12 Best Reality TV Shows Like Love Is Blind

Among the standout reality shows on Netflix lately, “Love Is Blind” stands out as one of their most successful. The premise is straightforward: Individuals interact in separate rooms called pods while speaking through walls, without seeing each other until they decide to get married. Some pairs find success in real life, managing to live together harmoniously and enjoy a pleasant trip provided, whereas others struggle to connect once they meet face-to-face. At the altar, they have the option to leave if they’re unsure, which some choose to do.

Shows about dating have always been well-liked, but “Love Is Blind” introduced a fresh idea that kept viewers hooked during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, making it a hit on Netflix. Unlike shows like “The Bachelor,” which turn courtship into a competition with contestants going home weekly, “Love Is Blind” operates differently. If you don’t find a match within the pods, your experience ends, but this isn’t because viewers or participants are eliminating you.

Apart from ‘Love Is Blind’, there are numerous other reality series that explore emotional connections in unconventional ways or focus on them intensely. If you’re interested, here’s a selection of outstanding ones that resemble the Netflix production. These shows range from using extraordinary prosthetics to planning weddings within 90 days – they’re definitely worth watching!

Too Hot to Handle

In “Too Hot to Handle,” a reality dating show modeled after an episode of “Seinfeld,” a group of singles spend four weeks interacting and getting acquainted, but are forbidden from any physical contact unless given permission by Lana, the omniscient virtual assistant. The goal is for them to connect on a deeper level since there’s no option for physical intimacy. Each participant arrives unaware of this rule, and they must comply if they choose to stay. Breaking the rules results in money being taken from the prize pool that the winners will eventually share. Initially valued at $100,000, the pool could diminish significantly depending on everyone’s behavior throughout the show.

On the reality shows “Too Hot to Handle” and “Love is Blind,” participants are unable to engage in physical relationships despite being in close proximity to each other. Instead, they must focus on forming emotional bonds, much like the contestants of “Love is Blind.” If they make progress, a facilitator named Lana can allow them to rekindle physical intimacy, but only if she believes they are learning more about each other and themselves, and adhering to the purpose of the show. Along the way, challenges help drive their personal growth. Unlike “Love Is Blind” participants who know what they’re signing up for, those on “Too Hot to Handle” often embark on unexpected journeys since they are unaware of the rules beforehand, making their experiences all the more meaningful.

Starring: Desiree Burch
Year: 2020 – present
Rating: TV-MA
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 43%

Sexy Beasts

Originally aired on BBC Three in 2014, “Sexy Beasts” was brought back by Netflix for two seasons in 2021. The format involves a single person encountering three prospective dates throughout an episode; however, each participant is dressed up as various animals and creatures using makeup and prosthetics, so the date-seeker remains unaware of their actual appearance. As the potential matches are eliminated during the episode, the masks come off to reveal everyone’s true faces.

Similar to “Love Is Blind,” the participants in “Sexy Beasts” are getting to know each other better without initially seeing their physical appearances. Although faces are concealed in “Sexy Beasts,” its objective is comparable to that of “Love Is Blind,” which is to foster connections based on personality rather than appearance. The rewards aren’t as grand as those in “Love Is Blind,” where engagements and weddings take place, but the winner of each episode gets a chance at a second date with their chosen partner instead. With its unique premise and shared goal, “Sexy Beasts” is an ideal choice for fans who enjoyed “Love Is Blind.

Starring: Susan Calman, Rob Delaney
Year: 2014, 2021
Rating: TV-14
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 22%

90 Day Fiancé

The show “90 Day Fiancé” highlights couples who found each other but one was residing outside the U.S., so they applied for K-1 visas to marry and establish their life together in America. Throughout the series, we follow their journey as the foreign partner arrives in the U.S., and the clock starts ticking towards their wedding. Upon arrival, they have 90 days to tie the knot with the visa, a process that can span from months to years. For most couples, these 90 days represent their first physical encounter, leading them through an adaptation phase as they transition from a primarily online relationship into planning a wedding.

Similar to “Love Is Blind,” the couples on “90 Day Fiancé” are not only navigating a life together but also trying to arrange a wedding within a compressed timespan. Although the couples in the latter might have more opportunities for conversation before meeting in person, both shows necessitate substantial relationship progress and development in a brief period, all while managing the opinions of their families and peers. With over 11 seasons of the TLC series and numerous spin-offs focusing on popular characters after their weddings and new couples applying for K-1 visas, there’s an abundance of content to explore – despite viewers occasionally wondering about its authenticity.

