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The Challenge

1998 – nowShow42 seasons660 episodesTV-14

Reality
76
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1

A nostalgic reality series about sports and everyday modern life.

Good for family movie night · friends night · party vibe

Where to watch

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Not for big ideas, scares or tears.

Shows with

Episodes

42 seasons · 660 episodes · best: S18E11 "The Ruins: Reunion" 9.5

Episodes

7.1
7.0
7.4
7.6
8.5
8.0
7.7
7.9
8.0
7.7
7.9
7.9
8.2
8.6
8.1
7.5
8.3
8.4
8.6
8.3
8.5
8.2
7.8
8.4
8.5
8.4
8.2
8.4
8.1
8.7
8.7
8.2
8.5
8.3
8.7
8.6
7.8
8.4
7.1
8.4
8.9
8.8

Story

Legends will fall. A new champion will rise.

Each Challenge pits numerous cast members from past seasons of reality shows against each other, dividing them into two separate teams according to different criteria, such as gender, which show they first appeared on, whether or not they're veterans or rookies on the show, etc. The two teams compete in numerous missions in order to win prizes and advance in the overall game.

Feels like

  • Nostalgic Reality TV
  • Physical Competition
  • Video Game Adaptation
  • Light-hearted Entertainment
  • Team Dynamics
  • Pop Culture Phenomenon
  • Simple Obstacle Course
  • Family Friendly Action

Cast

24 of 106 · most episodes first

Facts

April 20, 1998 · September 30, 2026 · Still running

First aired
April 20, 1998
Latest episode
September 30, 2026
Status
Still running
Length
42 seasons · 660 episodes
Age rating
TV-14
Content
Violence
Genres
Reality
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
43 countries

Tropes

Advertised Extra, Action Girl, A House Divided +9

  • Advertised Extra
  • Action Girl
  • A House Divided
  • Always Second Best
  • Attention Whore
  • Ax-Crazy
  • Beach Episode
  • The Berserker
  • I Coulda Been a Contender!
  • Soft Water
  • Earn Your Happy Ending
  • Product Placement

12 of 38 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Challenge?"

Questions about The Challenge

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Challenge?

Paramount+Philo

In the United States, The Challenge streams on Paramount+ and Philo. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 36 other countries.

Is The Challenge worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76 (IMDb 8.1). Season 2 is the weak spot, with an IMDb average of 7.0 against 8.9 for the best season.

Which season of The Challenge is best?

Season 41, with an IMDb average of 8.9. Season 2 is the weakest at 7.0. The highest-rated episode is The Ruins: Reunion (season 18, episode 11) at 9.5, and the lowest is Cutthroat: Is This Safe? (season 42, episode 8) at 5.8.

Is The Challenge okay for kids?

TV-14Violence

Yes: it's rated TV-14 in the United States for violence, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

How long does it take to watch The Challenge?

462 h

About 462 hours: 660 episodes in 42 seasons of about 42 minutes each since 1998, and it's still in production.

Can I half-watch The Challenge?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with meta narrative at only 4 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

What tropes does The Challenge use?

Advertised ExtraAction GirlA House DividedAlways Second BestAttention WhoreAx-CrazyBeach EpisodeThe BerserkerI Coulda Been a Contender!Soft WaterEarn Your Happy EndingProduct Placementand 26 more

TV Tropes lists 38 tropes for it, including Advertised Extra, Action Girl, and A House Divided.