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: 3/27/2023Network:NBC
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Las Vegas Finals (4)
star
6.76
68 votes

#1 - 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.

Watch Now:iTunes
Qualifier 2
star
7.21
42 votes

#2 - 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

#3 - 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

#4 - Episode 6

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

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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Qualifier 1
star
7.27
49 votes

#5 - 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.

Watch Now:iTunes
Las Vegas Finals - Stage 3
star
7.27
41 votes

#6 - Las Vegas Finals - Stage 3

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

The top finishers from the regional finals face a course modeled after Mount Midoriyama in Japan.

Watch Now:iTunes
Southeast Regional Finals
star
7.28
61 votes

#7 - 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.

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Las Vegas Finals - Stage 1 (2)
star
7.28
39 votes

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

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

The top finishers from the regional finals face a course modeled after Mount Midoriyama in Japan.

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Las Vegas Finals - Stage 2
star
7.31
39 votes

#9 - Las Vegas Finals - Stage 2

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

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Dallas Qualifying
star
7.31
80 votes

#10 - 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.

Watch Now:iTunes
Northeast Regional Finals
star
7.32
38 votes

#11 - 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:iTunes
Finals 1
star
7.33
46 votes

#12 - 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.

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Semifinals 2
star
7.33
45 votes

#13 - 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.

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National Finals in Vegas - Stage 2+
star
7.35
34 votes

#14 - 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."

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Qualifiers 3
star
7.36
36 votes

#15 - 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:iTunes
Las Vegas Finals (3)
star
7.36
36 votes

#16 - 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.

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Qualifier 3
star
7.38
45 votes

#17 - Qualifier 3

Season 12 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/21/2020

Ninjas face up to 6 challenging obstacles including the new high-flying Beehive, in addition to fan favorites the Shrinking Steps and the iconic Warped Wall. Ninjas include Najee Richardson, Michelle Warnky, Adam Rayl, and Jessie Graff.

Watch Now:iTunes
Qualifiers 3
star
7.41
27 votes

#18 - Qualifiers 3

Season 14 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/20/2022

The qualifying rounds continue in San Antonio's Alamodome. New obstacle Kickboards makes its debut on the course that ends with the iconic Warped Wall.

Watch Now:iTunes
Semifinals 4
star
7.42
26 votes

#19 - Semifinals 4

Season 13 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/23/2021

The Semifinals conclude as ninjas face up to 10 obstacles. For Split Decision, ninjas must choose between an upper-body and balance obstacle. The top 2 competitors face off on the Power Tower where the winner earns a Safety Pass for the National Finals.

Watch Now:iTunes
Las Vegas Finals - Stage 1 (3)
star
7.43
46 votes

#20 - Las Vegas Finals - Stage 1 (3)

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 9/2/2013

The top finishers from the regional finals face a course modeled after Mount Midoriyama in Japan.

Watch Now:iTunes
Semifinals 1
star
7.44
50 votes

#21 - Semifinals 1

Season 12 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/12/2020

Ninjas face up to 10 obstacles, including the new head-spinning Corkscrew and mechanical Clockwork, plus fan favorites such as the Salmon Ladder and the Warped Wall. Ninjas include Daniel Gil, Jesse Labreck, Sandy Zimmerman, Jody Avila, and Grant McCartney.

Watch Now:iTunes
Episode 3
star
7.46
57 votes

#22 - Episode 3

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/12/2009

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.

Watch Now:iTunes
Qualifiers 4
star
7.48
29 votes

#23 - Qualifiers 4

Season 14 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/27/2022

The qualifying rounds continue in San Antonio. Minions have taken over the course and brought the new obstacle Despicaballs. Also new is Shattered Panes and Final Frontier.

Watch Now:iTunes
Midsouth Regional Finals
star
7.49
35 votes

#24 - Midsouth Regional Finals

Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired 6/18/2012

The top 30 competitors from the Mid-South qualifying round tackle the finals course with a chance to move on to Las Vegas. The back obstacles are the Salmon Ladder, Lamp Grasper, and Cargo Climb. Favorites include Paul Kasemir, Jake Smith, Ahmed Toure, Brandon Douglass, Brian Arnold, and Bob Pondrom.

Watch Now:iTunes
Las Vegas Finals (2)
star
7.49
37 votes

#25 - Las Vegas Finals (2)

Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired 7/8/2012

Stage 1 of Mt. Midoriyama continues in Las Vegas, NV. Favorites include Jake Smith, Dan Mast, Ryan Thompson, Bob Pondrom, and Ben Snead. Those who finish move on to Stage 2.

Watch Now:iTunes

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