Not long ago, the phrase “island reality show” likely made you think of Survivor. But in recent years, a new genre has taken over: romance TV shows set against tropical backdrops and fueled by drama, chemistry and chaos. Thanks to breakout hits like Love Island, Temptation Island and F-Boy Island, reality dating shows have exploded in popularity.
Add in longtime fan favorites like The Bachelor and the 90 Day Fiancé franchise, and you’ve got a nonstop stream of the best dating shows to binge. Whether you’re craving over-the-top drama, whirlwind love stories, or shows like Love Island that combine both, this guide to the best romance TV shows is your go-to.
We’re keeping this list fresh with the most talked-about titles—from 90 Day: The Last Resort to Match Me Abroad—so you never miss a must-watch moment in the world of reality romance.
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TOP ROMANTIC TV SHOWS TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending romance shows that TV-lovers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ’90 Day: The Last Resort’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Unveil the dramatic turns of love on the brink in 90 Day: The Last Resort. A spin-off of the popular 90 Day Fiancé series, the show offers an intense dive into the relationships that have hit rock bottom. Navigate treacherous emotional landscapes with the beloved and notorious couples from the franchise as they engage in therapy sessions, delve into past-life regressions, and participate in unique on-and-off-resort activities. This gripping reality show blends electrifying drama, raw emotional intensity and tantalizing uncertainty, keeping you on the edge through every moment.
2. ‘Married to Medicine’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Journey into the glamorous and stressful world of Married to Medicine. Tune in to follow six high-powered women in Atlanta — all either doctors or married to doctors — as they navigate the tumultuous seas of demanding careers, family obligations, and intricate social lives. From the operating room to the dinner table, witness their struggles, victories, and everything in between.
This riveting reality series gives viewers a gripping inside look at the challenges of maintaining a high-profile career in medicine while juggling the complexities of marriage and motherhood. Watch as these remarkable women balance scalpel and stethoscope with their social calendars in the compelling world of Married to Medicine.
3. ‘Farmer Wants a Wife’
↑ 7 vs. Prior Week
Farmer Wants a Wife is a delightful reality television series that thrusts a rugged farmer into the tumultuous game of love as he selects a partner from a bevy of eligible bachelorettes. Viewers get a peek into rural life, as the women vying to become a farmer’s wife face challenges of adapting to countryside living. Let the romantic escapades ensue among the backdrop of picturesque vistas and green fields, and watch sparks fly around campfires. Will the farmer find true love, or will his dreams be as elusive as a harvest moon?
4. ‘Summer House’
↓ 2 vs. Prior Week
Summer House offers a unique blend of drama, romance, and friendship twists. Set in the idyllic Hamptons on Long Island, this show takes you inside the shared summer home of a group of nine friends as they navigate their personal and professional lives. The perfect summer destination turns into a hotspot of tension, love, and unforgettable fun. The show’s charismatic cast, including Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula, delivers engaging, relatable experiences on love and life. Join them in their sun-soaked escapades and experience an unforgettable summer in the
5. ‘Love After Lockup’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Love After Lockup explores the trials and triumphs of love in unusual circumstances. Follow the complex journey of love-struck men and women who vow to wait it out for their incarcerated lovers. As they stand by their partners during the toughest challenges, they must also prepare for the immense changes that are bound to occur post-release. The episodes focus on the intense emotional experiences and surprising twists at every corner. A rollercoaster of emotions awaits as you witness the unmatched resilience of love amidst the grip of incarceration.
6. ‘Ready to Love’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Ready to Love takes the reality dating show genre to a whole new level. Presented by Will Packer Media and hosted by Thomas Nephew Tommy Miles, the show brings together single men and women in their 30s and 40s who are ready to explore love like never before.
Watch as they navigate the complexities of relationships, experience the highs and lows of dating and ultimately seek a lasting connection. Ready to Love isn’t just about the quest for romance; it’s also a journey of self-discovery, growth and forging enduring bonds. If you’re a fan of real-world relationship dynamics and heartfelt storytelling, Ready to Love is not to be missed.
