20 Best Reality Shows Like The Circle Every Fan Needs to Watch
Reality TV has become a staple in the entertainment world, with shows that range from dating competitions to survival challenges. One of the most popular sub-genres of reality TV is the social experiment, where a group of people are placed in a controlled environment and must navigate challenges and interpersonal relationships. The Circle, a hit show on Netflix, falls into this category, as contestants compete for a cash prize by strategically building relationships and manipulating their online personas. If you’re a fan of The Circle and are looking for more similar shows to watch, then this article is for you.
We’ve compiled a list of the best reality shows that offer a similar blend of strategy and social dynamics. So, sit back and get ready to be entertained by these thrilling reality shows!
Big Brother (2000-)
Big Brother is a reality television show in which a group of people, referred to as “housemates,” live together in a house that is equipped with cameras and microphones to record their every move. The show typically airs multiple episodes per week, and each episode features events that took place in the house over the previous few days. The housemates are isolated from the outside world and must complete various challenges and tasks in order to win prizes and avoid being evicted from the house. The last remaining housemate is crowned the winner of the season.
Big Brother is known for its strategic gameplay, as housemates must navigate alliances and backstabbing in order to advance in the game. The show also often features high levels of drama and conflict as housemates confront each other and deal with living in close quarters. Big Brother has been adopted in numerous countries around the world and has become one of the most popular and enduring reality TV franchises.
Rhythm + Flow (2019-)
Rhythm + Flow is a music competition reality TV show that aired on Netflix in 2019. The show features three judges, Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and T.I., who travel to different cities in the United States to discover and mentor talented hip-hop artists. The show consists of three main rounds: the audition round, in which aspiring artists perform in front of the judges and a live audience; the cipher round, in which artists must freestyle and prove their skills in a group setting; and the finale, in which the top artists compete for a cash prize and the chance to collaborate with one of the judges.
Throughout the season, the judges provide feedback and guidance to the contestants, and guest judges and performers also appear on the show. Rhythm + Flow is known for its high-energy performances and engaging competition, as well as the judges’ expertise and mentorship. If you’re a fan of hip-hop music and enjoy watching talented artists compete, then Rhythm + Flow is a must-watch show.
Survivor (2000-)
Survivor is a long-running reality TV show that airs on CBS in the United States. In each season, a group of contestants, referred to as “castaways,” are marooned on a tropical island and must compete in challenges and vote each other off the island in order to be the last one standing and win the grand prize.
The show is divided into two main groups: the tribes, which are made up of castaways who must work together to win challenges and survive on the island, and the individual players, who must navigate the social dynamics of the game and form strategic alliances in order to advance. As the game progresses, the tribes are merged and the individual players must compete against each other until only one person remains.
Survivor is known for its rugged outdoor setting and the challenges that test the physical and mental limits of the castaways. The show is also known for its strategic gameplay, as castaways must make alliances and backstab each other in order to survive in the game. If you enjoy adventure and competition, then Survivor is a must-watch show.
America’s Next Top Model (2003-)
America’s Next Top Model is a reality TV show that aired on the CW network in the United States. The show features a group of aspiring models who compete in challenges and photoshoots in order to advance in the competition and become “America’s Next Top Model.” Each week, one contestant is eliminated based on their performance in the challenges and photoshoots, and the last remaining contestant is crowned the winner of the season.
Throughout the show, the contestants receive coaching and guidance from the host and judges, who are all professionals in the modeling industry. The challenges and photoshoots are designed to test the contestants’ modeling skills and their ability to adapt to different themes and concepts. The show also often features guest judges and industry professionals who provide feedback and critiques to the contestants.
America’s Next Top Model is known for its high-energy competition and the opportunity it provides for aspiring models to break into the industry. If you’re interested in the world of modeling and enjoy watching talented individuals compete, then America’s Next Top Model is a must-watch show.
The Circle: France (2020-)
The Circle: France is a French-language adaptation of the popular reality TV show The Circle, which aired on Netflix in 2020. Like the original version of the show, The Circle: France follows a group of contestants who compete for a cash prize by building relationships and manipulating their online personas.
