Since first airing in 2009, there have been over forty competitive seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race. To say she done already done had herses would be putting it lightly. The drag reality competition has become a global phenomenon, giving a platform to performers the world over and entertaining a passionate, ever-expanding fan base - so to stand out as an amazing season, you better werk!
There are some key ingredients to make a season truly stand out. Memorable queens who stay with viewers long after watching, and snappy catchphrases that bear repeating long after the finale. Iconic runway looks are a must, and the all-important Snatch Game must be unforgettable (for the right reasons). Fun challenges should pop up, and although fans love to feast on the drama between queens, there's something even more delicious in seeing the cast support each other, moving beyond cattiness to camaraderie. On all fronts, the best seasons of Drag Race present tens, tens, tens across the board.
RuPaul's Drag Race
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RuPaul searches for America's next drag superstar.
- Release Date
- February 2, 2009
- Cast
- RuPaul , Michelle Visage , Jason Carter , Carson Kressley
- Main Genre
- Reality-TV
- Seasons
- 16
12 'Drag Race Holland' Season 1 (2020)
Winner: Envy Peru
Holland's season one queens proved they were world-class competitors with some of the most impressive, polished looks in RPDR history. Envy Peru and Janey Jacké were consistently outstanding on the runway, serving sophisticated choices and perfect make-up. Another triumphant look was Sederginne's Marie Antoinette, whose hooped skirt opened to reveal shelves of cakes — a high-camp classic for the herstory books.
Far from being just "look queens," the Dutch competitors showcased comedic talents in a workout video challenge, and a strong Snatch Game — which arguably has been losing its luster in recent seasons — featuring ChelseaBoy's impeccable performance as Joe Exotic. Drama wasn't missing in the first season of Drag Race Holland, as Miss Abby OMG stirred things up with her confrontational attitude and bold personality. Drag Race Holland might have a truncated season compared to the American format, but the Dutch queens packed a punch in one of the best Drag Race seasons.
11 'Drag Race Philippines' Season 1 (2023)
Winner: Precious Paula Nicole
With Drag Race Thailand on hiatus, the Asian queens had no platform to show off their drag. Thankfully, the first season of Drag Race Philippines premiered in 2023, giving queens from the Philippines a chance to show the world what Filipino drag means. Headed by TV host Paolo Ballesteros and with the help of Drag Race season 4 icon Jiggly Caliente, Drag Race Philippines had some of the most memorable challenges in Drag Race history, including one that involved queens climbing up a bamboo pole as well as beauty pageant-inspired main challenge.
The season was also known for its girl group challenge that launched the iconic song "Pop Off Ate." With so many incredible moments that showed off drag excellence, as well as drama-filled scenes between queens, Drag Race Philippines Season 1 should not be missed by Drag Race fans. — Jom Elauria
10 'Drag Race France' Season 2
Winner: Keiona Revlon
While Drag Race France Season 1 is almost flawless, it's hard to deny that Season 2 is the better one. The season of the binge-able reality TV show featured a diverse and talented cast of queens who brought unique personalities and skills to the competition, including Sara Forever and Piche. The season's Snatch Game was also one for the books, with the queens embodying French icons, but Punani ultimately won the challenge with her Amanda Lear impersonation.
It was also hard to not root for Keiona. A well-rounded performer, Keiona's runway looks were consistently high-concept and jaw-dropping. But that's not all, Keiona was such an excellent competitor that she delivered captivating performances in the acting challenges that showed her range and comedic timing. She fully embodied the spirit of French drag which was fashionable, sharp, and had an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of the beloved art form. — Jom Elauria
9 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 3 (2011)
Winner: Raja Gemini
With the format still finding its feet, there are elements of the older seasons of RPDR that feel jarring — particularly, watching the queens enter the Werk Room apologetically, rather than with the confidence they deserve. Yet season three is still one of the best for inspired looks and stand-out queens.
Four design challenges tested the queen's mettle for constructing garments and employing creative choices. Particularly memorable were Raja's looks, though other queens made lasting impressions: Yara Sofia, Shangela, and Manila Luzon all hold space in the hearts and minds of fans. Season three also taught the important lesson that drag is not a contact sport, after a shocking interference during an ill-fated lip sync. In addition, the season also has some of the show's best dramatic moments, from Shangela's sugar daddy monologue in Untucked to the Heathers vs. Boogers storyline that split the competitors throughout the competition.
8 'Drag Race España' Season 2 (2022)
Winner: Sharonne
Drag Race España season has the best talent extravaganza to date. An opera-singing queen, a duet with a puppet sidekick, and a performer dropping into the splits from a painful height were just a few shocking highlights that told audiences these queens were here to slay and stay.
Onyx brought detailed and extravagant looks to the runway, from a nude-effect angel to a giant insect, Drag Sethlas was polished in flawless make-up and impossibly high heels, Juriji presented empowering looks that were challenging and ultra-feminine. Without a doubt, the show's cast of high-caliber queens delivered something exciting every week. Fans who want to learn where some of the queens ended up after the show would be delighted to know that fan-favorite Arantxa Castilla-La Mancha has joined the recent season of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World.
7 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 10 (2018)
Winner: Aquaria
Season 10 featured memorable queens Miz Cracker, Monét X Change, lip-sync assassin Kameron Michaels, and quotable queen: "Miss Vanjie...Miss Vanjie!...". Eureka also returned after sustaining a brutal knee injury the previous season, giving fans a satisfying redemption story.
