Squid Game became a cultural phenomenon when it was released on Netflix in 2021. The Korean thriller was based on a fictional game show in which financially struggling people find themselves in deadly situations for the entertainment of the elite. Ironically, while Squid Game was a commentary on commerce and capitalism, it took real-life game shows in the same vein. One of them grew into a $100 million behemoth and became the most expensive reality TV show in history. (Also read: The real-life violence that inspired Squid Game left countless dead, survivors left ‘frustrated’ by Netflix show)

The most expensive reality show of all time

YouTuber Mr Beast brought his viral challenges to the streaming world with his first reality TV game show, Beast Games. Based on the challenges of Squid Game, Beast Games is the biggest reality show in the world. According to The Business Insider, the YouTuber invested $100 million of his own money to produce the massive show. And that cost doesn’t include the $5 million prize money, a Lamborghini and a private island. Mr. Beast’s show is leagues ahead of other reality TV shows like WMAC Masters, which cost $11 million to make (in 1995). In fact, Beast Games’ budget exceeds many of the world’s biggest television series, including Squid Game ($22 million), Game of Thrones ($50 million), and The Last of Us ($90-100 million).

How Beast Games broke 50 world records

Beast Games was a record-breaking TV show in more ways than one. Not only does it hold the record as the most expensive reality TV show of all time, but it is also the game show with the highest prize money (over $5 million). In a promo for the show, the creator revealed some of the other records the show had broken, highlighting that the Guinness Book of World Records recognized a total of 50 records that the show had broken.

About Beast Games

Beast Games is a competitive series streaming on Amazon Prime Video since December 19th. Created by Jimmy Donaldson, also known as Mr. Beast, the show offers contestants the chance to win huge amounts of money through challenges. The difference to Squid Game is that there is no risk of death. In each episode, one member is offered the opportunity to leave the show on the spot in exchange for $80,000, but as a consequence the rest of their feud is also eliminated. The first season consists of ten episodes that appear weekly.