The BEST Episodes of American Ninja Warrior
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Nov 1, 2019
Network: NBC
The heart-racing obstacle-course competition of ultra-athletes questing for a shot at the fabled Mt. Midoriyama. This American version of the Japanese show Sasuke (aka Ninja Warrior) televises a series of qualification courses across the nation, with the top contenders going to Las Vegas for the finals on the 4-stage "Mt. Midoriyama" obstacle course. In earlier seasons the show was a proving ground to find (and train) American athletes to send to Japan to compete in the original Sasuke tournaments.
#1 - USA vs the World 2014
Season 6 - Episode 15
Five of the top competitors from “American Ninja Warrior” go head-to-head against competitors from Japan and Europe on the show's famed four-stage finals course. Team USA showcases veterans Joe Moravsky, Elet Hall, Brian Arnold, Travis Rosen, and Paul Kasemir. Team Japan includes Kazuma Asa, Hitoshi Kanno, Ryo Matachi, Shingo Yamamoto, and Yusuke Morimoto. Team Europe is represented by Stefano Ghisolfi, Vadym Kuvakin, Sean McColl, Tim Shieff, and Miska Sutela.
10.00 #2 - Midsouth Regional Qualifying Round (1)
Season 4 - Episode 13
Top Mid-South ninjas tackle a qualifying course that includes the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Bridge of Blades, Jump Hang, Rope Junction, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include two-time Japan veteran Paul Kasemir and freerunner Brandon Douglass, while rock climber Brian Arnold and "Big" Bob Pondrom take on the course for the first time.
9.40 #3 - USA vs the World 2017
Season 8 - Episode 15
Three separate teams of six from the US, Europe, and Latin America compete in Las Vegas on the first three stages of Mt. Midoriyama, the famed four-stage finals course featured in “American Ninja Warrior.” Team USA includes Drew Drechsel, Daniel Gil, Jake Murray, Brian Arnold, Josh Levin, and Jessie Graff. Team Europe features Sean McColl, Stefano Ghisolfi, Tim Shieff, Alexander Mars, Owen McKenzie, and Bjarke Tønnesen. The all-new Team Latin America consists of Karl Fow, Diego Gonzalez, Wid Eriksen, Santiago de Alba, David Saikin, and Danee Marmolejo. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila host and Kristine Leahy co-hosts.
9.33 #4 - Midwest Regional Qualifying Round (2)
Season 4 - Episode 5
The other batch of Midwest competitors tackle the qualifying course, which includes the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Bridge of Blades, Jump Hang, Curtain Slider, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include cheerleader Andrew Karsen and fan-favorite Brent Kelly, while St. Louis' Matthew Derouen and freerunning Joshua Grant take on the course for the first time.
9.14 
#5 - Episode 10
Season 2 - Episode 10
The search is on for 10 Americans who will travel to Japan and show that they have the strength, stamina and the guts to make the ultimate ascent to total victory.
9.00 #6 - Midsouth Regional Qualifying Round (2)
Season 4 - Episode 14
The other batch of Mid-South competitors do battle with the Mid-South qualifying course, which includes the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Bridge of Blades, Jump Hang, Rope Junction, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include Colorado freerunner Jake Smith and Japan veteran Rich King, while former West Point cadet Ahmed Toure and breakdancer Lorin Ball take on the course for the first time.
9.00 
#7 - Denver Finals (1)
Season 5 - Episode 15
The top 30 competitors return to Denver to take on new obstacles The Floating Stairs and The Pole Grasper.
8.88 
#8 - Northwest Regional Qualifying Round (2)
Season 4 - Episode 11
The other batch of Northwest competitors take on the qualifying course that features the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Spinning Log, Jump Hang, Pipe Slider, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include freerunner Brian Orosco and ice cream vendor James McGrath, while his brother Patrick McGrath and Alaskan native Gunner Bahn take on the course for the first time.
8.82 #9 - Miami Qualifying (1)
Season 5 - Episode 5
Competitors in Miami face new obstacles in the Utility Pole Slider, Balance Bridge, Slider Jump, and Monkey Peg.
8.80 #10 - Northeast Regional Qualifying Round (2)
Season 4 - Episode 8
The other batch of Northeast competitors face the Northeast qualifying course, which includes the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Bungee Bridge, Jump Hang, Jumping Bars, Wall Lift, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include freerunning champion Tim Shieff and Bay Area stuntman Luis Moco, while 5'5" Michael Needham and firefighter Mike Bernardo take on the course for the first time.
8.78 #11 - Miami Finals (1)
Season 5 - Episode 13
A return to Miami for the finals course includes new obstacles The Ledge Jump and Rolling Steel.
