20 of the best reality dating shows and where to stream them

Countless reality television shows have popped up over the years. But, there remains one tried and true concept viewers can’t seem to get enough of: the search for love.

For decades, single people hoping to find their soulmate have turned to reality television for help, leading to rom-com worthy professions of love and unforgettable, dramatic confrontations.

Since the premiere of dating shows like "The Dating Game" in the 1960s, reality TV has continued to develop news ways to get contestants to fall in love. Now, series all over the world use out-of-the-box methods and unique compatibility tests to help contestants meet their ideal match.

With so many options to choose, it can be hard to find a reality dating show that has the perfect balance of romance and drama. So, we’ve scoured different channels and streaming platforms to compile a list of the dating shows that have us hooked every episode.

Take a look and learn where you can watch each series, below.

'The Bachelorette'

Where to watch: Hulu, Tubi and Roku

While originally a spinoff of "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette” has made a name for itself, boasting a better relationship success rate than its counterpart.

Most seasons of “The Bachelor” typically rely on the contestants for drama, but “The Bachelorette” leans on its lead to carry the show. For the past few seasons, producers have picked heroines who are entertaining and seriously looking for a lifelong partner. Season 20 renewed interest and an uptick in ratings to the franchise as Charity Lawson swiftly diffused the drama and fell in love with Dotun Olubeko.

'Love Island UK'

Where to watch: Hulu

The “Love Island” franchise has expanded to the U.S., Australia and France, but there’s no denying the charm of the original version.

Every season (or "series," across the pond), producers manage to find islanders who aren’t afraid to step on a few toes to secure a connection. With ridiculous kissing challenges, dramatic recouplings and plenty of British sayings, “Love Island UK” keeps fans entertained all summer long.

In January 2024, the franchise expanded and debuted "Love Island All Stars," which featured a few fan-favorites and controversial figures from past seasons.

'Temptation Island'

Where to watch: Apple TV

After originally airing on Fox from 2001 and 2003, “Temptation Island” was revived by USA Network in 2019. The updated version returned with the same concept: four couples test their relationship by moving in with a group of singles of the opposite sex. The original couples cannot communicate with each other until the finale, but they see glimpses of their partner’s transgressions on the island each week during the bonfire.

Helping manage all of the contestants’ tears, heartbreaks and secrets is host Mark Walberg, who has led the series since the beginning. Walberg seems genuinely invested in each contestant’s journey, offering judgment-free advice.

In January 2024, Deadline reported that "Temptation Island" was switching networks, again. The outlet revealed that the next season will stream on Netflix with the same format.

'Love Is Blind'

Where to watch: Netflix

It’s hard to believe that “Love Is Blind” first premiered in 2020, considering how quickly it has dominated pop culture. But a show where contestants propose after only speaking to each other through a wall was bound to become an instant hit.

At the start of every season, fans watch contestants date each other in pods and before getting engaged. Then, they meet for the first time and see if their relationships can survive in the real world.

During their weddings, each contestant reveals if they want to get married or call it quits in front of all their family and friends. Six Seasons in, “Love Is Blind” continues to deliver heartfelt love stories and outrageous moments thanks to its captivating casts.

Fans all over the world can't stop watching — The Hollywood Reporter revealed in February 2024 that the first few episodes of Season Six brought in 907 million minutes of viewing time.

'The Ultimatum' and 'The Ultimatum: Queer Love'

Where to watch: Netflix

Slightly similar to “Temptation Island,” Netflix’s “The Ultimatum” shows couples briefly break up with their partners and move in with their “trial” wife or husband. “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On,” which premiered in 2022, followed six couples that wanted to figure out if they needed to end their relationships or take the next step by getting engaged.

In May 2023, “The Ultimatum: Queer Love” debuted, featuring an all-queer cast of women and non-binary people. The contestants discussed serious topics like IVF treatment and developed strong relationships with their new partners. Each episode introduced a new “villain,” and the finale ended with some unexpected breakups and hookups.

The "Marry or Move On" version returned for its second season in August 2023. Viewers followed only four couples as one pair exited the show early on after a surprising revelation.

'Bachelor in Paradise'

Where to watch: Hulu, Tubi and Roku

Season Nine of “Bachelor in Paradise” arrived in September 2023, reintroducing viewers to some of the most entertaining contestants from the recent seasons. Just like “Love Island,” every episode “Bachelor in Paradise” welcomes new contestants who are hoping to form connections with someone already on the beach. If they succeed, they receive a rose and get to keep living in Sayulita, Mexico.

