YouTube sensation Jimmy ‘MrBeast’ Donaldson is stepping out of his usual video realm to co-author a book with James Patterson, one of the most prolific thriller writers of our time. This unexpected partnership promises a story that blends Patterson’s storytelling mastery with MrBeast’s flair for extreme challenges.
James Patterson, who first hit the literary scene in 1976 and skyrocketed to fame with his Alex Cross series in 1993, has penned over 200 books, often teaming up with co-authors like Dolly Parton. Now, MrBeast revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that he’s been “cooking a really distinct story” with Patterson, calling him the “GOAT of thrillers.” He admitted feeling a bit surprised that Patterson agreed to work with him, but the collaboration is something he’s excited about.
I’m excited to work with James Patterson, the GOAT of thrillers. We’ve been cooking a really unique story together and I can’t wait to see your reactions! It’s been fun to work on a different medium outside videos 😀 https://t.co/ndS09heNk3
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) May 5, 2025
According to The New York Times, the novel will center on an “extreme global contest” featuring 100 players competing in life-threatening tests across dangerous locations worldwide. The participants must prove their leadership skills while forming alliances and betraying one another in a fight to win a billion-dollar prize. The stakes? Elimination or death.
The premise sounds like a natural extension of MrBeast’s viral video challenges dialed up to the intensity of a thriller novel. Fans will have to wait until 2026 to get their hands on the book, but the high hopes are already building.
While waiting for the book, MrBeast is keeping busy. He recently announced a casting call for the second season of his Amazon Prime show Beast Games, promising an even bigger cash prize. He’s also lending his voice to a character in Netflix’s Love, Death + Robots, embracing his “ruthless game show host persona.”
This collaboration with Patterson marks another bold step for MrBeast beyond YouTube, showing he’s not afraid to try new creative outlets.
What do you think about MrBeast teaming up with James Patterson? Are you excited for this high-stakes thriller? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
