The BEST episodes of Survivor

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

Sixteen or more castaways are split between two or more "Tribes", are taken to a remote isolated location and are forced to live off the land with meager supplies for roughly 39 days. Frequent physical challenges are used to pit the tribes against each other for Rewards, such as food or luxuries, or for "Immunity", forcing the other tribe to attend "Tribal Council", where they must vote off one of their players. Once about half the players are remaining, the tribes are merged into a single tribe, and competitions are on an individual basis; winning Immunity prevents that player from being voted out, while several that are voted out at this stage form the game's "Jury". Once down to two or three people, a Final Tribal Council is held where the remaining players plead their case to the jury members. The jury then votes for which player should be considered the "Sole Survivor" and win the $1 million prize. Survivor has introduced numerous modifications, or "twists", on the core rules in order to keep the players on their toes and to prevent players from relying on strategies that succeeded in prior seasons. These changes have included tribal switches, seasons starting with more than two tribes, the ability to exile a player from a tribe for a short time, Hidden Immunity Idols that players can use to save themselves at Tribal Council and a chance to return to regular gameplay after elimination through "Redemption Island".

Last Updated: 3/14/2024Network: CBSStatus: Continuing
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Zipping Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
star
8.57
313 votes

#1 - Zipping Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Season 26 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/17/2013

An accident threatens one castaway's future in the game, and in one of the most shocking Tribal Councils, a huge revelation forces an alliance to scramble and potentially turn on each other.

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Nothing Tastes Better Than Five Hundred Dollars
star
8.49
117 votes

#2 - Nothing Tastes Better Than Five Hundred Dollars

Season 17 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/20/2008

One Castaway devises a dangerous plan that hinges on the Hidden Immunity Idol, while another castaway considers betraying their alliance in order to avoid elimination.

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Persona Non Grata
star
8.42
391 votes

#3 - Persona Non Grata

Season 26 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/13/2013

The Favorites must contend with an out-of-control Brandon when he stuns his tribemates and reveals his hidden desire to sabotage their camp, leading up to a history-making meltdown.

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If It Smells Like a Rat, Give It Cheese!
star
8.39
89 votes

#4 - If It Smells Like a Rat, Give It Cheese!

Season 16 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/8/2008

The women on the tribe use their powers of seduction to test the only man remaining in the game. Will he fight temptation or will it cost him the game?

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Head of the Snake
star
8.28
352 votes

#5 - Head of the Snake

Season 28 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/2/2014

It's every castaway for themselves, as two tribes become one in this season's merge. Meanwhile, one castaway's thirst for power could earn them a spot on the jury, and jaws drop as the blindside streak continues.

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You're a Rat…
star
8.28
74 votes

#6 - You're a Rat…

Season 13 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/30/2006

Jonathan is berated by Parvati, Candice and Adam for turning on their Rarotonga alliance. With nothing left to lose, the three of them try to convince the Aitu alliance that Jonathan cannot be trusted. At the Reward Challenge, the castaways are left stunned when one of them reveals some shocking news to the group. The Immunity Challenge tests the Survivor's recollection of the past 30 days of the game. Which castaway's memory will serve them well and keep them safe for another week? At Exile Island, one tribe member's spirit takes a beating. How will their seclusion from the tribe affect their morale?

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The Good Guys Should Win in the End
star
8.22
112 votes

#7 - The Good Guys Should Win in the End

Season 17 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/11/2008

After using guilt to gain control of an ally, a pushy castaway may land in hot water when the Hidden Immunity Idol is put into play, resulting in a shocking turn of events at Tribal Council.

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I'm Gonna Fix Her!
star
8.22
77 votes

#8 - I'm Gonna Fix Her!

Season 16 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/1/2008

One castaway goes from being a power player to the most desperate of all before making a huge discovery that could change the course of the game. Meanwhile, Alexis and James both suffer injuries that could potentially threaten their fate.

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My Wheels Are Spinning
star
8.21
138 votes

#9 - My Wheels Are Spinning

Season 31 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/25/2015

Relentless rain drowns the players' spirits, a fun reward reveals a glimpse of Cambodian culture, and the voting bloc strategy keeps castaways on their toes.

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Mutiny
star
8.21
87 votes

#10 - Mutiny

Season 7 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/11/2003

Certain survivors begin to question their current alliances as the remaining five scramble to stay on the island.

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You Get What You Give
star
8.20
293 votes

#11 - You Get What You Give

Season 37 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/14/2018

One castaway must do damage control after being called out by their tribe. Balance is tested in a stressful immunity challenge.

