The 20 best reality shows on Amazon Prime to help you chill out

Alone (2015–2025)

There’s a peculiar solace in watching others navigate the wilderness from the comfort of your home. Unlike other survival-based competition series like Survivor — whose beaches are peppered with producers and camera operators — folks on Alone are truly on their own, filming their journeys in nearly uninhabitable environmental conditions with hand-held cameras. (Every so often they get wellness checks to ensure they’re still functioning.) The contestant who remains in the wilderness the longest without “tapping out” or being removed for medical reasons walks away with $500,000. —Sophie van Bastelaer

Where to watch Alone: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Nicole Apelian, Sam Larson, Brooke Whipple, Jesse Bosdell, Brad Richardson, Dave Nessia

Clarkson’s Farm (2021–present)

In 2008, British TV host Jeremy Clarkson purchased a thousand acres and a farm in the Cotswolds. After the local villager who ran it died in 2019, Clarkson decided to try farming the land himself with little to no experience.

The show features a fun ensemble of supporting characters, comprising the hardworking farmhands and contractors responsible for the day-to-day operations. Each episode is focused on a different element of farming, from tractors to harvesting and so on. Whether or not you’re interested in Clarkson or agriculture, Clarkson’s Farm is goofy, sweet, and well worth a watch. —S.V.B.

Where to watch Clarkson’s Farm: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Gavin Whitehead

Cast: Jeremy Clarkson, Kaleb Cooper, Lisa Hogan, Charlie Ireland, Gerald Cooper, Kevin Harrison, Ellen Helliwell, Alan Townsend, Dilwyn Evans

Dance Moms (2011–2019)

In the spirit of full transparency, Dance Moms is not a feel-good show. It is, however, a cultural relic; a reminder of a moment during the 2010s when Lifetime found a dance studio in Pittsburgh run by a tyrannical instructor, and decided to film the studio, its tween dancers, and their mothers. The result is a fascinating look into the fast-moving world of competitive dance, with all its injuries and injustices.

Dance teacher Abby Lee Miller is a polarizing figure who is often abusive to her young dancers. But you watch the show for the kids, whose talents, discipline, and dedication are obvious, even at their young ages. Check out seasons 2–3 and 5-6, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, to watch the adults do battle with each other as the kids compete to win dance titles. —Ilana Gordon

Where to watch Dance Moms: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Abby Lee Miller, Gianna Martello, Melissa Gisoni, Maddie Ziegler, Mackenzie Ziegler, Christi Lukasiak, Chloé Lukasiak, Kelly Hyland, Brooke Hyland, Paige Hyland, Holly Hatcher-Frazier, Nia Sioux

Deal or No Deal (2005–2009; 2018–2019)

Hosted by Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal features a contestant who randomly selects one of 26 briefcases, each containing a cash value ranging from one cent to $1,000,000. The player then blindly chooses the remaining briefcases to narrow down their case’s value — the lower the prices within, the higher the deal they receive from the Banker (a silhouette who proposes several cashout offers throughout the game).

If the contender refuses every deal, they must decide whether they want to keep the first case they picked or swap it out for the last one standing. An NBC hit with millions of viewers per episode during its original 2005–2009 run, Deal or No Deal is the kind of nail-biting game show that will turn you into a full-on couch commentator. —S.V.B.

Where to watch Deal or No Deal: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Howie Mandel

Fear Factor (2001–2012)

The six original seasons of everyone’s favorite (or least favorite) how-far-are-you-willing-to-go reality program are available on Amazon Prime. Developed from a Dutch show with the same premise, each episode of Fear Factor challenges contestants to perform three (often extremely dangerous or extremely gross) professional stunts to win $50,000.

Generally, if a player refuses to participate, can’t complete one of the stunts, or doesn’t perform well, they are out of the running. It’s fascinating, disgusting, exhilarating, horrifying, and sometimes inspiring; like all great reality television, you absolutely can’t look away. —S.V.B.

Where to watch Fear Factor: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Joe Rogan

The First 48 (2004–present)

Homicide is tragic, but it makes for compelling TV. Premiering during the summer of 2004 on A&E, The First 48 offers behind-the-scenes info into murder investigations, pulling back the curtain on the forensic tools, analysis, interviews, and other law enforcement techniques used to identify suspects and close cases. The show’s title refers to the fact that the first 48 hours of an investigation are the most crucial in determining a case’s chances of being solved, and to prove it, this docuseries focuses on homicide investigations of various lengths — from the cases detectives close quickly to ones that take years to resolve.

A show meant for true crime fans long before true crime was a legitimate genre, The First 48 offers 24 seasons of episodes, 10 of which are streaming on Amazon Prime Video. As former EW writer Gillian Flynn writes in her 2004 review of the show, “48 flies by, but moments along the way linger.” —I.G.

