The BEST Episodes of American Ninja Warrior
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: May 19, 2021
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 - Aired Sep 15, 2014
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 - USA vs The World 2017
Season 8 - Episode 15 - Aired Jun 4, 2017
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.
9.50 #3 - Midsouth Regional Qualifying Round (1)
Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired Jun 17, 2012
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.
9.29 #4 - Midwest Regional Qualifying Round (2)
Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired May 27, 2012
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.
9.11 #5 - Episode 10
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired Dec 23, 2010
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 - Aired Jun 17, 2012
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.
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#7 - Denver Finals (1)
Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired Aug 18, 2013
The top 30 competitors return to Denver to take on new obstacles The Floating Stairs and The Pole Grasper.
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#8 - Northwest Regional Qualifying Round (2)
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired Jun 10, 2012
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.
8.85 #9 - Miami Qualifying (1)
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired Jul 14, 2013
Competitors in Miami face new obstacles in the Utility Pole Slider, Balance Bridge, Slider Jump, and Monkey Peg.
8.83 #10 - Northeast Regional Qualifying Round (2)
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired Jun 3, 2012
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.
8.82 #11 - Miami Finals (1)
Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired Aug 11, 2013
A return to Miami for the finals course includes new obstacles The Ledge Jump and Rolling Steel.
8.82 #12 - Part 9 of 10
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired Aug 22, 2011
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.
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#13 - Northwest Regional Qualifying Round (1)
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired Jun 10, 2012
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.
8.79 #14 - Episode 9
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired Dec 23, 2010
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.
8.78 #15 - Denver Qualifying (2)
Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired Jul 22, 2013
Competitors face four new obstacles in Denver; contestants include snowboarder Graham Watanabe and rock climber Nikole Muckelroy.
8.77 #16 - Part 6 of 10
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired Aug 14, 2011
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.
8.76 #17 - Southeast Regional Qualifying Round (1)
Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired Jun 24, 2012
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.
8.75 #18 - Northeast Regional Qualifying Round (1)
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired Jun 3, 2012
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.
8.73 #19 - USA vs The World 2016
Season 7 - Episode 17 - Aired Jan 31, 2016
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.
8.71 #20 - All Stars 2016
Season 7 - Episode 18 - Aired May 29, 2016
“American Ninja Warrior” celebrates the 7th season with the first All-Star Special, with a team and skills competition. In the team competition, hosts Matt and Akbar select teams of five to compete on Stages 2, 3, & 4. Team Matt features Joe Moravsky, Lance Pekus, JJ Woods, Grant McCartney, and Jessie Graff, while Team Akbar consists of Flip Rodriguez, Brent Steffensen, Jamie Rahn, Daniel Gil, and Meagan Martin. The second half features five supersized obstacles to test top ninjas' limits - the Giant Peg Board, Supersonic Shelf Grab, Super Salmon Ladder, Giant Jump Hang, and the Mega Wall.
8.67 #21 - Part 8 of 10
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired Aug 21, 2011
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.
8.65 #22 - Southeast Regional Qualifying Round (2)
Season 4 - Episode 17 - Aired Jun 24, 2012
The other batch of Southeast ninjas tackle the Southeast qualifying course, which features the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Bungee Bridge, Jump Hang, Swing Circle, Wall Lift, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include Miami's David "Flip" Rodriguez and stock trader Travis Rosen, while Harlem Globetrotter Bull Bullard takes on the course for the first time.
8.50 #23 - Baltimore Finals (2)
Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired Aug 6, 2013
The competition continues in Baltimore with obstacles that include Rumbling Dice and Body Prop.
8.50 #24 - Midwest Regional Qualifying Round (1)
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired May 27, 2012
Top Midwest competitors take on the tough Midwest qualifying course in Dallas, TX. The obstacles include the Quad Steps, Log Grip, Bridge of Blades, Jump Hang, Curtain Slider, and Warped Wall. Veteran ninjas include the unemployed Stephen Volcko and favorite James Hardin, while pastor Johnathan Morin and the quick Zach Sokoloski take on the course for the first time.
8.47 #25 - Venice Finals (1)
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired Jul 28, 2013
The Venice finals see the return of The Salmon Ladder, as well as new obstacles Rope Maze, the Cliffhanger, and Spider Climb.
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