MrBeast

{{Short description|American YouTuber (born 1998)}} {{Redirect|Mr. Beast}} {{Not to be confused with|Mr. Beat}} {{pp-blp|small=yes}}

{{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox social media personality | image = MrBeast 2023 (cropped).jpg | caption = MrBeast in 2023 | other_names = {{hlist|Jimmy Donaldson|MrBeast6000|Mister Beast|Jim|Beast}} | birth_name = James Stephen Donaldson | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|5|7}} | birth_place = Wichita, Kansas, U.S. | education = Greenville Christian Academy<br>Pitt Community College (dropped out) | occupation = {{hlist|YouTuber|media personality|businessman|philanthropist}} | years_active = 2012–present | partner = {{hlist|Thea Booysen (2022–present; engaged)}} | youtube_handle = MrBeast | youtube_display_name = | youtube_years_active = | youtube_genre = | youtube_subscribers = 494 million | youtube_views = 126 billion | stats_update = May 31, 2026 | module2 = {{Listen voice | filename = Mr Beast.ogg | name = MrBeast | description = At the 2022 Kids' Choice Awards | recorded = April 2022 }} | website = {{URL|mrbeast.store}} }}

'''James Stephen "Jimmy" Donaldson'''{{Efn|name="name"|Attributed to multiple sources.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raiken |first=Amber |date=August 1, 2023 |title=YouTube star MrBeast sues his food-delivery service over 'inedible' and 'poor quality' items |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/mrbeast-youtuber-food-delivery-service-lawsuit-b2385784.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603225003/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/mrbeast-youtuber-food-delivery-service-lawsuit-b2385784.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Clare |date=January 23, 2024 |title=MrBeast tested Elon Musk's theory and took home $250,000 {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/23/tech/mr-beast-x-video-worth/index.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603225003/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/23/tech/mr-beast-x-video-worth/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Guinness World Records-2023">{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2023 |title=First person to reach 1 million followers on Threads {{!}} Guinness World Records |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/754864-first-person-to-reach-1-million-followers-on-threads |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=Guinness World Records |archive-date=July 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711091759/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/754864-first-person-to-reach-1-million-followers-on-threads |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Power |first=Ed |date=December 20, 2024 |title=Beast Games, review: $100 million worth of charmless YouTube nonsense |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2024/12/20/beast-games-amazon-prime-video-review/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piccotti |first=Tyler |last2=Caruso |first2=Catherine |date=January 2, 2025 |title=The New MrsBeast? YouTube Star MrBeast Announces Engagement to Thea Booysen |url=https://www.biography.com/celebrities/a63150212/mrbeast |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=Biography.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=October 23, 2024 |title=Do MrBeast's Lunchly Meals Have a Mold Problem? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/lunchly-mrbeast-logan-paul-ksi-mold-1235141176/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>}} (born May 7, 1998), better known as '''MrBeast''', is an American YouTuber, media personality, businessman, and philanthropist. The founder of Beast Industries, a conglomerate that holds various media channels, MrBeast Burger, Feastables, Lunchly, and more,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Luscombe |first=Belinda |date=June 26, 2025 |title=Beast Industries |url=https://time.com/collections/time100-companies-2025/7289643/beast-industries/ |access-date=January 15, 2026 |magazine=Time}}</ref> he produces high-paced YouTube videos built around elaborate challenges and grandiose philanthropic efforts, that are noted for their high production values.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lloyd |first1=Andrew |last2=Cheong |first2=Charissa |last3=Theil |first3=Michele |date=November 16, 2022 |title=From fan to friendly rival, here's how MrBeast's 10-year journey to overtake PewDiePie as YouTube's biggest creator finally paid off |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-pewdiepie-relationship-history-biggest-youtubers-2022-11 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=Insider}}</ref> With more than 494 million subscribers, his main channel is the most subscribed on YouTube. He is also the third most followed account on TikTok.<ref name="Davis-2024" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 11, 2024 |title=MrBeast becomes first Youtuber to hit 300 million subscribers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/mrbeast-becomes-first-youtuber-to-hit-300-million-subscribers/articleshow/111654205.cms |access-date=August 24, 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

Donaldson was born in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Greenville, North Carolina. He began posting videos to YouTube in early 2012<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Night Media Signs Top Influencer, 'MrBeast' |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190123005544/en/Night-Media-Signs-Top-Influencer-%E2%80%9CMrBeast%E2%80%9D |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526074211/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190123005544/en/Night-Media-Signs-Top-Influencer-%E2%80%9CMrBeast%E2%80%9D |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |access-date=May 26, 2019 |website=Business Wire}}</ref> under ''MrBeast6000''. His early uploads ranged from Let's Play videos to estimations of other YouTubers' wealth.<ref name="Asarch-2019">{{Cite news |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=April 2, 2019 |title=How YouTuber MrBeast Pulled Off a Real-life Battle Royale in three Weeks |work=Newsweek |url=https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-youtube-interview-how-did-youtuber-make-money-battle-royale-airsoft-1383921 |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109164325/https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-youtube-interview-how-did-youtuber-make-money-battle-royale-airsoft-1383921 |archive-date=November 9, 2019}}</ref> In January 2017, after his video "I Counted to 100,000!" drew tens of thousands of views within days, his productions quickly became more extravagant.<ref name="Miller-2023" /> As the audience expanded, Donaldson brought longtime friends into the brand and launched companion channels including Beast Reacts (inactive as of 2026, formerly BeastHacks), MrBeast Gaming, MrBeast 2 (formerly MrBeast Shorts),<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2022 |title=MrBeast Shorts - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-79UOlP48-QNGgCko5p2g |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105184855/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-79UOlP48-QNGgCko5p2g |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and Beast Philanthropy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |date=May 15, 2020 |title=MrBeast Just Launched A Gaming Channel. Now He's Looking To Hire An Editor. |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/05/15/mrbeast-launches-new-gaming-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111175805/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/05/15/mrbeast-launches-new-gaming-channel/ |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Beast Philanthropy Official Site - Help End Hunger |url=https://www.beastphilanthropy.org/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Beastphilanthropy.org |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625002934/https://www.beastphilanthropy.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

He co-founded Team Trees—a fundraiser for the Arbor Day Foundation that has raised more than $24 million—and launched Lunchly, a food and snack brand rivaling Lunchables.<ref name="teamtrees.org">{{Cite web |title=Help Us Plant 20 Million Trees – Join #TeamTrees |url=https://teamtrees.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517210957/https://teamtrees.org/ |archive-date=May 17, 2020 |access-date=May 17, 2020 |website=teamtrees.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Leskin |first=Paige |date=December 19, 2019 |title=YouTuber MrBeast's tree-planting campaign reached its goal of raising $20 million. Here's the list of prominent people who have donated, including Elon Musk, Jeffree Star, and even the CEO of YouTube. |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10 |url-status=live |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209061044/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10 |archive-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunchly |title=About |url=https://lunchly.com/pages/about |access-date=September 18, 2024 |website=Lunchly |language=en |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924041716/https://lunchly.com/pages/about |url-status=live }}</ref> He also co-founded Team Seas, a fundraiser for Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup that has raised over $30 million,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Altman |first=Rebecca |date=January 14, 2022 |title=Five myths about plastics |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/01/14/five-myths-plastics/ |access-date=December 27, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128181644/https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/01/14/five-myths-plastics/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and created the reality competition series ''Beast Games''. In 2025, he co-founded Team Water, another fundraiser that raised over $40 million for WaterAid.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 1, 2025 |title="We did it, guys!": MrBeast's Team Water hits $40 million goal in just one month to provide clean water for 2 million people |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/international-sports/we-did-it-guys-mrbeasts-team-water-hits-40-million-goal-in-just-one-month-to-provide-clean-water-for-2-million-people/articleshow/123630120.cms |access-date=November 16, 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name="Faris, James-2025" />

Donaldson won the Creator of the Year award at the Streamy Awards in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. He also won Favorite Male Creator at the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. In 2023, ''Time'' named him one of the world's 100 most influential people,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/ |title=Time 100 |magazine=Time |date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413151502/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the magazine included him in its 2025 ''Time'' 100 Creators list.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Luscombe |first=Belinda |date=July 9, 2025 |title=MrBeast: TIME100 Creators 2025 |url=https://time.com/collections/time100-creators-2025/7299135/mrbeast/ |access-date=July 10, 2025 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref> ''Forbes'' ranked him first among the highest-paid YouTube creators in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roeloffs |first=Mary Whitfill |title=MrBeast's Game Show Breaks Amazon Record: 50 Million Views In 25 Days |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/01/16/mrbeasts-game-show-breaks-amazon-record-50-million-views-in-25-days-reports-say/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215034543/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/01/16/mrbeasts-game-show-breaks-amazon-record-50-million-views-in-25-days-reports-say/ |archive-date=February 15, 2025 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> ''Fortune'' estimated his net worth at $2.6 billion in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roeloffs |first=Mary Whitfill |date=January 16, 2025 |title=MrBeast's Game Show 'Beast Games' Breaks Amazon Viewing Record |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/01/16/mrbeasts-game-show-breaks-amazon-record-50-million-views-in-25-days-reports-say/ |access-date=October 5, 2025 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burleigh |first=Emma |title=Despite his $2.6 billion net worth, MrBeast says he's having to borrow cash and doesn't even have enough money in his bank account to buy McDonald's |url=https://fortune.com/2026/01/13/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson-billionaire-net-worth-in-the-red-has-to-borrow-cash-money/ |access-date=January 15, 2026 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life and education == James Stephen Donaldson{{efn|name="name"}} was born in Wichita, Kansas,<ref>{{cite web |last=Stokel-Walker |first=Chris |title=New YouTube king MrBeast: amateur poster who became $54m-a-year pro |website=The Guardian |date=November 18, 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/18/new-youtube-king-mrbeast-amateur-poster-who-became-54m-a-year-pro |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906051647/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/18/new-youtube-king-mrbeast-amateur-poster-who-became-54m-a-year-pro |url-status=live }}</ref> on May 7, 1998, to Susan Parisher and Charles Donaldson.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2020 |title=MrBeast makes a name for himself with expensive stunts and philanthropy |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/mrbeast-makes-name-himself-expensive-190833226.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228192036/https://www.yahoo.com/now/mrbeast-makes-name-himself-expensive-190833226.html |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |access-date=December 28, 2022 |website=In The Know (Yahoo!)}}</ref> He was mainly raised in Greenville, North Carolina.<ref name="Dickson-2022">{{Cite magazine |last=Dickson |first=EJ |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Is MrBeast for Real? Inside the Outrageous World of YouTube's Cash-Happy Stunt King |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/mrbeast-youtube-cover-story-interview-1334604/ |access-date=July 7, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420123848/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/mrbeast-youtube-cover-story-interview-1334604/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Leskin-2019">{{Cite web |last1=Leskin |first1=Paige |last2=Harris |first2=Margot |date=June 16, 2019 |title=How 22-year-old YouTube star MrBeast found success through elaborate stunts and giveaways |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-net-worth-life-career-challenges-teamtrees-2019-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225224118/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-net-worth-life-career-challenges-teamtrees-2019-11 |archive-date=December 25, 2020 |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> He moved houses often and was under the care of au pairs because his parents worked long hours and served in the military. His parents divorced in 2007.<ref name="Dickson-2022" /> In 2016, Donaldson graduated from Greenville Christian Academy, a private evangelical Christian high school in the area.<ref name="Wanbaugh-2018">{{Cite news |last=Wanbaugh |first=Taylor |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Greenville YouTuber MrBeast racks up millions of views |work=Business North Carolina |url=http://businessnc.com/greenville-youtuber-mrbeast-racks-up-millions-of-views/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221625/https://businessnc.com/greenville-youtuber-mrbeast-racks-up-millions-of-views/ |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> While at Greenville Christian, Donaldson played baseball as an outfielder for several years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Donaldson's Baseball Stats |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/greenville/greenville-christian-academy-knights/athletes/jimmy-donaldson/baseball/stats/?careerid=sj2vii81b0sdd |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=maxpreps.com | date=September 16, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=June 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604121931/https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/greenville/greenville-christian-academy-knights/athletes/jimmy-donaldson/baseball/stats/?careerid=sj2vii81b0sdd |url-status=live }}</ref> He acquired Crohn's disease as a teenager so he had to quit sports.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman: MrBeast |url=https://www.netflix.com/watch/82013999?trackId=14170286 |website=Netflix}}</ref> He briefly attended Pitt Community College in Winterville, North Carolina, before dropping out.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |date=September 22, 2025 |title=MrBeast on His Quest to Turn YouTube Fame Into an Entertainment Empire |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-09-22/youtube-star-mrbeast-is-building-an-entertainment-empire |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 26, 2025 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek}}</ref>

