In December 2024, MrBeast’s (Jimmy Donaldson) most recent project, Beast Games debuted on Amazon Prime Video. The show is one of the biggest reality competition series to date, with 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million grand prize. Beast Games has received an array of responses from both critics and fans, despite its incredible scope and great production value.
Inspired by the concepts of Squid Games, the series immerses players in a series of demanding tasks meant to try their mental and physical endurance. Despite the fact that the show is undoubtedly appealing, some critics argue that the show takes advantage of the candidates’ desperation. “One of the most undignified spectacles ever shown on TV,” according to The Guardian, raised questions about the morality of this kind of entertainment.
However, with 50 million viewers over 25 days, the show has attracted a sizable audience and is now the most watched unscripted series on Amazon Prime Video. This achievement shows MrBeast’s ability to captivate people with his mix of charitable activities and high-stakes challenges.
The response from critics, however, has been less positive. Based on eight critic reviews, Beast Games has an approval rating of 13% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 3.8/10. Based on five critics, Metacritic gave it a score of 38 out of 100, signifying “generally unfavorable” reviews. Critics have noted that it is difficult to establish a human connection with the contestants due.
In addition, the production has faced legal issues. Lawsuits have been filed by contestants who claim they were mistreated during filming, including being refused basic requirements and working in hazardous situations. Discussions concerning the participants’ wellbeing and the moral obligations of reality TV producers have been raised by these claims.
Beast Games is evidence of MrBeast’s desire to push the limits of reality entertainment. A worldwide audience has been captivated by its grandeur and high stakes, but it has also sparked debates of the morality of this kind of programming. It is unclear how the series would handle these concerns going forward and how it will affect the reality television industry.
