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One person against the great unknown, going against all odds of survival to tame nature, has always been a gripping theme for films and shows. Whether it's Antarctica's sub-zero temperatures or Amazon's uncharted jungles, the wild spirit of exploration compels humans to take on dangerous tasks and viewers love to watch things unfold.
Some such shows have become a major part of pop culture and have spawned multiple seasons. TV personalities like Bear Grylls are considered living legends today because of the genre's popularity. These are the shows that people turn to, time and again, for comfort or a rush of adrenaline.
Man Vs. Wild, Naked and Afraid, and 6 other thrilling survival shows
1) Man Vs. Wild
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In 2006, former SAS trooper Bear Grylls took the world by storm when he came out with his survival series, Man Vs Wild. As the host, Grylls gets dropped into remote and often treacherous locations, where he must navigate the harsh environments, look for food and water, find shelter, and protect himself against the predators prowling in the night, all alone.
His insightful commentary as he taught the viewers what to do in panic situations made the show stand apart. However, the most entertaining aspect according to many, was the innovative (and often gross) ways Bear arranged for his nutrition. Man Vs. Wild is currently streaming on Discovery Plus.
2) Naked and Afraid
An American reality TV show that follows two survivalists who meet for the first time and must complete the task of surviving for 21 days in the wild. Each contestant brings a single item, as per the rules, that will help them. The rest, they must salvage from their surroundings and make the best out of what they have got.
It pushes the contestants to their limit. Confined in remote locations, they must face harsh environments and the constant threat of dehydration, starvation, or consuming something poisonous. The aspect that turns people toward this show is how different survivalists come up with different solutions to tackle problems.
Naked and Afraid is currently streaming on Discovery Plus. Read more about its latest season here.
3) Alone
In Alone, 10 contestants are given 10 items instead of one to use for survival. The individual must fend for themselves on their own for as long as possible. The only intervention they can get is a medical check-in from the production team. Otherwise, they are completely isolated from other humans. The contestant who survives for the longest time wins the grand prize of 500,000 dollars.
The show takes the viewers to a variety of exotic locations like Argentina and Patagonia. They get to witness the true grit of the human spirit and see how long a person can endure before they reach their breaking point.
Alone is available to stream on History Channel.
4) Mountain Men
Fourteen men lead a rugged lifestyle in the heart of America, away from civilization, among nature. These skilled men rely on the traditional way of life, hunting for food, cutting lumber for wood, and often farming for sustenance. However, nature's unpredictable nature poses a new challenge each day.
They all must use their years of wisdom to ensure that they not only survive but thrive in the perilous environment.
The show launched in 2012 on the History Channel and is currently an ongoing series in its 12th season. It provides a sense of voyeurism and valuable knowledge to the city dwellers about how to utilize nature's bounty to ensure survival. Mountain Men is currently streaming on Prime Video.
5) Frontier House
The show follows three families that participate in a social experiment to live as homesteaders in the 1800s. They are tasked with setting up their home and getting involved in community living to ensure that they can sustain wholesome livelihoods. They must prepare for the impending Montana winter where every skill they learn will be tested.
Even though the show lasted for only 1 season and six episodes, the unique concept and the entertaining dynamic among the family members have made it a cult classic.
Frontier House is currently available on Thirteen PBS.
6) Survivor
Survivor pits a group of people against each other in an isolated location where they must look out for themselves. They must gather their own food, look for shelter, create fires, and do whatever it takes to survive. The contestants' physical and mental abilities will constantly be tested at every step.
The contestants are progressively eliminated from the competition as they are voted out by their fellow survivors until only two or three remain. The eventual winner will get the grand prize of $1,000,000. The show has been extremely successful, currently in its 47th season, and still going strong.
Survivor is currently available on Paramount Plus.
7) Life Below Zero
A documentary series that follows the lives of people living in Alaska and their struggles to survive. One wrong move could cost them their lives. The freezing cold weather is only one of many challenges. Looking for food in barren lands where nothing can be grown is among the biggest challenges. The Alaskans are able to survive through all that only with years of experience.
The show has been extremely popular, lasting for 14 seasons, and winning several accolades over the years.
Life Below Zero is available to stream on Hulu.
8) Dude, You're Screwed
Five survival experts get dropped into dangerous terrains and environments where they have to use their wits to survive. The goal for each episode is to find civilization within 100 hours with the help of only the survival kit provided to them.
Fans appreciate the show for its educational quality. While taking on the challenge, the survivalists guide the audience and give them instructions on how to tackle difficult challenges on their journey.
The show is currently streaming on Discovery Plus.
These shows have the unique ability to draw the audience into the premise and also offer a strange experience of traveling the world without actually having to leave the living room. People find them educational and quite entertaining to watch.