Where to watch The First 48: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Dion Graham

Hell’s Kitchen (2005–present)

Boasting more than 300 episodes and five Emmy nominations, Hell’s Kitchen has been a reality television staple since 2005 thanks to the loud, aggressive, and oft-memed feedback from the show’s host, Gordon Ramsay. Two teams of chefs compete in solo challenges and collaborative dinner services over several weeks. Their numbers dwindle through eliminations, the last two left standing face off in a head-to-head showdown.

Hell’s Kitchen has remained relevant in pop culture not just because of Ramsay’s strong personality, but also because it’s a consistently well-designed and entertaining show, with a rotating cast of talented cooks and plenty of mouthwatering food. —S.V.B.

Where to watch Hell’s Kitchen: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Gordon Ramsay

Hollywood Houselift With Jeff Lewis (2022–2024)

If you’re used to Jeff Lewis’ unfiltered, ferocious side that you got on Bravo’s Flipping Out, be prepared to see a softer side of him on Hollywood Houselift. Dialing down the drama and amping up the fun, this Amazon Freevee series follows the interior designer as he takes on celebrity clients like Wilmer Valderrama, Melissa Rivers, and more, employing his trademark perfectionism and impeccable style to elevate their properties. While eagerly awaiting the stunning transformations, viewers also get a peek into Lewis’ personal life and enjoy his snarky humor. —James Mercadante

Where to watch Hollywood Houselift With Jeff Lewis: Amazon Prime Video 

Cast: Jeff Lewis

Iron Chef (1993–1999)

Airing throughout most of the ‘90s — although viewers may know it best from reruns — Iron Chef is one of Japan’s best-known television exports. The competition cooking show invites guest chefs to challenge one of the show’s Iron Chefs in a timed cooking battle designed around a specific ingredient.

Featuring hundreds of episodes spread across seven seasons, Iron Chef provided the framework for five spinoff shows, including the most recent, Netflix’s Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. The perfect series for amateur chefs, professional foodies, and culinary backseat drivers. Iron Chef will inspire you to whip something up in the kitchen. —I.G.

Where to watch Iron Chef: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Chen Kenichi

Judy Justice (2021–present)

When Judge Judy Sheindlin retired from her eponymous CBS program after 25 years, TV’s highest-paid host didn’t hang up her gavel for good. Instead, she traded it for a whole new look — including a modern burgundy robe — and a first-time venture on streaming.

Assisted by law clerk and legal analyst Sarah Rose (who’s also Sheindlin’s granddaughter), certified stenographer Whitney Kumar, and former probation officer-turned-bailiff Kevin Rasco (replacing her longtime sidekick Petri Hawkins Byrd), Judy Justice maintains the same format as its forerunner. Here, Judge Judy continues to mediate small claims cases that tackle issues such as child custody disputes and employment contracts, all while delivering her signature no-nonsense mien. —J.M.

Where to watch Judy Justice: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Judy Sheindlin, Sarah Rose, Whitney Kumar, Kevin Rasco

Jury Duty (2023)

This Nathan for You-like mockumentary series pulls off the ultimate Truman Show hoax on its unwitting “hero,” Ronald Gladden. Unbeknownst to juror Gladden, his oddball cohorts and other courtroom figures for the (fake) trial are all paid performers — including James Marsden, who plays a self-absorbed, caricatured version of himself.

Remaining extremely dedicated to the bit, the crew orchestrates various WTF scenarios to keep Gladden on his toes without dissolving their elaborate facade. While Jury Duty was already an innovative concept (nominated for three Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series), much of its charm comes from Gladden maintaining a heart of gold no matter how absurd the antics get. —J.M.

Where to watch Jury Duty: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: James Marsden, Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, David Brown, Kirk Fox, Ross Kimball, Pramode Kumar, Trisha LaFache, Mekki Leeper

Kitchen Nightmares (2007–2014; 2023–present)

Chef Gordon Ramsay tries to single-handedly save American cuisine from itself in Kitchen Nightmares. A spinoff of the British original, Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, the series drops the chef somewhere in the United States to explore the area’s struggling establishments, assess their food and service problems, and help implement solutions. Kitchen Nightmares pumped out seven seasons between 2007 and 2014, with additional seasons released starting in 2023. Six seasons from the initial run are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, so settle in and prepare to watch Ramsay traveling across America to help resuscitate ailing restaurants. —I.G.

Where to watch Kitchen Nightmares: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Gordon Ramsay

Making the Cut (2020–2022)

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn left Project Runway to create and host Making the Cut, which follows 12 talented designers through a series of tasks with the ultimate goal of earning a mentorship, an exclusive fashion line, and $1,000,000 for their brand. Klum and Gunn are joined by judges Naomi Campbell, Nicole Richie, and Joseph Altuzarra to mentor and challenge already-established designers looking to make the next step in their careers.

Extravagance is front and center, and it’s clear no expense was spared (the first episode features a catwalk in front of the Eiffel Tower). It’s a little more cutthroat than other similarly-designed competition shows and incorporates new elements as well — one of which is the designer who wins that week’s competition will have their design available for purchase on Amazon. —S.V.B.