Starring: Shaun Robinson
Year: 2014 – present
Rating: TV-PG

The Circle

In “The Circle,” a diverse group of individuals connect and interact via an online platform while residing in separate apartments within the same English building. Despite sharing the same living space, they are unaware of each other’s identities due to meticulously planned schedules that prevent unexpected encounters. They engage in various activities, including games and casual conversations, before evaluating one another on a regular basis. The individuals at the top, known as influencers, have the power to determine who gets blocked within the platform. Participants can be authentic individuals, catfish users, or even pairs pretending to be one person. The ultimate objective is to endure until the finale and secure the highest rating, which grants a grand prize of $100,000.

Although “The Circle” differs from dating series such as “Love Is Blind”, both shows share a unique aspect: participants get to know each other while hidden behind a virtual barrier. Unlike “Love Is Blind”, where contestants can hear each other, in “The Circle”, communication is text-based only. However, this twist makes the experience even more intriguing since participants must trust that they aren’t being deceived by profile pictures, as they won’t uncover true identities until someone is eliminated or reaches the end. Similar to “Love Is Blind”, multiple seasons of “The Circle” are available for binge-watching.

Starring: Michelle Buteau
Year: 2020 – present
Rating: TV-MA
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%

Are You the One?

Are You the One?” revolves around individuals seeking their ideal matches within their group. To determine success, an algorithm reveals the number of couples found per week during a match ceremony. However, it does not disclose who these pairs are. As couples embark on dates, they have the opportunity to visit the truth booth for confirmation if they’re compatible. If they correctly identify each couple, the contestants get to share $1 million at the end of the competition.

In “Are You the One?”, participants are challenged to delve deeper into emotional compatibility and self-discovery, similar to “Love Is Blind”. Although they can see each other, winning the prize money necessitates discussing deeper subjects and learning about one another, despite initial physical attraction or appearance biases. Essentially, they must emulate the algorithm’s approach, taking various factors into account even if their computer-selected match doesn’t align with their personal preferences. The collective objective of finding all ideal couples sets this reality show apart from conventional dating series, as everyone works together to achieve that goal.

Starring: Ryan Devlin, Terrence J, Kamie Crawford
Year: 2014 – present
Rating: TV-14

Married at First Sight

In “Married at First Sight”, newlywed couples tie the knot for the first time during the wedding ceremony without prior knowledge of each other, and then they spend time together to decide if they wish to continue their marriage or choose to part ways through a divorce. Following their honeymoon, these couples live together for eight weeks as they get to know each other better, ultimately deciding their future. Each season showcases three to five pairs who are carefully matched by a team consisting of a sexologist, sociologist, psychologist, and a spiritual advisor, collectively referred to as relationship experts.

In the reality TV show “Love Is Blind,” couples get engaged without ever meeting face-to-face, similar to “Married at First Sight.” However, unlike their initial living arrangement, they must decide whether or not to marry each other once they’ve lived together for a while. This crucial decision takes place at the altar in “Love Is Blind.” To help them connect, both shows arrange an initial trip. But once the honeymoon phase ends, they test if their lives can harmonize in reality. Both shows ask participants to take a bold step of faith and trust the process. With 18 seasons already aired for “Married at First Sight” and more on the horizon, fans of “Love Is Blind” have plenty of episodes to catch up on.

Year: 2014 – present
Rating: TV-PG

Naked Attraction

The show “Naked Attraction” flips the idea behind “Love Is Blind”. Instead of building connections through conversation, a single person, known as the chooser, first judges contestants based solely on their physical appearances. Starting from the feet, each individual is partially concealed in colored booths; the more they reveal themselves, the further along the episode progresses. The chooser eliminates contestants based on their body parts that have been unveiled so far. Notably, before making a final decision between the last two candidates, the chooser also strips down to ensure equality and fairness in the selection process.

Unlike “Love Is Blind,” where emotional connections are emphasized over physical ones, “Naked Attraction” centers around the idea of physical attraction as a deciding factor when choosing a partner, much like engagements in the Netflix series. However, contestants don’t meet their potential dates until after making their choice, which adds an intriguing twist to the show. Despite its unconventional premise, it makes for compelling viewing.