8.78 
#12 - Northwest Regional Qualifying Round (1)
Season 4 - Episode 10
Top contenders from the Northwest face off against the Northwest qualifying course, featuring the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Spinning Log, Jump Hang, Pipe Slider, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include "the Godfather" David Campbell and the colorful Ryoga Vee, while type-1 diabetic Kyle Cochran and top female competitor Janine Cundy take on the course for the first time.
8.75 #13 - Denver Qualifying (2)
Season 5 - Episode 8
Competitors face four new obstacles in Denver; contestants include snowboarder Graham Watanabe and rock climber Nikole Muckelroy.
8.73 
#14 - Episode 9
Season 2 - Episode 9
The search is on for 10 Americans who will travel to Japan and show that they have the strength, stamina and the guts to make the ultimate ascent to total victory.
8.71 
#15 - Part 9 of 10
Season 3 - Episode 9
The search is on for 10 Americans who will travel to Japan and show that they have the strength, stamina and the guts to make the ultimate ascent to total victory.
8.69 
#16 - Part 6 of 10
Season 3 - Episode 6
The search is on for 10 Americans who will travel to Japan and show that they have the strength, stamina and the guts to make the ultimate ascent to total victory.
8.69 #17 - Northeast Regional Qualifying Round (1)
Season 4 - Episode 7
Elite Northeast ninjas take on the qualifying course in Miami, FL. The obstacles are the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Bungee Bridge, Jump Hang, Jumping Bars, Wall Lift, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include top competitor Chris Wilczewski and Travis Graves, who has something to prove, while freerunning fisherman Jesse Villarreal and rapping Noel Reyes take on the course for the first time.
8.67 #18 - Southeast Regional Qualifying Round (1)
Season 4 - Episode 16
Talented Southeast standouts tackle the Southeast qualifying course in Miami, FL. The course includes the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Bungee Bridge, Jump Hang, Swing Circle, Wall Lift, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include car salesman Drew Drechsel and elite competitor Ryan Stratis, while former pro football star Kamerion Wimbley takes on the course for the first time.
8.67 #19 - USA vs the World 2016
Season 7 - Episode 17
Three separate teams from America, Europe, and Japan compete in Las Vegas on the first three stages of Mt. Midoriyama, the famed four-stage finals course featured in “American Ninja Warrior.” Team USA includes winner Isaac Caldiero and runner-up Geoff Britten, along with veteran competitors Kevin Bull, Drew Drechsel, Ian Dory, and alternate Joe Moravsky. Team Europe features Sean McColl, Stefano Ghisolfi, Tim Shieff, Tim Champion, and Alexander Mars. Team Japan consists of Yusuke Morimoto, Ryo Matachi, Kenji Takahashi, Tomohiro Kawaguchi, and Masashi Hioki. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila host and Kristine Leahy co-hosts.
8.62 #20 - Northwest Regional Finals
Season 4 - Episode 12
The top 30 competitors from the Northwest qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Arm Rings, and Cargo Climb (additionally, the Pipe Slider is replaced by the Devil Steps). Favorites include David Campbell, James McGrath, Patrick McGrath, Kyle Cochran, Gunner Bahn, and 51-year-old Tom Hutchman.
8.58 
#21 - Part 8 of 10
Season 3 - Episode 8
The search is on for 10 Americans who will travel to Japan and show that they have the strength, stamina and the guts to make the ultimate ascent to total victory.
8.56 #22 - Baltimore Finals (2)
Season 5 - Episode 12
The competition continues in Baltimore with obstacles that include Rumbling Dice and Body Prop.
8.50 #23 - Vegas Finals (3)
Season 7 - Episode 16
Those who completed Stage 1 now tackle Stage 2, and possibly Stages 3 & 4. Stage 2 features Rope Jungle, Double Salmon Ladder, Unstable Bridge, Butterfly Wall, Roulette Row, and Wall Lift. Stage 3 includes the Psycho Chainsaw, Doorknob Grasper, Floating Boards, Ultimate Cliffhanger, Pole Grasper, Hang Climb, Area 51, and Flying Bar. If anyone can reach Stage 4 and conquer it, they'll earn $1,000,000 and the title of "American Ninja Warrior."
8.49 #24 - Southeast Regional Finals
Season 4 - Episode 18
The top 30 competitors from the Southeast qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles featured are the Salmon Ladder, Cycle Road, and Cargo Climb. Favorites include David "Flip" Rodriguez, Drew Drechsel, Bull Bullard, Kamerion Wimbley, and Travis Rosen.
8.44 #25 - Venice Finals (1)
Season 5 - Episode 9
The Venice finals see the return of The Salmon Ladder, as well as new obstacles Rope Maze, the Cliffhanger, and Spider Climb.
8.44