In The Circle: France, the contestants live in separate apartments and communicate with each other exclusively through a social media app called “The Circle.” The contestants must create and maintain a unique online persona in order to gain the favor of their fellow contestants and advance in the game. Throughout the season, the contestants are given tasks and challenges that require them to interact with and influence each other, and they must also rate each other based on their performance and likability.
The Circle: France is known for its strategic gameplay and the social dynamics that emerge as the contestants navigate the challenges and relationships within the game. If you’re a fan of The Circle and enjoy watching contestants compete in a social media-driven environment, then The Circle: France is a must-watch show.
The Voice (2011-)
The Voice is a singing competition reality TV show that airs on NBC in the United States. The show features a group of aspiring singers who compete in a series of singing challenges in order to advance in the competition and ultimately be crowned “The Voice” of the season.
The Voice is known for its unique format, in which the judges, who are all professional musicians, sit with their backs to the stage and listen to the contestants perform without seeing them. The judges can then choose to “turn their chairs” and mentor the contestant if they are impressed by their performance. The judges work with the contestants throughout the season, coaching and guiding them as they perform in front of a live audience and compete against each other.
The Voice is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In The Voice, the contestants must also perform and impress the judges in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game. Both shows also feature strategic gameplay and social dynamics as the contestants navigate the challenges and relationships within the game. If you enjoy singing competitions and watching talented individuals compete, then The Voice is a must-watch show.
Queer Eye (2018-)
Queer Eye is a reality TV show that airs on Netflix and features a group of five experts, known as the “Fab Five,” who help transform the lives of individuals and communities through fashion, grooming, interior design, culture, and food and wine. Each episode of the show follows the Fab Five as they work with a different individual, or “hero,” and help them improve their lives in various ways, from updating their wardrobe to renovating their home.
Queer Eye is similar to The Circle in that it features a group of individuals who work together and build relationships in order to achieve a common goal. In Queer Eye, the Fab Five work together to help the hero improve their life and achieve their goals, while in The Circle, the contestants work together and form strategic alliances in order to advance in the competition and win the cash prize. Both shows also feature interpersonal dynamics and conflicts as the characters navigate their relationships and work towards their goals. If you enjoy makeover shows and watching individuals transform and improve their lives, then Queer Eye is a must-watch show.
Top Chef (2006-)
Top Chef is a cooking competition reality TV show that airs on Bravo in the United States. The show features a group of professional chefs who compete in various cooking challenges in order to advance in the competition and ultimately be crowned “Top Chef.”
Top Chef is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In Top Chef, the chefs must also perform and impress the judges in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game.
The Real World (1992-)
The Real World is a long-running reality TV show that airs on MTV in the United States. The show features a group of young people who live together in a house for several months and have their lives and relationships recorded by cameras. The show is known for its focus on the interpersonal dynamics and conflicts that emerge as the housemates live together and deal with issues such as love, friendships, and personal growth.
The Real World is similar to The Circle in that it features a group of individuals who live together and must navigate relationships and conflicts in order to achieve a common goal. In The Real World, the housemates must coexist and build relationships in order to survive living together in close quarters, while in The Circle, the contestants must form strategic alliances and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the competition and win the cash prize.
The Masked Singer (2019-)
The Masked Singer is a singing competition reality TV show that airs on Fox in the United States. The show features a group of celebrities who perform in elaborate costumes and masks in order to conceal their identities from the judges and the audience. The judges and the audience must try to guess the identity of the singer based on their voice, their performance, and clues that are provided throughout the season.
The Masked Singer is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In The Masked Singer, the celebrities must perform and impress the judges in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game.
Catfish: The TV Show (2012-)
Catfish: The TV Show is a reality TV show that airs on MTV in the United States. The show follows Nev Schulman, a filmmaker and photographer, and his team as they help people who have been “catfished,” or deceived by someone they met online, uncover the truth about their online relationships. Each episode of the show features a different individual who has been involved in an online relationship with someone they have never met in person, and Nev and his team help them track down the person and uncover the truth about their identity.
