20 Best Reality TV Dating Shows

Summary

• Reality TV dating shows have evolved from game shows to high-production stories, showcasing compelling relationships.
• The Bachelor franchise paved the way for popular dating shows like Love Is Blind and Married At First Sight.
• New concepts like The Ultimatum and MILF Manor offer unique twists, diversifying the reality TV dating genre.

Reality TV dating series have come a long way since they first took over the pop culture sphere. While reality TV dating started out as an entirely different concept with dating-style game shows in the 70s and 80s, reality TV began to become part of the cultural conversation in the 90s and took over in the early 2000s. While reality TV has become a normal part of our day-to-day lives, the shows that started it all felt controversial and overwhelming at the time, changing the way society spoke about dating, love, and relationships.

As the 90s and 00s style of reality TV came to be more popular, reality TV dating shows became more abundant. In the early 2000s, The Bachelor became the most popular reality TV dating show of all time. Bringing together contestants and a lead for a production on scale with major motion pictures, The Bachelor proved that higher production value could make reality TV more popularized. Moving forward, many reality TV shows took their lead from the ABC phenomenon.

With The Bachelor and its spin-off show, The Bachelorette, bringing in viewers, other networks began to test the waters of reality TV dating. Shows like Rock Of Love, Flavor Of Love, and Blind Date took over and saturated the market as reality TV dating became commonplace. As reality TV producers began to realize that normal people were as interesting, if not more interesting, as stars, things began to change for the genre.

Though reality TV dating took a moment to catch on, the shows that have entered the market in the last few years have been more complicated and more exciting than ever before. With shows that push the limits of boundaries for participants, stronger couples with more connection than ever have formed on reality TV dating shows. With shows like Love Is Blind and Married At First Sight keeping strangers in the game, other shows like The Ultimatum bring couples into the mix.

As new concepts are being brought to network TV and streaming platforms all the time, the reality TV dating landscape is one of the most diverse in the genre. Bringing together dating and competition shows in some circumstances and binding docu-series style shows along with dating series in others, there are shows for anyone to find interesting. With something for everyone to divulge in, reality TV dating shows have a concept for everyone. Here are the top 20 reality TV dating shows.

20 The Bachelorette

21 Seasons

The Bachelorette is a spin-off of the most popular dating series of all time, The Bachelor, that puts a woman in control of her own journey. While The Bachelor has been on the air since 2002, the first season of The Bachelorette didn’t air until the following year, putting Trista Sutter (née Rehn) in the hot seat for the very first time. After finding love with Ryan Sutter, it was clear that the formula worked well for both reality TV and matchmaking purposes.

Typically more successful than its predecessor, The Bachelorette has made some incredibly strong couples who have gone on to change the landscape of reality TV. Trista and Ryan have made countless reality TV appearances since their inaugural season on the series. The Bachelorette season 12’s lead JoJo Fletcher and her now-husband Jordan Rodgers met on the series and have since produced their own reality TV show. The currently airing season, The Bachelorette season 21, features the first Asian American lead, Jenn Tran.

19 Love Is Blind

6 Seasons

A Netflix original series, Love Is Blind has been able to bring the idea of anonymous matchmaking to the reality TV dating landscape. Premiering in 2020 just months before the COVID-19 pandemic caused a global lockdown, the series was able to capitalize on the fact that their participation had used isolation to their advantage. Putting contestants into pods and having them essentially speed date in order to get to know each other, Love Is Blind brought the idea of falling in love sight unseen to the forefront.

Throughout Love Is Blind’s run, there have been some incredibly successful matches and some incredibly devastating ones. Those who are still married after Love Is Blind have credited the experiment to their success, sharing that they were able to build an emotional foundation so strong that their relationship could surpass any issue they may find themselves up against. With Love Is Blind season 7 coming soon, the series is well worth a binge-watch.

18 Married At First Sight

17 Seasons

Created by the same team as the producers behind Love Is Blind, Married At First Sight uses a similar element of anonymity, but allows participants to see each other before they commit. Married At First Sight, the American version of a Dutch series by the same name, brings together two strangers who have been matched by a panel of experts and asks them to commit to each other without any preamble, the participants getting married on the spot. MAFS couples are then given two months to try out their relationship and see if they want to stay married or divorce.

While Married At First Sight has produced some wonderful couples who never would’ve met without the show, there have also been a few dangerous matches made by the series. With some of the most controversial reality TV stars coming from MAFS, the show has had to explain itself time and time again with the actions of their cast members coming into question. As viewers get ready for Married At First Sight season 18, there are still 17 seasons available to binge to get used to the show’s formula.

