Each of the reality shows on this list—which is curated by reality blurred editor and TV critic Andy Dehnart—represents the genre of reality TV at its finest: artfully crafted entertainment that focuses on real-life drama among real people, whether they’re living their lives or playing a game in an artificial context.
The reality TV shows here are the best of the best.
Links will guide you to full reviews of each series and reality blurred’s coverage of the show, and most importantly, point you to where you can watch, binge-watch, and/or buy the series. (Some of those may be affiliate links that will send a few cents back to reality blurred to support its mission to cover the best of reality TV.)
The best reality shows ever
Anderson Cooper hosts a game of immersive puzzles and deceitful relationships filmed in beautiful European locations.
In a show similar to Project Greenlight, two filmmakers created movies using the same script. A beautifully shot and dramatic look at the creative process.
The Great British Bake-Off is a charming, supportive competition with an abundance of puns and warmth but none of the annoyances of most cooking competitions. Absolutely flawless.
The first season of this social and physical game of survival changed U.S. broadcast television, establishing the template for character-driven, cinematic competition.
recaps of every Survivor Borneo episode | stories about Survivor
A real-life Downton Abbey, with ordinary people living as if they were in Edwardian England.
Manor House review | stories about living history reality TV
Nailed It! is a celebration of trying and failing, and America's signature baking competition. Hosted by Nicole Byer, whose brilliant improvisational wit is a joy to watch, the show hilariously sends up cooking competitions while breaking the fourth wall.
Real people enter an immersive fictional fantasy world to compete—not for prizes, but for themselves.
A high-tension thriller in which activists fight against whalers and their own inexperience.
A detailed and riveting investigation into the conviction of a man convicted of—or was he framed for?—murder.
The first modern reality series put seven strangers in a house together and edited their lives into a soap opera. The first three seasons—New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco—are must-watch, while anything through season 9 is classic Real World.
The seven strangers that began the reality TV phenomenon returned for a reunion that explored how prescient some of them were, how much the show affected their lives, and how much they've changed—or not.
review of The Real World Homecoming and The Challenge All-Stars | stories about The Real World Homecoming