Shows Like Love Island – 9 High Drama Reality Dating Shows To Stream

If you like paradise scenarios, romantic affairs and a dash of intrigue, Love Island is the series for you!

Considered an undeniable success in the modern era of reality TV and a cultural phenomenon, it has been gathering more followers worldwide.

In a stunning tropical villa, a group of single women and men come together to embark on a summer of dating, romance and relationships.

Weekly, the islanders, pair up, and those not bonded risk being removed from the island. Challenges are a constant, with intriguing new arrivals on the island and dramatic twists and turns.

As well as choosing their partners wisely, the islanders must also win viewers' hearts who can shape events on screen and ultimately select a lucky winning couple, who will then have the chance to finish, both with love and prize money.

If you're a fan of reality shows and can't resist a good dose of romance with some competition in between, you'll love the list of shows like Love Isalnd that we've created for you!

With several similar show options, you will find plenty of real-life soap shows with love affairs, promises of commitment, competition, money, fame, etc…

Check out our options, and who knows, you might find a series that will captivate you even more.

Maybe discover a new favourite show, and don't forget to leave your opinion in the comments below!

Bachelor In Paradise

With seven seasons to delve into, Bachelor In Paradise is a spin-off of the American reality television shows The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.

Taking contestants who have appeared on both shows previously, they then travel to a secluded paradise in Mexico, where the show takes place.

Instead of having one man or one woman choose who they would like to keep, Bachelor In Paradise switches it up a lot more.

The show starts with more women than men. At the first rose ceremony, the men are given a rose to hand out to a woman they’d like to spend more time with.

The women left without roses are immediately sent home.

Then new men are then brought to the beach, so at the next rose ceremony, the women dole out the roses. The men left without a rose go home.

This goes on for a few weeks and ultimately we end up with a couple who win the show.

Married At First Sight

With Married At First Sight available in Danish, British, Australian and American versions, there's no shortage of episodes to watch.

This bonkers show sees a group of strangers who participate in a social experiment and are paired together by experts.

The first time they meet each other is at their own wedding. Then they spend their wedding night in a hotel and go on a honeymoon.

After that they live together and each week decide whether they will continue their relationship.

So do the experts get it right or do our couples go their separate ways?

Dating Around

Available on Netflix, Dating Around is an American reality dating show.

With only six episodes in the first season, each follows one person going on five blind dates.

The good thing is that while this is a reality show, it doesn't have the usual high drama. But what it does highlight is the awkwardness of first dates, especially if you have nothing in common!

Love Is Blind

An interesting concept from Netflix, Love Is Blind is a show that attempts to take the physical out of attraction by creating a series of dates where the contestants cannot see each.

Dating behind screens, couples must fall in love with the person without ever having seen them, and then get engaged!

The couples must then live with each other and plan their big day but the path to true love doesn't always run smooth.

They still have the option of ditching each other at the altar – ouch!

Temptation Island

The clue to this show is in the name. Temptation Island follows four couples whose relationships are at a crossroad.

Putting their love to the ultimate test, they decide to live the single life on the Hawaiian island of Maui, living in separate houses with sexy singles.

Can they stay faithful or will the temptation be too much?

How Does Filming Work On Love Island?

Love Island is recorded in a paradise villa, where emotions are a constant and the pursuit of love is 24/7.

To ensure you don't miss a single moment, it uses 73 cameras to catch every kiss, break-up and discussion.

This includes cameras in the common room, by the pool, and in the kitchen area.

The entire villa is also equipped with hidden microphones, so nothing the islanders say can be missed.

The contestants can also break the fourth wall and talk to the camera in the beach tent.

Love Island is not live, and each episode is usually filmed one to two days in advance.

However, the after sun show and the final are broadcast live.

How Long Does Love Island Last?

This series usually varies between six to eight weeks. Although most seasons have lasted six weeks, the last few ended at eight, when all the contestants decided who they wanted to be coupled with.

The final is usually broadcast live to reveal which pair won the show. The winning couple is chosen by viewers, with an impressive prize of £50,000.

However, each receives their own envelope. One holds the full prize money, and the other contains nothing.

It is up to the winner of the lucky envelope to decide whether to keep the prize all for themselves or share it with the other half.

In all the seasons so far, the reward has always been divided.

How Many Seasons Of Love Island?

The very first season of Love Island aired in 2005. After taking a break for few years, creators decided to revamp the show and it was back on the air in the UK in 2015.

To date there have been seven seasons but another bumper crop of Love Island contestants are taking park again in 2022. So that will make eight seasons.

Are Phones Allowed On Love Island?

Each participant has a phone, but it is not their personal mobile.

They cannot make any calls or text messages to the outside world, nor are they allowed to check any social network to check what the news is saying.

Only the production team can contact them via message or call. However, they can text each other and take selfies during their time at the villa.

Is It Possible To Order The Love Island Water Bottles?

Any true Love Island fan knows how iconic the water bottles from the show are.

These bottles are given to the islanders to encourage them to drink more water during the hot sunny days.

You can buy the exact water bottle with your name from the Love Island shop.

Can Anyone Apply To Be On Love Island?

Love Island is a public show, so anyone can try their luck.

To apply, you must be over 18 years of age, have a passport valid for at least six months after the competition's end date, and be eligible to travel to the programme's destinations.

In addition, you must be exclusively available to participate for a minimum of ten consecutive weeks and be looking for love.

This year, Love Island wants to ensure that the cast is the most diverse to date and, for the first time, is accepting applications from non-binary contestants, as well as any gender and sexual orientation.

So, if you feel up to the challenge of being part of the biggest dating show, go to the programme's website, and who knows, you might be one of the chosen ones to try to find true love, with the grand award on top.