After dropping out of college, Donaldson and his friends attempted to analyze and understand YouTube's recommendation algorithm to create viral videos.<ref name="Shaw-2021">{{Cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=Lucas |last2=Bergen |first2=Mark |date=January 1, 2021 |title=How a kid cracked YouTube's secret code |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2021/01/01/how-kid-cracked-youtubes-secret-code/4100868001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107022444/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2021/01/01/how-kid-cracked-youtubes-secret-code/4100868001/ |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2022 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}}</ref> Donaldson recalled regarding this period, "There's a five-year point in my life where I was just relentlessly, unhealthily obsessed with studying virality, studying the YouTube algorithm. I woke up. I would order Uber Eats food. And then I would just sit on my computer all day just studying ''shit'' nonstop with [other YouTubers]."<ref name="Dickson-2022" />

== YouTube career == === 2012–2017: Early career === [[File:Mr. Beast crew as of July 29 2024.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Current members of the MrBeast crew. From left to right: Karl Jacobs, Nolan Hansen, and Chandler Hallow]] Donaldson uploaded his first YouTube video in February 2012, at the age of 13, under the channel name ''"'''MrBeast6000'''"''.<ref name="Business Insider-2019" /> His early content included Let's Plays focusing on ''Minecraft'' and ''Call of Duty: Black Ops II'',<ref name="Business Insider-2019">{{Cite web |title=21-year-old YouTuber MrBeast was one of the most-viewed YouTube creators in 2019 – check out how he got his start and found success with elaborate stunts and giveaways |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/21-year-old-youtuber-mrbeast-was-one-of-the-most-viewed-youtube-creators-in-2019-check-out-how-he-got-his-start-and-found-success-with-elaborate-stunts-and-giveaways/articleshow/72480478.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206152534/https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/21-year-old-youtuber-mrbeast-was-one-of-the-most-viewed-youtube-creators-in-2019-check-out-how-he-got-his-start-and-found-success-with-elaborate-stunts-and-giveaways/articleshow/72480478.cms |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |website=Business Insider|date=June 16, 2019 }}</ref> videos estimating the wealth of other YouTubers,<ref name="Shaw-2020" /> videos that offered tips to upcoming YouTube creators, and commentary on YouTube drama. Donaldson appeared infrequently in these videos.<ref name="Business Insider-2019" />

In 2015 and 2016, Donaldson gained popularity with his "Worst Intros on YouTube" series, poking fun at YouTube video introductions.<ref name="Business Insider-2019" /> By mid-2016, Donaldson had around 30,000 subscribers. Donaldson dropped out of college in late 2016 to pursue a full-time career as a YouTuber.<ref name="Asarch-2019" /><ref name="Shaw-2020">{{Cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Lucas |last2=Bergen |first2=Mark |date=December 22, 2020 |title=The North Carolina Kid Who Cracked YouTube's Secret Code |work=Bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-22/who-is-mrbeast-meet-youtube-s-top-creator-of-2020 |url-status=live |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223060415/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-22/who-is-mrbeast-meet-youtube-s-top-creator-of-2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2020}}</ref> His mother disapproved of his decision and forced him to leave the family home as a result.<ref name="South China Morning Post-2021">{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2021 |title=Is MrBeast the world's most controversial YouTuber? |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3132914/mrbeast-worlds-most-controversial-youtuber-meet-22-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511185546/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3132914/mrbeast-worlds-most-controversial-youtuber-meet-22-year |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>

As his channel grew, Donaldson hired four childhood friends—Ava Kris Tyson (at that time named Chris Tyson), Chandler Hallow, Garrett Ronalds, and Jake Franklin—to contribute to his channel.<ref name="South China Morning Post-2021" /> Franklin left the crew in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why I Left MrBeast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTl8HxAPJf0 |via=YouTube | date=April 6, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-date=August 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825194415/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTl8HxAPJf0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Tyson left the crew in 2024.<ref name="BBC News-2024">{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2024 |title=MrBeast: Lawyers find grooming claims against YouTube co-host baseless |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxrn5k22p4o |access-date=November 10, 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== 2017–2020: Rise to fame === thumb|Donaldson in December 2018|299x299px In January 2017, Donaldson published an almost day-long video of himself counting to 100,000, which became his breakthrough viral video.<ref name="Miller-2023" /> The ordeal took him 40 hours, with some parts sped up to "keep it under 24 hours".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farquhar |first=Peter |date=January 12, 2017 |title=Millions of people watched YouTuber 'MrBeast' count to 100,000 |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/millions-of-people-have-watched-youtuber-mrbeast-count-to-100000-2017-1 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221615/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/millions-of-people-have-watched-youtuber-mrbeast-count-to-100000-2017-1 |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> Donaldson gained popularity during this period with stunts, such as attempting to break glass using a hundred megaphones, watching paint dry for an hour,<ref name="Wanbaugh-2018" /> staying underwater for 24 hours, which ended up failing due to health issues, and an unsuccessful attempt to spin a fidget spinner for a day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grasso |first=Samantha |date=May 28, 2017 |title=Watch these YouTubers attempt to break a fidget spinner record |work=Daily Dot |url=https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/fidget-spinner-record-youtube/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007221613/https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/fidget-spinner-record-youtube/ |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> By 2018, Donaldson had given out $1 million through his stunts, earning him the title "YouTube's biggest philanthropist".<ref name="South China Morning Post-2021" />

In June 2017, Donaldson gained his first brand deal, from a digital collectibles app called Quidd. This partnership funded his first philanthropic video in June 2017, where he gave the entirety of the $10,000 sponsor's fee to a homeless person.<ref name="Alexander-2018" /> This set the stage for his now-famous brand of large-scale giveaways and philanthropic stunts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Camilleri |first=Adrian R. |date=June 27, 2024 |title=The MrBeast effect: why we're drawn to videos of random people winning big |url=http://theconversation.com/the-mrbeast-effect-why-were-drawn-to-videos-of-random-people-winning-big-233443 |access-date=September 19, 2025 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref>

During the PewDiePie vs. T-Series rivalry in 2018, a competition to become the most-subscribed channel on YouTube, Donaldson bought billboards and numerous television and radio advertisements to help PewDiePie gain more subscribers than T-Series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2018 |title=YouTuber 'MrBeast' Buys Smorgasbord Of Advertising To Help PewDiePie Stay Ahead Of T-Series |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/10/29/pewdiepie-billboards-entire-town-mrbeast/ |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210630/https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/10/29/pewdiepie-billboards-entire-town-mrbeast/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mr Beast explains how many ads for Pewdiepie he bought, and what types of ads. |url=https://twitter.com/mrbeast/status/1055928398646784002 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |via=Twitter |language=en |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102142358/https://twitter.com/mrbeast/status/1055928398646784002 |url-status=live }}</ref> During Super Bowl LIII, he purchased multiple seats for himself and his team, whose shirts spelled out "Sub 2 PewDiePie".<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 5, 2019 |title=YouTubers MrBeast, Jake Paul spotted at Sup Dogs |work=The East Carolinian |url=http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_82c0df66-2903-11e9-a2cb-13262ce83230.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526075433/http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_82c0df66-2903-11e9-a2cb-13262ce83230.html |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Isabel Asher |date=February 4, 2019 |title=PewDiePie's war with T-Series hit the Super Bowl, as YouTuber Mr Beast turned up to the game with 'Sub 2 PewDiePie' shirts |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.sg/pewdiepie-war-with-t-series-hits-super-bowl-mr-beast-2019-2/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526075815/https://www.businessinsider.sg/pewdiepie-war-with-t-series-hits-super-bowl-mr-beast-2019-2/ |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref>

In March 2019, Donaldson organized and filmed a real-life battle royale competition in Los Angeles with prizes totaling $200,000 (two games were played, each awarding $100,000) in collaboration with ''Apex Legends''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 14, 2019 |title=MrBeast Hosts Real-life Battle Royale Tournament |work=Associated Press News |url=https://www.apnews.com/fa94b3068e03411e86d5240414ec502d |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526074958/https://www.apnews.com/fa94b3068e03411e86d5240414ec502d |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref> ''Apex Legends'' publisher Electronic Arts sponsored the event and prize pool.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=March 13, 2019 |title=MrBeast Drops Video Of Real Life, EA-Sponsored 'Apex Legends' Battle |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/03/13/mrbeast-ea-apex-legends-sponsorship-youtubers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708223100/https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/03/13/mrbeast-ea-apex-legends-sponsorship-youtubers/ |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |website=Tubefilter}}</ref>

In April 2020, Donaldson hosted a $250,000 rock, paper, scissors tournament featuring 32 influencers. The event became YouTube's most-watched live Original at the time, peaking at 662,000 concurrent viewers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 27, 2020 |title=MrBeast's 'Creator Games' Is YouTube's Most-Watched Live Original Ever, With 662K Concurrent Viewers |language=en-US |work=Tubefilter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/04/27/mrbeast-youtube-creator-games-nadeshot-ninja/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512050444/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/04/27/mrbeast-youtube-creator-games-nadeshot-ninja/ |archive-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref> Professional esports player Nadeshot won the event.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nadeshot Wins MrBeast Rock Paper Scissors Charity Livestream |url=https://teneightymagazine.com/2020/04/26/nadeshot-wins-mrbeast-rock-paper-scissors-charity-livestream/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511211907/https://teneightymagazine.com/2020/04/26/nadeshot-wins-mrbeast-rock-paper-scissors-charity-livestream/ |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In October 2020, Donaldson hosted another influencer tournament. This time it was trivia and featured 24 competitors with a grand prize of $300,000. The tournament's winners were siblings Charli and Dixie D'Amelio, which caused controversy due to claims that they cheated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tenbarge |first=Kat |title=TikTok star Charli D'Amelio's family was accused of cheating on trivia questions after winning a $300,000 charity competition between influencers |url=https://www.insider.com/charli-dixie-damelio-parents-cheating-mrbeast-creator-games-2020-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084328/https://www.insider.com/charli-dixie-damelio-parents-cheating-mrbeast-creator-games-2020-10 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2021–present: mainstream success === {{see also|$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!|50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000}} On January 1, 2021, Donaldson released the "YouTube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over" video. In Donaldson's video, he explains that he had always believed that YouTubers "should get more say in Rewind", and with this in mind, he decided to call "hundreds of YouTubers". At the end of the video, Donaldson gives a shout-out to PewDiePie, citing him and his 2018 Rewind as the inspiration for Donaldson's Rewind.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tran |first=Fonticha |date=January 1, 2021 |title=MrBeast's "YouTube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over" |url=https://www.exclusivehollywood.co.uk/mrbeast-youtube-rewind-2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111032922/https://www.exclusivehollywood.co.uk/mrbeast-youtube-rewind-2020 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |website=Exclusive Hollywood |language=en}}</ref> Donaldson signed a Facebook and Snapchat content distribution deal with Jellysmack a month later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=April 7, 2021 |title=MrBeast Signs Exclusive Snapchat, Facebook Video Distribution Pact With Jellysmack |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-video-distribution-1234946051/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505163635/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-video-distribution-1234946051/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 7, 2021 |title=MrBeast Signs Exclusive Facebook, Snapchat Distribution Deal with Jellysmack |work=Tubefilter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/07/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-distribution-deal-jellysmack/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505163637/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/07/mrbeast-snapchat-facebook-distribution-deal-jellysmack/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref>

During a Clubhouse room in February 2021, Donaldson removed entrepreneur Farokh Sarmad after he allegedly said he could not pronounce his name, a move that Sarmad later said was racist. Sarmad's claims were questioned and denied by other Clubhouse users, who were present at the call and argued against Sarmad's claims, claiming that Donaldson removed him and others to make room for women to be more inclusive.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2021 |title=YouTube accused of 'blatant racism' over social media spat with entrepreneur |url=https://www.indy100.com/news/mrbeast-youtuber-clubhouse-entrepreneur-racism-b1805556 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511205603/https://www.indy100.com/news/mrbeast-youtuber-clubhouse-entrepreneur-racism-b1805556 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=Indy100}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tenbarge |first=Kat |title=MrBeast booted a user whose name he couldn't pronounce on Clubhouse, sparking a debate over racism and microaggressions |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-clubhouse-racism-allegations-cancelled-racist-farokh-debate-drama-2021-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084325/https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-clubhouse-racism-allegations-cancelled-racist-farokh-debate-drama-2021-2 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=Insider}}</ref>

