The 12 Best Game Shows on Netflix
Game shows bring new joys to TV. They’re full of wins, losses, and sometimes a few embarrassing moments many viewers or players will never forget. Nevertheless, there are so many different experiences on Netflix where contestants win glory, money, or sometimes love. All this combined with some wonderful personalities makes this genre a blast to watch.
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While each has its own focus and the entertainment value all depends on what the viewer is interested in some are undeniably better than others. So, don’t waste any time on boring game shows, instead, try out these hilarious and entertaining shows available to watch on Netflix.
Updated August 23, 2022, by Tom Bowen: The very best television game shows are able to really connect with their viewers, rather than just entertain them. Whether that means viewers screaming the correct answers at their television screens or willing one of the contestants to risk it all for the grand prize, the excitement that a good game show can evoke within viewers really is unlike anything else in the world. Those looking for the best game shows on Netflix have come to the right place, as this list contains a healthy mixture of physically and mentally challenging shows, as well as several that encourage viewers to play along at home with their friends and family.
12
Wheel of Fortune
When it comes to the best television game shows of all time, they don’t come much bigger than Wheel of Fortune. Pat Sajak and Vanna White first began hosting the long-running series more than four decades ago now and continue to do an excellent job of helming the series as it approaches its fortieth season. For those wondering, more than 7,000 episodes of the show have been broadcast during that time.
Though Wheel of Fortune may not be as flashy as some of the other great game shows on Netflix, its simple premise and short run-time make it a very easy watch for those looking for a show to relax to after a hard day at work or school. There are four seasons of Wheel of Fortune available on Netflix, which should be enough to keep viewers busy for a few weeks’ worth of evenings.
11
Awake: The Million Dollar Game
Though only one season of Awake: The Million Dollar Game was ever made, it’s still well worth the watch. The show has contestants count quarters for 24 hours straight and then guess how many they counted, with the person who counted the fewest and the person whose guess was furthest out being instantly eliminated from the competition.
The five remaining contestants must then take part in three challenges, all while massively deprived of sleep. As the number of contestants is gradually whittled down, those remaining are offered the chance to bow out of the competition for cash prizes or risk going home with nothing. The final remaining candidate has the chance to win a cool million dollars, though doing so is far from easy. The whole series is a lot like a Mr. Beast video, only a lot crueler to the contestants.
10
Floor Is Lava
Taking on the classic childhood game and making it into a show could go one of two ways. It could be corny and boring with no real goal, or it could be surprisingly entertaining and exciting. Luckily, this show never fails to disappoint in its hilarity and its entertainment value.
It may not be the best game show to come onto Netflix but watching people playing the floor is lava on a set much better than in a living room is undeniably fun to watch. It’s easy-going, and tense at times, but overall, it’s a great show to watch if the big kid still lives inside viewers.
9
Too Hot To Handle
If viewers are fans of Love Island or any reality game show that features finding true love, or just watching very attractive people stay in a nice villa in the sun for a few weeks, then they will adore Too Hot To Handle. It’s a dating game show that follows a group of attractive people as they try to stay off each other for four weeks. It may sound a little boring but one watch of this gameshow will leave even the viewers unable to look away.
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While it may be a dating show at its core, this is more of a psychological experience rather than a few people trying to find love. Too Hot To Handle takes their inability to form meaningful relationships and tries to help them find it by forcing them to stay away from any kind of physical intimacy. Breaking these rules means the cash prize is lowered for the whole group.
8
The Great British Bake Off
In perhaps one of the most British game shows ever made, Great British Bake Off is just a joy to watch from beginning to end. It’s filled with fantastic contestants, great judges, hilarious contestants, and food that will leave any viewer with a sweet tooth. It’s definitely advised to have a treat or something to eat while watching this to avoid food envy as much as possible.
Essentially, this cooking game show pits bakers against one another to create some fantastic cakes, bread, biscuits, and really anything they can come up with. It’s got tension and all the great things many would expect from a game show, but still has the warm and loving feeling that makes this show a wonderful experience.
7
Supermarket Sweep
Taking shopping to a new level, Supermarket Sweep is an old classic that will get the heart pumping and will remind viewers just how fun their grocery shop can really be. It’s a quiz show with a twist, each question is linked to supermarket products, and getting the question right will grant the contestants ten seconds to add to their time.
After this section has been completed the teams get to do their Supermarket Sweep. It’s a hilarious scramble that will put a smile on the face of anyone watching.
6
The Circle
The Circle takes the obsession and dangers of social media and mobile phones and makes a game show out of it. The experience puts contestants in their own apartments and only allows them to interact with each other using their phones.
This may seem a little boring by just looking at texts, but it’s surprisingly entertaining. The nature of not seeing other contestants allows each person to create their own profile. Some go for a completely different person to try and gain the favor of others, whereas some contestants aim to play themselves to see how far they can go.
5
Blown Away
One of the best things about game shows is the versatility of their subject matter. They can allow viewers to see some of the best people in a certain category thrive. This is why Blown Away is one of the best game shows on Netflix right now. It allows viewers to really get into the minds of these talented contestants while watching them compete in a show that allows them to thrive in their talent and their craft.
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Blown Away takes glassblowers and allows them to compete with the chance of a monetary prize and a residency at a prestigious art museum, something many of the contestants seem particularly driven by. It’s filled with incredible talent and some touching moments throughout.
4
Minute To Win It
Hosted by Olympic champions and having a grand prize that could buy a small house, Minute To Win It is a joy to experience as both a viewer and a contestant. It’s filled with the joys that most game shows aim to bring as well as enabling the tension many viewers look for. After all, winning the prize money at its full requires some careful contemplation and a great amount of risk to not lose it all.
Essentially, each contestant has exactly one minute to complete a task using objects many will find around their house. It may sound easy but these challenges can be particularly challenging to complete, which makes the viewing experience so much better.
3
Is It Cake
Taking inspiration from the phase in which people would try to trick viewers into thinking something isn’t made out of cake only to cut into it, this game show has a slight resemblance to Great British Bake Off, with a less warm and comforting environment. However, it’s still filled with some incredibly talented contestants and will rope the viewer in throughout the first season.
It’s all about trying to trick the judges into thinking something isn’t made out of cake when it is. This makes for a great watch with another person so guesses can be made along with the show. All is not what it seems with this one.
2
Jeopardy
While Is It Cake may be a relatively new show to grace Netflix, Jeopardy still holds a big place in many viewers’ hearts. So, having it on Netflix and available to be binge-watched is a match made in heaven.
Having run successfully for years, Jeopardy! is a fantastic experience in which contestants try to guess the question to the answers provided. It’s an easy watch that is great for viewers who love sitting down and testing their own general knowledge.
1
Flinch
While a lot of game shows on Netflix are about food or glass blowing or classic general knowledge, sometimes viewers are looking for something different. Something a bit more gritty and challenging for the contestants. This is where Flinch comes in.
Flinch is a game show all about facing fears and trying not to flinch. It looks like what would happen if Saw became a bit tamer and followed the laws of the state. It’s enough to make viewers squirm on occasion, but is also likely to make the same people laugh at how these contestants found it scary. Either way, this is a joy to watch and definitely has more comedy factor rather than fear.
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