‘Beast Games’: Everything You Need to Know About MrBeast’s New Game Show

The highly anticipated game show “Beast Games,” hosted by YouTube sensation MrBeast (James Donaldson), has officially premiered on Prime Video. The first episode is now available for streaming, with new episodes releasing weekly.

The Premise of ‘Beast Games’

“Beast Games” promises to be one of the most thrilling competition series to date, featuring 1,000 contestants vying for what is touted as the largest cash prize in game show history. Over 10 episodes, participants face rigorous physical and mental challenges, competing for jaw-dropping prizes such as $5 million, a private island, and luxury cars like Lamborghinis. By the end of the second episode, which is also available for streaming, the pool of contestants has already been halved to 500.

The series draws comparisons to hit shows like Netflix’s “Squid Game,” NBC’s “Fear Factor,” and CBS’s “Survivor,” combining high-stakes challenges with intense competition.

How to Watch ‘Beast Games’

“Beast Games” is exclusively available on Prime Video. Here are the details:

• Episode Schedule: The first two episodes are available now, with new episodes dropping every Thursday at 12 p.m. EST until February 13.
• Episode Length: Each episode runs approximately 40 minutes.
• Subscription Required: An Amazon Prime membership is necessary to watch the show. Subscription options include:
  • Amazon Prime: $14.99/month or $139/year
  • Amazon Video-only: $8.99/month
  • Amazon Prime Student: $7.49/month or $69/year

Can You Watch ‘Beast Games’ on YouTube?

Despite MrBeast’s fame as a YouTube content creator, “Beast Games” is not available on YouTube. It is exclusively streaming on Prime Video.

Controversy Surrounding ‘Beast Games’

Even before its release, “Beast Games” faced backlash as several contestants filed a lawsuit against MrBeast and Amazon, alleging workplace abuse. Claims include unsafe working conditions, denial of food and sleep, and harassment during production. The class-action lawsuit also accuses the production of misclassifying contestants as volunteers to secure tax benefits while filming in Las Vegas. Additional allegations include physical injuries, inadequate medical care, and a “culture of misogyny and sexism.”

A spokesperson for MrBeast addressed the situation, citing logistical challenges and extreme weather as factors complicating production. Both MrBeast and Amazon have yet to respond to the recent allegations.

Who is MrBeast?

James Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is a 26-year-old YouTube superstar renowned for his extravagant competitions and giveaways. Rising to fame in 2017 with a viral video of himself counting to 100,000, MrBeast has since amassed a record-breaking 337 million subscribers, making his channel the most-subscribed on YouTube.

His 2021 recreation of “Squid Game,” featuring 456 contestants competing for a $456,000 prize, remains his most-viewed video with over 678 million views. Now, with “Beast Games,” he’s expanding his influence into the realm of streaming television.

Final Thoughts

“Beast Games” is shaping up to be a must-watch series for fans of high-stakes competition and adrenaline-pumping challenges. With weekly episodes rolling out through mid-February, Prime Video subscribers have plenty to look forward to. However, the show’s legal controversies have added a layer of intrigue and scrutiny to its debut. Will “Beast Games” live up to the hype? Tune in to find out.