MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, and bestselling author James Patterson are releasing their co-authored thriller “The Most Dangerous Games” on Sept. 1 through HarperCollins. The novel drops 100 contestants into a deadly arena with $1 billion on the
The trailer opens on a game that doesn’t play fair—and by the time the stakes are clear, it feels less like a book pitch than a countdown.
MrBeast. whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson. and bestselling novelist James Patterson are publishing their co-authored thriller. “The Most Dangerous Games. ” out Sept. 1 from HarperCollins. A trailer posted to YouTube on June 18 teases a plot that fans may recognize from “The Hunger Games. ” or the sharper edge of “Squid Game.”.
The setup is built around spectacle and survival. “The Most Dangerous Games” follows 100 contestants tasked to compete and survive in a relentless arena, with both humanity and $1 billion on the line.
That framing matters because Donaldson’s real-world brand is built on high-stakes challenges—stunts ranging from spending a week buried alive to gifting private islands to strangers. Patterson, meanwhile, is best known for fiction, though he has also written nonfiction and even recently dipped into podcasting. His collaborations have included former President Bill Clinton and Viola Davis. adding to the sense that this book is aiming at a broad audience.
The project, initially announced in May 2025, is now getting its full rollout: a confirmed release date, a cover, and the title.
In a statement. Donaldson and Patterson teased that fans of Donaldson’s competition survival show would appreciate the book’s “more dangerous” fictional game. They also pointed directly to the line between showmanship and narrative: “this is not a show. ” the trailer says. even as it depicts a treacherous game where players risk elimination and death.
The tie-in to “Beast Games” is hard to miss. Season 2 of “Beast Games” premiered in January, with 200 eager competitors playing to win $5 million. The series has drawn comparisons to “Squid Game” and has also faced controversy.
The question now is whether the book can carry the same adrenaline without leaning on the format that made Donaldson famous. It’s a gamble—one dressed up as literature, with the added draw of Patterson’s track record.
Patterson, in the announcement, said Donaldson has “the best storytelling instincts of anyone I’ve ever worked with.” Donaldson echoed that praise and connected the writing process to what hooked him in the first place.
“Growing up, I thought books were boring. As I got into my 20s I realized I was just reading the wrong books and they can be exciting if it’s the right match. ” Donaldson said in a statement. “Writing this book with James – who’s literally one of the greatest storytellers on the planet – was an opportunity to create a story that I would’ve been obsessed with as a kid. I wanted to make something that would draw young people in and get a whole generation psyched about reading again. I think we pulled it off, and I’m so proud of what we made. I hope our fans love it.”.
For readers who want in before the arena locks down, “The Most Dangerous Games” is available for pre-order wherever books are sold. A special edition will go on sale at Target.
MrBeast Jimmy Donaldson James Patterson HarperCollins The Most Dangerous Games thriller novel Beast Games entertainment news books