The WORST episodes of American Ninja Warrior

Every episode of American Ninja Warrior ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of American Ninja Warrior!

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.

Last Updated: 4/20/2024Network: NBCStatus: Continuing
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ANW Woman's Championship
star
6.60
5 votes

#1 - ANW Woman's Championship

Season 14 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/29/2023

Twelve elite female competitors battle in the American Ninja Warrior Women's Championship. The competitors compete across two daunting courses, and the top four advance to race head to head on the Power Tower. The winner takes home $50,000.

Las Vegas Finals (4)
star
6.76
68 votes

#2 - Las Vegas Finals (4)

Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 7/9/2012

Stage 1 continues in Las Vegas. Favorites include Brent Steffensen, Stephen Volcko, Kyle Cochran, Remi Bakkar, and Chris Wilczewski. The finishers move on to Stage 2.

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ANW Couple's Special
star
6.91
11 votes

#3 - ANW Couple's Special

Season 15 - Episode 15 - Aired 9/18/2023

Ninja couples compete relay-style on an extreme obstacle course in teams of two with one being crowned the next American Ninja Warrior Couples Champion.

Qualifiers 4
star
7.14
29 votes

#4 - Qualifiers 4

Season 15 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/19/2023

The qualifying rounds continue in L.A., with ninjas from across the country taking on the world’s most challenging obstacle course. New obstacle “The Cubes” makes its debut.

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Semifinals 3 & 4
star
7.20
20 votes

#5 - Semifinals 3 & 4

Season 15 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/14/2023

The semifinals wrap up in Los Angeles where the competing ninjas face up to 6 challenging obstacles and race head-to-head for a spot in the national finals.

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Semifinals 2
star
7.20
25 votes

#6 - Semifinals 2

Season 15 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/7/2023

The semifinals continue in Los Angeles where the competing ninjas face up to 6 challenging obstacles and race head-to-head for a spot in the national finals.

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Qualifier 2
star
7.21
42 votes

#7 - Qualifier 2

Season 12 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/14/2020

Ninjas face up to 6 challenging obstacles, including the new Ring Chaser and Rib Run, in addition to the dynamic Ferris Wheel and the iconic Warped Wall. Ninjas include Jesse "Flex" Labreck, JJ Woods, Jamie "Captain NBC" Rahn, and Daniel Gil.

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Las Vegas Finals - Stage 1 (1)
star
7.24
38 votes

#8 - Las Vegas Finals - Stage 1 (1)

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 8/25/2013

Competitors try stage 1; the giant cycle, rope glider, and the timbers.

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Episode 6
star
7.25
51 votes

#9 - Episode 6

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/19/2009

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Qualifier 1
star
7.27
49 votes

#10 - Qualifier 1

Season 12 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/7/2020

Ninjas face up to 6 challenging obstacles, including the new Weight For It, Ring Chaser, and Rib Run, in addition to fan favorites Shrinking Steps, Slingshot, and the iconic Warped Wall.

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Las Vegas Finals - Stage 3
star
7.27
41 votes

#11 - Las Vegas Finals - Stage 3

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 9/16/2013

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Southeast Regional Finals
star
7.28
61 votes

#12 - Southeast Regional Finals

Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 6/25/2012

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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Las Vegas Finals - Stage 1 (2)
star
7.28
39 votes

#13 - Las Vegas Finals - Stage 1 (2)

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 8/27/2013

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Qualifiers 3
star
7.29
34 votes

#14 - Qualifiers 3

Season 15 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/12/2023

The qualifying rounds continue in L.A., with ninjas from across the country taking on the world's most challenging obstacle course. New obstacle Kite Surfer makes its debut.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Las Vegas Finals 1
star
7.30
27 votes

#15 - Las Vegas Finals 1

Season 15 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/21/2023

The National Finals begin in Las Vegas as the remaining competitors move on to Stage 1 for their chance to win $1 million and become the next American Ninja Warrior.

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Qualifiers 6
star
7.30
27 votes

#16 - Qualifiers 6

Season 15 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/10/2023

The 6th night of qualifiers in L.A.

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American Ninja Warrior All Star Spectacular
star
7.30
10 votes

#17 - American Ninja Warrior All Star Spectacular

Season 13 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/30/2022

Fan favorites compete in the wildest head-to-head ANW competition ever. Iconic obstacles get super-sized - some as high as 80 feet - as all-star ninjas face off.

Las Vegas Finals - Stage 2
star
7.31
39 votes

#18 - Las Vegas Finals - Stage 2

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 9/9/2013

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Dallas Qualifying
star
7.31
80 votes

#19 - Dallas Qualifying

Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/2/2014

ANW travels to Dallas, Texas for the second qualifying round. The obstacles are the Quintuple Steps, Log Grip, Tilting Table, Swing Jump, Ring Toss, and Warped Wall. Veteran Ninjas include Brent Steffensen, former NCAA gymnast Kacy Catanzaro, Sam Sann, and Tremayne Dortch, while college student Dillon Gates and U.S. Olympic gymnast Jonathan Horton take on the course for the first time.

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Northeast Regional Finals
star
7.32
38 votes

#20 - Northeast Regional Finals

Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/5/2012

The top 30 competitors from the Northeast qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Cycle Road, and Cargo Climb. Favorites include Tim Shieff, Chris Wilczewski, Michael Needham, Jesse Villarreal, Luis Moco, and Elet Hall.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Finals 1
star
7.33
46 votes

#21 - Finals 1

Season 12 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/28/2020

The 28 top ninjas face up to 10 diabolical obstacles, including the new Falling Shelves and Dragonback. Only the top 8 will advance to the final round this year.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Semifinals 2
star
7.33
45 votes

#22 - Semifinals 2

Season 12 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/21/2020

Ninjas face up to 10 brutal obstacles, including the dizzying Corkscrew, the Salmon Ladder, and the iconic Warped Wall. Ninjas include Jessie Graff, Najee Richardson, Joe Moravsky, and Meagan Martin.

Watch Now:Apple TV
National Finals in Vegas - Stage 2+
star
7.35
34 votes

#23 - National Finals in Vegas - Stage 2+

Season 6 - Episode 14 - Aired 9/8/2014

The National Finals in Vegas conclude on the final stages of Mt. Midoriyama. Stage 2 features the Rope Jungle, Double Salmon Ladder, Unstable Bridge, Butterfly Wall, Metal Spin, and Wall Lift. Stage 3 includes the Cannonball Incline, Doorknob Grasper, Floating Boards, Ultimate Cliffhanger, Propeller Bar, Hang Climb, Spider Flip, and Flying Bars. If anyone can reach Stage 4 and conquer it, they will earn $500,000 and the title of "American Ninja Warrior."

Watch Now:Apple TV
Qualifiers 3
star
7.36
36 votes

#24 - Qualifiers 3

Season 13 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/21/2021

The qualifiers continue with ninjas facing up to 6 challenging obstacles, including the new Air Surfer and Pretzel Twist in addition to the iconic Warped Wall.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Las Vegas Finals (3)
star
7.36
36 votes

#25 - Las Vegas Finals (3)

Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 7/8/2012

Stage 1 moves into its third episode. Favorites include Bull Bullard, Derek Nakamoto, Johnathan Morin, and Jesse Villarreal. Finishers go to Stage 2.

Watch Now:Apple TV