getting to know their charges and changing their lives in more profound ways. While they do still redecorate their homes and give them a new wardrobe, they also break down deep seated issues that these people may have been struggling with for years. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry, and you won’t be able to stop until you’ve seen every episode.