RuPaul’s Drag Race: 10 Other Great Reality TV Drag Shows Fans Need To Watch

Since RuPaul’s Drag Race first premiered back in 2009 it has ushered in a new era for drag, making it both popular and lucrative. Throughout the last decade, the show has produced some of the biggest drag talents in the world, including Trixie Mattel, Bianca Del Rio, Shangela, and more. Drag Race has proved itself to be a massive force in the world of pop culture.

Naturally, since the explosion of drag culture on mainstream TV, numerous other shows have been released on streaming services and cable television, further cementing drag as a popular art form that’s here to stay.

Shade: Queens of NYC (Stream On Fuse TV)

Back in 2017, Fuse TV launched Shade: Queens of NYC. Rather than being a competition series like many other drag reality shows, Shade followed the daily lives of some of New York’s most famous drag queens. While centering on their drag shows, the series also followed their friendships, love life, and of course, drama. Shade cast members Tina Burner and Brita Filter even went on to compete in Drag Race.

Dragnificent (Stream On Discovery+)

In 2019, TLC launched a special called Drag Me Down the Aisle which capitalized on the popularity of wedding shows and was a combination of Say Yes to the Dress and Queer Eye. In the show, four Drag Race alumni – Alexis Michelle, BeBe Zahara Benet, Jujubee, and Thorgy Thor – help a bride make her dream wedding come true.

In 2020, the show was brought back for a full season titled Dragnificent. The series was more than just a wedding-prep show, as it also involved the queens teaching the brides to be confident, to believe in themselves, and to make the most of their special day.

RuPaul’s Drag Race: Vegas Review (Stream On VH1.com)

Before the pandemic, Drag Race made its way to Las Vegas with RuPaul’s Drag Race Live at the Flamingo hotel. The show stars Drag Race alums Asia O’Hara, Derrick Barry, Kameron Michaels, Naomi Smalls, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, and Yvie Oddly collaborating on a variety show-style performance.

Earlier this year, a docu-style series about the group preparing to launch the Vegas show aired on VH1 called RuPaul’s Drag Race Vegas Review. Naturally, as it centers on a group of drag queens putting on a show in Vegas, the series is full of drama, laughs, and ample amounts of shade. It’s also an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at a Vegas show drag fans can still see, as the show will be performed until the end of 2021.

Drag Heals (Stream On Peacock)

Drag Heals is a Canadian reality show that features men and women who have always dreamed of being drag queens and kings. A team of queens comes in to help them achieve their goals, both inspiring them to be their true selves, as well as helping them with tips and tricks of the trade. The grand finale is a final live show performed by the aspiring kings and queens to show off their newfound confidence and talents.

Call Me Mother (Stream On OUTtv)

RuPaul’s Drag Race alums Peppermint and Crystal Methyd team up with Canadian drag legend Barbada de Barbades on this newly-launched drag series. Unlike Drag Race, where each queen competes individually, Call Me Mother separates the queens and kings into houses, much like traditional drag ball culture.

Each house is then mentored by one of the drag stars as they compete against each other. However, each week, someone is sent home, meaning only one contestant can be named the “First Child of Drag”.

Dancing Queen (Stream On Netflix)

Drag Race alum and audience-favorite, Alyssa Edwards, stars in Netflix’s docuseries Dancing Queen. The show focuses on Edward’s life as both a drag superstar and a dance coach at her Texas-based dance school. Before appearing on Drag Race, Edwards was a heavily awarded pageant queen and was already famous for her entertaining skills. However, Dancing Queen gives a more intimate look into her life, providing drag fans a hilarious, heartwarming, and fabulous docuseries.

Legendary (Stream On HBO Max)

In recent years, the documentary Paris is Burning has gained significant attention from mainstream media, creating a newfound awareness and appreciation for drag ball culture, something that was previously unknown to most people.

Since then, FX released Pose to rave reviews (and Emmy awards) and HBO Max even debuted their reality series, Legendary. In the competition series, various houses compete for $100,000 through dance, fashion, and a hefty dose of shade. The show has already been renewed for a third season which is slated to premiere in 2022.

Dragula (Stream On Shudder)

Created by the Boulet Brothers, Dragula is a celebration of drag and horror. The competition series plays out similarly to Drag Race but is much darker, edgier, and challenges contestants on things like costuming, special-effects makeup skills, acting abilities, and more.

Staying true to the show’s horror roots, each episode features guest judges who are usually horror icons, like Rachel True (The Craft), Danielle Harris (Halloween), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), and more.

We’re Here (Stream on HBO Max)

One of HBO Max’s most popular reality shows is We’re Here. In the series, Drag Race alums, Shangela, Bob the Drag Queen, and Eureka make their way to small towns across America, helping make people’s drag dreams come true. Episodes feature a wide variety of town residents, who all have various reasons for wanting to try drag.

During the course of the show, the queens encounter plenty of people who react negatively to drag. But just like Drag Race tackles pressing topics, We’re Here doesn’t shy away from these issues, making it both entertaining and inspiring. The grand finale of each episode is a drag show put on by the new queens who have been mentored by Shangela, Bob, and Eureka. The show not only explores drag but also life in small-town America, and what happens when the two meet.

Queen of the Universe (Stream on Paramount+)

In early December, Paramount+ will be launching Queen of the Universe, a new drag-based singing competition series. While drag queens and kinges are normally known for lipsyncing, this show is set to showcase the true vocal talents of drag artists across the world. It’s been announced that Graham Norton will host, and the panel of judges will consist of Michelle Visage, Leona Lewis, Vanessa Williams, and All-Stars 3 winner, Trixie Mattel.

When speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Michelle Visage said, “It’s a singing competition first, it’s a drag competition second. What you think you know is going to be out the door because, yes, it’s singing, but it’s definitely different.” The series is created by RuPaul and World of Wonder (creators of Drag Race), so fans of the show are sure to love what’s to come.

About The Author

Keith Langston
(155 Articles Published)

Keith Langston is a writer for ScreenRant, as well as Travel Channel and Passport Magazine. He holds a deep passion for film, travel, and adventure. He fully believes that ‘The Faculty’ is the greatest movie ever made.

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