Where to watch Making the Cut: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Naomi Campbell, Nicole Richie, Joseph Altuzarra, Chiara Ferragni, Carine Roitfeld, Jeremy Scott, Winnie Harlow

Married at First Sight (2014–present)

Arranged marriages go modern in Married at First Sight, a reality series where relationship experts get to play matchmaker by creating couples with the understanding the two will get married immediately upon meeting each other. A social experiment based on a Danish series that aired a year before the U.S. show premiered in 2014, Married at First Sight‘s team of experts includes everyone from clinical psychologists and sexologists to sociologists and marriage counselors.

The series moves to a different location within the continental United States with every season and after eight weeks together, the couples are given the option to remain married or seek a divorce. The show boasts around a 20-percent success rate — pretty good odds for love created for reality TV. —I.G.

Where to watch Married at First Sight: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Pepper Schwartz, Calvin Roberson, Viviana Coles, Jessica Griffin  

Mythbusters: There’s Your Problem (2021–2025)

Love MythBusters but hate having to wade through two decades worth of episodes? No problem! MythBusters: There’s Your Problem is here to make sorting through the archives easier. A spinoff of the original Discovery Channel show, There’s Your Problem offers episodes curated around a particular subject matter — like pressure or stunts — and fills them with myths from years past that fit within that episode’s theme.

It’s a great reminder of how many myths the team has busted over the years, and given that the show’s two stars have stated they’re unlikely to work with each other again, repackaging old MythBusting content is the only way to get new MythBusters episodes. —I.G.

Where to watch Mythbusters: There’s Your Problem: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Jamie Hyneman, Adam Savage

Pawn Stars (2009–present)

Everyone loves a treasure hunt, and in the History Channel’s reality series Pawn Stars, little trinkets can pay off tenfold. The show follows the owners and employees of Las Vegas’ World-Famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, a family-owned business focused on authenticating and purchasing valuable artifacts from everyday people.

Featuring context and commentary about the different pieces brought in and evaluated, the show also focuses on the interpersonal relationships between its colorful cast, and the conflicts that arise between the employees and sellers when the two don’t see eye to eye on an object’s value. A series that will have you exploring your local thrift store with fresh eyes, Pawn Stars helps put a price tag on history. —I.G.

Where to watch Pawn Stars: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Rick Harrison, Richard “Old Man” Harrison, Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison, Austin “Chumlee” Russell

Portrait Artist of the Year (2022–present)

Portrait Artist of the Year is a British reality show about professional and amateur artists across Britain and Ireland. In each episode, contestants produce a painted portrait of one of three models (or, as they’re known on the show, “sitters”), and at the end of the season, the winner receives a generous commission to paint a famous person for part of a national collection. Contestants range in age, background, and artistic style. In the tradition of many wholesome British reality shows, it’s perfect comfort viewing with a cup of tea. —S.V.B.

Where to watch Portrait Artist of the Year: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Joan Bakewell, Frank Skinner, Stephen Mangan, Kate Bryan, Kathleen Soriano, Tai-Shan Schierenberg

Project Runway (2004–present)

Ever since debuting in 2004, the Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning reality competition series has been a platform for gifted designers to let viewers in on their creative process. Upon receiving limited material and being told to “make it work,” contestants compete in diverse challenges and present their designs to a panel of judges, with one or more facing elimination each episode. With 20-plus seasons (Amazon Prime carries the first 16, minus season 2) and a rotating cast including Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, and Nina Garcia, Project Runway stitches together an endless display of creativity. —J.M.

Where to watch Project Runway: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia, Karlie Kloss

Rick Steves’ Best of the Alps (2022)

Join America’s favorite tour guide as he takes viewing audiences on an expedition through the Alps. In this reality show, travel writer and author Rick Steves records his journey as he crisscrosses one of Europe’s highest and most far-reaching mountain ranges.

Steves’ trip — conducted on train and foot, through the forest and over glaciers — includes stops through mountains including Italy’s Dolomites, Austria’s Zugspitze, Switzerland’s Matterhorn and Appenzell, and three peaks throughout France. A show for mountaineers, nature and travel enthusiasts, and anyone who likes a good view, Rick Steves’ Best of the Alps is the cheapest and fastest way to go on vacation. —I.G.

Where to watch Rick Steves’ Best of the Alps: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Rick Steves

Whose Line Is It Anyway? (1988–1999)

Before Whose Line Is It Anyway? — the game show where everything is made up, and the points don’t matter — made the leap to ABC and American televisions, it was a British comedy show that ran for 10 seasons on Channel 4. Newcomers to the British version of the show will recognize more than just the improvisational games: They’ll also notice Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles, members of the show’s rotating cast, who were so popular with viewers, they were picked for the American reboot. A delightful jaunt into low-stakes comedy gamesmanship, Whose Line is it Anyway? is a piece of comedy history and a great way to lower your blood pressure. —I.G.

Where to watch Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Amazon Prime Video

Cast: Clive Anderson