If you’ve been scrolling through Prime Video lately, you’ve probably seen Jimmy Donaldson—better known as MrBeast—staring back at you from the thumbnail of the biggest reality show on the planet. Honestly, the scale of this thing is kind of hard to wrap your head around. We aren't just talking about a YouTube video with a big budget; this is a $100 million production that basically broke every record for unscripted television.
But the way they're dropping episodes is a little different than the binge-all-at-once model we're used to. If you’re trying to figure out when do beast games episodes come out, you’ve likely noticed the staggered release schedule. It’s a mix of a massive premiere "drop" followed by a slow-burn weekly release that keeps the tension high.
The Official Release Schedule for Beast Games
Prime Video decided to go with a hybrid release model for Season 2. They launched the season on January 7, 2026, but they didn't give us everything at once. They kicked things off with a three-episode premiere. It’s a smart move—it gives you enough to get hooked on the "Strong vs. Smart" dynamic without letting you finish the whole $5 million journey in one sitting.
Here is exactly when you can expect the remaining episodes to land:
- Episodes 1, 2, and 3: Premiered on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
- Episode 4 ("The Survivor Takeover"): Released on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
- Episode 5 ("Ask For Anything You Want"): Coming Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
- Episode 6 ("Hearts Will Be Smashed"): Coming Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
- Episode 7 ("Bury Me Alive"): Coming Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
- Episode 8 ("Would You Steal $1,000,000?"): Coming Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
- Episode 9 ("Trust Nobody"): Coming Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
- Episode 10 (The Grand Finale): Coming Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Most new episodes hit the platform at 12:00 AM GMT on their respective dates. If you're in the United States, that usually means you can start watching on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM EST or 4:00 PM PST.
Why the Weekly Wait?
You might be wondering why Amazon doesn't just let us binge the whole thing. The answer is basically "the water cooler effect." By stretching the 10-episode season out until late February, they keep the conversation going on social media. It also gives MrBeast time to post supplemental content on his main YouTube channel, which often acts as a bridge or a "behind the scenes" look at what you just saw on Prime.
What's Actually Happening This Season?
Season 2 is a total departure from the first season's 1,000-person chaos. This time, it's more focused. They’ve taken 200 contestants and split them right down the middle: 100 "Strong" competitors (think athletes and gym rats) and 100 "Smart" competitors (engineers, chess players, and strategy nerds).
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The prize is a staggering $5 million.
One of the coolest details about this season is the "Survivor Takeover" episode. Jimmy actually teamed up with Jeff Probst. They filmed a crossover where the Survivor production team designed a series of challenges specifically for the Beast Games contestants. It’s a weirdly perfect marriage of old-school reality TV and the new-age creator economy.
Where to Watch and What You Need
You’ve got to have an Amazon Prime subscription to see the full episodes. While MrBeast usually posts "qualifier" videos or condensed versions on his YouTube channel, the actual meat of the competition—the stuff filmed in "Beast City" and the high-stakes eliminations—is exclusive to Prime Video.
- Prime Video App: Available on pretty much every smart TV, phone, and tablet.
- Twitch Watch Parties: Amazon has been experimenting with letting certain streamers like ExtraEmily or JasonTheWeen host live watch parties. It’s a fun way to watch if you want to see people's live reactions to the eliminations.
- The Main YouTube Channel: Keep an eye here for the "Qualifier" videos. They usually serve as an Episode 0 that sets the stage for the Prime series.
Real Talk on the Production
It hasn't all been smooth sailing. You might have heard about the legal drama and the "Poorly received by critics" tags on Wikipedia for Season 1. There were a lot of allegations about how contestants were treated during the massive 1,000-person shoot in Las Vegas.
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For Season 2, it seems like they’ve tightened things up. Jimmy has mentioned in interviews—specifically on the Colin and Samir podcast—that they learned a lot from the first go-around. They've shifted toward more skill-based games and a slightly smaller cast (200 instead of 1,000) to make the logistics more manageable.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're trying to stay ahead of the spoilers, the best thing you can do is set a recurring calendar invite for Wednesday mornings. Since the episodes drop globally, social media—especially X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok—becomes a minefield of spoilers within minutes of the release.
Also, if you're interested in the "Smart vs. Strong" data, check out the official Prime Video "Beast Games" landing page. They often update player stats and "Player to Watch" bios between episodes. It’s a great way to keep track of who is still in the running for that $5 million.
Finally, keep an eye on the YouTube channel around mid-February. Historically, Jimmy drops a massive "behind-the-scenes" or "how we built this" video right before the finale to drive up the hype for the winner's reveal.
The road to the February 25 finale is going to be wild. Whether you're rooting for the brains or the brawn, the schedule is set—now you just have to hope your favorite player doesn't get "Beasted" out of the competition.