MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is a YouTuber with over 360 million subscribers, the most of any YouTube channel, on which he hosts elaborate challenges and gives away large sums of money. Beast Games, which premiered December 19 on Prime Video, features 1,000 contestants as they compete for a grand prize of $10 million, both the biggest cast and cash prize in the history of reality television.

Now, MrBeast's competition series has broken a big record. Via Variety, Beast Games has garnered 50 million viewers in its first 25 days, becoming Prime Video's most-watched unscripted series ever, according to Amazon. That figure also ranks as the streamer's second-biggest series debut of 2024, trailing only Fallout. Additionally, as of February 14 following the season 1 finale, Beast Games ranks second on Amazon Prime's Top 10 TV Shows and Top 10 overall, behind only Invincible.

Amazon does not specify its definition of a viewer, meaning that 50 million could represent the number of people who watched any part of Beast Games rather than finishing full episodes.

What Beast Games' Viewing Record Means For The Show

It's A Big Hit Despite Controversies Behind The Scenes

Beast Games has become a big hit despite numerous controversies behind the scenes. Multiple contestants claimed they experienced mistreatment during production, leading to a lawsuit against Donaldson's company. Participants reported being deprived of food, water, medication, and beds while on set. Additionally, there were dozens of alleged injuries during the initial filming sessions, along with allegations of sexual harassment and unpaid overtime. As a result, a class action lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court in September 2024.

In December 2024, a report published by Rolling Stone on the alleged working conditions detailed an incident in which part of a tower's exterior collapsed onto a crew member. While there was an investigation into the incident, no criminal element was found. Beast Games has also been poorly received by critics, with many noting that, while the competition series is inspired by Netflix's Squid Game, it removes its dystopian themes. While Squid Game offers a critique of oligarchs and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, Beast Games unintentionally celebrates these ideas.

Our Take On Beast Games' Viewing Record

It Shouldn't Overshadow The Controversies

While Beast Games' record-breaking success on Prime Video is undeniable, it shouldn't overshadow the serious concerns surrounding the show. There were numerous allegations of poor working conditions and safety hazards. This is not to mention that it misses the point of its inspiration, Squid Game, by arguably exploiting its own contestants. While Beast Games is a big hit, it shouldn't overshadow these allegations and criticisms.

Source: Variety