Catfish: The TV Show is similar to The Circle in that it deals with the theme of online relationships and the manipulation of online personas. Both shows also feature the theme of deception, as the characters in Catfish: The TV Show must uncover the truth about the identity of their online partners, while the contestants in The Circle must manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the competition and win the cash prize. If you enjoy mystery and the exploration of online relationships, then Catfish: The TV Show is a must-watch show.
Love Is Blind (2020-)
Love Is Blind is a dating competition reality TV show that aired on Netflix in 2020. The show follows a group of single men and women who participate in a social experiment in which they communicate and get to know each other while “speed dating” in individual rooms, without seeing each other. The contestants then decide whether they want to get engaged and get married, sight unseen. After the engagement, the contestants meet in person and go on a trip together, and the show follows their relationships as they prepare for their weddings.
Love Is Blind is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In Love Is Blind, the contestants must also perform and impress each other in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game.
Iron Chef America (2004-2018)
Iron Chef America is a cooking competition reality TV show that aired on Food Network in the United States from 2004 to 2018. The show is based on the Japanese cooking competition show Iron Chef, and features a group of professional chefs who compete in timed cooking challenges in order to advance in the competition and ultimately be crowned “Iron Chef.”
Iron Chef America is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In Iron Chef America, the chefs must also perform and impress the judges in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game.
Jersey Shore (2009–2012)
Jersey Shore is a reality TV show that aired on MTV in the United States from 2009 to 2012. The show follows a group of young people who spend the summer together in a beach house in New Jersey and have their lives and relationships recorded by cameras. The show is known for its focus on the interpersonal dynamics and conflicts that emerge as the housemates live together and deal with issues such as love, friendships, and personal growth.
Jersey Shore is similar to The Circle in that it features a group of individuals who live together and must navigate relationships and conflicts in order to achieve a common goal. In Jersey Shore, the housemates must coexist and build relationships in order to survive living together in close quarters, while in The Circle, the contestants must form strategic alliances and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the competition and win the cash prize. Both shows also feature interpersonal dynamics and conflicts as the characters navigate their relationships and work towards their goals. If you enjoy watching real-life drama and the interactions of young people living together, then Jersey Shore is a must-watch show.
Ultimate Beastmaster (2017-2018)
Ultimate Beastmaster is a sports competition reality TV show that aired on Netflix in 2017 and 2018. The show features a group of athletes from different countries who compete in a series of physically demanding obstacle courses called “beasts.” The contestants must navigate the beasts and complete various challenges in order to advance in the competition and ultimately be crowned “Ultimate Beastmaster.”
Ultimate Beastmaster is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In Ultimate Beastmaster, the contestants must also perform and impress the judges in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game.
The Bachelor (2002-)
The Bachelor is a dating competition reality TV show that airs on ABC in the United States. The show follows a single man, referred to as the “Bachelor,” as he dates a group of women and ultimately selects one of them to propose to and marry. The Bachelor and the women go on group and individual dates, and the show follows their relationships as they progress throughout the season.
The Bachelor is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In The Bachelor, the women must also perform and impress the Bachelor in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game.
Are You the One? (2014-)
Are You the One? is a dating competition reality TV show that airs on MTV in the United States. The show features a group of single men and women who participate in a social experiment in which they are matched with their “perfect match” based on compatibility algorithms and expert guidance. The contestants must try to identify their perfect match and get engaged in order to win a cash prize.
Are You the One? is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In Are You the One?, the contestants must also perform and impress each other in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game.
Sugar Rush (2018-2020)
Sugar Rush is a baking competition reality TV show that aired on Netflix from 2018 to 2020. The show features a group of professional bakers who compete in various baking challenges in order to advance in the competition and ultimately be crowned the “Sugar Rush” champion.
Sugar Rush is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In Sugar Rush, the bakers must also perform and impress the judges in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game.
Nailed It (2018-)
Nailed It is a baking competition reality TV show that airs on Netflix. The show features a group of amateur bakers who compete in various baking challenges in order to advance in the competition and win a cash prize.
Nailed It is similar to The Circle in that it features a competition in which contestants must strategically build relationships and manipulate their online personas in order to advance in the game. In Nailed It, the bakers must also perform and impress the judges in order to progress in the competition, similar to the way that the contestants in The Circle must perform tasks and interact with each other in order to gain favor and advance in the game.
