MrBeast, James Patterson reveal release for Hunger Games-like thriller
YouTube content creator MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) is venturing into publishing with his first book, co-authored with prolific thriller writer James Patterson. Titled The Most Dangerous Games, the book releases September 1 through HarperCollins and joins a notable roster of celebrity collaborations with Patterson, alongside Oscar-winner Viola Davis, Grammy winner Dolly Parton, and former President Bill Clinton.
The thriller reimagines MrBeast’s YouTube stunt empire within a dystopian narrative framework. Set in a world on the brink of collapse, the story follows one hundred players competing in a ruthless, high-stakes competition with everything on the line—a premise drawing clear inspiration from The Hunger Games. HarperCollins has positioned it as “the book event of the year,” capitalizing on both Patterson’s established output of collaborations and MrBeast’s massive digital following.
The partnership mirrors both creators’ operational similarities: Patterson has built his writing career through an extensive network of co-authors and collaborators, while MrBeast has become known for executing large-scale, resource-intensive content concepts. The book’s announcement represents an expansion of MrBeast’s brand beyond digital content into traditional publishing, arriving just before the end of summer.