Compared to “The Bachelorette” and “The Bachelor,” “Bachelor in Paradise” does not take itself too seriously — as evidenced by a weeks-long "poop baby" storyline last season. But, the contestants still manage have meaningful conversations and many leave the beach engaged or in a committed relationship.

According to Bachelor Data on Instagram, “Bachelor in Paradise” has the highest success rate out of the three current shows in the franchise.

'Are You The One?'

Where to watch: Paramount + and Pluto TV

Is there a science to falling in love? In 2014, "Are You The One?" began as a dating experiment where contestants tried to find their “perfect match.” At the start of every season, matchmakers secretly pair each contestant with their most compatible partner. The contestants then spend each episode going on dates and competing in challenges to try to discover their perfect match. If they figure out all 10 matches by the end, then the group wins a shared prize of $1 million.

In Season Eight, the show cast only bisexual contestants, meaning that anyone could be someone’s perfect match. After the entertaining and progressive season, “Are You The One?” disappeared from MTV’s lineup and was later revived by Paramount+ for an international version. The show’s ninth season premiered in January 2023 with new host Kamie Crawford.

'Love Trip: Paris'

Where to watch: Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video for purchase

In February 2023, Freeform launched “Love Trip: Paris,” which basically turned “Emily In Paris” into a reality show. “Love Trip: Paris” focused on four American women who decided to move to Paris to search for love. Each week the women, who had different ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations, chose a French suitor to date.

Although the women were all fascinated with French culture, they soon realized that there were some cultural differences and expectations they didn’t understand, creating tension in their relationships. At the end of the season, the women decided if they wanted to pursue a relationship and stay in Paris or return to the U.S.

'Meet Me in Paris' and 'Meet Me in Rome'

Where to watch: Roku

“Meet Me in Paris,” technically a film produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and Zoe Saldaña’s Cinestar, brought a rom-com to life, literally. The unscripted movie followed three women who embarked on a romantic getaway to Paris. When they arrived, they were each given a script describing a rom-com scene where they would meet a potential match. From there, the ladies were on their own and had to figure out if they wanted to pursue the connection or wait for another meet-cute moment to happen.

In February 2024, the production crew traveled to Italy for the next installment: "Meet Me in Rome." The new film followed the same format and included "13 Going on 30" alum Christa B. Allen as one of the leads.

'Married at First Sight'

Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Discovery Plus and Lifetime

For 17 seasons, “Married at First Sight” has found a group of contestants who are willing to say “I do” to someone just minutes after seeing them for the first time. On the show, relationship experts — like marriage counselors, psychologists and sexologists — match each contestant with someone they think shares the same goals and values. The couples then have eight weeks to live with their spouse before they decide to get a divorce or stay married.

Since Season One, which aired in 2014, 11 couples have found lasting love on the show. “Married at First Sight” has also created eight spinoff shows and the series expanded to other countries, including Belgium, New Zealand, Italy and Brazil. 

The same crew behind "Love Is Blind" and "The Ultimatum," Kinetic Content, produces the show.

'The Bachelor'

Where to watch: Hulu, fuboTV, Tubi and ABC

It is almost impossible to create a list of reality dating shows and not include “The Bachelor.” The show that has become the blueprint for reality television since 2002, developing a passionate and loyal fanbase, Bachelor Nation, for years.

The long-running series still manages to deliver dramatic moments, like “the rose ceremony from hell” in Clayton Echard’s season and one contestant repeatedly pleading for lead Zach Shallcross to "help" her.

Bachelor Nation has fallen in love with Season 28's current lead Joey Graziadei, who has brought in impressive ratings. Each week the contestants, and fans on social media, have been gushing about Graziadei and wondering who will receive his final rose.

'Ready to Love'

Where to watch: Max, Discovery Plus, fuboTV and OWN GO (with cable)

In 2018, Will Packer, the producer behind “Girls Trip” and “Think Like A Man,” teamed up with Oprah Winfrey’s OWN to create a dating series for Black men and women in their 30s and 40s. The show promises that all the contestants who sign up for “Ready to Love” are looking for a serious commitment. But, sometimes a few of them realize they are not prepared for a long-term relationship and drama ensues..

“Ready to Love” returned for its ninth season on Jan. 12, 2024. This season, the show headed to Fort Worth, Texas, to find a group of singles. Multiple awkward dates have had viewers invested in the relationships every episode.

