Survivor is a unprecedented actuality TV present that has been charming audiences for over 40 seasons, and it exhibits no indicators of slowing down. I’ve curated a powerful checklist of seasons that you just completely should expertise. Oh, and worry not, as this checklist is totally spoiler-free, so you may absolutely benefit from the pleasure and surprises of every season! Listed below are my takes for one of the best survivor seasons, ranked.
10. Season 33: Millennials vs. Gen X
![Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Millennials-v-Gen-X-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X has a whole lot of good going for it: a tremendous solid, a heartfelt and satisfying winner, completely bonkers moments, and shock vote-outs. Nevertheless, a second that basically makes this season stand out has to do with a scene the place one contestant comes out to a different. It’s a second that isn’t solely joyous however really one which performs considerably into the season’s theme.
Actually the one factor that restricts Millennials vs. Gen X from being any increased has to do with what many would argue is a problematic boot order that occurs right here. Optics-wise, it’s a boot order that doesn’t look good in any respect. Fortunately, this season contains a solid that’s arguably the tightest and closest one ever post-season, which helps easy issues over to a degree the place Millennials vs. Gen X actually deserves to be acknowledged right here.
9. Season 6: The Amazon
![Survivor: The Amazon](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Amazon-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
The Amazon is the earliest season on this checklist, and for a great cause, on condition that it’s a season with an emphasis on technique, one thing that the 5 prior seasons didn’t emphasize. The choice to divide the contestants by gender labored very well right here, with the tribes of principally handsome children hilariously taking part in into the division.
It’s a season that advantages from having a mixture of several types of gamers, with some taking part in laborious and others not understanding how you can alter when coming face-to-face with the technique. Additionally price mentioning is that The Amazon is the place Rob Cesternino happened, who’s undoubtedly one of the crucial lively gamers on-line right this moment, given his podcast.
The Amazon undoubtedly does present its age at occasions although, which prevents it from being any increased. For instance, there’s an notorious scene the place ladies strip for peanut butter, and whereas they’re those that supply it themselves, it’s nonetheless not nice when wanting from a extra fashionable perspective. That being stated, although, the season being way more elevated with its technique than prior seasons does increase The Amazon as much as deserving to be within the high 10 Survivor seasons, and it’s a enjoyable watch it doesn’t matter what.
8. Season 27: Blood vs. Water
![Survivor: Blood vs. Water](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Blood-v-Water-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Proper from the get-go, the season’s theme right here is unbelievable. One half of the solid being returning gamers, whereas the opposite half being their family members provides an excellent wrinkle to the sport that led to among the franchise’s most iconic moments and strategic choices. Folks being compelled to return to phrases with how their actions of their tribe have an effect on their family members on the opposite tribe is chef’s kiss perfection.
Additionally, one of many added wrinkles right here within the season is the return of Redemption Island, with gamers needing to look at their family members who have been voted out struggle for his or her survival within the recreation in a contest –that’s simply the cherry on high. All of this, together with a satisfying winner, results in a season that’s undoubtedly worthy of being on this checklist. The one cause this season isn’t any increased is that the opposite seasons are only a bit higher; nothing in opposition to Blood vs. Water specifically.
7. Season 15: China
![Survivor: China](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/China-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Survivor: China has an extremely memorable solid, which is simply helped by the season’s excellent theming referring to its location, one thing that a whole lot of different Survivor seasons surprisingly lack. Survivor: China goes all in on its Asian location, that includes rewards and challenges themed across the nation, and whereas this will likely not sound like a giant deal when watching this season, it really elevates the season and makes it extra thrilling and compelling.
The solid of Season 15 does have some unbelievable standouts, with the season offering among the most iconic gamers in Survivor historical past. China additionally options an astonishing winner, who not solely offers unbelievable gameplay but in addition is an extremely underrated character within the present’s run. The technique right here is probably not as advanced as another seasons, however that’s one thing that may present a little bit of a profit to the season as it may be a bit simpler to comply with than some others. Plus, simply because a season’s technique isn’t advanced doesn’t imply it could actually’t be compelling, which Survivor: China’s technique completely is.
6. Season 37: David vs. Goliath
![Survivor: David vs. Goliath](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/David-vs.-Goliath-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Not like Millennials vs. Gen X, David vs. Goliath’s theme doesn’t actually present something particular; nonetheless, regardless of a lackluster theme, the solid right here is excellent. There’s no weak spot with these castaways; from the primary boot to the winner, everybody right here has a function for the general gameplay, technique, and even the story.
Versus quite a few different seasons, there aren’t too many particular person standouts, which showcases the solid’s power as nearly everyone has their time to shine. To not point out that the castaways are capable of take twists that basically shouldn’t have been capable of work and use them to their benefit in methods which can be so superior and enjoyable that makes this a season that’s on a complete different degree. It actually can’t be harassed sufficient, and if this have been a listing purely based mostly on the solid alone, David vs. Goliath would seemingly be no less than high three.
Facet word: In the event you’re a White Lotus fan, you would possibly acknowledge among the castaways on this season as minor characters in that present, and that’s as a result of Mike White, the showrunner, was a contestant on this season too.
