Bravo's Real Housewives franchise has been on the air since 2006 and some of these franchises have upwards of 15 seasons, meaning that it can be seriously intimidating for a new reality TV fan to get into.
While all the seasons have their dedicated fans, there are some shows that seriously stand out among the crowd -- whether that's because they're such a classic in the Real Housewives franchise, because they've spawned such iconic pop culture moments and references, or just because the drama is so much fun to binge.
1. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is a Bravo staple that truly represents everything fans love about the franchise: the stars are rich, they're petty, and there's an abundance of ridiculous drama. The show features the origin of the "woman yelling at cat" meme with a tense fight between Taylor Armstrong and Camille Grammer and is Bravo's introduction to Lisa Vanderpump, the actress that heads the spin-off series Vanderpump Rules.
2. The Real Housewives of Orange County
First airing in 2006, The Real Housewives of Orange County is the very first Real Housewives series ever to air. With season 18 having aired in 2024, there's a ton to watch, which means that there's a lot of content for someone just starting out with the series, but that's not the only reason it's on this list. This show also gives viewers a look at where the massive franchise came from and takes them all the way back to 2006 when Bravo wasn't quite sure what this series was going to become.
3. The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Even someone who has never watched a Real Housewives episode before is probably familiar with The Real Housewives of Atlanta, whether they realize it or not. Stars of this series, which has been filming its 16th season in 2024, like Nene Leakes have become staples in reaction GIFs across the internet. RHOA was the third installment in the franchise and a must for fans that are looking for a reality show that featuers a cast of a majority Black women.
4. The Real Housewives of New York City (Pre-Reboot)
While the reboot has received some seriously mixed opinions, the original 13 seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City are a must-watch in the Real Housewives world. This installment in the franchise gives fans the luxurious lifestyles and ridiculous drama that reality TV fans come to The Real Housewives for, with an added dose of hilarious chaos.
5. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
With only five seasons as of 2024, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is newer compared to the other cities, bu tthat doesn't mean that it's not an excellent one -- especially for new fans of the franchise. Despite having less seasons than other shows, this one still packs some serious drama with a cast member getting arrested by the FBI while another is exposed for running a drama-focused Instagram account about her co-snowflake holders.