Youtuber MrBeast claims he will ‘rent’ Egyptian Pyramids for next video

MrBeast claims he has exclusive use of the Pyramids in Giza. Photo / 123rf

Famous American YouTuber “MrBeast” claims he has rented the Egyptian Pyramids for 100 hours to create a video for his channel.

James Stephen “Jimmy” Donaldson has been creating videos on YouTube since 2012 under the alias MrBeast and is the most-followed creator in the world, with 500 million followers across social media according to Forbes.

Fast-paced and highly produced, his videos typically feature elaborate challenges and giveaways of up to US$5m. According to Donaldson, a video in the future will take place in a unique setting, the Pyramids.

Donaldson shared the news on Olympian Noah Lyles’ podcast “Beyond the Records”. The podcast is yet to air, but Lyles shared a preview of the episode on TikTok.

“We got all three of the Pyramids of Egypt for 100 hours. I’m gonna do a video where they let me explore anywhere I want in the Pyramids,” Donaldson is filmed saying.

@nojo18

MrBeast just casually, renting out the pyramids for 100 hours @beyondtherecords #mrBeast #BeyondTheRecords #fyp

♬ original sound - Noah Lyles

The video is yet to be filmed but Donaldson claimed he and his production team would have private access to the iconic attraction in Giza.

The pyramid complex includes the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx. The Great Pyramid is about 4600 years old. More than 14 million people visit the Pyramids of Giza every year but for 100 hours, Donaldson said he and his team will have exclusive access to film a video.

Donaldson claimed the group would “sleep in the Pyramids” and have the area “all to ourselves”.

How does a famous YouTuber get exclusive access to the one remaining Wonder of the Ancient World? Donaldson said he collaborated with the Egyptian Government to make the project happen.

Few details are clear about what the video will involve but Donaldson said he wanted to give his viewers a peek at “rooms that no one’s seen publicly” and would absolutely have an expert guide them around. “I want to just find secrets and go through all the rooms and tombs and that kind of stuff,” he said.

Donaldson said he was thrilled by the prospect of exploring a site with so much history and mystery. “I’m so excited because there are all these secret corridors deep below too. I don’t know what to expect.”

Despite his cynicism towards ghosts, he said the team in the video will be “bringing all sorts of gadgets to sense out ghosts”.

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Donaldson did not disclose when the video would be filmed or released. One week ago he shared a video on Instagram of him standing in front of what appears to be the Pyramids with the caption: “just a chill guy hanging out by some pyramids”.

It is possible Donaldson’s media influence and wealth helped gain approval from the Egyptian Government. Donaldson made US$85m in 2024 and was named the Top Creator in 2024 by Forbes.