Top Gear
Top Gear
Ended(2002– )
#1Score 8.68138.4k IMDb votes
The hosts talk about everything car-related. From new cars to how they're fueled, this show has it all.
Ranked
Best Reality-TV Shows of the 2000s
Genre
MythBusters 2003
MythBusters 2003
Ended
#2Score 8.2657k IMDb votes
A weekly documentary in which two Hollywood special effects experts attempt to debunk urban legends by directly testing them.
Man vs Wild
Man vs Wild
Ended
#3Score 8.0324.1k IMDb votes
Bear Grylls travels the world in search of challenges to his survival skills.
The First 48
The First 48
Ongoing(2004– )
#4Score 7.914.9k IMDb votes
The series follows detectives during the hours immediately following a homicide.
Deadliest Catch
UpdatedDeadliest Catch
Ongoing(2005– )
#5Score 7.7010.1k IMDb votes
A documentary series chronicling the real-life high-sea adventures of the Alaskan crab fishermen. This is the most deadly profession in the world.
Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs
Ended
#6Score 7.6210.1k IMDb votes
Follows the exploits of Mike Rowe as he performs various dirty and dangerous jobs around the USA.
Top Chef
Top Chef
Ongoing(2006– )
#7Score 7.607.8k IMDb votes
A reality competition show in which chefs compete against one another in culinary challenges and are a judged by a panel of food and wine experts, with one or more contestants eliminated each episode.
The Ultimate Fighter
The Ultimate Fighter
Ongoing(2005– )
#8Score 7.593.4k IMDb votes
Sixteen top mixed martial arts fighters compete for a UFC contract.
Survivor
NewSurvivor
Ongoing(2000– )
#9Score 7.5830.5k IMDb votes
A reality show where a group of contestants are stranded in a remote location with little more than the clothes on their back. The lone survivor of this contest takes home a million dollars.
Shark Tank
NewShark Tank
Ongoing
#10Score 7.5411.8k IMDb votes
Ambitious entrepreneurs present their breakthrough business concepts.
Project Runway
UpdatedProject Runway
Ongoing
#11Score 7.3812.5k IMDb votes
Aspiring fashion designers compete for a chance to break into the industry in this reality competition. Each week, a designer is eliminated from the competition after exhibiting their work in front of a judges' panel.
Hells Kitchen US
NewHells Kitchen US
🔥 HOTOngoing(2005– )
#12Score 7.2024.7k IMDb votes
World renowned chef Gordon Ramsay puts aspiring young chefs through rigorous cooking challenges and dinner services at his restaurant in Hollywood, "Hell's Kitchen".
Flipping Out
Flipping Out
Ended(2007– )
#13Score 7.131.4k IMDb votes
Just when America's favorite house flipper thinks his life could not be any more chaotic, Jeff Lewis embarks on the most unpredictable challenge yet - fatherhood.
Drawn Together
Drawn Together
Ended
#14Score 7.1123k IMDb votes
A parody of reality shows cast with spoofs of several famous types of animated characters.
The Little Couple
The Little Couple
Ended(2009– )
#15Score 7.071.1k IMDb votes
The lives of a pair of little people as they continue through their marriage, careers, and starting a family.
So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance
Ended
#16Score 7.0311k IMDb votes
Dancers skilled in everything from ballroom and ballet to salsa, jive, hip-hop and krumping, all compete to be named the best. Dancers must impress the judges with their moves and rigorous routines in order to survive the audition...
Last Comic Standing
Last Comic Standing
Ended(2003– )
#17Score 6.851.6k IMDb votes
The comics from season one face off against the comics from season two.
Cake_Boss
Cake_Boss
Ended
#18Score 6.823.6k IMDb votes
The staff of Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, led by Buddy Valastro, shows how it prepares elaborate themed cakes for various occasions. Each episode typically features the preparation of two cakes for events including recep...
American Chopper
American Chopper
Ended
#19Score 6.464.2k IMDb votes
Documentary series about the goings-on behind the scenes at Orange County Choppers, a custom motorcycle fabrication company located in Montgomery, New York. The series is also a study of the interplay between the Teutels, Paul Sr....
Criss Angel Mindfreak
Criss Angel Mindfreak
Ended(2005–2010)
#20Score 6.392.8k IMDb votes
In "Criss Angel Mindfreak," world-renowned mystifier Criss Angel stretches the boundaries of reality and belief as he executes incredible illusions, death-defying escapes, fearless demonstrations and astonishing physical feats.
LA Ink
LA Ink
Ended(2007– )
#21Score 6.242.7k IMDb votes
Kat Von D returns home to Los Angeles to realize her dream of opening her own tattoo shop. She soon has musicians and rising stars lining up at High Voltage Tattoo for her famous black and grey ink designs.
MTV Cribs
MTV Cribs
Ended
#22Score 6.202k IMDb votes
MTV's Cribs take you on exclusive tours through the domestic sanctuaries that some of today's most favorite stars call home.
Fear Factor
Americas Got Talent
UpdatedAmericas Got Talent
Ongoing
#24Score 6.0111.4k IMDb votes
A weekly talent competition where an array of performers -- from singers and dancers, to comedians and novelty acts -- vie for a $1 million cash prize.
Americas Next Top Model
Americas Next Top Model
Ended(2003– )
#25Score 5.7519.4k IMDb votes
A cyclical competition in which women from all over the U.S. compete for the honor of being America's next "it girl" in the modeling world.
American Idol
American Idol
Ongoing(2002– )
#26Score 4.5422.9k IMDb votes
Twelve American finalists (six men and six women) compete in a singing contest.
The Hills
The Hills
Ended(2006–2010)
#27Score 4.3811.8k IMDb votes
After high school graduation, "Laguna Beach" alumna Lauren sets out to live on her own in Los Angeles and work as an intern at Teen Vogue.
Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
Ended
#28Score 4.2425.4k IMDb votes
A reality-based look at the vapid lives of several New Jersey 20-somethings and their respective friends and/or hook-ups.
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Ended(2007– )
#29Score 3.1532.5k IMDb votes
A peek inside the exploits and privileged private lives of the blended Kardashian-Jenner family, including sisters Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, Kendall and Kylie.
Score = IMDb rating weighted by vote count (Bayesian average). Shows need at least 1,000 votes to be ranked.