Fresh off the 100 billion view milestone, world-renowned YouTuber MrBeast has ventured into a different field: real-world entertainment. Internet star James, popularly known as Jimmy Donaldson, has officially opened Beast Land, a theme park experience in Riyadh, where his signature high-energy challenges have become attractions that fans can physically participate in.
"It's probably one of the best days of my life," Donaldson told Reuters in an interview as part of a Saudi PR blitz. He added, "One of the top requests I get is: I want to be in a MrBeast video... So now (we are) creating that in real life, where you guys can come visit it and experience what it is like." "I'd say give it a try, it's much more developed than you'd think," he said.
Also Read | Last Samurai Standing looks like Squid Game, but it isn’t trying to be — Here’s what sets it apart
A playground of viral proportions
As per the report by Reuters, painted in neon blues and packed with American-Gladiator-style obstacle zones, Beast Land melds classic thrill rides with competitive endurance games, such as a station where the last person to hit a flashing button plunges onto cushioned pads below.
With 70% of his audience based outside the United States, Donaldson said Saudi Arabia offered accessible studio space and the scale needed to film his new video slate.
Why Saudi Arabia become MrBeast’s new creative base?
As per the Reuters report, until a decade ago, Saudi Arabia had few options when it came to entertainment. Under the Vision 2030 of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, young Saudis who grew up without cinemas or concerts now flock to Riyadh Season, a months-long entertainment festival hosting everything from boxing bouts and music nights to e-sports and theme-park zones.
The kingdom has become known for luring global celebrities with major deals-Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract at Al Nassr reportedly tops $200 million. Beast Land fits into this larger push to position Saudi Arabia as a tourism and entertainment hub.
Inside Beast Land’s adrenaline factory
According to Newsweek, Beast Land runs through December 27, boasting Tower Siege, Battle Bridge, Maze Run, Revolution, and the Warrior Challenge among its feature slate of tests. Contestants rack up points throughout the day, the top scores garner cash rewards nightly, and one champion at the end of the season captures a grand prize. In all, the purse tops $533,000.
Also Read | Did Grey’s Anatomy just hint at Jo Wilson’s exit? Episode 6 leaves fans stunned
Thrill rides beyond the screen - but not without scrutiny
As per the Newsweek report, the launch follows the UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh, which concluded with the “Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism,” focusing on sustainability and innovation. Meanwhile, global rights groups continue to critique Saudi Arabia’s human-rights record. Organisations like Human Rights Watch say the kingdom’s entertainment boom risks overshadowing ongoing concerns about free speech and civic freedoms. Still, for fans streaming into Beast Land, the spotlight remains firmly on adrenaline, spectacle, and the chance to live a MrBeast challenge in real time.
