The BEST seasons of Survivor

Every season of Survivor ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons 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: 10/17/2025Network: CBSStatus: Continuing

9.06

134 votes

#1 - Heroes vs. Villains

First Aired 2/12/2010

8.75

154 votes

#2 - Cagayan

First Aired 2/27/2014

8.61

125 votes

#3 - David vs. Goliath

First Aired 9/27/2018

8.44

128 votes

#4 - Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites

First Aired 2/8/2008

8.38

130 votes

#5 - Cambodia - Second Chance

First Aired 9/24/2015

8.37

126 votes

#6 - Winners at War

First Aired 2/13/2020

8.31

130 votes

#7 - Pearl Islands

First Aired 9/19/2003

8.12

135 votes

#8 - Millennials vs. Gen X

First Aired 9/22/2016

8.09

116 votes

#9 - China

First Aired 9/21/2007

7.87

107 votes

#10 - The Amazon

First Aired 2/14/2003

7.85

111 votes

#11 - Tocantins

First Aired 2/13/2009

7.82

122 votes

#12 - Cook Islands

First Aired 9/15/2006

7.76

162 votes

#13 - Borneo

First Aired 6/1/2000

7.74

102 votes

#14 - Philippines

First Aired 9/20/2012

7.71

120 votes

#15 - Kaôh Rōng

First Aired 2/18/2016

7.55

132 votes

#16 - The Australian Outback

First Aired 1/29/2001

7.51

100 votes

#17 - Blood vs. Water

First Aired 9/19/2013

7.48

60 votes

#18 - Survivor 47

First Aired 9/19/2024

7.46

68 votes

#19 - Survivor 46

First Aired 2/29/2024

7.42

105 votes

#20 - Panama - Exile Island

First Aired 2/3/2006

7.41

112 votes

#21 - All-Stars

First Aired 2/2/2004

7.41

108 votes

#22 - Samoa

First Aired 9/18/2009

7.35

116 votes

#23 - Africa

First Aired 10/12/2001

7.35

92 votes

#24 - Survivor 42

First Aired 3/10/2022

7.35

107 votes

#25 - San Juan del Sur - Blood vs. Water

First Aired 9/25/2014

7.29

103 votes

#26 - Palau

First Aired 2/18/2005

7.11

98 votes

#27 - Gabon - Earth's Last Eden

First Aired 9/26/2008

7.08

104 votes

#28 - Game Changers - Mamanuca Islands

First Aired 3/9/2017

The 34th season is themed “Game Changers” and takes place in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. It features 20 returning castaways who helped evolve the game even further by launching an accelerated level of competition and proven willingness to risk it all.

7.07

74 votes

#29 - Survivor 45

First Aired 9/28/2023

7.05

92 votes

#30 - Vanuatu - Islands of Fire

First Aired 9/17/2004

7.00

90 votes

#31 - Guatemala - The Mayan Empire

First Aired 9/16/2005

6.99

108 votes

#32 - Marquesas

First Aired 3/1/2002

6.91

77 votes

#33 - Survivor 44

First Aired 3/2/2023

6.85

89 votes

#34 - Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites

First Aired 2/14/2013

6.76

102 votes

#35 - Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers

First Aired 9/28/2017

In the 35th season, the show returns to the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji and features 18 castaways divided into three groups of six based on how they are perceived by others. Heroes are used to being heralded, healers receive gratitude for their work, and hustlers must earn respect.