The essential episodes of American Ninja Warrior

Watch these 15 in order and you've got American Ninja Warrior — each pick states its reason.

  1. 01

    S01E01 · Pilot · December 12, 2009 · 2h

    Part 1 of 8

  2. 02

    S05E13 · Season 5 peak · August 11, 2013 · 2h

    Miami Finals 16.7

  3. 03

    S06E10 · Season 6 peak · August 4, 2014 · 2h

    Denver Finals8.5

    The top qualifiers in Denver now face the final course, hoping to punch their tickets to the finals in Las Vegas.

  4. 04

    S07E08 · Season 7 peak · July 20, 2015 · 2h

    Kansas City Finals9.5

    "American Ninja Warrior" travels back to Kansas City, Missouri where the top 30 competitors from the Kansas City Qualifier tackle the Kansas City Finals course. In addition to the obstacles from the Kansas City Qualifier, contestants will face the Salmon Ladder, Flying Shelf Grab, Body Prop and Invisible Ladder. Top competitors and fan-favorites Meagan Martin, Brian Arnold and Michael Stanger will take on the course. The Kansas City competitors will vie for a chance to compete in the Las Vegas finals, to win a cash prize of $1,000,000 and the title of "American Ninja Warrior."

  5. 05

    S08E01 · Season 8 peak · June 1, 2016 · 2h

    Los Angeles Qualifier7.3

    The heart-racing obstacle course competition series "American Ninja Warrior" premieres for its eighth season this summer. The action-packed series follows competitors as they tackle the world's most difficult obstacle courses in qualifying and finals rounds across the country. Those that successfully complete the courses in each city will move onto the national finals round in Las Vegas and compete for a $1,000,000 prize. Four of the six obstacles on the Los Angeles course will be new to "American Ninja Warrior." For the first time, competitors will face the Floating Steps, Tic Toc, Escalator and Ring Jump. Veteran Ninjas Kevin Bull, Jessie Graff and Grant McCartney return for another shot at completing the course. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila return as hosts as Kristine Leahy co-hosts.

  6. 06

    S09E08 · Season 9 peak · July 31, 2017 · 2h

    San Antonio Finals8.7

    American Ninja Warrior travels back to San Antonio, Texas where the top 30 competitors from the City Qualifier tackle the City Finals course. In addition to the obstacles from the qualifying round, contestants will face the Salmon Ladder, Hourglass Drop, Elevator Climb and brand new obstacle Spinball Wizard. Veteran ninjas Kacy Catanzaro, Daniel Gil and Brent Steffensen return. Competitors will vie for a chance to compete in the Las Vegas finals, to win a cash prize of $1,000,000 and the title of American Ninja Warrior.

  7. 07

    S10E15 · Season 10 peak · September 10, 2018 · 2h

    Las Vegas Season Finale8.3

    It's the last night of the "American Ninja Warrior" National Finals, where the season's best Ninjas tackle the toughest obstacle course in the world. Competitors who conquered stage one move on to stage two, in hopes of advancing to stages three and four.

  8. 08

    S11E06 · Season 11 peak · July 8, 2019 · 2h

    Cincinnati City Qualifiers9.3

    American Ninja Warrior" heads to Cincinnati for the final City Qualifying Round. Competitors will face up to six challenging obstacles including Sling Shot which is new to the course this year.

  9. 09

    S12E01 · Season 12 peak · September 7, 2020 · 2h

    Qualifier 18.6

    A new season begins with round one of Qualifying as the ninjas face up to six challenging obstacles, including Ring Chaser and Rib Run, which are new to the course this year, in addition to Shrinking Steps, Slingshot and the iconic Warped Wall.

  10. 10

    S13E01 · Season 13 peak · May 31, 2021 · 2h

    Qualifiers 17.8

    A new generation of ninjas takes on the course at the famed Tacoma Dome. For the first time, competitors as young as 15 compete in round one of Qualifiers, where the ninjas face up to six challenging obstacles, including four new obstacles.

  11. 11

    S14E12 · Season 14 peak · August 29, 2022 · 2h

    National Finals 38.4

    The National Finals conclude in Las Vegas as the remaining competitors move on to Stages 3 and 4 for their chance to win $1 million and become the next American Ninja Warrior.

  12. 12

    S15E08 · Season 15 peak · July 31, 2023 · 1h

    Semifinals 19.5

    The semifinals continue in Los Angeles where the competing ninjas face up to six challenging obstacles and race head-to-head for a spot in the national finals.

  13. 13

    S16E06 · Season 16 peak · July 22, 2024 · 2h

    Semifinals 1 & 29.5

    The semifinals begin in Los Angeles where the ninjas will race head-to-head for a spot in the finals. Competitors will face up to six challenging obstacles, including Home Run and Spin Hopper. The two fastest ninjas of the night will race for the Safety Pass going into the national finals.

  14. 14

    S17E04 · Season 17 peak · June 23, 2025 · 2h

    Qualifiers 49.5

    Qualifying rounds continue in Las Vegas on the world's most challenging obstacle course. The top 20 athletes of the night advance to the semifinals.

  15. 15

    S18E03 · Season 18 peak · June 22, 2026 · 2h

    Western Regional Finals8.5

    The new Regional Finals begin as ninjas from the Western Region compete for a spot in the National Finals. The Tripleheader, a supersized three-lane racecourse, debuts as ninjas go head to head to head in side-by-side races.

Shows like American Ninja Warrior

The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.

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