5. Season 31: Cambodia
![Survivor: Cambodia](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Cambodia-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
It could be the present’s thirty first season, but it surely’s solely the third time that Survivor has had an all-returnee season, and oh boy, is that this season excellent. Earlier than watching it, although, it’s essential to know that this can be a season the place the followers obtained to vote on which castaways obtained to return, a unbelievable selection that led to a complete new aspect to the sport with how all of the castaways felt that they had one thing they wanted to show. Virtually each participant felt they wanted to show to each themselves and the viewers why precisely they deserved to have been voted for, which led to an extremely cutthroat season.
Survivor: Cambodia additionally advantages from not having too many twists impacting the season, which permits the gamers to essentially go on the recreation with out the worry of a twist really screwing them over. Then the few twists that Cambodia does have, particularly the way in which that hidden immunity idols are discovered, have been really superb and led the season to have some iconic moments for the franchise.
Forcing the gamers into feeling like they wanted to show one thing was an ingenious thought by producers and is one which they shockingly haven’t gone again to despite the fact that they completely ought to. All of this, alongside a unbelievable winner, makes this a season that undoubtedly deserves to be within the high 5 of Survivor seasons.
4. Season 7: Pearl Islands
![Survivor: Pearl Islands](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Pearl-Islands-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Like Survivor: China, this can be a season that completely excels relating to its theme. This time, it’s all about pirates. But the pirate theme isn’t what makes this season particular, though it actually boosts it. What makes Pearl Islands particular is that the solid of characters listed below are so quirky and memorable whereas on the identical time offering an entertaining recreation and season.
Virtually instantly you may inform that this will probably be a particular season because of the premiere the place contestants are actually pillaging one another’s gadgets. From one in every of Survivor’s most iconic opening episodes to an episode the place a contestant convinces their tribemates that their grandmother is useless in an effort to realize sympathy, regardless of the liked one being alive and nicely, this can be a season that by no means lets off the gasoline.
In the event you discuss to any Survivor fan they’re positive to have Season 7 on their checklist of top-tier Survivor seasons as Pearl Islands is the gold normal of what these older seasons can present. It is a season that could be a must-watch for any Survivor fan, because it really has every thing: compelling episodes, kooky characters, and a satisfying and enjoyable winner.
3. Season 16: Micronesia
![Survivor: Micronesia](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Micronesia-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
A season with half returning gamers and half new gamers, Survivor: Micronesia contains a solid of some really superb characters. So, whereas not each participant is nice, those who’re greater than make up for it, pulling off attention-grabbing transfer after attention-grabbing transfer. The pre-merge showcases some wonderful blindsides main right into a post-merge that’s chock-full of among the greatest blindsides the present has ever seen.
Regardless of Micronesia being nearly 30 seasons in the past, there are nonetheless moments from the season which can be extensively talked about, with what’s arguably one in every of, if not the signature second of the franchise occurring throughout the season. Virtually each episode has one thing intriguing occurring, which solely will get boosted by the truth that the winner of this season is among the hottest gamers of all time.
2. Season 28: Cagayan
![Survivor: Cagayan](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Cagayan-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Survivor: Cagayan is superb not solely due to its unbelievable winner but in addition due to the journey that viewers go on to get there. From the beginning, followers knew that that they had one thing particular on their fingers because the premiere is undoubtedly one of the best season premiere the present has ever had. The craziness that occurs in that premiere is simply the start although, as each episode is compelling proper up till you see somebody’s torch get snuffed.
Together with the unbelievable premiere, the merge episode additionally severely stands out, which solely proves to be the beginning of what turns into a loopy merge stuffed with twists and turns that no one might see coming. The unpredictability of this season, particularly with what occurs post-merge is one thing that future seasons might solely hope to duplicate.
The solid of Survivor: Cagayan is unbelievable, with each castaway having their place throughout the season’s story and recreation. Cagayan can’t be overrated sufficient and is one that each Survivor fan ought to ensure that they watch, simply to allow them to expertise a season stuffed with compelling characters and gameplay.
1. Season 20: Heroes vs. Villains
![Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Heroes-v-Villains-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
The creme de la creme of all Survivor seasons is indubitably Survivor’s twentieth season, Heroes vs. Villains. It’s a season that not solely has every thing {that a} Survivor fan might probably need, but it surely carries itself with excellence. From characters to gameplay to an absence of game-interfering twists, there actually isn’t something that Heroes vs. Villains doesn’t do proper.
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains even has a plethora of iconic strikes and moments which can be nonetheless extensively talked about to today by the Survivor group. With plenty of nice idol performs, plenty of memorable confrontations and rivalries, and even a participant principally voting themself off, it’s a season not like another.
The solid right here is totally excellent as nicely, that includes a ton of essentially the most iconic gamers ever to grace the screens of followers. The Heroes tribe is already nice by its personal benefit, and the Villains tribe is usually argued to be one of many best possible tribes to have ever been created by the present. Heroes vs. Villains is sort of all the time mentioned as a must-watch for anyone who likes the present, and for a great cause. All of this and lots extra, which lean extra in direction of the spoilers aspect of issues, make this the best season of Survivor of all time.
High 10 Finest Survivor Seasons, Ranked
Season 20: Heroes vs. Villains Season 28: Cagayan Season 16: Micronesia Season 7: Pearl Islands Season 31: Cambodia Season 37: David vs. Goliath Season 15: China Season 27: Blood vs. Water Season 6: The Amazon Season 33: Millennials vs. Gen X