17 Too Hot To Handle

6 Seasons

Another Netflix original series, Too Hot To Handle brings together a group of conventionally attractive singles and asks them to do something inherently against their nature: abstain from physical contact of any kind. The cast members of Too Hot To Handle are self-described players, often sharing their stories of hookups gone wrong and emotions ignored, craving the physicality of a relationship rather than the emotional connection. The singles on Too Hot To Handle have typically been unaware of the series they were signing up for, instead believing they’d be joining a typical reality TV dating show.

Instead, the Too Hot To Handle singles find themselves at a retreat hosted by Lana, a cone-shaped robot who gives them the rules of the retreat and informs them that any breach in the rules will cost them significant funds. As Too Hot To Handle’s competition continues, the singles are able to match up with each other and take part in therapeutic, intimate workshops to help them accept emotional connections into their lives. The series recently released Too Hot To Handle season 6, which revamps the game after years of a similar format.

16 The Bachelor

28 Seasons

As the predecessor to the aforementioned The Bachelorette, The Bachelor was one of the first reality TV dating shows to hit the mainstream. Beginning in 2002, The Bachelor has consistently brought fairy-tale romance to the forefront with each season of the series. On the show, the titular Bachelor is able to get to know a group of 20-30 women who are interested in dating him, making weekly eliminations as he finds himself connecting with some women over others.

While some Bachelor leads have met the loves of their life on the show, others have been left broken hearted, and others have simply found themselves without a connection on the series. Each Bachelor lead has been different, though some do wind up being compared in the media, and each of their journeys has been unique. With The Bachelor season 28 leaving Joey Graziadei engaged to Kelsey Anderson, the next season of the series may have an ending unlike any other.

15 The Ultimatum

3 Seasons

A franchise of its own, Netflix’s The Ultimatum: Marry Or Move On and The Ultimatum: Queer Love shine a spotlight on relationships that are at a breaking point. Couples on the series must break up and commit to a trial marriage with another participant, creating a new couple that will either help them move into a better relationship or help them to realize that they want to be with their original partner. After the trial marraiges end, the original couples get back together to see how their relationship has changed.

While The Ultimatum can be somewhat confusing for those used to a standard reality TV dating show, the shows are a fascinating look at the way couples function when put under pressure. The Ultimatum: Marry Or Move On has two seasons, while The Ultimatum: Queer Love only has one season thus far, but the entry into LGBTQIA+ stories on reality TV has been a much-needed change. With several couples coming out of The Ultimatum ready to commit, the series is a refreshing change of pace.

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  The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On

  The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On is a reality television series where couples face a critical decision about their future. Each couple must decide to either get married or part ways after being exposed to potential new partners in a controlled social experiment. This emotional journey, hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, challenges participants to confront their relationship issues and examine their compatibility.

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  The Ultimatum: Queer Love

  The Ultimatum: Queer Love is a Netflix reality series that follows five different couples nearly ready to tie the knot – with one partner ready to walk down the aisle, and the other uncertain about their future. The show splits the couples apart for eight weeks and pairs them off with others who may have a strong connection with to see if they’re ready to get married or move on.

14 MILF Manor

2 Seasons

A controversial reality TV dating series, MILF Manor season 1 took viewers by storm with its premise, then reeled them in with its unique, eye-opening series. MILF Manor brings together a group of women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond to look for love with younger men, but during the first season, it wasn’t revealed that the objects of their affection were going to be their sons. Each participants son, who are in their teens, 20s, and 30s, are part of the cast, hoping to match up with one of the older women.

After the first season of MILF Manor was a major hit with the reality TV dating audience, the series was renewed for a second season that would change the game entirely. MILF Manor season 2 has changed the game for the contestants, bringing in younger men as well as an older crowd to vie for the womens’ affections. While the twist may not be working for some viewers, the heart of MILF Manor hasn’t been lost between its first two seasons.

13 Love Island USA

6 Seasons

A spin-off of the original Love Island UK, the American version of the series has taken the states by storm for the past several summers. Love Island USA has the same premise as the UK version, bringing together a large group of sexy singles who are looking for love in a Fijian villa. Though the first three seasons were on CBS, the last three seasons of the series have been streamed on Peacock to some incredible success, bringing in an incredible amount of viewers for the season.

