Episode guide
RuPaul's Drag Race: Season 18
16 episodes · premiered Jan 2, 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.
- Episode 1: You Can't Keep a Good Drag Queen Down! Jan 2, 2026 · 1h 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…
- Episode 2: Q-Pop Girl Groups Jan 9, 2026 · 1h 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…
- Episode 3: RDR Live Returns! Jan 16, 2026 · 1h 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…
- Episode 4: Red Carpet Mash-Ups Jan 23, 2026 · 1h 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…
- Episode 5: The Rate-a-Queen Talent Show (1) Jan 30, 2026 · 1h 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…
- Episode 6: The Rate-a-Queen Talent Show (2) Feb 6, 2026 · 1h 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…
- Episode 7: Drag Queens for Change Feb 13, 2026 · 1h 3m The queens are tasked with creating twisted parodies of political ads. Choreographer Jamal Sims (Aladdin), and singer-songwriter Leland guest judge.
- Episode 8: Snatch Game of Love: Island Edition Feb 20, 2026 · 1h 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.
- Episode 9: Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball Rusical Feb 27, 2026 · 1h 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.
- Episode 10: Drag in a Bag Mar 6, 2026 · 1h 3m RuPaul throws a spectacular curveball at the queens with the third design challenge of the season. Supermodel Iman guest judges.
- Episode 11: A Toast to Alyssa Edwards Mar 13, 2026 · 1h 3m The queens pay a comedy tribute to tongue-popping Drag Race legend Alyssa Edwards. Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka guest judges.
- Episode 12: Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Drag Queens Mar 20, 2026 · 1h 3m The queens make over queer cowboys. Actress and comedian Danielle Pinnock (Ghosts) guest judges.
- Episode 13: Karens Gone Wild Mar 27, 2026 · 1h 2m The queens face off with RuPaul in a chaotic improv challenge inspired by viral "Karen" meltdowns. Actress Julianne Nicholson (Paradise; Hacks) guest judges.
- Episode 14: Good Morning Bitches Apr 3, 2026 · 1h 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.
- Episode 15: All RuPaul-A-Paruza Smackdown Apr 10, 2026 · 1h 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.
- Episode 16: Grand Finale Apr 17, 2026 · 1h 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.