In April 2021, Donaldson announced a sponsorship with mobile banking app Current, marking the first time he took an ownership stake as part of a sponsorship deal.<ref name="Tubefilter" /> Donaldson stated he struck the deal with Current's SVP of Marketing Adam Hadi, who worked with Donaldson on his first brand deal with Quidd in 2017.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8VcUnz3nVc |title=The Full Story of MrBeast |date=September 20, 2021 |last=Colin and Samir |access-date=September 19, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

In November 2021, Donaldson uploaded "$456,000 ''Squid Game'' in Real Life!", a recreation of the survival drama streaming television series ''Squid Game'' in real life. The video had 456 people compete for a $456,000 cash prize.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=November 25, 2021 |title=$3.5M Squid Game recreation is about as accurate as you can get without actually shooting anyone |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/mr-beast-squid-game-real-youtube/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126011446/https://www.pcgamer.com/mr-beast-squid-game-real-youtube/ |archive-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref> It was one of the most-watched YouTube videos of 2021, receiving over 130 million views within a week.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kesvani |first=Hussain |date=December 2, 2021 |title=The success of MrBeast's Squid Game is its own dystopia |url=https://www.polygon.com/22812548/mrbeast-squid-game-youtube-copycat-reaction |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202173316/https://www.polygon.com/22812548/mrbeast-squid-game-youtube-copycat-reaction |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=December 2, 2021 |website=Polygon}}</ref> A review of the video in ''Vice'' argued that it "badly misunderstood the anti-capitalist message of ''Squid Game''".<ref name="Observer-2021">{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2021 |title=YouTuber MrBeast Surpasses 100 Million Views on Controversial Squid Game Recreation Video |url=https://observer.com/2021/11/youtuber-mrbeast-million-views-controversial-squid-game-recreation-video/ |access-date=June 5, 2022 |website=Observer |language=en-US |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605171948/https://observer.com/2021/11/youtuber-mrbeast-million-views-controversial-squid-game-recreation-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this, ''Squid Game'' creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has reacted positively to the recreations and parodies of the series.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 4, 2021 |title=Squid Game Creator Gives His Thoughts On MrBeast's Youtube Version |url=https://screenrant.com/squid-game-mrbeast-video-hwang-dong-hyuk-reaction/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213105046/https://screenrant.com/squid-game-mrbeast-video-hwang-dong-hyuk-reaction/ |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |access-date=January 21, 2022 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}</ref> thumb|300x300px|Donaldson in September 2023 In December 2021, Donaldson created a third influencer tournament featuring 15 competitors with a grand prize of $1 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |date=December 14, 2021 |title=MrBeast's Third 'Creator Games' To Host Bella Poarch, Logan Paul, With $1 Million Prize |work=Tube Filter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/12/14/mrbeast-third-creator-games-bella-poarch-logan-paul/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214210433/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/12/14/mrbeast-third-creator-games-bella-poarch-logan-paul/ |archive-date=December 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rolta |first=Mehul |date=December 17, 2021 |title=MrBeast Hosts Stunning Million-Dollar Tournament Featuring Some of YouTube's Biggest Stars |work=Essentially Sports |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/mrbeast-hosts-stunning-million-dollar-tournament-featuring-some-of-youtubes-biggest-stars-esports-news/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227082617/https://www.essentiallysports.com/mrbeast-hosts-stunning-million-dollar-tournament-featuring-some-of-youtubes-biggest-stars-esports-news/ |archive-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Bryan |date=December 18, 2021 |title=MrBeast has started a new $1,000,000 Influencer tournament |work=First Sportz |url=https://firstsportz.com/esports-news-mrbeast-started-a-influencer-tournament/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227082618/https://firstsportz.com/esports-news-mrbeast-started-a-influencer-tournament/ |archive-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref> In January 2022, ''Forbes'' ranked Donaldson as YouTube's highest-earning creator, earning an estimated $54 million in 2021. ''Forbes'' stated that his income in 2021 would have placed him 40th in the 2020 Forbes Celebrity 100, earning as much money as Vin Diesel and Lewis Hamilton did in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Abram |title=The Highest-Paid YouTube Stars: MrBeast, Jake Paul And Markiplier Score Massive Paydays |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2022/01/14/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-mrbeast-jake-paul-and-markiplier-score-massive-paydays/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117180838/https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2022/01/14/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-mrbeast-jake-paul-and-markiplier-score-massive-paydays/ |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |access-date=August 25, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Celebrity 100: The World's Highest-Paid Celebrities 2020 |url=https://www.forbes.com/celebrities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628043820/https://www.forbes.com/celebrities/ |archive-date=June 28, 2004 |access-date=January 17, 2022 |website=Forbes}}</ref>

On July 28, 2022, Donaldson surpassed 100 million subscribers on his main channel, making him the fifth channel and the second individual YouTuber to achieve the milestone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=July 28, 2022 |title=MrBeast Tops 100 Million YouTube Subscribers: 'I Hope to Do YouTube Until the Day I Die' |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-1235328739/ |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729201818/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-1235328739/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |date=July 29, 2022 |title=YouTube star MrBeast just became the second person in the world to reach 100 million subscribers, and livestreamed the moment he found out |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-reaction-livestream-2022-7 |access-date=August 3, 2022 |website=Insider |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165144/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-100-million-youtube-subscribers-reaction-livestream-2022-7 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 17, 2022, Donaldson achieved the Guinness World Record of "Most Subscribers for an Individual Male on YouTube" with his MrBeast channel at 112 million subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suggitt |first=Connie |date=November 17, 2022 |title=Mr Beast now most-subscribed YouTuber ever, overtaking PewDiePie |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/11/mr-beast-now-most-subscribed-youtuber-ever-overtaking-pewdiepie-726321 |access-date=November 20, 2022 |website=Guinness World Records |archive-date=November 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119054620/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/11/mr-beast-now-most-subscribed-youtuber-ever-overtaking-pewdiepie-726321 |url-status=live }}</ref> The previous record holder, PewDiePie, had held the record as the most subscribed YouTuber for almost ten years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gerken |first=Tom |date=November 16, 2022 |title=MrBeast overtakes PewDiePie as most-subscribed YouTuber |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63635382 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802184124/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63635382 |url-status=live }}</ref> Donaldson achieved one billion video views over 30 days on his main YouTube channel in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghoshal |first=Shivaditya |date=November 22, 2022 |title=YouTube King MrBeast Has Now Officially Crossed 1 Billion Views On His Main Channel in Just 30 Days, Gets 2nd Rank As... |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/esports-news-youtube-king-mrbeast-has-now-officially-crossed-1-billion-views-on-his-main-channel-in-just-30-days-gets-2nd-rank-as/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=EssentiallySports |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623044057/https://www.essentiallysports.com/esports-news-youtube-king-mrbeast-has-now-officially-crossed-1-billion-views-on-his-main-channel-in-just-30-days-gets-2nd-rank-as/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 15, 2023, Donaldson surpassed 200 million subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=October 16, 2023 |title=MrBeast gained 100 million subscribers in 15 months. Here's why. |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/10/16/mrbeast-gained-100-million-subscribers-in-15-months-heres-why/ |access-date=October 28, 2023 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028012428/https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/10/16/mrbeast-gained-100-million-subscribers-in-15-months-heres-why/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His YouTube Shorts video "Would You Fly to Paris for a Baguette?" is the most-watched video on his main YouTube channel, having more than 1.5 billion views and 56 million likes as of May 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tomar |first=Vaibhav Singh |title=MrBeast Just Got His First Billion Views Video |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/gaming-news-mrbeast-just-got-his-first-billion-views-video/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=EssentiallySports |date=December 22, 2023 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230175808/https://www.essentiallysports.com/gaming-news-mrbeast-just-got-his-first-billion-views-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On June 2, 2024, Donaldson surpassed India-based music label and film production company T-Series for the title of the most subscribed channel on YouTube, with 267 million.<ref name="Davis-2024">{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=June 2, 2024 |title=PewDiePie 'avenged' as MrBeast becomes YouTube's most-subscribed channel |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/2/24170045/mrbeast-youtube-most-subscribed-channel-t-series-pewdiepie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165133/https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/2/24170045/mrbeast-youtube-most-subscribed-channel-t-series-pewdiepie |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> On July 10, 2024, Donaldson became the first YouTuber to surpass 300 million subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2024 |title=MrBeast makes history, becomes first YouTuber to reach 300 million subscribers |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/mrbeast-makes-history-becomes-first-youtuber-to-reach-300-million-subscribers-101720623424789.html |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165053/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/mrbeast-makes-history-becomes-first-youtuber-to-reach-300-million-subscribers-101720623424789.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 13, 2024, Donaldson uploaded his 300 million subscribers special, "50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000". The video featured guest appearances from Howie Mandel, Miranda Cosgrove, and Joey Chestnut.<ref>{{cite web |title=JaidenAnimations wins MrBeast's $1 million YouTube challenge, outlasting Logan Paul and KSI |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2479628/jaidenanimations-wins-mrbeasts-1-million-youtube-challenge-outlasting-logan-paul-and-ksi |website=tribune.com |date=July 14, 2024 |access-date=July 19, 2024 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718160602/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2479628/jaidenanimations-wins-mrbeasts-1-million-youtube-challenge-outlasting-logan-paul-and-ksi |url-status=live }}</ref> This video reached 71 million views in the first 24 hours, becoming Donaldson's most-viewed video within its first 24 hours.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1812524185228320980 |user=MrBeast |title=New video is my most viewed video ever in 24 hours 😮 |date=July 14, 2024 |access-date=July 19, 2024}}</ref> In his video "Beat Ronaldo, Win $1,000,000", Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady, and Bryson DeChambeau made guest appearances.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=March 26, 2025 |title=YouTube's 2025 Upfront to Feature Lady Gaga, MrBeast, Brittany Broski and More |url=https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/youtube-2025-brandcast-upfront-lady-gaga-mrbeast-1236348535/ |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> On April 25, 2025, Donaldson and Uruguayan YouTuber Fede Vigevani hosted an influencer basketball game featuring a team of Spanish-speaking creators and a team of English-speaking creators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2025/03/31/mrbeast-fede-vigevani-creator-influencer-basketball-game/|title=MrBeast and Fede Vigevani are recruiting "the biggest" creators for a bilingual basketball game|date=March 31, 2025|first=Sam|last=Gutelle|website=Tubefilter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801130119/https://www.tubefilter.com/2025/03/31/mrbeast-fede-vigevani-creator-influencer-basketball-game/|archive-date=August 1, 2025|url-status=live|access-date=August 1, 2025}}</ref> Neymar, Stephen Curry, and Serena Williams made guest appearances in the video "Beat Neymar, Win $500,000".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polacek |first=Scott |title=Steph Curry, Giannis, Serena Williams, Neymar, Aaron Judge Star in New MrBeast Video |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25199197-steph-curry-giannis-serena-williams-neymar-aaron-judge-star-new-mrbeast-video |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref> On June 1, 2025, Donaldson became the first YouTuber to surpass 400 million subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2025 |title=MrBeast hits 400 million subscribers on YouTube |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2549394/mrbeast-hits-400-million-subscribers-on-youtube |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=C |first=Toff |date=June 3, 2025 |title=MrBeast reaches 400 million subscribers on YouTube |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/6/3/mrbeast-reaches-400-million-subscribers-on-youtube-2125 |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=ABS-CBN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Negi |first=Shivani |date=June 2, 2025 |title=MrBeast becomes first creator to hit 400 million YouTube subscribers, fans celebrate his journey from viral stunts to global impact |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/mrbeast-becomes-first-creator-to-hit-400-million-youtube-subscribers-fans-celebrate-his-journey-from-viral-stunts-to-global-impact-660098.html |access-date=June 22, 2025 |website=Indiatimes |language=en-IN}}</ref> In January 2026, Beast Industries raised $200 million from Bitmine at a $5 billion valuation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conlon |first=Sean |date=January 15, 2026 |title=MrBeast platform gets $200 million investment from Tom Lee's Bitmine |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/15/mrbeast-company-gets-200-million-investment-from-tom-lees-bitmine.html |access-date=January 15, 2026 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