After moving to Peacock, Love Island USA changed the series a bit, bringing in actor Sarah Hyland to host the series and shifting gears to a bit more of an online format. Love Island USA season 6 brought Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix in to host the series, giving it a more personal touch and creating a major must-see element to the show. Now that Love Island USA season 6 has saved the series, another season will certainly be on the horizon.

12 Bachelor In Paradise

9 Seasons

Another Bachelor Nation series, Bachelor In Paradise has become one of the most fun reality TV dating series on the air. Taking a more Love Island style approach to reality TV dating, Bachelor In Paradise brings together those who didn’t make it to the end of their own Bachelor Nation show (along with some who have and ultimately left their relationships) and puts them up in an idyllic Mexican resort. The contestants must couple up and try to find a genuine match through all of the drama of Bachelor Nation.

Although Bachelor In Paradise season 9 wasn’t the best the series had to offer, many have felt that the show is actually the best in Bachelor Nation overall. Bringing together contestants who may never have met otherwise, the series has created some of the longest-lasting couples in Bachelor Nation. With Bachelor In Paradise season 10 having finally been renewed, now’s the perfect time to get caught up with the long-running series.

11 The Courtship

1 Seasons

The Courtship, a Hulu reality TV dating series, is a series that brings the Bridgerton-style of romance to the 21st century. A leading lady and her suitors were tasked with finding romance in the style of Regency era customs. Nicole Rémy and her cast of suitors had to participate in traditional activities, like Regency era games, traditional hand-written love letters, and courting via dance.

Setting The Courtship apart further from the rest of the reality TV dating world, Nicole’s family was brought in to consult about her matches. Giving the participants an experience of a lifetime, The Courtship was a fascinating look at old-style customs mixed with modern era participants. While there’s only one season of the series, it’s well worth the watch and has viewers hopeful that they’ll see another season of The Courtship in the future.

10 Temptation Island

5 Seasons

A long-running reality TV dating series, Temptation Island has always been one of the most scandalous series in the reality dating world. Bringing together several different couples who feel their relationship is on the brink of splintering, Temptation Island separates the partners and puts them into villas with groups of singles of the opposite sex. Seeing if they’ll give into the ultimate temptation or find themselves loyal to their partners, the series documents both sides of the relationship.

While Temptation Island was a standout of the early 2000s, the series was ultimately canceled because of how scandalous the premise was to viewers at the time. Making a return in the 2020s, Temptation Island has been able to find some incredible participants who are hopeful that through the experience, they’ll find clarity in their relationships. Despite some Temptation Island couples breaking up, the series has helped its casts find their way.

9 Farmer Wants A Wife

2 Seasons

Along the same lines of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, Farmer Wants A Wife is a fascinating dating series that brings groups of women together to date the titular farmer. While the women are typically a bit more city-minded than the lead farmers, they’re hopeful that they’ll make a connection with someone who’s looking for a serious relationship. The Bachelor style series has a few key differences in the way it builds connections for the lead and conetestants.

While The Bachelor and its spin-off shows offer dates that the lead and contestants can go on, the contestants on Farmer Wants A Wife typically have to compete to prove they can handle the pressures of farm life in order to get to know the famer better. With two seasons of the series available to binge, Farmer Wants A Wife season 2 expanded the series by bringing in multiple leads and trying to diversify the competition a bit.

8 The Golden Bachelor

1 Season

The Golden Bachelor, the most recent spin-off of The Bachelor, took Bachelor Nation by storm when it premiered in late 2023. A long-awaited spin-off, the series brought Gerry Turner and a group of charismatic women to the Bachelor Mansion in order to try and find love for their second act. Gerry, a widower who hails from Indiana, was open about the fact that his plan to spend the rest of his life with his late wife had been shattered, and he was open to falling in love again.

While Gerry and his cast of women didn’t have quite as long as other Bachelor series couples to get to know each other, the unique brand of authenticity that came out of The Golden Bachelor is what made the series work. The show was effective because of the sincerity it semeed Gerry had with his contestants, and the relationships the women were able to build with each other. While there have been some scandals post-show, The Golden Bachelor is still definitely a must-watch.

7 Perfect Match

2 Seasons

Bringing together stars from across the Netflix reality TV universe, Perfect Match pairs singles who may never have met to see if they can form a genuine romantic bond. Perfect Match hosts contestants from shows like Too Hot To Handle, along with competition series like Squid Game: The Challenge. The contestants get to know one another in a controlled environment and compete in compatibility challenges to test their connection.

The matched-up couples can be tested by winners of the compatibility challenges, as they have the power to bring singles into the mix to try and throw couples off by making new matches. With a strategic side to the series, there are several different ways to approach Perfect Match. The series offers a unique mix of competition and romance to bring a whole new style of game to the table.

