Reality TV has come a long way since the genre was first introduced and in recent years, some really creative and interesting shows have made their premieres. Although classic shows like Survivor and Big Brother that have been airing for over two decades still draw in loyal fans, there are a lot of shows that have come out more recently that are worth giving a watch.
In the first half of the 2020s, several really unique and creative reality TV shows have made their debuts. From new releases in long-running franchises to creative new competitions and dating shows, reality TV fans have had a ton of choices for what to tune into in order to get their reality TV fix.
If you're looking for something new to watch, give one of these reality TV shows from the 2020s a try.
1. The Circle
The Circle premiered in January 2020 on Netflix and started the decade off on the right foot. This competition series has players each in a separate apartment in the same building, all communicating with one another through a specially designed messaging system. Because they don't meet face to face, players are able to present themselves any way they want -- including completely lying about their identity in order to get a leg up on the competition.
2. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City premiered on Bravo in November 2020 and is one of the most recent Real Housewives franchises. Having just finished airing its fifth season in 2025, RHOSLC has become a fan favorite in the Bravo universe and it's easy to see why. From Jen Shah's arrest to Monica Garcia being exposed for running a gossip account to Heather Gay making everyone read mean text messages about each other, this show is non-stop drama and quotable one liners.
3. The Traitors
The Traitors premiered in 2023 and is the American version of a Dutch reality series. Starting from the second season, this show has cast exclusively reality TV stars and other public figures and divided them into two groups: Traitors and Faithfuls. Each night, the Traitors choose one Faithful to kill off while trying to avoid being identified and eliminated from the game by the Faithfuls. Full of backstabbing and drama, it's no surprise this show has become so popular already.
4. Belle Collective
Brought to life by Carlos King, a former Real Housewives of Atlanta producer, Belle Collective is an Oprah Winfrey Network show that follows a group of Black women who are business owners in Jacksonville, Mississippi. Perfect for fans of The Real Housewives franchise, this show is full of luxury and drama as these glamourous business owners try to balance their professional and personal lives.
5. The Dark Side of Reality TV
The Dark Side of Reality TV is a Vice original docuseries that premiered in 2024 and delves into some of the most popular and controversial reality TV series. From plastic surgery makeover series The Swan to The Real Housewives and Toddlers & Tiaras, this series has delved into the scandalous behind-the-scenes secrets at the heart of all kinds of popular reality TV shows.
6. Love is Blind
Love is Blind is a Netflix dating series with a twist. This show premiered on the streaming service in 2020 and puts hopeful singles each in a separate room (called the "pods" on the show) where the two of them can talk and get to know each other without actually seeing each other. The singles cycle through the rest of the cast speed-dating style until they find someone they've connected with to get engaged to at the end of the series.
7. FBoy Island
FBoy Island is a dating series that premiered on HBO Max (now MAX) in 2021 before being moved to The CW in 2023 for a single season. This series follows as three women try to find love in a cast of 20 single men on a tropical island, but not all of the men are there to find true love. Of the single men in the cast 12 are nice guys that are there looking to fall for one of the leading ladies while the other 8 are self-professed "fboys" who are just looking to get the prize money at the end of the season.