== Content == In his early career, Donaldson primarily uploaded Let's Plays, "best and worst" roundups, and commentary about YouTube culture.<ref name="Miller-2023" /><ref name="Business Insider-2019" /> His present-day videos usually fall into three formats: stunt challenges that demand difficult or risky tasks, so-called "junklord" experiments that rely on an unusually large quantity of a single product, and giveaway competitions that award substantial cash or prizes, often through games.{{Efn|name="genreExamples"|Examples of each genre:<ref name="Miller-2023" /> * Stunt: "Microwaving a Microwave," "I Counted to 100,000" * Junklord: "I Built a Giant House Using Only Legos," "I Ate $100,000 Golden Ice Cream." * Giveaway: "Extreme $500,000 Game of Tag," "Giving a Random Homeless Man $10,000" }} Giveaway videos remain a defining element of his channel.<ref name="Miller-2023" /> thumb|An example of Donaldson's YouTube content Donaldson designs each video to satisfy YouTube's recommendation algorithm by maximizing click-through rate and viewer retention.<ref name="Miller-2023">{{cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Vincent |last2=Hogg |first2=Eddy |title='If you press this, I'll pay': MrBeast, YouTube, and the mobilisation of the audience commodity in the name of charity |journal=Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies |date=March 8, 2023 |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=997–1014 |doi=10.1177/13548565231161810|s2cid=257461167 |language=en |issn=1354-8565 |doi-access=free }}</ref> He focuses on striking topics, titles, and thumbnails to encourage clicks,<ref name="Perelli">{{cite web |last=Perelli |first=Amanda |title=How YouTube star MrBeast, who has 22 million subscribers, uses keywords and the 'shock and awe' effect to maximize views |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-youtube-star-mr-beast-uses-keywords-to-get-trending-2019-7 |website=Business Insider |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726183708/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-youtube-star-mr-beast-uses-keywords-to-get-trending-2019-7 |url-status=live }}</ref> aiming for concepts he considers "original, creative" and essential viewing.<ref>{{cite podcast|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3_PwvvfxIU&t=2506s|title=MrBeast: Future of YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram|host=Lex Fridman|date=January 11, 2023|time=41:46|access-date=July 26, 2023|archive-date=July 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726183708/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3_PwvvfxIU&t=2506s|url-status=live}}</ref> He favors bold keywords such as "24-hours" and "challenge" in titles,<ref name="Shaw-2021" /><ref name="Perelli" /> pairs them with simple, brightly lit thumbnails,<ref>{{cite news |last=Perelli |first=Amanda |title=YouTube star MrBeast breaks down how he makes eye-catching thumbnails and why he'd pay $10,000 for the best possible one |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-thumbnail-strategy-advice-for-creators-2021-10 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |work=Business Insider |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726183710/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-youtube-thumbnail-strategy-advice-for-creators-2021-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> and introduces the premise within the opening 30 seconds before promising a finale to hold attention through the usual 10–30 minute runtime.<ref name="Shaw-2021" /><ref name="Miller-2023" />

Brand sponsorships and Google's AdSense program primarily fund Donaldson's productions.<ref name="Alexander-2018">{{cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |title=MrBeast, YouTube's viral philanthropist, explains where all that money comes from |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/28/18157845/mrbeast-youtube-donations-adsense-brand-deals |website=The Verge |access-date=July 28, 2023 |date=December 28, 2018 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217185340/https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/28/18157845/mrbeast-youtube-donations-adsense-brand-deals |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2022 he was reportedly spending about $1 million on each flagship video,<ref name="Dickson-2022" /> supported by earnings from his lower-cost reaction and gaming channels.<ref name="Dickson-2022" /> ''The Verge'' described the resulting cycle as self-perpetuating, with each viral success attracting larger brand deals and higher AdSense income that fund even bigger giveaways.<ref name="Alexander-2018" /> Donaldson has said he prefers to reinvest the revenue so he can keep scaling his ideas.<ref name="Dickson-2022" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Read |first=Max |date=June 12, 2023 |title=How MrBeast Became the Willy Wonka of YouTube |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/magazine/mrbeast-youtube.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725200742/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/magazine/mrbeast-youtube.html |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |work=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref> He also generates additional revenue through ventures that primarily focus on consumer goods, including MrBeast Burger, Lunchly, and Feastables.<ref name="Miller-2023" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jones |first=C. T. |title=MrBeast Has Your Views. Now He Wants Your Cash |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/youtube-mrbeast-funding-business-expansion-1234617936/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 28, 2023 |date=October 25, 2022 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728152927/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/youtube-mrbeast-funding-business-expansion-1234617936/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{As of|2023}}, Donaldson employs over 250 people, from writers to editors to producers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harwell |first1=Drew |last2=Lorenz |first2=Taylor |title=Greenville was quiet. Then a hometown kid became YouTube's biggest star. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/03/mr-beast-money-hometown-greenville-creator-economy/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 3, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116112351/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/03/mr-beast-money-hometown-greenville-creator-economy/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Lorenz-2021" /> Many employees include people familiar with Donaldson, such as friends and family members.<ref name="Lorenz-2021" /> In September 2025, Donaldson uploaded the promotional video "I Bought the NFL", which led to a misunderstanding after some viewers thought he had actually purchased the National Football League. The video was intended to promote YouTube's first-ever free livestream of an NFL game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Degrazia|first=Leah|title=Did Mr. Beast Buy the NFL? Viral YouTube Stunt Explained|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1435268/did-mr-beast-buy-the-nfl-viral-youtube-stunt-explained|website=E! News|date=September 4, 2025|access-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref>

== Business ventures == === ''Finger on the App'' === {{main|Finger on the App}}

In June 2020, Donaldson partnered with Brooklyn art collective MSCHF to launch ''Finger on the App'', a one-off mobile endurance contest where players kept a finger on their phone screen until one person remained to claim $25,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beresford |first=Trilby |date=June 30, 2020 |title=YouTuber MrBeast Launches Multiplayer Endurance Game 'Finger on the App' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/youtuber-mrbeast-launches-multiplayer-endurance-game-finger-app-1300746/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505125934/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/youtuber-mrbeast-launches-multiplayer-endurance-game-finger-app-1300746/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> The competition ran for more than 70 hours and ended with four winners who each received $20,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=July 3, 2020 |title=MrBeast ends Finger on the App competition by telling players to stop after 70 hours |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/3/21312701/mrbeast-finger-app-competition-stream-winner-final-four-prize-youtube-mschf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318231923/https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/3/21312701/mrbeast-finger-app-competition-stream-winner-final-four-prize-youtube-mschf |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> Its popularity prompted ''Finger on the App 2'', originally slated for December 2020 but delayed until March 2021 after heavy downloads overwhelmed the servers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=March 19, 2021 |title=MrBeast's $100,000 'Finger on the App 2' Contest Kicks Off Saturday |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-finger-on-the-app-2-start-time-date-1234934406/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505042841/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-finger-on-the-app-2-start-time-date-1234934406/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The sequel offered a $100,000 grand prize, and the champion outlasted the field for roughly 51 hours while the runner-up earned $20,000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2021 |title=MrBeast Crowns $100,000 'Finger on the App' Winner After 50-Hour Contest |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/23/mrbeast-crowns-finger-on-the-app-winner-50-hours/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505162501/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/23/mrbeast-crowns-finger-on-the-app-winner-50-hours/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref>

=== Food === ==== MrBeast Burger ==== {{main|MrBeast Burger}}

thumb|The first physical MrBeast Burger restaurant in New Jersey Producer Will Hyde told ''The Wake Weekly'' in November 2020 that Donaldson would debut MrBeast Burger the following month as a virtual restaurant brand.<ref name="Handgraaf-2020">{{Cite web |last=Handgraaf |first=Brie |date=November 10, 2020 |title=Fast food with a side of cash: Burger Boy becomes Mr. Beast Burger for the day |url=https://wakeweekly.com/stories/fast-food-with-a-side-of-cash-burger-boy-becomes-mr-beast-burger-for-the-day,220789 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130003724/https://wakeweekly.com/stories/fast-food-with-a-side-of-cash-burger-boy-becomes-mr-beast-burger-for-the-day,220789 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |website=The Wake Weekly}}</ref> His team partnered with Virtual Dining Concepts so existing kitchens could license the menu and fulfill delivery orders through third-party apps.<ref name="Handgraaf-2020" /> The concept expanded to more than 2,000 locations worldwide before opening its first physical restaurant at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 4, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Locations |url=https://www.mrbeastburger.com/locations/ |access-date=February 18, 2025 |website=MrBeast Burger |language=en-US |archive-date=February 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222025258/https://www.mrbeastburger.com/locations/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MrBeast Burger Locations |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/mrbeast-burger-locations |access-date=February 18, 2025 |website=sportskeeda.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Beast Mode at American Dream: MrBeast Burger opens first location to thousands of fans |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/mrbeast-burger-restaurant-opens-american-dream-mall-nj/65467642007/ |access-date=December 18, 2022 |website=North Jersey Media Group |language=en-US |archive-date=September 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905022705/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/mrbeast-burger-restaurant-opens-american-dream-mall-nj/65467642007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Donaldson said in 2024 that he was moving on from the venture and sought to close it because of quality concerns that he believed were hurting his brand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guszkowski |first=Joe |title=MrBeast says he's 'moving on' from MrBeast Burger |url=https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/technology/mrbeast-says-hes-moving-mrbeast-burger |access-date=October 8, 2025 |website=Restaurant Business |language=en}}</ref>

==== Feastables ==== {{main|Feastables}}

thumb|A new formula Feastables bar|209x209px Donaldson introduced Feastables in January 2022 with a line of MrBeast Bar chocolates in original, almond, and quinoa crunch flavors.<ref name="Feastables">{{Cite press release |last=Feastables |title=MrBeast Launches Better-For-You Snacking Brand Feastables |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mrbeast-launches-better-for-you-snacking-brand-feastables-301471133.html |access-date=February 19, 2025 |agency=PR Newswire |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2022 |title=MrBeast set to become Willy Wonka with new Feastables snack brand |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mrbeast-set-to-become-willy-wonka-with-new-feastables-snack-brand-1751773/ |access-date=February 19, 2025 |website=Dexerto |language=en |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127031450/https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mrbeast-set-to-become-willy-wonka-with-new-feastables-snack-brand-1751773/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The launch campaign included a sweepstakes worth more than $1,000,000, with $10,000 prizes and a challenge that mirrored ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'' by offering finalists a chance to compete for a chocolate factory.<ref name="Feastables" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |date=June 6, 2022 |title=MrBeast recreated Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, featuring a toilet made of cake, a dessert contest judged by Gordon Ramsay, and a 'chocolate waterfall' |work=Insider |url=https://www.insider.com/mr-beast-gordon-ramsay-willy-wonkas-factory-youtube-video-2022-6 |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref> A June 2022 video documented the elimination-style competition, featured celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as a judge, and culminated in a winner choosing between the factory and $500,000 in cash.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Diaz |first=Eric |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Uncanny Replica of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory Is Unsettling And Delicious |work=Nerdist |url=https://nerdist.com/article/willy-wonka-chocolate-factory-replica-competition-mrbeast/ |access-date=June 11, 2022 |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610184236/https://nerdist.com/article/willy-wonka-chocolate-factory-replica-competition-mrbeast/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Feastables generated an estimated $10 million in sales within its first few months and refreshed its recipes and packaging in February 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perelli |first=Amanda |title=How MrBeast's Feastables used giveaways and data to sell $10 million worth of chocolate bars |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-youtuber-mrbeast-feastables-uses-giveaways-data-to-sell-chocolate-2022-5 |access-date=January 25, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125202432/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-youtuber-mrbeast-feastables-uses-giveaways-data-to-sell-chocolate-2022-5 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2024 |title=Mr Beast rebrands Feastables introduces New Packaging |url=https://dailybrand.co.zw/mr-beast-rebrands-feastables-introduces-new-packaging/ |access-date=February 19, 2025 |website=Daily Brand |language=en-US |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720151235/https://dailybrand.co.zw/mr-beast-rebrands-feastables-introduces-new-packaging/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Lunchly ==== {{Main|Lunchly}}

thumb|Lunchly-brand "nacho chips with queso blanco and salsa" snack kit Donaldson unveiled the Lunchly snack-kit brand in September 2024 as a joint venture with fellow creators Olajide "KSI" Olatunji and Logan Paul.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weprin |first=Alex |date=September 16, 2024 |title=MrBeast and Logan Paul Team Up to Launch Competitor to Lunchables |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/mr-beast-logan-paul-team-lunchly-lunchables-competitor-1236003924/ |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> Marketed as a healthier alternative to Lunchables, the kits paired Prime drinks and Feastables chocolate bars with options such as turkey and crackers, nachos with salsa and cheese, or pizza components.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roeloffs |first=Mary |date=September 16, 2024 |title=MrBeast, Logan Paul And KSI Launch Lunchables Competitor 'Lunchly'—Here's What To Know |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/09/16/mrbeast-logan-paul-and-ksi-launch-lunchables-competitor-lunchly-heres-what-to-know/ |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=Forbes}}</ref>