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Quick on the Draw
star
8.17
230 votes

#12 - Quick on the Draw

Season 40 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/18/2020

The immunity challenge weighs heavily on the castaways when 2 tribes are sent to tribal council. One castaway on Edge of Extinction is acting sneaky.

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It All Boils Down to This
star
8.16
221 votes

#13 - It All Boils Down to This

Season 40 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/13/2020

Those living on the Edge of Extinction dig deep for one last shot to get back in the game. Then, the final 6 battle it out to see who takes home the $2 million prize. The traditional reunion show has been skipped this season, with Jeff streaming the season's results from his garage.

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Breadth-First Search
star
8.15
292 votes

#14 - Breadth-First Search

Season 37 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/21/2018

A quarrel between two castaways could mean the end of a showmance. Castaways who win rewards earn a much-needed trip to the burger bar.

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I Promise…
star
8.13
80 votes

#15 - I Promise…

Season 16 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/17/2008

Desperate for friends and allies, one castaway sacrifices Immunity in order to stay in the game. Meanwhile, another castaway has made promises to too many friends, forcing an alliance betrayal at Tribal Council.

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I’m Not Here to Make Good Friends
star
8.12
478 votes

#16 - I’m Not Here to Make Good Friends

Season 32 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/20/2016

A surprising turn of events at Tribal Council sends shock waves through the entire tribe. Also, castaways must choose between food, love or an advantage in the game.

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It's a Fickle, Fickle Game
star
8.11
254 votes

#17 - It's a Fickle, Fickle Game

Season 30 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/20/2015

After 39 Days, one castaway will be crowned Sole Survivor and take home the million dollar prize. Also, emotions run deep when castaways receive a surprise visit from their loved ones.

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The First 27 Days
star
8.09
57 votes

#18 - The First 27 Days

Season 19 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/26/2009

In never before seen footage, one castaway reveals a guarded secret and the whole tribe suffers at the hands of Russell in the aftermath of the merge.

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What the…? (1)
star
8.07
95 votes

#19 - What the…? (1)

Season 7 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/30/2003

Castaways who were previously evicted return in a twist-filled episode.

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Telenovela
star
8.06
174 votes

#20 - Telenovela

Season 43 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/7/2022

The remaining six castaways must get the ball rolling to win the reward challenge and earn a sweet treat. Also, castaways need to hang in there during the immunity challenge to secure their spot in the final five.

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Why Would You Trust Me?
star
8.06
83 votes

#21 - Why Would You Trust Me?

Season 13 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/23/2006

When the Raro tribe of five merges with the Aitu tribe of four, Yul realizes he needs to sway one of the old Raro tribe members to join his underdog Aitu alliance. To do so, he decides to reveal his possession of the hidden Immunity Idol to a few select tribemates. Will the castaways stay true to their alliances or will this news stir up the game? Also, one castaway considers betraying their alliance at Tribal Council, but worries that this decision will cause drama back at camp.

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It's a Turtle?!
star
8.05
57 votes

#22 - It's a Turtle?!

Season 14 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/19/2007

Dreamz gets caught strategizing with Alex by members of his other alliance (Cassandra, Earl and Yau-Man), who now question his loyalty. A cat-and-mouse game plays out at Tribal Council, leaving one group in shock and the other gloating with victory.

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People That You Like Want to See You Suffer
star
8.05
76 votes

#23 - People That You Like Want to See You Suffer

Season 13 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/16/2006

An obvious flirtation between Adam and Candice is beginning to concern some of their tribemates. Jonathan hopes that his efforts to provide for his new tribe will protect him from elimination despite being low on the totem pole of the Raro tribe. Will one tribe's bickering and inability to work together cost them a festive Reward? Emotions run high as one Survivor is betrayed by friends and unanimously banished to Exile Island. After losing the Immunity Challenge, the defeated tribe is handed a sealed bottle containing a message that will be read at Tribal Council after they have sent someone home. What is the message and how will it change the course of the game?

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She Annoys Me Greatly
star
8.05
297 votes

#24 - She Annoys Me Greatly

Season 26 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/13/2013

Returning players are pitted against newcomers on the exotic Caramoan Islands. The returning players include Cochran, Brandon Hantz, Phillip Sheppard and Dawn Meehan.

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The Beginning of the End
star
8.05
246 votes

#25 - The Beginning of the End

Season 26 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/1/2013

Two Immunity Challenges and two Tribal Councils raise the stakes, forcing castaways to consider big moves on their biggest threats.

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