'FBOY Island'

Where to watch: The CW

After working as an executive producer on “The Bachelor” since 2010, Elan Gale left the franchise in 2019 and later created his series “FBOY Island.” The reality show, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, focuses on three women who are looking for love. Along the way, they need to determine which half of the 24 contestants on the show are self-categorized as “nice guys” and which are “FBoys.” At the end of each season, the women who successfully choose a “nice guy” get to split the $100,000 cash prize with their partner.

"FBOY Island" landed at CW for its third season and tapped former "Bachelorette" Katie Thurston to be one of the leads.

In April, fan-favorites from "FBOY Island" will return to look for love in a spinoff called "Lovers and Liars."

'Dating Around'

Where to watch: Netflix

One of Netflix’s most underappreciated reality shows is “Dating Around.” The series, which premiered in February 2019, is the perfect show for viewers who only want to invest in a couple’s love story for one episode, and leave what happens next a mystery.

Each episode of the series focuses on one single person who goes on five blind dates. At the end of the dates, the contestant reveals who they want to meet again for a second date.

Season Two of “Dating Around” was released in June 2020. Since then, Netflix has not announced an update about the show’s future. But, there are still 12 episodes full of romantic, funny and awkward first dates for fans to currently enjoy.

'Love on the Spectrum'

Where to watch: Netflix

“Love on the Spectrum” is a docuseries that follows people on the autism spectrum who are hoping to fall in love.

Season One, which premiered in 2019, showed cast members in Australia going on dates and forming relationships with potential matches as they opened up about their lives on the autism spectrum. The show also highlighted people of all ages with different cultural backgrounds. Heartwarming and educational, the show also spurred an American version.

The second season arrived in January 2024 with a few familiar faces. Some season one contestants, like James Jones, returned to gain some more dating experience.

'The Courtship'

Where to watch: Peacock

"The Courtship" essentially reimagines "The Bachelorette" if it was set in the world of "Bridgerton." This show premiered in March 2022 and, unfortunately, only has one season. While it doesn't seem likely that it will return, it is still worth watching to see Nicole Rémy and her suitors travel back in time to Regency era England for love.

In each episode, the men compete for Ms. Rémy's attention while also trying to impress her royal court, which includes her father, mother, sister and best friend. Everyone on the show is dressed in Regency era clothing, and Ms. Rémy eliminates a suitor if she doesn't feel a connection during their romantic final dance. If you are a big Jane Austen fan, you'll definitely want to check out this series.

'Perfect Match'

Where to watch: Netflix

Essentially the Netflix version of "Bachelor in Paradise," "Perfect Match" brings together a bunch of stars from different reality television shows and places them into one villa for a second chance at love.

The couples compete in a series of challenges each episode to determine if they are compatible. There are also new arrivals that could disrupt strong pairings. During the season, the contestants must decide if they want to remain in their current coupling or trying something new. In the finale, the eliminated contestants return to vote on the most compatible couple.

"Perfect Match" Season Two has already been announced and will feature "Love Is Blind" alums Jessica "Jess" Vestal, Micah Lussier and Izzy Zapata.

'Farmer Wants a Wife'

Where to watch: Hulu and fuboTV

"Farmer Wants a Wife" debuted in the UK in 2001 and traveled around the world, launching international versions in Australia, Denmark, France, Germany and more countries. It made its way stateside in 2008 and aired one American version that year.

In 2022, Fox revived the series with country music star Jennifer Nettles as the host. The second Fox season premiered on Feb, 1, 2024 with four farmers hoping to meet a partner.

The show follows the farmers as they test their connections with eight different women to see which one is truly prepared for a life on a farm.

'The Golden Bachelor'

Where to watch: Hulu

"The Bachelor" franchise had its most ingenious idea in years when it decided to cast Gerry Turner as its first "Golden Bachelor." Gerry, a 72-year-old widow, wanted to go on the show to find someone to spend his golden years with.

From the first seconds of the premiere, it was apparent that "The Golden Bachelor" was special. Throughout the first season, the ladies became close friends and opened up to Gerry about how his affection and the show made them feel seen. Some of the women, including his final rose recipient and now wife Theresa Nist, also spoke about their grief after losing spouses.

The series was an instant hit and Variety confirmed that a "The Golden Bachelorette" spinoff will air in fall 2024.

'Love Island Games'

Where to watch: Peacock

On "Love Island Games," past contestants from "Love Island" shows around the world traveled to Fiji to live in one villa and compete for $100,000. But just like a normal season, the islanders also formed connections and selected new partners during the recoupling ceremonies.

From the first episode, it was clear adding a competitive element to a show where islanders are also hoping to find love would deliver an endless amount of must-see moments.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com