Hulu is home to a wide range of content. One of the most popular genres to watch on the streaming service is reality television. These programs vary in concept and quality, and some of them are incredibly easy to devote time to watching. IMDb has compiled user ratings of best reality shows on Hulu, and if fans of the genre are looking for more series to watch, these are fantastic options.
From dramatic survival series to lighthearted cooking competitions, the reality television category on Hulu has it all, giving audiences an excellent collection of shows to watch.
60 Days In (2016- ) – 7.6
In the series 60 Days In, volunteers go undercover as incarcerated individuals for sixty days, attempting to investigate potentially illegal activities occurring in the jails. Over the series’ six seasons, a few different locations have been featured as the setting of the show.
Audiences have connected with this series because it provides an inside look into the lives of many in this environment, giving faces to individuals whom society often disregards. In addition, the show aims partly to expose corruption within the prison system, adding an important layer to the premise.
The Challenge (1998- ) – 7.7
A spin-off from the shows The Real World and Road Rules, The Challenge takes contestants from reality TV, including previous seasons of The Challenge itself, and sets them against each other to compete in pursuit of the final prize. Seasons 30-32, subtitled XXX: Dirty 30, Vendettas, and Final Reckoning, respectively, are currently available on Hulu.
Filled with drama, physical competitions, and emotional moments between contestants, The Challenge ticks many boxes for fans of reality television. Some of the most iconic moments from the biggest The Challenge winners have stuck with audiences, contributing to making this series a classic that has graced screens for over twenty years.
The Ultimate Fighter (2005- ) – 7.8
The Ultimate Fighter follows competitors in the mixed martial arts field who seek to gain a contract in the UFC. They train and fight against one another for a chance at one of the few available spots. While much of the show is about the competition aspect, some of it is also dedicated to the relationships between the fighters.
Through talking heads and interactions, audiences can gain an understanding of the personalities behind the extremely violent sport. For fans of UFC who want to witness the lengths fighters go through to train, The Ultimate Fighter is a fascinating watch.
Making It (2018- )
Hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, Making It is a competition show featuring contestants who try to make the best handmade crafts possible. Throughout the season, competitors are sent home until the final person standing wins.
Currently, only Season 3 is available on Hulu, but this gives viewers a great idea of the quality of the show. With plenty of funny moments and featuring beloved hosts and judges, Making It is lighthearted, meaning it is easy viewing for anyone looking to binge-watch a new show.
The First 48 (2004- ) – 8.2
Mainly a documentary series but also featuring the actual processes of investigations, The First 48 chronicles homicide investigators’ attempts to solve cases. As the program displays, the likelihood of solving a homicide case drastically decreases if no leads are found within forty-eight hours.
As a result, this show is gripping in its premise, giving audiences a timer and making them feel the tension of the real-life situation. Also one of the best true-crime documentaries on Peacock, The First 48 gives an engrossing depiction of the efforts to bring the guilty to justice. Parts of Seasons 6-9 and Seasons 14-16 are available to stream on Hulu.
RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009- ) – 8.4
With Seasons 2-7 available on Hulu, fans of the iconic competition show can watch a large portion of the series on the streaming service. RuPaul’s Drag Race follows contestants as they compete in drag in a variety of challenges to be crowned the winner.
The show is perhaps one of the most beloved and entertaining in the reality competition subgenre, mixing various elements of performance that the judges – helmed by RuPaul and featuring a glittering array of guest stars – base their decisions on. Nearly a decade after it began Drag Race is still going strong and has inspired various spin-offs and other programs, making it incredibly influential and a must-watch for reality television fans.
Forged In Fire (2015- ) – 8.4
The competition show, Forged in Fire, centers on contestants who are experts in bladesmithing as they attempt to craft the best weapons they can. Those with the lowest-quality work are sent home, leaving only the most skilled craftspeople as the episodes go on.
For fans of bladesmithing and history alike, Forged in Fire is an exciting, fascinating series, as it features weapons from various eras and the intricate processes of crafting them. Seasons 4-5 and Season 7 are available to stream on Hulu, giving audiences a large number of episodes of the high-intensity competition series to enjoy.
Alone (2015- ) – 8.4
Alone, considered by many to be one of the best survival reality TV shows, follows contestants as they try to outlast each other in harsh environments during the winter. Certain rules have changed throughout the seasons, but the general structure has remained the same. Seasons 1-7 are currently available on Hulu, the last of which involves contestants trying to survive in an Arctic climate for one hundred days in pursuit of a million-dollar prize.
The contestants are incredibly resilient, bearing the brutal conditions and showing the determination it takes to endure. Fans of survival reality series have thoroughly enjoyed Alone since its initial release, and new viewers of the subgenre will as well.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (2012- ) – 8.5
A spin-off of the original series, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars features fan-favorite contestants from the original RuPaul’s Drag Race. Much like its parent series, All Stars involves the competitors displaying their performance talents before the judges and each other.
Seasons 1-4 are available on Hulu, and if fans of the original show want to see the return of some of their favorites, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars is an exhilarating and thoroughly enjoyable way to keep up with past contestants and see them have another chance at winning the crown.
Cooku With Comali (2019- ) – 9.6
With the first season available on Hulu, Cooku with Comali is a comedy reality series in which cooks are paired with comedians and complete tasks to get further in the competition. Since its creation, the Tamil-language series has been a massive hit.
The lack of available subtitles on Hulu keeps many viewers from experiencing the comedy in its entirety, but even so, audiences who do not speak Tamil can still enjoy Cooku with Comali through its physical humor and the fun personalities of the guests. Along with this, the competitive aspects and great food put the series alongside some of the best cooking competition shows.