=== Investments and partnerships === Donaldson invested in the gaming startup Backbone, supporting its Backbone One controller and companion content app for mobile players.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2020 |title=MrBeast-Backed Gaming Venture Launches Backbone One, A Controller That Turns iPhones into Consoles |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/10/27/mrbeast-night-media-backbone-one-controller/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505165241/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/10/27/mrbeast-night-media-backbone-one-controller/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Backed by Mr. Beast and Nadeshot, Backbone One could finally crack mobile gaming |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/27/with-backing-from-mr-beast-and-nadeshot-backbone-one-could-finally-crack-competitive-mobile-gaming/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084331/https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/27/with-backing-from-mr-beast-and-nadeshot-backbone-one-could-finally-crack-competitive-mobile-gaming/ |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2021, he partnered with the Creative Juice financial network to launch Juice Funds, a $2 million pool that invests in emerging creators.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kastrenakes |first=Jacob |date=March 24, 2021 |title=MrBeast working with $2 million fund to invest in up-and-coming creators |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22348926/mrbeast-creator-investment-fund-creative-juice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505165759/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22348926/mrbeast-creator-investment-fund-creative-juice |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Lorenz-2021">{{Cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |date=May 4, 2021 |title=Mr. Beast, YouTube Star, Wants to Take Over the Business World |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/technology/mr-beast-youtube.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504211043/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/technology/mr-beast-youtube.html |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The next month he became a long-term investor and partner in the financial technology company Current, which promoted the deal through giveaways, and he later faced criticism when fans lost money in a cryptocurrency venture he had endorsed.<ref name="Tubefilter">{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2021 |title=MrBeast Invests in Fintech Company 'Current,' Kicks off Long-Term Partnership with $100,000 Giveaway |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/26/mrbeast-invests-current-banking-app-giveaway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429202907/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/04/26/mrbeast-invests-current-banking-app-giveaway/ |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Perelli |first=Amanda |date=December 14, 2021 |title=How fintech startup Current has used influencer deals with MrBeast, Emma Chamberlain, and others as the cornerstone of its marketing strategy |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-current-influencer-marketing-strategy-examples-micro-influencers-mrbeast-2021-12 |access-date=December 27, 2024 |work=Business Insider}}</ref><ref name="Lorenz-2021" />

In November 2022, Donaldson announced a partnership with East Carolina University to establish a credentialing program for employees in the creator industry, expected launch sometime in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shaffer |first=Josh |title=NC's MrBeast is the world's most popular YouTuber. He's sharing his techniques at ECU. |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article268869797.html |website=The News & Observer |access-date=October 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tester |first=Brandon |title=East Carolina University, MrBeast to create exclusive educational partnership |url=https://www.wbtw.com/news/state-regional-news/east-carolina-university-mrbeast-to-create-exclusive-educational-partnership/ |publisher=WBTW |access-date=October 14, 2023 |date=November 16, 2022 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015000435/https://www.wbtw.com/news/state-regional-news/east-carolina-university-mrbeast-to-create-exclusive-educational-partnership/ |url-status=live}}</ref> As of October 2025, the program had not yet materialized, with minimal updates from Donaldson and ECU.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quintana |first=Chris |date=Oct 12, 2025 |title=What happened to MrBeast's East Carolina University academic program? No one will say |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/10/12/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson-east-carolina-university-ecu/86366171007/ |access-date=Apr 5, 2026 |website=USA Today}}</ref> He also appeared as a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay's ''Food Stars'' in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=June 14, 2023 |title=MrBeast Turns Up on 'Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars' |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/mrbeast-turns-up-on-gordon-ramsays-food-stars |access-date=November 12, 2024 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en |archive-date=November 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112094127/https://www.nexttv.com/news/mrbeast-turns-up-on-gordon-ramsays-food-stars |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2025, he announced a collaboration with James Patterson on a thriller novel slated for publication by HarperCollins in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alter |first=Alexandra |date=May 5, 2025 |title=MrBeast's Latest Challenge: Writing a Novel With James Patterson|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/books/mrbeast-james-patterson-novel.html|access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref>

'''Step'''

In February 2026, Donaldson's Beast Industries acquired the youth-oriented fintech app Step.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butts |first=Dylan |date=February 10, 2026 |title=YouTube star MrBeast buys youth-focused financial services app Step |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/10/youtube-mrbeast-youth-financial-services-app-step-beast-industries-acquires-fintech-app.html |access-date=February 13, 2026 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> The app is focused on providing tools to manage money and build credit. In a tweet posted February 9, he expressed a desire to assist young people with increased financial literacy, writing "I want to give millions of young people the financial foundation I never had."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silberling |first=Amanda |date=February 9, 2026 |title=MrBeast's company buys Gen Z-focused fintech app Step |url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/mrbeasts-company-buys-gen-z-focused-fintech-app-step/ |access-date=February 13, 2026 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Television === ==== FAST Channel ==== In 2023, a free ad-supported streaming television channel named Mr. Beast that shows only previously released MrBeast YouTube videos began airing on the Roku Channel service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cranz |first=Alex |date=August 15, 2023 |title=The Roku Channel is getting better about news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/15/23832753/roku-channel-cbs-fox-news-mr-beast |access-date=December 28, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114151825/https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/15/23832753/roku-channel-cbs-fox-news-mr-beast |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''Beast Games'' ==== {{Main|Beast Games|l1=''Beast Games''}}

In March 2024, Donaldson and Amazon MGM Studios announced their plans to create a new reality competition series ''Beast Games'', set to air exclusively on Prime Video. On December 19, 2024, Donaldson released Beast Games on Amazon Prime Video. With 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million cash prize—the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming—the show broke numerous Guinness World Records.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2025 |title=MrBeast broke an astonishing 44 records during filming for Amazon's Beast Games |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2025/2/mrbeast-broke-an-astonishing-44-records-during-filming-for-amazons-beast-games |access-date=February 14, 2025 |work=Guinness World Records |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2024 |title=MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios announce the new reality competition series 'Beast Games' |url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/beast-games-mrbeast-prime-video |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=US About Amazon |language=en |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530213802/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/beast-games-mrbeast-prime-video |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 12, 2025, the series was renewed for two additional seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinoco |first=Armando |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Amazon's Prime Video Renews 'Beast Games' For Two Seasons: "We're Excited To Raise The Bar Even Higher" |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/amazon-prime-video-beast-games-renewed-two-seasons-1236394383/ |access-date=September 12, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> Donaldson stated that his $100 million deal with Amazon was a "poor financial decision" as he lost tens of millions of dollars from Beast Games.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2025 |title='I Lost Tens Of Millions!' – MrBeast Admits His $100M Amazon Show Was A 'Poor Financial Decision' |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lost-tens-millions-mrbeast-admits-150044821.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGbM2RQTCVJ72wqvoMklV2rGz6NHkikm4W-sOsygUXQez8nz-cESyyp-OmpG_UJ-kdKqxqF9xb6PFX1rz6GKL5pQhnJt8PsAeHvnKi4GZOZB3BgI3J23A6xgm-H3XMLTTg_aV52PR9o-SJEJYMlprEvCUXd-BkIuwYSnPU6ItS0S |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530213802/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/beast-games-mrbeast-prime-video |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=US About Amazon |language=en}}</ref>

''Beast Games'', Amazon, and Donaldson faced criticism after contestants complained that they had been denied food, water, medication, and beds during production. Additionally, several contestants were hospitalized during the first filming sessions, with over a dozen contestants claiming that various injuries had occurred while participating in the challenges and that many had been seen being removed from the arena on stretchers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kircher |first=Madison Malone |date=August 2, 2024 |title=Willing to Die for MrBeast (and $5 Million) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/02/style/mrbeast-beast-games-competition-show.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802150655/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/02/style/mrbeast-beast-games-competition-show.html |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |access-date=August 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaty |first1=Thalia |last2=Pollard |first2=James |date=August 3, 2024 |title=MrBeast's giant reality competition faces safety complaints from initial contestants |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/mrbeasts-giant-reality-competition-faces-safety-complaints-initial-112530149 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803024925/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/mrbeasts-giant-reality-competition-faces-safety-complaints-initial-112530149 |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> A spokesperson of Donaldson would blame external factors such as the global computer systems outage caused by CrowdStrike's update to its software, "extreme weather and other unexpected logistical and communications issues".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=August 2, 2024 |title=MrBeast blames terrible Beast Games conditions on the CrowdStrike outage |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/2/24212298/mrbeast-beast-games-crowdstrike |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802235022/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/2/24212298/mrbeast-beast-games-crowdstrike |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

In its second season, the show collaborated with Survivor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=Kelli |date=2026-04-29 |title='Survivor 50' MrBeast Cameo Delivers Massive Twist |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1261180/survivor-50-episode-10-recap-mrbeast-prize-money-doubled-stephenie-lagrossa-eliminated/ |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=TV Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Beast Land theme park === {{Main|Beast Land}}

Donaldson opened Beast Land, a temporary amusement park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia which ran from November 13 to December 27, 2025, as part of Riyadh Season. The theme park featured rides inspired by videos from the MrBeast YouTube channel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gwilliam |first=Michael |date=November 6, 2025 |title=MrBeast is launching his own 'Beast Land' theme park, but it's in Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/mrbeast-is-launching-his-own-beast-land-theme-park-but-its-in-saudi-arabia-3280500/ |accessdate=January 17, 2026 |publisher=Dexerto}}</ref>

== Philanthropy == === Team Trees === {{main|Team Trees}}

[[File:Team Trees logo.svg|thumb|The logo used for#Team Trees, 2019]] On October 25, 2019, Donaldson and fellow YouTuber Mark Rober launched #TeamTrees on YouTube to raise $20 million for the Arbor Day Foundation by January 1, 2020, so the group could plant one tree per donated dollar by December 2022.<ref name="Alexander-2019">{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=October 25, 2019 |title=MrBeast partners with more than 600 YouTubers, including PewDiePie and MKBHD, to plant 20 million trees |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20926852/mrbeast-teamtrees-charity-donations-pewdiepie-mkbhd-youtube-trending-tree-planting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221715/https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20926852/mrbeast-teamtrees-charity-donations-pewdiepie-mkbhd-youtube-trending-tree-planting |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref name="Tenbarge-2019">{{Cite web |last=Tenbarge |first=Ken |date=October 27, 2019 |title=Here's why the top YouTubers from all corners of the platform are talking about planting 20 million trees for #TeamTrees |url=https://www.insider.com/why-top-youtubers-talking-about-planting-20-million-team-trees-2019-10 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=Insider Inc. |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416215304/https://www.insider.com/why-top-youtubers-talking-about-planting-20-million-team-trees-2019-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> Creators including Rhett & Link, Marshmello, iJustine, Marques Brownlee, The Slow Mo Guys, Ninja, Simone Giertz, Jacksepticeye, and Smarter Every Day amplified the effort, and the foundation began planting in U.S. national parks that same month.<ref name="Alexander-2019" /><ref name="Tenbarge-2019" />

By December 19, the fundraiser had already cleared its $20 million target.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TeamTrees |url=https://www.facebook.com/teamtreesofficial/photos/a.127395948672470/153160966095968/?type=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015121111/https://www.facebook.com/teamtreesofficial/photos/a.127395948672470/153160966095968/?type=3 |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2019 |via=Facebook |language=en}}</ref> High-profile donors such as Jack Dorsey, Susan Wojcicki, Elon Musk, and Tobias Lütke contributed, along with companies including Discovery, Verizon, and PopCap.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=David |date=October 30, 2019 |title=YouTube star MrBeast wants to plant 20 million trees. Elon Musk, Jack Dorsey, and more are helping him do it. |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/30/us/youtube-mrbeast-trees-trnd/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030234714/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/30/us/youtube-mrbeast-trees-trnd/ |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=October 31, 2019 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leskin |first=Paige |date=November 10, 2019 |title=A YouTuber launched a viral campaign to plant 20 million trees by 2020. Here's the list of prominent people who have donated, including Elon Musk, Jeffree Star, and other tech CEOs and YouTube personalities |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015121018/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/elon-musk-pewdiepie-jeffree-star-donate-mrbeast-youtube-tree-planting-2019-10?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2019 |website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref name="teamtrees.org" /> Shopify CEO Tobias Lütke made the single largest pledge at 1,000,001 trees.<ref name="teamseas">{{Cite web |title=Team Trees leaderboard |url=https://teamtrees.org// |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211125910/https://teamtrees.org/ |archive-date=February 11, 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=teamseas}}</ref>