6 FBoy Island

3 Seasons

FBOY Island, which has jumped networks during its 3 season run, combines a dating reality show with an investigative competition, creating one of the most charismatic, funny shows in the genre. Hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, FBOY Island features three women wading through a group of 24 men, trying to figure out who the nice guys are among the f-boys. Nice guys are seeking a genuine relationship, while f-boys are looking for a casual fun fling.

The first two seasons of the series were on MAX, but the show jumped to The CW for its third season in 2023. The series hasn’t become a staple of reality TV dating yet, but it’s one of the smartest shows in the genre with the amount of detective work that the women have to find genuine matches. A spin-off series, FGIRL Island, has been announced and seems to be in the works on The CW.

5 90 Day Fiancé

10 Seasons

Although it has several spin-offs that feature some new and some familiar faces, the original 90 Day Fiancé is still one of the most compelling shows in reality TV dating show history. The series follows the journeys of couples who have received their K-1 visa and are trying to marry before the 90-day limit expires. While some couples are well acquainted and ready to get married, most struggle to find themselves ready to take the plunge as they come to understand who they’ll be spending their lives with.

While 90 Day Fiancé began as a docu-style series that showed off the relationships between US citizens and their non-US-born significant others, things have changed with the series as it’s grown. Now, the 90 Day Fiancé boasts several spin-off series that cover all sorts of issues, including a US citizen immigrating to another country for love, and what happens after the 90 days if a couple successfully marries. 90 Day Fiancé can be a major commitment, but it’s worth the time.

4 Single’s Inferno

3 Seasons

Netflix’s Single’s Inferno is originally a South Korean series that was brought to Netflix in 2021, making waves with its exciting premise and fun cast of stars. The series sees a group of singles stuck on an island with bare-bones supplies and unpleasant conditions, but they know they have a way out. If the singles can couple up with another single for the night, they’ll leave the island and go to another island with food, shelter, and amenities.

Some of the stars of Single’s Inferno have been part of reality TV phenomena before, as the South Korean reality TV market typically invites stars back to appear in different series. While there are some familiar faces on Single’s Inferno, others are new to reality TV and don’t always understand the game as well. With stars like Lee Gwan-hee, a professional basketball player in Korea, the series is exciting to watch.

3 Are You The One?

9 Seasons

Although it’s been a few years since a new season has aired, Are You The One? is one of the most compelling reality TV dating series on the air. AYTO is similar to Perfect Match in that it asks its singles to couple up and compete together, inviting the winning couples to mix up the game by shifting the couples around. The AYTO couples are all meant to have one perfect match in the house, but their match isn’t revealed until the end of the game.

Having fed some major Challenge stars into the competitive MTV series like Tori Deal and Devin Walker, AYTO offers up some incredibly dramatic moments, as well as some incredibly romantic ones. Having succeeded in creating some lasting coupes, Are You The One has been able to put some incredible couples together. The series has nine seasons, with one of them being an exciting all-stars style season.

2 The Boyfriend

1 Season

Netflix’s The Boyfriend is Japan’s first-ever same-sex dating series, and it’s been breaking all kinds of ground since its debut. The series brings nine men together to live in a luxurious beach-front house right outside of Tokyo. While the show is suspenseful, making it hard to figure out who will fall in love throughout the season, it’s the most realistic dating show on the air as the participants have to reveal their feelings for other guys on the show outright, without any reality TV conventions.

The Boyfriend is modeled after Terrace House, another Japanese reality TV series that doubles as a social experiment much like Big Brother and The Real World. While The Boyfriend is focused more on finding love, it has complex social dynamics that help the participants navigate each interaction. With its first season wrapping up, it’s the perfect time to indulge in The Boyfriend.

1 Love On The Spectrum

2 Seasons

As one of the most in-depth reality TV dating shows on Netflix, Love On The Spectrum focuses on dating for those with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and the complications they deal with. While ASD can come in many forms, one of the basic issues that those with the disorder face are issues in navigating social situations. This can make something like dating incredibly difficult, which is what makes Love On The Spectrum a fascinating series.

Watching the love stories between the cast members blossom is nearly always sweet, sometimes frustrating, and sometimes helpful to understanding the way others think. While the majority of the couples who have been featured on the series are no longer together, one of the most popular couples, Abbey Lutes & David Isaacman, are currently engaged. Love On The Spectrum season 3 will likely bring new couples into the mix of the series.

Source: Netflix/Instagram