RuPaul's Drag Race — Season 18
16 episodesFirst aired 2 January 2026
This season, 14 sickening new queens enter the Werk Room to compete for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar," an official makeup collaboration with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics and a cash prize of $200,000 courtesy of the popular video game RuPaul's Drag Race Match Queen.
E1You Can't Keep A Good Drag Queen Down!
7.2Jan 20261h 8m
In shady times, let there be light! A dazzling new cast of queens navigate the first challenge of the season: “Reclaim! Renew! Rejoice!” The queens must repurpose leftover treasures from the Drag Race vaults to create their own signature drag look. Superstar Cardi B guest judges.
E2Q-Pop Girl Groups
7.4Jan 20261h 3m
The queens sing and dance in rival “Q-Pop” girl groups: the “Q” standing for quintessentially queer, with tracks inspired by Sylvester, Wham! and The Runaways. Actress and singer Dove Cameron guest judges.
E3RDR Live Returns!
6.8Jan 20261h 3m
Live from Tuckahoe, RDR Live returns! The queens must once again serve up laughs in the hilarious send-up of the iconic sketch comedy show. Actress and comedian Sarah Sherman (Saturday Night Live) guest judges.
E4Red Carpet Mash-Ups
8.7Jan 20261h 3m
The queens must create show-stopping looks inspired by a mash-up of two different legendary red carpet looks. Broadway star Annaleigh Ashford (Wicked, Legally Blonde) and superstar stylist Law Roach guest judge.
E5The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 1
9.7Jan 20261h 3m
It’s judgement day, as half of the queens take the stage to perform a show-stopping talent number, while the other half watch and rate the performances. Swedish singer Zara Larsson guest judges.
E6The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 2
8.3Feb 20261h 3m
Alliances form and schemes are hatched, as the other half of the cast takes to the stage for their talent show, and to be rated by their sisters. Musician Amy Taylor (Amyl and the Sniffers) guest judges.
E7Drag Queens For Change
9.0Feb 20261h 3m
The queens are tasked with creating twisted parodies of political ads. Choreographer Jamal Sims (Aladdin), and singer-songwriter Leland guest judge.
E8Snatch Game of Love: Island Edition
8.3Feb 20261h 3m
RuPaul throws the queens a curveball by giving the classic celebrity impersonation game show a format twist. Actress and model Brooke Shields guest judges.
E9Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball Rusical
8.7Feb 20261h 3m
This season’s Rusical is inspired by a mashup of the classical Broadway musical Annie, and New York City ballroom culture. Record producer Benny Blanco guest judges.
E10Drag in a Bag
9.0Mar 20261h 3m
RuPaul throws a spectacular curveball at the queens with the third design challenge of the season. Supermodel Iman guest judges.
E11A Toast to Alyssa Edwards
7.5Mar 20261h 3m
The queens pay a comedy tribute to tongue-popping Drag Race legend Alyssa Edwards. Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka guest judges.
E12Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Drag Queens
8.0Mar 20261h 3m
The queens make over queer cowboys. Actress and comedian Danielle Pinnock (Ghosts) guest judges.
E13Karens Gone Wild
7.0Mar 20261h 2m
The queens face off with RuPaul in a chaotic improv challenge inspired by viral “Karen” meltdowns. Actress Julianne Nicholson (Paradise; Hacks) guest judges.
E14Good Morning Bitches
8.0Apr 20261h 2m
The queens take over the 8th and 9th hour of a morning show, testing their hosting skills with interviews and banter. Actress Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) guest judges.
E15All RuPaul-A-Paruza Smackdown
8.2Apr 20261h 5m
All of the eliminated queens return to battle it out in a Lalaparuza lip sync smackdown, featuring all RuPaul songs, and a $50,000 cash prize.
E16Grand Finale
8.0Apr 20261h
The top queens face off in an epic evening of performances and lip syncs, as they compete for a grand prize of $200,000. Superstar Miley Cyrus joins RuPaul on stage.