{{As of|2025|06}}, supporters have funded more than 24.8 million trees through the initiative.<ref name="teamseas" /> A PBS Terra report noted that only six percent of the first 2,000 trees planted in one monitored location survived, highlighting the challenges of long-term reforestation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=May |first1=Maiya |date=April 24, 2025 |title=The Biggest Climate Scam Ever? (timestamp 6:52) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWDEawUSyUY |via=YouTube |publisher=PBS Terra |language=en |format=video}}</ref>

=== Team Seas === {{main|Team Seas}}

[[File:Logo Team Seas 02.svg|thumb|The logo used for#Team Seas, 2021]] On October 29, 2021, Donaldson and Rober introduced #TeamSeas to raise $30 million by January 1, 2022, for the Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup, with the goal of removing {{convert|30|e6lb|e6kg|abbr=off}} of debris from oceans, rivers, and beaches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=October 29, 2021 |title=YouTubers MrBeast, Mark Rober Reteam for 'TeamSeas' Charity Fundraiser to Clean Up Trash From Marine Environments |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-1235100310/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029204012/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-1235100310/ |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Thousands of creators, among them AzzyLand, DanTDM, TommyInnit, LinusTechTips, TierZoo, LEMMiNO, The Infographics Show, Hannah Stocking, Dhar Mann, and Marques Brownlee, promoted the campaign, and BEN plus TubeBuddy's eight-million-creator initiative provided additional reach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Grace |date=October 29, 2021 |title=#TeamSeas: YouTubers MrBeast and Mark Rober pledge to remove 30 million pounds of trash from the ocean |url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/creator-economy-mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029232239/https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/creator-economy-mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas/ |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 30, 2021 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=October 29, 2021 |title=MrBeast And Mark Rober's #TeamSeas Is Raising $30 Million For Ocean Cleanup |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/29/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-fundraiser/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031123058/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/10/29/mrbeast-mark-rober-teamseas-fundraiser/ |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US}}</ref> {{As of|2025|06}}, contributors have raised more than $34 million ($34,080,191) for the effort.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Seas count |url=https://teamseas.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605000353/https://teamseas.org// |archive-date=June 5, 2024 |access-date=June 5, 2024 |website=teamseas.org}}</ref>

=== Team Water === {{main|Team Water}}

[[File:Logo Team Water.svg|thumb|The logo used for Team Water, 2025]] On August 1, 2025, Donaldson and Rober launched #TeamWater to raise $40 million for WaterAid by the end of the month.<ref name="Faris, James-2025">{{cite web | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-team-water-philanthropy-project-content-creator-youtube-2025-8 | title=MrBeast's next big philanthropy project is centered on clean water | work=Business Insider | date=August 1, 2025 | author=Faris, James}}</ref> The campaign set out to deliver lasting clean-water access for two million people and enlisted more than 3,000 creators to help meet the goal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=MrBeast, Mark Rober Launch TeamWater, Their Biggest Fundraiser to Date With 3,000-Plus YouTube Creators Aiming to Raise $40 Million for Clean Water Projects |url=https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/mrbeast-teamwater-fundraiser-youtube-creators-clean-water-1236476444/ |access-date=August 7, 2025 |work=Variety |date=August 1, 2025}}</ref> {{As of|2025|09|22}}, donations exceeded the target, totaling more than $41 million ($41,631,423).<ref>{{Cite web |title=#TeamWater |url=https://teamwater.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801160807/https://teamwater.org/ |archive-date=August 1, 2025 |access-date=September 22, 2025 |website=Team Water}}</ref>

=== Beast Philanthropy === [[File:Turkey Giveaway Event (51665254115).jpg|thumb|Greenville received Thanksgiving meals as part of an initiative by Beast Philanthropy and Jennie-O.<ref name="Kennedy-2021">{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Mark |title=YouTube star MrBeast rethinks old notions of philanthropy |url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-technology-lifestyle-business-greenville-6a9751477b7376afd3962371ff11213e |access-date=July 26, 2023 |work=AP News |date=December 16, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117182148/https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-technology-lifestyle-business-greenville-6a9751477b7376afd3962371ff11213e |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Molle-2021">{{cite news |last=Molle |first=Claire |title=YouTube star Mr. Beast holds event to give away 10,000 free turkeys in Greenville |url=https://www.wnct.com/local-news/greenville/youtube-star-holds-event-to-give-away-10-thousand-free-turkeys-in-greenville/ |access-date=July 26, 2023 |publisher=WNCT |date=November 7, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726124320/https://www.wnct.com/local-news/greenville/youtube-star-holds-event-to-give-away-10-thousand-free-turkeys-in-greenville/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]] Donaldson launched the Beast Philanthropy YouTube channel on September 17, 2020, announcing a dedicated food bank and naming longtime collaborator Darren Margolias as executive director.<ref name="Beast Philanthropy">{{Cite web |title=Beast Philanthropy – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiLfjNXkNv24uhpzUgPa6A/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423185906/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiLfjNXkNv24uhpzUgPa6A/about |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MrBeast 3 - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzvDDvaYti8Dd8bLEiSoyQ/about |access-date=November 11, 2022 |via=YouTube |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111173256/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzvDDvaYti8Dd8bLEiSoyQ/about |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=James |date=March 26, 2021 |title=MrBeast Opens His Own Food Bank, Shares Details On 'Beast Philanthropy' |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/26/mrbeast-philanthropy-food-pantry-youtube-donations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423185905/https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/03/26/mrbeast-philanthropy-food-pantry-youtube-donations/ |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=April 23, 2021 |website=Tubefilter.com}}</ref> The channel states that it donates all advertising revenue, brand deals, and merchandise proceeds to charity.<ref name="Miller-2023" /><ref name="Beast Philanthropy" />

Beast Philanthropy campaigns have included distributing 10,000 turkeys in Greenville,<ref name="Kennedy-2021" /><ref name="Molle-2021" /> delivering 20,000 pairs of shoes to children in Africa,<ref>{{cite news |last=Mtembu |first=Xolile |title="Kindness is part of Mr Beast's DNA and he's determined to use his wealth to help improve the world" |url=https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/careers/kindness-is-part-of-mr-beasts-dna-and-hes-determined-to-use-his-wealth-to-help-improve-the-world-5fe2e287-714a-47d5-88e7-ffe90169fac7 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |work=IOL |date=March 15, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726124320/https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/careers/kindness-is-part-of-mr-beasts-dna-and-hes-determined-to-use-his-wealth-to-help-improve-the-world-5fe2e287-714a-47d5-88e7-ffe90169fac7 |url-status=live }}</ref> building 100 wells for communities with limited access to clean water,<ref name="Busari-2023">{{Cite web |first1=Issy |last1=Ronald |first2=Stephanie |last2=Busari |date=November 6, 2023 |title=MrBeast builds 100 wells in Africa, attracting praise – and some criticism |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/06/africa/mrbeast-100-wells-africa-intl-scli/index.html |access-date=November 22, 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122232429/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/06/africa/mrbeast-100-wells-africa-intl-scli/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and donating $300,000 in technology to schools.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ward |first=Erin |title=YouTube star MrBeast donates tech to ECU students |url=https://news.ecu.edu/2021/06/08/youtube-star-mrbeast-donates-tech-to-ecu-students/ |website=ECU News Services |date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726124323/https://news.ecu.edu/2021/06/08/youtube-star-mrbeast-donates-tech-to-ecu-students/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Donaldson has also produced videos that fund medical procedures, helping 1,000 blind people see again, 1,000 deaf people regain hearing, and 2,000 people walk again.<ref name="Benton-2023">{{cite news |last=Benton |first=Charlotte |title=MrBeast: Why has YouTuber faced criticism for blind surgery video? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-64490431 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |publisher=BBC |date=February 1, 2023 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202132542/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-64490431 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Controversies == {{Criticism section|date=January 2026}}

=== Working conditions === Former employees have accused Donaldson of fostering a difficult workplace. Editor Matt Turner told ''The New York Times'' that while he worked for Donaldson between February 2018 and September 2019 he was berated almost daily, called a "retard", and often left uncredited for his edits.<ref name="Lorenz-2021" /> ''Insider'' reported that Turner described the same allegations in a 2018 video and in an October 2019 Twitter thread.<ref name="Asarch">{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |title=Former employees of YouTuber MrBeast alleged the star created a toxic work environment where he berated and belittled staff, report says |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-former-employees-allege-youtuber-berated-staff-used-slur-2021-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084331/https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-former-employees-allege-youtuber-berated-staff-used-slur-2021-5 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=Insider}}</ref>

Another editor, Nate Anderson, said he left after one week in 2018 because of what he viewed as unreasonable expectations and later received death threats from fans after sharing his experience.<ref name="Lorenz-2021" /><ref name="Asarch" /> Nine additional former employees similarly stated that Donaldson could be generous but that his demeanor shifted when the cameras were off.<ref name="Lorenz-2021" /><ref name="Asarch" /> Donaldson rejected the accusations, saying that the company maintains high standards without being toxic, and he said he paid Turner $10,000 and recommended him for another job when his contract ended.<ref name="Dickson-2022" />

=== Class action lawsuit === {{Main|Beast Games lawsuit}}

In September 2024, five former contestants on ''Beast Games'' filed a class action lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Donaldson, Amazon, and the show's production partners.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2024 |title=Beast Games allegations 'blown out of proportion' says YouTuber |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yxnddeyl0o |access-date=February 1, 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213134849/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yxnddeyl0o |url-status=live }}</ref> They alleged chronic mistreatment on set, including sexual harassment, unsafe conditions, and unpaid expenses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=September 18, 2024 |title=MrBeast, Amazon Sued by Contestants on 'Beast Games' Competition Show, With Allegations Including Sexual Harassment and 'Chronic Mistreatment' |url=https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/mrbeast-amazon-sued-beast-games-contestants-class-action-1236148181/ |access-date=October 27, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125040103/https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/mrbeast-amazon-sued-beast-games-contestants-class-action-1236148181/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kircher |first=Madison Malone |date=September 18, 2024 |title='Beast Games' Contestants File Lawsuit Claiming 'Dangerous Conditions' on Set |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/style/mrbeast-reality-show-lawsuit.html |access-date=October 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122235731/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/style/mrbeast-reality-show-lawsuit.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The plaintiffs also said they were pressured to sign illegal contracts and submit false paperwork in order to secure Nevada tax credits for the production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=September 18, 2024 |title=MrBeast & Amazon Hit With Sexual Harassment, Wages & Nevada Tax Credits-Scamming Class Action Suit By Game Show Contestants |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/mrbeast-sexual-harassment-wages-lawsuit-amazon-1236092640/ |access-date=October 6, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922202652/https://deadline.com/2024/09/mrbeast-sexual-harassment-wages-lawsuit-amazon-1236092640/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Unauthorized tour of Mayan ruins === In May 2025, Mexican authorities accused Donaldson of exploiting the Chichén Itzá ruins after he released the video "I Explored 2,000-Year-Old Ancient Temples". Officials said the footage showed him waiting until nightfall, climbing restricted structures, entering a temple, and promoting Feastables products in violation of guidelines for tourists and commercial shoots.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cantú |first=Elda |date=May 16, 2025 |title=MrBeast's Tour of Maya Ruins Draws Criticism and Legal Threats in Mexico |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/world/americas/mrbeast-mexico-ruins.html |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="www.bbc.com-2025">{{Cite web |date=May 16, 2025 |title=Mexico accuses MrBeast of exploiting Mayan pyramids permit |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crr70vykk0wo |access-date=June 23, 2025 |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> Donaldson countered that his team held "full permits" and followed the rules, but President Claudia Sheinbaum requested a review of how the permits were granted.<ref name="www.bbc.com-2025" />

=== Lawsuit by former employee === In April 2026, he was sued by former employee Lorrayne Mavromatis, who accused his company of years of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and wrongful termination after she became a mother. She also accused the company of demeaning treatment. MrBeast denied these allegations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charalambous |first=Peter |date=April 23, 2026 |title=MrBeast's company sued over alleged sexual harassment, wrongful termination |url=https://abcnews.com/US/mrbeasts-company-sued-alleged-sexual-harassment-wrongful-termination/story?id=132293451 |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Alisha Haridasani |last2=Kircher |first2=Madison Malone |date=2026-04-22 |title=Former Employee Sues MrBeast's Company, Alleging Harassment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/business/mrbeast-lawsuit-harassment-claims.html |access-date=2026-04-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== Personal life == Donaldson has described himself as an introvert, saying his focus on YouTube leaves little time for a social life. His mother, Sue, linked that temperament to the family's frequent moves and to his ongoing experience with Crohn's disease.<ref name="Dickson-2022" />

