The streaming giant Netflix has recently taken a page from cable television by delivering a batch of original reality dating shows; some have instantaneously skyrocketed and became viral overnight, such as The Circle and Love Is Blind.
After receiving heaps of attention, Love Is Blind prepares to cast for its second season. Creator Chris Coelen says they cannot keep up with the number of applications being turned in since the show's premiere in February. If you can't get enough of Love Is Blind and need something to satiate your romantic reality needs before season two comes out, here are ten similar choices to occupy your watchlist.
Dating Around (Netflix)
The first of Netflix's original dating series, Dating Around follows one single New Yorker who goes on five different dates with five drastically different people. The person then chooses their favorite admirer to go on a second date with off-camera. Similar to Blind Date without the quippy pop-up animations, Dating Around focuses too much on New York City and being a millennial, so if you're unfamiliar with either of those, skip to the next option.
The show ran for six episodes and premiered on February 14th, 2019 on Netflix. Though there's still been no mention of a release date, Dating Around's second season is currently in the works.
90 Day Fiance (Hulu, TLC)
The TLC reality dating series 90 Day Fiancé has unexpectedly garnered massive worldwide attention since its premiere in 2014. The show follows a handful of Americans who have applied for the K-1 visa, which permits foreign fiances to stay in the United States for up to 90 days. At the end of these 90 days, the foreign significant other must marry their American lover, or return to their home country to avoid deportation.
Hence the name: 90 Day Fiancé-- which chronicles the 90 days these couples spend together to determine whether or not their love is strong enough for marriage. There have been boatloads of spin-offs, like 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days, which follows Americans as they travel abroad to meet their online lovers and the ever-popular 90 Day Fiancé: Pillow Talk featuring old cast members as they watch the lastest episodes with the fans at home. Catch multiple versions of 90 Day Fiancé on Hulu, and the latest seasons on TLC's website.
Ex On The Beach (MTV, Prime Video)
In typical MTV fashion, this hilariously-cruel dating show accompanies eight singles, previously known for their roles in reality TV shows, as they spend time in a romantic beach setting, unaware their exes are about to show up one-by-one, prepared to destroy their impending happiness!
Ex On The Beach delivers dramatic, over-the-top content and features reality TV veterans like Farrah Abraham (Teen Mom OG) and Chad Johnson (The Bachelorette). Catch Ex On The Beach on MTV or through Prime Video's "MTV Hits."
The Bachelor/The Bachelorette (Hulu, ABC)
Known for being the most popular reality dating series to date, The Bachelor, and its female-driven counterpart The Bachelorette, continue to reel in audiences worldwide, with hit spin-offs like Bachelor in Paradise. The Bachelor premiered back in 2002 when reality television was just beginning to take off-- the giant collective fanbase, now known as 'Bachelor Nation,' was still uncharted territory!
A woman lead was unascertained until The Bachelorette made headways six years later, saving the franchise from being labeled completely misogynistic. If you would like to follow the "journey" of 25-30 men/women as they compete for the affection of the lead week after week whilst being brutally eliminated, catch The Bachelor & The Bachelorette available through Hulu and ABC's streaming service.
Married At First Sight (Hulu, Lifetime)
Another reality TV phenomenon hit when Married At First Sight premiered back in May 2015. Just as the title explains, couples get legally married... at first sight... before they've even met each other! Imagine Love is Blind without the beginning stages-- no pods, no tropical Mexican vacation, no living together-- pairs immediately skip over the "getting to know you" stages of a relationship and literally get married to a stranger!
Fun fact: Even though the couples' marriages are legally binding, Married At First Sight has each cast member sign built-in prenup agreements that keep individuals financially protected. Check out older seasons of Married At First Sight on Hulu, and catch up on the latest season available through Lifetime.
Love Island (Hulu, CBS All Access)
The British reality dating series Love Island has gained incredible attention worldwide, with different versions in the U.S. and Australia. Love Island also boasts several spin-offs, from entirely new competition series' like Survival Of The Fittest (2018) to a peek inside the lives of previous cast members such as Chris and Olivia: Crackin' On (2018).
The show follows several contestants in a tropical resort as they try to form romantic connections with each other amidst physical challenges, the addition of other islanders, and a vote from the public that could have them removed. Watch Love Island on Hulu or CBS All Access.
Are You The One? (MTV, Prime Video)
This reality dating series is unlike any of its competitors-- especially after last season, which featured an entirely bisexual cast! Are You The One? enlists ten single men and ten single women who "suck at dating" and put them through rigorous testing to determine their desires and needs in a partner. Using their oh-so-top-secret algorithm, producers at Are You The One? find each participant a "perfect match," making ten perfect matches in total.
Contestants live together in a Hawaiian paradise for ten weeks as they bond and try to figure out who their perfect match is, including elements like the "Truth Booth," which reveals the perfect match status of any couple who enters (a privilege won through competitions), and weekly "Match Ceremonies," which reveal how many perfect matches are currently sitting together. If they correctly guess all ten matches in time, they win one million dollars, collectively. Season 6 featured an entirely sexually fluid cast, meaning every cast member was a possible match for every cast member-- a promising wild ride! Check out Are You The One? on MTV or through Prime Video's "MTV Hits."
The Circle (Netflix)
The Circle hit the U.K. with two seasons before Netflix introduced a version to the U.S. at the beginning of 2020, featuring a diverse cast and eccentric style of competing in a reality show, where contestants stayed quarantined to their own apartments without meeting face-to-face. Each contestant creates a social media profile, which their opponents rank to determine the two "influencers" who decide on someone to eliminate.
RELATED: Myers-Briggs® Personality Types Of The Circle Characters
Though The Circle isn't a dating show or romantically-based, love connections are made through the game's chatting platform, where contestants are able to create private or group chats with their competitors. Check out The Circle: Brazil on Netflix premiering March 11th, 2020.
Blind Date (Bravo)
A reboot of the classic dating show with the same name, Blind Date is now featured on Bravo and hosted by the hilarious comedian, Nikki Glaser. Known for its tongue-in-cheek on-screen animations and "thought bubbles" featured throughout each 30-minute episode, Blind Date's format (thankfully) hasn't changed from the original version and still focuses on comedic nuances and cringeworthy moments.
The original series, hosted by sports radio host Roger Lodge, ran from 1999-2006 through Universal Worldwide Television. Catch the latest episodes of Blind Date only on Bravo.
Back With The Ex (Netflix)
The Australian-based reality series Back With The Ex, which originally premiered in 2018 on Seven Network, features four singles as they embark on a challenge to make things work with their ex. One of the couples is in their fifties, setting this show apart from the typical frat-age casting seen throughout all of the dating shows mentioned on this list!
Back With The Ex was introduced to Netflix in January 2019. There has been no confirmation of whether or not season 2 will happen, which is entirely dependent on Seven Network's decision to move forward.