The Best Reality Dating Shows on Netflix to Stream Now liennhi

   
Sarah on 'Love is Blind'.
Sarah on 'Love is Blind'. Photo: 

Courtesy of Netflix

Reality dating shows are the ultimate blend of romance and drama.

Netflix has a bevy of intriguing titles like Love Is Blind, where singles meet and get engaged without ever seeing each other. Love Island USA has also gained massive popularity, featuring singles living in a villa and coupling up in hopes of finding love.

The Ultimatum, another fan-favorite, brings couples to a critical point, challenging them to either commit or split after dating other participants.

Whether you're in the mood for heartfelt connections, dramatic love triangles or quirky dating experiments, these shows promise to deliver entertainment and romance in spades.

Here are 13 reality dating shows to watch on Netflix now.

Love Is Blind

Amy

Courtesy of Netflix

In Love Is Blind, which first premiered in 2020, singles embark on a unique dating experiment in which they converse through walls, not seeing each other until they've established an emotional connection. Over a few weeks, these blind dates lead to blind engagements if two people connect. 

After the proposals, couples meet face-to-face, move in together and prepare for their weddings. The U.S. version of the show is hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey and follows the couple’s journey to the altar, exploring whether their emotional bonds can withstand real-world challenges.

Love Is Blind delves into themes of love, trust as well as physical attraction, making viewers question if love is truly blind. Since the U.S. version of the show, other international versions have aired, including in the U.K. and Brazil.

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On
Netflix

Also hosted by the Lacheys, The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On first aired in 2022 and brings a unique twist to the reality dating genre. The show features couples at a crossroads in their relationships, where one partner issues an ultimatum: get married or break up.

To test their bonds, couples are paired with other participants to explore new connections and perspectives on love and commitment. Over eight weeks, they navigate the complexities of their relationships, ultimately deciding whether to marry their original partner or break up.

This intense and emotional series challenges couples to confront their deepest fears and desires, with many choosing not to leave the show together.

The Ultimatum: Queer Love

The Ultimatum: Queer Love. (L to R) Tiff Der, Mildred Woody in episode 109 of The Ultimatum: Queer Love. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
The Ultimatum: Queer Love. (L to R) Tiff Der, Mildred Woody in episode 109 of The Ultimatum. 

Netflix

Expanding on the original concept of the show, The Ultimatum: Queer Love is hosted by JoAnna Garcia Swisher and follows a similar format as Marry or Move On but focuses on LGBTQ+ relationships.

This groundbreaking series premiered in 2023 and showcases a diverse cast of couples, made up of women and non-binary people, facing the same ultimatum: marry or break up. Participants are paired with new potential partners to explore different dynamics and gain clarity on their existing relationships. 

The show highlights the unique challenges and triumphs within LGBTQ+ relationships, offering a heartfelt and inclusive look at love.

Too Hot to Handle

Too Hot To Handle
Netflix

Hosted by a virtual assistant named "Lana," Too Hot to Handle first hit Netflix in 2020 and is a sizzling reality dating show that puts a twist on the traditional dating competition.

Set in a tropical paradise, a group of singles gathers with the expectation of a wild and carefree time filled with flirtation and romance. However, there's a catch: to win the $100,000 prize, they must resist all forms of physical intimacy.

As the contestants negotiate the challenges of building deeper emotional connections without physical contact, they are monitored and guided by Lana, who imposes fines on the prize money for any rule-breaking behavior. The show delves into the complexities of modern relationships, encouraging participants to form genuine bonds and confront their own emotional barriers. 

With its mix of drama, romance and personal growth, Too Hot to Handle is perfect for those who want a new show to dive into.

Dated and Related

The-best-reality-dating-shows-on-Netflix
Dated and related season 1. 

Netflix

Imagine searching for love while your sibling tags along — this is the premise of Dated and Related.

Hosted by Melinda Berry, who was a contestant on Too Hot to Handle, this Netflix series premiered in 2022 and takes the dating game to a new level by inviting sibling pairs to take on the complex world of romance together. 

The show is set in a luxurious villa and mixes family dynamics with the quest for love. As siblings offer advice and sometimes meddle in each other’s romantic pursuits, the show provides a fresh perspective on dating. The interactions between siblings add an extra layer of complication, making for an engaging and entertaining watch.

Sexy Beasts

The-best-reality-dating-shows-on-Netflix
Sexy beasts. 

Netflix

In Sexy Beasts, dating takes on a whole new dimension. Hosted by Rob Delaney, this inventive series was originally a British TV dating show that was rebooted and premiered on Netflix in 2021 and transforms singles into extravagant animal-like characters using top-tier prosthetics, ensuring that attraction based on physicality alone is off the table.

The contestants then embark on dates in these disguises, making for hilariously awkward and surprisingly genuine interactions.