He dated YouTuber Maddy Spidell from 2019 to 2022, and he began a relationship with gaming streamer Thea Booysen later that year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |title=Everything we know about MrBeast's rumored relationship with a Twitch streamer who says she met him 'by accident' |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-thea-booysen-timeline-rumored-relationship-2022-12 |website=Insider |access-date=August 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mussen |first=Maddy |title=MrBeast: the YouTuber on track to become a billionaire |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/mrbeast-youtube-net-worth-bio-studio-friend-chris-tyson-girlfriend-b1074966.html |access-date=August 2, 2023 |work=Evening Standard |date=June 29, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804195557/https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/mrbeast-youtube-net-worth-bio-studio-friend-chris-tyson-girlfriend-b1074966.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Donaldson announced his engagement to Booysen on January 1, 2025, noting that he proposed on December 25, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenbloom |first=Alli |date=January 1, 2025 |title=MrBeast and Thea Booysen are engaged |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/01/entertainment/mrbeast-thea-booysen-engaged |access-date=January 1, 2025 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108175444/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/01/entertainment/mrbeast-thea-booysen-engaged/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coffey-Behrens |first=Kelly |date=January 1, 2025 |title=MrBeast is Now Engaged |url=https://gamerant.com/mrbeast-engagement-announcement/ |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref>

After the implosion of the OceanGate submersible ''Titan'' during a June 2023 expedition to the ''Titanic'', Donaldson said he had been invited on the trip but declined.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosenbloom |first=Alli |date=June 25, 2023 |title=MrBeast says he declined to join submersible trip: 'Kind of scary that I could have been on it' |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/25/entertainment/mrbeast-titan-submersible/index.html |access-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628034941/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/25/entertainment/mrbeast-titan-submersible/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chilton |first=Louis |date=June 26, 2023 |title=MrBeast claims he turned down trip on Titanic submarine days before fatal disaster |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mrbeast-titanic-sub-youtube-b2364139.html |access-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628034942/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mrbeast-titanic-sub-youtube-b2364139.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Political views === Donaldson says he remains apolitical because taking sides could alienate viewers and undermine his philanthropic work.<ref name="Dickson-2022" /> During a September 2022 podcast appearance, he joked that he might run for president "in like 20 years", arguing that the United States is "due for younger presidents".<ref name="Shapero-2022">{{cite web |last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=October 6, 2022 |title=YouTube giant MrBeast considering a White House run in 20 years |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/3676237-youtube-giant-mrbeast-considering-a-white-house-run-in-20-years/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401060629/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/3676237-youtube-giant-mrbeast-considering-a-white-house-run-in-20-years/ |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=The Hill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |title=YouTube star MrBeast said he will 'probably' run for President in his mid-40s and plans to win the election by giving away all of his money |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-president-mid-40s-2022-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165658/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-president-mid-40s-2022-9 |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 6, 2024, amid the 2024 campaign, he tweeted, "If we lower the age to run for president I'll jump in the race," a remark that went viral before he clarified on X that he was simply restating his apolitical stance.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dunn |first=Billie Schwab |date=July 9, 2024 |title=MrBeast's election remark takes internet by storm |url=https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-election-remark-viral-online-1922663 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709113030/https://www.newsweek.com/mrbeast-election-remark-viral-online-1922663 |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodwin |first=Grace Eliza |date=July 11, 2024 |title=MrBeast is prepping us for his presidential run in 2036 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-run-for-president-soon-as-old-enough-2024-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725175938/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-run-for-president-soon-as-old-enough-2024-7 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Shapero-2022" /> However, he is a supporter of Elon Musk as of an interview with Theo Von on December 3, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2024 |title=MrBeast says Elon Musk had an 'interesting' one word response when they first met |url=https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/mrbeast-elon-musk-theo-von-b2660054.html |access-date=November 8, 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en|last=Evans|first=Greg}}</ref>

==== LGBT issues ==== In an April 2022 interview with ''Rolling Stone,'' Donaldson said he had left evangelical Christianity, now identifies as an agnostic theist, and no longer shares the anti-LGBTQ positions he heard while growing up in the Bible Belt. He recalled being taught that "Gay people are the reason God's going to come and burn this Earth" and said he has since rejected that rhetoric.<ref name="Dickson-2022" />

''The Atlantic'' reported in May 2018 that Donaldson used homophobic slurs on Twitter as a teenager, often treating the word "gay" as an insult.<ref name="Observer-2021" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |author-link=Taylor Lorenz |date=May 24, 2018 |title='YouTube's Biggest Philanthropist' Has a History of Homophobic Comments |work=The Atlantic |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/05/youtubes-biggest-philanthropist-has-a-history-of-homophobic-comments/561248/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715091820/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/05/youtubes-biggest-philanthropist-has-a-history-of-homophobic-comments/561248/ |archive-date=July 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Leskin-2019" /> He later deleted those posts, and a spokesperson said in 2021 that he had "grown up and matured into someone that doesn't speak like that".<ref name="Lorenz-2021" />

Donaldson publicly supported childhood friend and collaborator Ava Kris Tyson in April 2023 after she revealed that she was receiving feminizing hormone replacement therapy, writing, "All this transphobia is starting to piss me off."<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/mrbeast-transphobic-critics-chris-tyson-1234714626/ | title=MrBeast Calls Out Transphobic Backlash to Chris Tyson's Hormone Therapy | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=April 13, 2023 | access-date=February 4, 2024 | archive-date=February 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204002346/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/mrbeast-transphobic-critics-chris-tyson-1234714626/amp/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Williamson |first=Harriet |title=YouTuber Chris Tyson breaks silence over MrBeast removal rumours |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/07/mrbeast-chris-tyson-youtube-rumours/ |access-date=March 2, 2024 |work=PinkNews |date=May 7, 2023 |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302090258/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/07/mrbeast-chris-tyson-youtube-rumours/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Tyson later came out as a trans woman.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2023 |title=MrBeast's Kris Tyson says she's 'so much happier' after six months of hormone replacement therapy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/31/entertainment/kris-tyson-mrbeast-hormone-replacement-therapy-cec/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101012414/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/31/entertainment/kris-tyson-mrbeast-hormone-replacement-therapy-cec/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2023 |title=MrBeast's Kris Tyson Comes Out as Transgender: 'I Am a Woman! She/Her' |url=https://people.com/mrbeast-kris-tyson-comes-out-as-transgender-7564588 |website=People |access-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103193805/https://people.com/mrbeast-kris-tyson-comes-out-as-transgender-7564588 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Public image and influence == {{Multiple image | direction = vertical | total_width = 300 | image1 = VidCon 2022 Anaheim California YouTube Shorts TikTok Mr. Beast.jpg | caption1 = MrBeast's large model gumball machine at VidCon 2022 | image2 = MrBeast getting photography at walmart (cropped).png | caption2 = Fans of MrBeast photographing him at a Walmart in 2025 }} Donaldson's channel became the most subscribed on YouTube on June 2, 2024, when it overtook T-Series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2024 |title=MrBeast Is Now The Most Subscribed YouTuber: 'Avenged Pewdiepie' |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/mrbeast-is-now-the-most-subscribed-youtuber-surpasses-t-series-article-110631244 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Times Now |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602003236/https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/mrbeast-is-now-the-most-subscribed-youtuber-surpasses-t-series-article-110631244 |url-status=live }}</ref> A February 2021 poll by ''Insider'' reported that 70% of respondents viewed him favorably and 12% unfavorably.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=February 16, 2021 |title=POWER RANKING: the 10 most well-liked influencers on the internet |url=https://www.insider.com/most-liked-influencers-insider-data-mrbeast-markiplier-corpse-2021-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084324/https://www.insider.com/most-liked-influencers-insider-data-mrbeast-markiplier-corpse-2021-2 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2021 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> Coverage from ''Time'', Yahoo Life, and CNN has noted his particular appeal to younger audiences, pointing to his direct-to-camera delivery and polished but enthusiastic on-screen persona, which could encourage a parasocial relationship.<ref name="Dickson-2022" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Espada |first=Mariah |title=Why MrBeast's New Video Became The Second Most Watched in 24 Hours in YouTube History |url=https://time.com/6287028/mrbeast-youtube-views-record/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |magazine=Time |date=June 13, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124031839/https://time.com/6287028/mrbeast-youtube-views-record/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Frost |first=Alexandra |title=Kids obsessed with MrBeast? Here's what parents should know about the hugely popular YouTuber. |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/kids-obsessed-mrbeast-heres-parents-150025606.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=Yahoo Life |date=May 24, 2023 |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209033825/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/kids-obsessed-mrbeast-heres-parents-150025606.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Karimi-2023">{{cite news |last=Karimi |first=Faith |title=Behind the staggering success of MrBeast |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/15/entertainment/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-cec/index.html |access-date=November 25, 2023 |publisher=CNN |date=July 15, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204044331/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/15/entertainment/mrbeast-youtube-jimmy-donaldson-cec/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Writers such as Charissa Cheong have linked Donaldson's success to a broader shift on YouTube toward high-budget, experimental productions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |title=MrBeast just became the biggest YouTuber in the world. His ascension marks the death of old YouTube and the rise of 'over-the-top' content. |url=https://www.insider.com/mrbeast-pewdiepie-death-old-youtube-experts-2022-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165700/https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-pewdiepie-death-old-youtube-experts-2022-11 |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 13, 2023 |title=MrBeast: The 100 Most Influential People of 2023 |url=https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6270005/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413144911/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6270005/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson/ |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref> Other analysts have credited his format with influencing creators such as Fidias, Matthew Beem, and Airrack, who have adopted similar high-stakes challenge videos.<ref name="Karimi-2023" /><ref name="Lorenz-2021" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Youshaei |first=Jon |date=September 24, 2023 |title=The MrBeast Blueprint: How YouTube Stars Like Matthew Beem Went Broke For Their Big Break |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonyoushaei/2023/09/24/the-mrbeast-blueprint-how-youtube-stars-like-matthew-beem-went-broke-for-their-big-break/?sh=64dc9ae6594e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125104112/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonyoushaei/2023/09/24/the-mrbeast-blueprint-how-youtube-stars-like-matthew-beem-went-broke-for-their-big-break/?sh=64dc9ae6594e |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Donaldson's influence on entertainment has been deemed "Mr. Beastification"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Rebecca |date=March 18, 2024 |title=The Mr. Beastification of entertainment |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/24105035/mr-beast-youtube-amazon-show |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319213046/https://www.vox.com/culture/24105035/mr-beast-youtube-amazon-show |archive-date=19 March 2024 |access-date=November 10, 2025 |website=Vox |language=en-US}}</ref> and "Beastification"<ref name="Lorenz-2024">{{Cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |date=March 30, 2024 |title=The 'Beastification of YouTube' may be coming to an end |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/30/video-editing-mrbeast-retention/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331044416/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/30/video-editing-mrbeast-retention/ |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |access-date=February 5, 2026 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}}</ref> by observers. Taylor Lorenz noted in March 2024 that Donaldson's style of "retention editing" involved "loud sound effects, fast cuts, flashing lights and zero pauses" to keep users' attention. This style was mimicked by many other content creators to the point of being the dominant format, though its dominance was beginning to wane by then; Donaldson wanted himself and others to "get rid of the ultra fast paced/overstim era of content".<ref name="Lorenz-2024" /> Anthony Padilla of Smosh felt that MrBeastification had led to a large number of copycats and "this very heavy desire for people to really get caught up in the stats".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tomar |first=Vaibhav Singh |date=December 19, 2023 |title="Beastification of Content": Smosh Creators Talk About the Impact of MrBeast on the Creator Community |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/gaming-news-beastification-of-content-smosh-creators-talk-about-the-impact-of-mrbeast-on-the-creator-community/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302101044/https://www.essentiallysports.com/gaming-news-beastification-of-content-smosh-creators-talk-about-the-impact-of-mrbeast-on-the-creator-community/ |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |access-date=February 5, 2026 |work=EssentiallySports |language=en-US}}</ref>