Presenting superior looks throughout the season, Aquaria surprised with a sickening Snatch Game as Melania Trump. A particularly enjoyable episode took the franchise back to its roots, challenging the queens to make looks with unconventional materials in Drag on a Dime. This hadn't been done since season three and yielded memorable and creative results. It's also worth noting that the season had plenty of drama to go around, especially with queens like Eureka and The Vixen who are more than ready to receive shade and throw it back — hard.
6 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' Season 2 (2021)
Winner: Lawrence Chaney
Filmed on the cusp of precedented and unprecedented times, this season paused filming for months due to COVID. It was interesting to see how emotional the contestants were when they returned. There was a shift in the air, and seeing the reality of the effects of lockdown hit home for viewers. Strength was borne from vulnerability, and the second half of the season felt palpably different.
Arguably one of the best seasons to come out of the 2020s, RuPaul's Drag Race UK Series 2 presented a diversity of queens from the UK with Wales, Great Britain and Scotland represented, among them comedy queens, look queens, and dancers. The song "UK Hun" is undeniably the best of the franchise, and contestant super group The United King Dolls went on global tours and had great success. Katie Price is an unmissable Snatch Game character, performed by the unforgettable Bimini Bon Boulash.
5 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 2 (2016)
Winner: Alaska
Featuring fan-favorite queens Katya, Ginger Minj and several season five alumni, All Stars 2 delivered the personalities fans were itching to see return for the crown. Alyssa Edwards and Coco Montrese were again in the competition after a long-standing rivalry, and the troupe of RoLaskaTox, season five's toxic clique, had a major and necessary shift in power.
The change in format this season had the queens eliminating each other, allowing for vendettas and alliances to play out. Alaska delivered an iconic Snatch Game performance as Mae West, and the final song featuring the top four queens gave both the best ("But your Dad just calls me Katya") and worst ("I'm here to make it clear, I know you love me baby, that's why you brought me here") lyrics of any RuPaul song.
4 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 12 (2020)
Winner: Jaida Essence Hall
There was a lot to love about Season 12, and not only because its release coincided with a time when the world was shifting with lockdowns and losses, needing escapism, entertainment, and the heartfelt connection of the show more than ever.
A beautiful hijab runway look from Jackie Cox brought guest judge, Jurassic Park's Jeff Goldblum, to tears. Gigi Goode and Jaida Essence Hall presented looks that had fans excited to see what they would bring to the runway each week. Gigi's Snatch Game as Maria the Robot was a dicey choice but played to hilarious perfection. Catchphrases "Look over there!" and the perennially likable Heidi N' Closet's "Soft and supple" are as hard to forget as Crystal Methyd's whimsical fashions.
3 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 7 (2022)
Winner: Jinkx Monsoon
Featuring former winners as competitors, it's hard to look past RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 7 for the best performances and looks of any season (or any reality competition show, for that matter). What makes the season different from other All Stars seasons is that no queen gets eliminated in the show. The new, improved format made the queens support each other differently; in not throwing the best under the bus, fans got the chance to see all queens compete until the end. There was an ease in the competition, with the queens unapologetically showcasing the breadth of their talents.
The greatest Snatch Game performance came from Jinkx Monsoon, whose talents had gone from strength to strength since her 2013 win. Her Judy Garland is an unforgettable performance, as were the hilarious comedy roast and graduation speech challenges. Special mention to Trinity the Tuck, whose Snatch Games as Lucifer and Leslie Jordan were devilishly funny.
2 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 5 (2013)
Winner: Jinkx Monsoon
The off-beat Monsoon faced tough bullying in season five, but inspirationally pulled through with the help of her catchphrase "water off a duck's back." She performed a brilliant Snatch Game as Little Edie, and ultimately triumphed against one of the most iconic trios in reality television: RoLaskaTox.
With an unexpected and much-beloved fifteenth queen in Lil' Poundcake, the entire cast of this season was top-notch. An incredible lip sync battle to "Malambo No. 1," pageant drama between Coco Montrese and Alyssa Edwards (resulting in classic burns about the color orange), and a payoff of the underdog coming out on top made season five wildly watchable. That said, it's truly Monsoon season, as the winner has found a ton of success after the show, even making it to the cast of Doctor Who.
1 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 6 (2014)
Winner: Bianca del Rio
Some runway looks of Season 6 (the best season of RuPaul's Drag Race) take up permanent residence in the minds of RPDR fans: Courtney Act's wings, Milk's beard, and Ornacia - the oft-referenced head atop Vivacious' entrance look. The season presented a surprising acting challenge, with Darienne Lake stealing the show as a disembodied head, while Vivacious gave viewers precisely nothing in the same role (which was iconic in its own right).
The Season 6 queens are some of the most enduring of the franchise - especially Bianca Del Rio, the funniest queen ever to grace the Werk Room. Her sass and wit kept every episode a comedic treat, taking up the unofficial mantle of season narrator. Between her Judge Judy, BenDeLaCreme's Maggie Smith, and Adore Delano's Anna Nicole Smith, the season has an unmissable Snatch Game. With off-runway drama and an essential companion piece in Untucked, nothing beats season six for long-time fans or first-time viewers.