The show's unique twist aims to emphasize personality and emotional connection over appearances. Each episode features new singles and creative disguises, keeping the intrigue and entertainment levels high.

Dating Around

Dating Around / Gurki
Dating Around. 

Gurki/Netflix

Each episode in Dating Around spotlights one single person who goes on five blind dates, creating an authentic and often unpredictable dating experience. The show, which began in 2019, focuses on genuine interactions, capturing the excitement, chemistry and sometimes awkward moments of first dates. 

The series stands out for its stylish, cinematic presentation and diverse cast, reflecting the variety of modern dating experiences. Hosted without a traditional narrator, viewers are left to interpret the dynamics between the participants, making the viewing experience more immersive. 

By the end of each episode, the featured single chooses one date for a second outing, but it’s quite the journey to get there.

Love on the Spectrum

David and Abbey in Love On The Spectrum

Courtesy of Netflix

Love on the Spectrum offers an insightful look into the experiences of "people on the autism spectrum," as they "look for love and navigate the changing world of dating and relationships," according to a synopsis of the show.

The series, which first premiered in 2019, follows young adults in the autism community as they explore the complexities of romance, showcasing both their joys and struggles in a compassionate and empowering way. 

The show has been praised by fans for breaking down stereotypes and fostering greater understanding through its respectful portrayal of its participants. The series combines humor and genuine emotion, making it a must-watch for those seeking an enlightening perspective on love.

The U.S. version of the show was preceded by Love on the Spectrum: Australia, which premiered in 2019.

Single’s Inferno

Single’s Inferno
Single’s Inferno. 

Netflix

Singles Inferno first hit Netflix in 2021 and takes reality dating to a new level, setting the stage on a deserted island where singles are left to mingle and form connections.

This Korean dating show challenges participants to survive the heat, both literally and figuratively, as they seek to find love in an environment designed to test their resilience.

Participants can only escape the island for luxurious "paradise" dates if they successfully pair up, adding an intriguing twist.

Perfect Match

Jessica Vestal, Harry Jowsey

Courtesy of Netflix

In Perfect Match, which premiered in 2023, contestants from various popular Netflix reality series such as Too Hot to Handle, Love Is Blind and Dated & Related, come together to compete in romantic challenges.

Hosted by Nick Lachey, the show tests the compatibility of these singles as they form relationships and face different tasks designed to reveal their true connections.

Throughout the show, contestants must navigate the complexities of love and attraction, with each episode ending in a dramatic elimination. The couples who prove to be the most compatible get the chance to stay in the luxurious "Perfect Match" villa, while others risk being sent home.

Indian Matchmaking

Indian Matchmaking. (L to R) Viral and Aashay in Indian Matchmaking. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
Indian Matchmaking. (L to R) Viral and Aashay in Indian Matchmaking. 

Netflix

Navigating the intersection of tradition and modernity, Indian Matchmaking delves into the world of arranged marriages with a contemporary twist. The show, which began in 2020, follows Sima Taparia, a renowned matchmaker, as she assists clients in India and the United States in their quest for love.

Taparia uses her extensive network and years of expertise to balance cultural expectations, family influences and individual preferences, suggesting potential partners who might be a perfect fit.

The series offers a candid and often humorous look at the matchmaking process, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of finding love within the framework of traditional customs.

Love Island USA

The-best-reality-dating-shows-on-Netflix
Love Island USA. 

Netflix

Love Island USA brings the wildly popular British dating show format to America. Set in an idyllic villa, singles — known as Islanders — must couple up to avoid elimination and have a shot at the cash prize.

Throughout their stay, Islanders face various challenges and "recouplings" — where pairings are changed up in the villa — that test their relationships and spark drama.

The show is known for its engaging format in which viewers can influence the outcome by voting on their favorite couples. Hosted by Arielle Vandenberg and later, Ariana Madix, the series has captivated audiences with its blend of romance, humor and unexpected twists.

Married at First Sight

The-best-reality-dating-shows-on-Netflix
Married at First Sight. 

Netflix

Taking a risky approach to finding love, Lifetime’s Married at First Sight brings together singles who agree to marry a complete stranger chosen by a panel of matchmaking experts. Though the show has counterparts across the globe, the U.S. version first aired in 2014.

The current host of U.S. Married at First Sight is Kevin Frazier, who guides the couples through their journey. The panel includes relationship experts like Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Calvin Roberson and Dr. Viviana Coles, who all provide insights and support to the couples throughout the process.

The show follows the couples from their wedding day through their honeymoon and the early days of married life, resulting in a decision about whether to stay together or get a divorce.

This reality series offers an in-depth look at the highs and lows of arranged marriages, capturing the emotional experience of each couple as they journey through uncharted territory together.