Donaldson's approach has also drawn scrutiny. Commentators have accused Donaldson of turning philanthropy into spectacle, sometimes describing his videos as "charity porn."<ref name="Benton-2023" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Ryu |first=Jenna |title=A YouTuber cured 1,000 blind people for a video. But is it performative altruism? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/02/01/mrbeast-cures-blind-people-video-why-its-receiving-backlash/11161719002/ |work=USA Today |access-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201232745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/02/01/mrbeast-cures-blind-people-video-why-its-receiving-backlash/11161719002/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Busari-2023" /> Critics have argued that his giveaways do little to address structural inequality.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Oliver |title=MrBeast's charitable efforts have helped thousands. But is his approach to philanthropy problematic? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/mr-beast-charity-controversy-1.6846810 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=May 28, 2023 |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805185921/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/mr-beast-charity-controversy-1.6846810 |url-status=live }}</ref> Donaldson has responded that he does not profit from Beast Philanthropy videos, that all revenue is donated, and that government action is needed to solve systemic problems.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mohammed |first=Leyla |title=MrBeast Hit Back At Criticism Of His Video Paying For Blind People's Surgeries After Being Called Exploitative |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/leylamohammed/youtuber-mrbeast-responds-criticism-curing-blindness-video |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=BuzzFeed News |date=January 31, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818195635/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/leylamohammed/youtuber-mrbeast-responds-criticism-curing-blindness-video |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |title=MrBeast is pushing back against criticism for his latest charity stunt, as viewers are outraged that he keeps getting bashed for doing good deeds |url=https://www.insider.com/twitter-decries-mrbeast-backlash-amid-latest-shoes-charity-video-2023-3 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=Insider |date=March 10, 2023 |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808165601/https://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-decries-mrbeast-backlash-amid-latest-shoes-charity-video-2023-3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Filmography == === Films === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" |+{{sronly|Film}} ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! rowspan="1" scope="row" | 2022 |''Night of the Coconut'' |Self |Cameo; credited as "Jimothy Beast" | style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://nebula.tv/nightofthecoconut |title=Night of the Coconut |date=June 17, 2022 |last=Willems |first=Patrick |type=Motion picture |language=English |publisher=Nebula |time=1:27:43 |chapter=Appearing as Themselves}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | 2023 |''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem'' |Times Square Bystander | rowspan="2" |Voice |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Behind The Voice Actors">{{cite web |title=Jimmy Donaldson (visual voices guide) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Jimmy-Donaldson/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> |- |''Under the Boardwalk'' |Hot Sauce Crab |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="Behind The Voice Actors" /> |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | 2024 | scope="row" |''The Sidemen Story'' |Himself |Documentary | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shah |first1=Furvah |title=Sidemen's Netflix documentary: Release date, trailer, cast and more |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a46623709/sidemen-netflix-documentary-release-date-trailer-cast/ |website=Cosmopolitan |date=February 2, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206153343/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a46623709/sidemen-netflix-documentary-release-date-trailer-cast/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |''Kung Fu Panda 4'' |Panda Pig |Voice |align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Shrishty |date=March 10, 2024 |title='Kung Fu Panda 4' Global Box Office Earns $80 Million |url=https://collider.com/kung-fu-panda-4-global-box-office-80-million/ |access-date=August 9, 2024 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130064021/https://collider.com/kung-fu-panda-4-global-box-office-80-million/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Behind The Voice Actors" /> |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" | 2026 | {{pending film|The Angry Birds Movie 3}} | {{TBA}} | Voice |align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=2025-04-08 |title='Angry Birds 3' Lands at Paramount, Sets Winter 2027 Release |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/angry-birds-3-lands-at-paramount-winter-release-1236184688/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> |}

=== Television === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" |+{{sronly|Television}} ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row" | 2024–present |''Beast Games'' | Host | 20 episodes; also co-creator and executive producer |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beast Games (TV Series 2024- ) - IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31812476/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_1_unrel_cdt_t_1 |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=www.imdb.com}}</ref> |- !scope="row" | 2025 |''Love, Death & Robots'' |Master of ceremonies |Voice; episode: "The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur" |align="center"|<ref name="Behind The Voice Actors" /> |- ! scope="row" | 2026 |''Survivor'' | Guest | Season 50; episode 10 | <ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2025 |title=Survivor 50 Trailer: Billie Eilish, Jimmy Fallon and MrBeast Revealed as Part of New Season |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1426333/survivor-50-trailer-billie-eilish-jimmy-fallon-involved |access-date=December 23, 2025 |publisher=E!}}</ref> |}

=== Music videos === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" |+{{sronly|Film}} ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Artist !Director ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row" | 2025 |"Type Dangerous" |Mariah Carey |Joseph Kahn | Himself | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=June 14, 2025 |title=Mariah Carey's 'Type Dangerous' Video Features MrBeast, But Not for Long |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mariah-carey-mrbeast-type-dangerous-video-1235999682/ |access-date=June 15, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> |}

== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Ceremony !Category !Result !{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! rowspan="3" |2019 | rowspan="3" |9th Streamy Awards |Breakout Creator |{{won}} |rowspan="3" align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=MrBeast Wins the Award for Breakout Creator – Streamy Awards 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpAjK2h_dzA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/bpAjK2h_dzA |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |via=YouTube| date=December 13, 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- |Ensemble Cast |{{nom}} |- |Creator of the Year |{{nom}} |- ! rowspan="5" |2020 |12th Annual Shorty Awards |YouTuber of the Year | rowspan="5" {{won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |title=None - The Shorty Awards |url=https://shortyawards.com/12th/winners |website=shortyawards.com |access-date=August 3, 2024 |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302111308/https://shortyawards.com/12th/winners |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" |10th Streamy Awards |Creator of the Year |rowspan="4" align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=10th Annual Streamy Nominees |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/10th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021180006/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/10th-annual-nominees/ |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2020 |website=The Streamy Awards |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=December 12, 2020 |title=MrBeast Takes Top Honor at 2020 Streamy Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mrbeast-takes-top-honor-at-2020-streamy-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213042143/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mrbeast-takes-top-honor-at-2020-streamy-awards |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |- |Live Special |- |Social Good: Creator |- |Social Good: Nonprofit or NGO |- ! rowspan="2" |2021 |2021 Kids' Choice Awards |Favorite Male Social Star |{{nom}} |align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvario |first=Liz |date=March 13, 2021 |title=2021 Kids' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List |url=https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314025743/https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |access-date=March 15, 2021 |website=Entertainment Tonight}}</ref> |- |11th Streamy Awards |Creator of the Year |{{won}} |align="center"|<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1469871359538782208 |user=streamys |title=a HUGE congratulations to MrBeast for winning the #streamys for CREATOR OF THE YEAR 🎉🎉🎉 |author=Streamy Awards}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="8" |2022 |2022 Kids' Choice Awards |Favorite Male Creator |{{won}} |align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grenin |first=Paul |date=April 9, 2022 |title=Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, BTS & More Big Winners from 2022 Kids' Choice Awards (Full List) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-kids-choice-awards-full-winners-list-olivia-rodrigo-bts-1235057448/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 11, 2022 |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410013048/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-kids-choice-awards-full-winners-list-olivia-rodrigo-bts-1235057448/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="7" |12th Streamy Awards |Creator of the Year |{{won}} |rowspan="7" align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=12TH ANNUAL WINNERS |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees |access-date=December 5, 2022 |publisher=Streamy Awards |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212154041/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=J. Clara |date=December 5, 2022 |title=YouTube Streamy Awards: MrBeast Takes Top Creator; Full List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/2022-youtube-streamy-awards-winners-1235274871/ |access-date=December 8, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206005336/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/2022-youtube-streamy-awards-winners-1235274871/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Collaboration |{{nom}} |- |Social Good: Creator{{efn|name=TeamSeas|As Team Seas}} |{{won}} |- |Creator Product |{{nom}} |- |Editing |{{nom}} |- |Brand Engagement{{efn|name=TeamSeas}} |{{won}} |- |Social Impact Campaign{{efn|name=TeamSeas}} |{{nom}} |- ! rowspan="5" |2023 |2023 Kids' Choice Awards |Favorite Male Creator |{{won}} |align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=March 4, 2023 |title=Here Are the Winners of the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards: Complete List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-kids-choice-awards-winners-list-1235279886/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305020703/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-kids-choice-awards-winners-list-1235279886/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" |13th Streamy Awards |Creator of the Year |{{won}} |rowspan="4" align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=13th Annual Streamy Winners |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/13th-annual-nominees/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=The Streamy Awards |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901233930/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/13th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Collaboration |{{won}} |- |Creator Product |{{nom}} |- |Brand Engagement |{{nom}} |- !2024 |2024 Kids' Choice Awards |Favorite Male Creator |{{won}} |align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|title=Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, Timothée Chalamet, Ayo Edebiri Among 2024 Kids' Choice Awards Nominees – Full List|url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-nominations-2024-full-list-taylor-swift-1235957982/|date=June 4, 2024|access-date=June 4, 2024|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604143906/https://deadline.com/2024/06/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-nominations-2024-full-list-taylor-swift-1235957982/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- !2025 |2025 Kids' Choice Awards |Favorite Male Creator |{{won}} |align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=June 21, 2025 |title=Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Ariana Grande Win Multiple Awards at 2025 Kids' Choice Awards (Full Winners List) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2025-kids-choice-awards-winners-list-1236004651/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250622205823/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2025-kids-choice-awards-winners-list-1236004651/ |archive-date=June 22, 2025 |access-date=June 23, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> |}

=== Publications === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Publication ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- !2021 |''Forbes'' 30 Under 30 |align="left"|Social Media | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Forbes 30 Under 30 2021: Social Media |url=https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2021/social-media/ |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220182543/https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2021/social-media/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- ! 2022 | rowspan="5" scope="row" | ''Guinness World Records'' | style="text-align:left;" | Largest vegetarian burger | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/97601-largest-vegetarian-burger|title=Largest vegetarian burger|work=Guinness World Records|access-date=July 11, 2023|date=September 29, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711093304/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/97601-largest-vegetarian-burger|url-status=live}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="3" | 2023 | style="text-align:left;" | First person to reach 1 million followers on Threads | <ref name="Guinness World Records-2023" /> |- | style="text-align:left;" | Highest-earning YouTube contributor (current) | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/383910-highest-earning-youtube-contributor|title=Highest-earning YouTube contributor (current)|work=Guinness World Records|access-date=July 11, 2023|date=December 31, 2021|archive-date=July 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711091800/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/383910-highest-earning-youtube-contributor|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:left;" | Most YouTube subscribers gained in one week | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/655855-most-youtube-subscribers-gained-in-one-week|title=Most YouTube subscribers gained in one week|work=Guinness World Records|access-date=July 26, 2024|date=October 5, 2023|archive-date=July 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726074535/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/655855-most-youtube-subscribers-gained-in-one-week|url-status=live}}</ref> |- ! 2024 | style="text-align:left;" | Most subscribers on YouTube | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-subscribers-on-youtube|title=Most subscribers on YouTube|work=Guinness World Records|access-date=July 26, 2024|date=June 3, 2024|archive-date=July 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727053904/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-subscribers-on-youtube|url-status=live}}</ref> |}

== See also == * List of most-followed TikTok accounts * List of most-subscribed YouTube channels * List of most-viewed YouTube channels * List of YouTubers * Night – American talent management company that previously managed MrBeast

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{wikiquote}} {{Commons category}} * {{Twitter}} * {{IMDb name}} * {{Discogs artist|artist=11660408|name=MrBeast}} {{S-start}} {{S-ach|ach}} {{Succession box | title = Most Subscribed Channel on YouTube | years = 2024–Present | before = T-Series | after = N/A }} {{S-end}} {{MrBeast}} {{Streamy Awards Winners CSS}} {{Streamy Awards Audience Choice Winners}} {{Portal bar|Biography|Business|Internet|Money|North Carolina|United States}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:MrBeast}}

Category:MrBeast Category:1998 births Category:21st-century American businesspeople Category:21st-century American philanthropists Category:American agnostics Category:American gaming YouTubers Category:American investors Category:American reality television producers Category:American television hosts Category:Businesspeople from Kansas Category:Businesspeople from North Carolina Category:Charity fundraisers (people) Category:English-language YouTube channels Category:American former Christians Category:Former evangelicals Category:Gaming-related YouTube channels Category:Internet memes introduced in 2018 Category:Living people Category:Maker Studios people Category:Minecraft YouTubers Category:Number-one YouTube channels in subscribers Category:People from Greenville, North Carolina Category:People from Wichita, Kansas Category:People with Crohn's disease Category:Philanthropists from North Carolina Category:Shorty Award winners Category:Sidemen Charity Match players Category:Streamy Award winners Category:Television personalities from North Carolina Category:World record holders Category:YouTube channels launched in 2012 Category:YouTubers from Kansas Category:YouTubers from North Carolina Category:Pitt Community College alumni Category:American YouTubers Category:American reality competition show hosts

MrBeast

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