MrBeast Responds to Critics After Low Rating for ‘Beast Games’

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22, 2025 — Jimmy Donaldson, known widely as MrBeast, has publicly addressed the harsh criticism directed at his latest show, “Beast Games,” which currently holds a dismal 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The YouTuber, who is recognized for his extravagant giveaways and engaging content, simultaneously contends that his audience greatly enjoys the series, boasting an impressive 90% score from viewers.

“The critics score is based off of eight critics,” Donaldson stated in an interview on Dexerto’s “Clickbaited” podcast. “So when people reference the critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, you’re literally just referencing eight people. Whereas, when you look at our audience score, which is probably over 10,000 reviews, it’s 90%, 9/10.” He emphasized the discrepancy between the critics’ reviews and viewer feedback.

MrBeast launched “Beast Games” in December 2024, featuring 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million grand prize, which he claims is the largest in entertainment history. Despite the show’s overwhelming popularity among fans, the critical reception has been less than favorable. Donaldson pointed out that the majority of critical reviews were posted shortly after the show’s release, indicating that many critics likely did not watch the entire series before rating it.

“Most of the reviews came in right when the show dropped, so I don’t think they watched the show, and just rated it one star,” he said. “Not everyone is going to like the show. If someone objectively watches all ten episodes and they say it’s terrible, then that’s their opinion. I’d ask, ‘Hey, can you tell me why, and I’ll work to improve it in the future.'”

Donaldson’s approach aligns with his goal of entertaining fans rather than appeasing a small group of critics. Earlier this year, on social media, he highlighted the contrast between audience and critic scores, tweeting: “Audiences rated Beast Games 90% but 8 critics rated it 13%. Why the large gap?” His comments have sparked discussion among both supporters and detractors of his work.

As the creator of one of the most popular YouTube channels, MrBeast has garnered both a massive following and scrutiny from critics. Known for his philanthropic endeavors and viral challenges, he continues to adapt and respond to viewer feedback, striving to balance his creative vision with audience expectations.

For those interested, the full episode of “Clickbaited” featuring MrBeast explores more about his creative process, insights into online fame, and his thoughts on the critiques surrounding “Beast Games.”