Gone are the days where The Bachelor reigned supreme as the one and only reality TV dating show. These days, no matter what your flavor of drama is, there’s likely one show that brings you exactly what you want. The Ultimatum is perhaps one of the most popular reality TV dating shows, thanks to a very unique premise. It brings together a couple where one half wants to get married, and the other one isn’t sure. Both people then agree to go on a trial marriage with a new partner, and then a trial marriage with their original partner to find out if they really want marriage, or not. Kinda out there, even for reality TV.
If you want to immerse yourself in the world of Netflix’s hit reality show, here’s how to watch The Ultimatum in order, and what else you might enjoy after you’re done.
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On (2022-present)
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On is the original show that brought couples together to figure out if they really wanted to marry each other or not by doing the one thing you probably should not do: give your partner an ultimatum. Hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, the show features an introduction to the couples, then a dating period after when they all “break up” with their original partner and date others, followed by a ceremony where everyone chooses another couple for a “trial marriage.” After that trial marriage is over, everyone returns to their original partner for another trial marriage. Finally, the couples come together to either get engaged, leave with the new person they found, or break up for good. Oh, and, of course, there’s a reunion so we can check in and see who’s still together. There’s been three seasons of the show so far.
The Ultimatum: Queer Love (2023-present)
A queer version of the same show, hosted by JoAnna Garcia Swisher, better known for Sweet Magnolias, has had two full seasons so far and even more drama than the original. Everything goes pretty much the same as the original version, but there’s the added drama of The Ultimatum: Queer Love dealing head on with the queer experience, which adds a different wrinkle to it. It’s not always about whether people want to get married or not in this one, but about external pressures, acceptance from their families, and what it means to take that step as a queer person. Expect deeper conversations in The Ultimatum: Queer Love, even if the format is the same.
The Ultimatum: France (2022-present)
Every successful reality show needs an international version or five! The Ultimatum: France is the first international version of the reality TV show, and it works a little differently than the US versions. For one, there’s no physical host. Instead, the show uses a voiceover that provides instructions or narration—very common in France but somewhat jarring if you’re used to someone sitting and speaking to the contestants. But the rest of the show goes pretty much the same, with the only difference being that it’s in French and that despite the fact that the issues why people want or not want to marry each other are universal, the cultural differences are still very obvious. Great for anyone who just likes the format and wants more.
The Ultimatum: South Africa (2024-present)
The latest international version, The Ultimatum: South Africa brings the show to Africa and provides us with a different cultural background just as it puts the couples in exactly the same spot as all the other versions. Someone wants to get married, someone doesn’t, and the rest is a little bit of manufactured drama that everyone is eating up. Hosted by celebrity couple Salamina Mosese and Tshepo "Howza" Mosese, this is a perfect version for those looking for something different that doesn’t actually shake up the franchise, but that also doesn’t feel like the exact same thing we’ve watched before.
The Reality TV Dating Shows Don’t End There
If you got sucked into the world of reality TV dating shows, there are a lot of others that might be just the thing you’re looking for if you’re trying to strike the balance between drama and couples finding real love. There’s Love Is Blind, where couples have to commit to marriage before they can see each other. Then there’s Temptation Island, where a couple goes into an island where they will be separated and “tempted” by multiple other people to see if their relationship can survive. And there’s Perfect Match, which brings together contestants from various other reality shows for a second chance at love. One thing is for sure, you don’t have to stop at The Ultimatum.
Where To Watch 'The Ultimatum' In Order Online
To discover more about The Ultimatum and other reality TV dating shows currently streaming in the US, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!
