Netflix released more than two dozen new reality series in 2020 spanning everything from shows about home makeovers to dating, obstacle courses, cooking, and more. And while some of these series garnered pretty bad reviews (The Goop Lab with Gwyneth Paltrow, for one), others did pretty well. In fact, many of them got a lot of attention.
The crazy dating show Love is Blind, for example, which saw couples get engaged before ever meeting one another in person, was one of the most talked-about shows early in the year. But even that series doesn't rank among the top 10. So which were the best Netflix original reality series in 2020? Here's a ranking based on IMDb reviews.
(Un)well – 6.4
Launched in August, (Un)well appears under Netflix's list of "reality" shows even though it should technically be considered a docuseries. In any case, the show focuses on various treatments by the "wellness" community - everything from essentials oil to tantric sex and Ayahuasca as therapy.
It has received criticism for its focus on unsubstantiated methods versus tried and true medical treatments, which could be misleading for some. It also leaves out important facts about methods like fasting. This might very well be why the series is classified under the reality category and why it hasn't been ranked higher.
Sing On! – 6.4
Tituss Burgess, known for his role as Tituss Andromedon on the Netflix original comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, hosts this singing competition series that sees a team of six aspiring singers perform five songs of the same theme. But they have to sing their assigned lines in random order, which is easy to trip someone up.
The better a team sings, the more money is added to their jackpot. And the singer who scores the highest advanced to the next round while the others are at risk for elimination. It's essentially The Weakest Link but with singing.
Cooked with Cannabis – 6.7
Recreational marijuana is legal in a lot of states, provinces, and countries, so it's no surprise that many have flocked to this cooking competition show, which centers around creative and delectable dishes that have marijuana as their main ingredient.
From dinner to appetizers, desserts, and drinks, it's amazing what you can do with this plant, as shown on this reality show that contains six episodes in its first season.
The American Barbecue Showdown – 7.1
Carnivores, prepare to salivate while watching this cooking competition series, which takes place outdoors in Georgia as various contestants show off their amazing barbecue skills. From pulled pork to grilled vegetables, chicken, ribs, and side dishes, there's nothing they won't put on the grill or in a smoker.
Each dish is criticized or applauded by the expert judges, with a new person sent home each week until a winner is crowned. The first season saw eight episodes and a diverse set of characters from across the U.S. It is easily one of the best shows for food lovers to stream right now.
The Cabin with Bert Kreischer – 7.2
The premise is totally odd: stand-up comedian, actor, and reality TV host Bery Kreischer decides that he needs a detox. So, he heads to the woods to do it. Except instead of going to spend some downtime on his own, he brings his friends along for the ride.
Just released in October 2020, the series has already received pretty good reviews. There are five episodes featuring a long list of guest stars like Nikki Glaser, Caitlyn Jenner, Fortune Feimster, Bobby Lee, Joel McHale, and Anthony Anderson.
The Circle – 7.4
The concept sounded absolutely crazy and the delivery totally unique. Yet viewers ate this show up, unable to look away at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Competitors are quarantined in an apartment (before they even had to!) where the only thing they know about one another is what's on a social media profile page. They can only communicate with one another using a voice-controlled AI that converts their messages to text and emojis.
Are they who they really say they are or are they "catfishing" one another? The Circle provides a fascinating look at human behavior and how easy it is for someone to pretend they are someone they're not online. Even before they were done watching season one, fans were already getting excited about the prospect of a second season.
The Big Flower Fight – 7.5
There really is a reality show for just about everyone, and this series proves it. In the same style as other British reality shows that deal with baking and sewing, this one sees a diverse cast of competing florists craft various floral designs that are then judged by experts.
The first season premiered in May 2020 with eight episodes and saw floral designs made to look like everything from enormous insects to giant thrones and green giants.
Say I Do – 7.6
In every episode of Say I Do, three wedding professionals help a different couple make their wedding dreams become a reality. Debuting in July 2020, the first season of eight episodes came at a perfect time as people were stuck at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unable to actually attend weddings in person.
Featured in the series are interior designer and TV personality Jeremiah Brent, fashion designer and TV personality Thai Nguyen, and Italian chef and TV personality Gabriele Bertaccini. Of course, there were also all of the newlywed couples, and we all got to see their dream weddings come true.
Country Ever After – 7.6
Having only just premiered in early November, this reality show has already flown to the second-highest reviewed new show of the genre for this year for the streaming service. It follows the lives of country music artist Kevin Coffey and his wife, hip-hop dancer Criscilla Anderson.
The series automatically attracts two groups of people with very distinct musical tastes – country and hip hop fans – bringing them together just as this musical couple has done. But it also gets real, covering personal issues like Anderson's battle with cancer and the couple teaching their kids important life lessons.
Love on the Spectrum – 8.5
Technically, Love on the Spectrum isn't a Netflix original production: it actually hails from the Australian network ABC, where it first aired back in 2019. But when Netflix picked up this heartwarming show and released it in July 2020 for streaming in North America, viewers fell in love.
The series follows several people who are on the autism spectrum and their respective journeys to find love. The idea was to shatter misconceptions that people on the autism spectrum are happy being alone which, as this show proves, couldn't be further from the truth. The show was filled with tons of adorable, as well as funny, moments. It's not only the highest-ranked Netflix original reality show for 2020 but tops overall to date as well.