Starring: Anna Richardson
Year: 2016 – present

Joe Millionaire

The TV show “Joe Millionaire” examines what unfolds when several women are vying for affection from someone they think is a wealthy millionaire, but turns out to be a regular blue-collar worker. This situation is reminiscent of shows like “The Bachelor”, where the ladies get to know their potential partner in an environment that implies extensive knowledge about him, such as his job. When there are only two contestants remaining, the true nature of his profession comes to light. If they decide to stay with him despite this revelation, the women stand to share a million-dollar prize. The initial show ran for just two seasons; however, in the 2020s, it was reimagined with a twist: instead of one millionaire, there were two bachelors, one of whom was actually a billionaire.

Similar to “Love Is Blind,” the participants form connections without initially seeing each other, only to discover new aspects about their partners as the journey unfolds. Unlike “Joe Millionaire” which had a limited run due to its premise becoming less effective once viewers were familiar with it, “Love Is Blind” continues to captivate audiences because prior knowledge can actually make potential contestants more confident in the process. Both shows are based on the formation of emotional bonds and the challenging decisions made about whether or not to continue the relationship with their chosen partner.

Starring: Alex McLeod, Evan Marriott
Year: 2003
Rating: PG-13

Dating Around

On Netflix, “Dating Around” presents a unique individual going on five separate blind dates in each episode. The aim is to find someone worthy of a second date, potentially leading to the formation of a long-term connection. The candidates meet in various settings such as restaurants or other venues, where they engage in genuine dates and experience charming encounters that are captured for viewing pleasure. They express their dreams and aspirations, making the series feel much like real first dates.

Watching these blind dates might appear somewhat ordinary at first, but there’s an endearing charm to them that brings to mind the contestants on “Love Is Blind” and their blind pod dates. The simplicity of the concept is refreshing, as it mirrors experiences many of us have had in our lives. It’s a glimpse into the beginning of a couple’s journey. Similarly, the participants on “Dating Around” must be open to the experience and willing to show vulnerability as they meet someone new in a public setting, unaware of who they will encounter or what their future might hold.

Year: 2019 – present
Rating: TV-MA
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Bachelor in Paradise

In “Bachelor in Paradise,” we follow past participants from hit ABC dating shows, “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” as they attempt love once more, this time amidst a scenic tropical backdrop. New faces enter each week, expanding everyone’s social circle of singles. Each week, roses are distributed, with the process rotating between men and women. At the end of the ceremony, those without a rose depart from paradise, and the cycle repeats. The relaxed environment, filled with potential dates, offers an ideal setting for them to learn about one another.

In the show “Love Is Blind,” participants get to know one another before forming couples, but on “Bachelor in Paradise,” relationships can shift and evolve as new individuals enter the villa – something that doesn’t happen in “Love Is Blind.” Inside the pods, couples frequently separate and reconnect, dealing with their feelings throughout the process. Similarly, contestants on “Bachelor in Paradise” must make tough decisions when distributing roses, which can lead to hurt feelings as they struggle to identify their perfect match.

Starring: Chris Harrison, Jesse Palmer, Wells Adams
Year: 2014 – present
Rating: TV-14
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68%

Perfect Match

Perfect Match” combines singles from various Netflix dating shows, offering them another opportunity at finding true love. Contestants join forces in pairs for a series of challenges. Winners of these challenges can shake things up by inviting new people into the house and choosing individuals to go on dates with. As dates take place, couples may reorganize themselves and those without partners risk elimination. Ultimately, the aim is to be the most compatible pair and become “The Match.

Perfect Match” takes the concept of ‘Love Is Blind’, where individuals find compatibility through emotional connection rather than appearances, and elevates it with engaging challenges. Imagine ‘Love Is Blind’ combined with the survival aspect of ‘Survivor’. This show offers a unique perspective as it allows former participants from ‘Love Is Blind’ to revisit romance, which adds a touching and entertaining twist. As one of Netflix’s most beloved dating series, it’s definitely worth your time!

Starring: Nick Lachey
Year: 2023 – present
Rating: TV-MA
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%

2025-05-12 00:28