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Hey, you! Yeah, you! Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild? Can you push your body past the breaking point on crazy trails and in unforgiving climates? Could you deal with being stripped naked and left in the middle of nowhere to survive? Would it be easier — or harder — if you were stuck in this place with your significant other?
If you think you have what it takes to be a survivor, then we have some choice picks on streaming for you. The 10 titles on this list range from insane reality show competitions to poignant looks at how mankind came to be. Oh, and there’s one documentary about the world’s most insane race thrown in for good measure. These ten titles will take you to the edge of human experience – and you don’t have to leave your couch.
'American Grit'
The new Fox reality show American Grit is less about conquering nature than it is about battling ourselves. The show takes 16 all-American badasses and asks them to challenge themselves in a variety of survivalist and military-esque challenges. Leading the charge? Host John Cena, who has lots of respect for everyone participating. [Watch American Grit on Hulu]
'Alone'
History Channel’s Alone wowed viewers last year when it dropped 10 rugged men into the Canadian frontier to see if they could survive all alone. This year, the show is upping the ante by diversifying the cast racially and along gender lines. We spoke to season two cast member Nicole Apelian about the experience and she praised the show for being a positive portrayal of humanity in the wild. [Where to Stream Alone]
'Naked and Afraid'
Discovery Channel’s absorbing hit show Naked and Afraid laughs at your tame and cushy idea of roughing it. Oh, you have a backpack, tent, and clothes? Naked and Afraid will take those things away! Specifically: THE CLOTHES. What happens when humanity is literally stripped down to the bare essentials? Amazing TV, apparently. [Watch Naked and Afraid on Hulu]
'Man Vs. Wild with Bear Grylls'
Bear Grylls seems to be a glutton for punishment. The survivalist expert and television personality gets his kicks being dropped into random tracts of wilderness. His trek back to civilization is tailor-made for our entertainment — and education. Through all his wild adventures, he always takes time to look into the camera and explain the best tactics for survival. [Watch Man Vs. Wild with Bear Grylls on Hulu]
'Survivor'
Contrived? Completely. Engrossing? Definitely. Iconic? Absolutely. When Survivor debuted over 15 years ago, it kicked off America’s obsession with the reality competition genre. The show maroons average Americans and asks them to outlast and outplay each other for a grand prize. The show might be the best case study in how man can conquer his greatest predator: his fellow man. [Watch Survivor on Hulu]
'The Great Human Race'
Bill Schindler is an archeologist and Cat Bigney is a survival expert and together they are embarking on The Great Human Race. National Geographic’s super classy survivalist reality show is putting these experts in the positions of our ancestors. The goal? To learn more about how early human civilizations actually adapted and survived. [Watch The Great Human Race on Hulu]
'Man, Woman, Wild'
Could you survive on your own in the wild? What about with your spouse? Man, Woman, Wild follows a bickering married couple as they try to conquer the elements. And yes: that’s a condom “canteen.” Safety first in the wild, guys! [Watch Man, Woman, Wild on Amazon Video]
'Boundless'
Forget conquering harsh conditions! Try competing in them. Esquire Network’s reality competition show pits two athletes against one another in a race that will take them — and their bodies — to the brink. The result is something that’s half sports show, half survivalist experience. [Watch Boundless on Amazon Video]
'The Boonies'
Yeah, sure, you might like to joke you live in “the boonies” because you have to drive 25 minutes to hit a Target Super Store, but some people literally live out there. This reality show delves into the lives of the intrepid men and women who dare to live off the grid and on the land. [Watch The Boonies on Hulu]
'The Barkley Marathons'
So strictly speaking, The Barkley Marathons is neither a reality show, nor is it about survivalism. It is however a fun and ferocious look at the hardest race on earth. The Barkley Marathons asks runners to complete five marathons in 60 hours — without sleep, without a map, and without a lot of hope. The race is set in some of the roughest and most unforgiving terrain in America and only 13 men have ever completed the course. [Watch The Barkley Marathons on Netflix]