7. ’90 Day Fiancé’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Step into the whirlwind world of international romance in 90 Day Fiancé, the original series that launched a reality TV phenomenon. Follow couples navigating the high-stakes countdown of the K-1 visa process, where foreign partners have just 90 days to marry their American fiancés or face deportation. With cultural clashes, language barriers, family tensions and the pressure of the ticking clock, each episode captures the raw intensity of love tested under extraordinary circumstances. From heartwarming connections to explosive confrontations, this addictive series delivers emotional highs, dramatic twists, and a captivating look at love without borders.
8. ‘Vanderpump Rules’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Vanderpump Rules follows the lives of the West Hollywood elite, led by former Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Lisa Vanderpump. Running one of the Hollywood’s top restaurants isn’t easy, and dealing with the scandalous lives of her employees often proves more strenuous than the work itself. From heartbreaks and betrayals to unexpected moments of friendship, Vanderpump Rules is an unmissable mix of reality TV, romance and rivalry within the glamorous backdrop of the Los Angeles restaurant scene.
9. ‘Below Deck’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Below Deck is more than just a reality TV show — it’s a dramatic voyage into the opulent world of mega-yachts and the dedicated crew who navigate their way through choppy waters. Take a trip with the crew as they cater to the whims of the rich and famous aboard their luxurious charter yacht. From professional challenges and dramatic love triangles to stunning visuals of exotic locales,
10. ‘Shahs of Sunset’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Experience the glamorous life of Los Angeles intertwined with rich Persian culture in Shahs of Sunset. This reality television series, which first aired in 2012, takes viewers into the lives of a group of Persian-American friends as they navigate their careers, personal relationships, and cultural traditions. The show perfectly balances the excitement and drama of their luxury LA lifestyle with the struggles that come from trying to uphold their ethnic heritage. Watch as these friends work, play, and clash, creating a compelling spectacle of friendship, loyalty and cultural conflict in the heart of Los Angeles.
11. ‘The Never Ever Mets’
↓ 2 vs. Prior Week
Dive into The Never Ever Mets, a unique reality dating show that takes relationships from virtual to actual. That’s right, the drama-filled show follows seven couples that have been dating for some time but have yet to meet each other in person.
Hosted by the fabulous Ta’Rhonda Jones, these couples will get a chance of a lifetime — but will they really find love, or will they discover their match is just too good to be true?
12. ‘You, Me & My Ex’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Step into the intriguing world of unconventional relationships with You, Me & My Ex where love triangles take on a whole new meaning. Each episode gives a riveting, first-hand look into the unexpectedly complex dynamics where an ex-lover plays the third wheel in a current relationship.
Witness the delicate balance between past relationships and present love, the challenges that emerge, and the surprising benefits that some exes bring to the table. This reality show brims with drama, emotion, and an unapologetic exploration of modern relationships-leaving viewers questioning the boundaries of their own love lives.
13. ‘Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Delve into the turbulent world of reality star relationships in Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars. This show invites viewers into the sanctum of star-studded couples as they experience the trials and tribulations of marriage boot camp. The pressures of fame are multiplied as these couples are pushed to their limits, testing their bonds like never before. It’s more than just reality TV drama, it’s a revealing, nail-biting exploration of love under the unforgiving spotlight of public attention.
14. ‘Married at First Sight’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Step into the thrill and uncertainty of blind matrimony in Married at First Sight. This unconventional show helmed by a panel of experts, including psychologists and relationship coaches, pairs up strangers based on compatibility, who first meet each other at the altar! The reality series redefines the traditional concept of arranged marriages and adds a touch of modern-day dating stir. The show documents the struggles, adjustments and moments of joy experienced by these couples, making it a must-watch for reality TV enthusiasts and hopeless romantics alike.
15. ‘Match Me Abroad’
↑ 3 vs. Prior Week
Match Me Abroad steps beyond the bounds of local dating to help single people find their perfect match in cities across the globe. Follow contestants as they navigate diverse cultural norms, language barriers and unfamiliar territory.
With incredible locations, passionate romances and riveting drama, Match Me Abroad delivers a thrilling blend of travel and love that any TV fan of either genre will love. Don’t miss out on this exciting journey of love across borders!
And there you have it: the top romantic shows to stream at home. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular Romance competition shows?
'Bachelor' Franchise, 'Love is Blind,' 'Love Island'.
What romance reality TV shows can I watch that aren't competitions?
Married to Medicine, 90 Day Fiancé, Below Deck, Love After Lockup.
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