Beast Games hits 50 million views in 25 days, beating Amazon record

MrBeast's successful entry into traditional television with Beast Games is evidence of the changing nature of streaming entertainment. Within 25 days since its December 19 launch, Beast Games, the centimillionaire YouTube influencer's most recent project, amassed an astounding 50 million views, shattering streaming records for Amazon Prime Video.

Adapting Jimmy Donaldson's (also known as MrBeast) trademark challenge style from YouTube to streaming, the show offers the biggest single reward in television history.

Following 1,000 contestants through physical, mental, and social trials, the series has already become Prime Video's most-streamed unscripted show ever – and it's only halfway through its run. With five episodes released and hundreds of players still in contention, the series has captured global attention, drawing half its viewership from international audiences, particularly in India, the UK, and Mexico.

Jimmy Donaldson makes history with Beast Games

There is more to the show's explosive popularity than its audience. After Fallout, the show has scored the second-best Prime Video series premiere of 2024. Amazon's streaming service has seen significant membership growth as a result of it becoming the second most acquisitive series of the year on the site.

A representative for Prime Video highlighted the program's innovative approach to unscripted entertainment, saying:

"Beast Games represents the future of reality competition,"

The international reach of Beast Games has been particularly noteworthy, with 50% of its audience tuning in from outside the United States. The show maintains a weekly viewership exceeding 10 million globally, with India alone accounting for nearly 20% of the audience. This global success mirrors Donaldson's YouTube popularity, where his creative content has long captivated millions worldwide.

With enormous obstacles that go beyond the bounds of conventional competition programs, the production's scope is in keeping with its ambition.

Viewers have seen more eliminations through episode 6, which was broadcast on January 16, 2025. These include an obstacle course that eliminated over 200 contestants and a difficult memory test that further reduced the number of contestants.

Criticism and the future of the series

Beast Games has seen its share of criticism despite its unprecedented success. Five finalists sued Amazon and Donaldson in September 2024, claiming that they had been subjected to a hostile environment and inadequate care during production, among other mistreatments.

Donaldson released a behind-the-scenes video in response to these accusations, saying,

"Tons of behind-the-scenes [clips]... show how blown out of proportion these claims were."

The show's success stems from a collaborative effort, with Sean Klitzner, Tyler Conklin, and Mack Hopkins serving as co-creators alongside MrBeast. The executive production team includes Klitzner and Conklin, along with Michael Cruz, Matt Apps, Charles Wachter, Keith Geller, Joe Coleman, and Rachel Skidmore.

With the series maintaining the highest engagement rate among Prime Video's unscripted content and still having several episodes left to air, it continues to redefine what's possible in streaming entertainment.

While Amazon hasn't disclosed exactly what constitutes a "view" in their metrics, the show's impact on both viewership and subscriber growth suggests a new chapter in the evolution of competition-based entertainment.

The success of the show demonstrates the growing confluence of traditional television and digital content creation, proving that YouTube's most innovative creators can successfully transition their formats to mainstream streaming platforms while maintaining their signature appeal.

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Beast Games, co-created and hosted by Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, features 1,000 contestants battling through physical, mental, and social challenges to claim a $5 million cash prize.