MrBeast Tops Forbes 2026 Top Creators List

MrBeast is still sitting at the top of the internet economy — and the gap between him and everyone else is huge.

According to Forbes, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, ranked number one on the 2026 Forbes Top Creators list after earning an estimated $300 million between March 2025 and March 2026. The annual ranking, updated on July 1, tracks the world’s highest-earning digital creators across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and other major platforms.

This year’s list shows how far the creator business has moved beyond viral videos. Forbes reported that the top 50 creators made a combined $1.02 billion, crossing the billion-dollar mark for the first time. That figure is up from $853 million in 2025 and almost double the amount recorded when the list began in 2022.

MrBeast’s lead is powered by more than YouTube views. His empire now stretches across Beast Industries, Feastables, Lunchly, Viewstats and his Amazon Prime reality series Beast Games. Forbes also listed his global audience at 873 million followers, making him the biggest name on the ranking by both money and reach.

Dhar Mann came second with $65 million, while British entrepreneur and podcast host Steven Bartlett placed third with $52 million. Markiplier followed in fourth place with $38 million, and comedy duo Rhett & Link completed the top five with $37 million.

The top 10 also included Codie Sanchez, IShowSpeed, Mark Rober, Ms. Rachel and Jesser. Their presence shows how wide the creator economy has become, covering gaming, education, finance, comedy, children’s content and lifestyle entertainment.

For African creators watching from Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg or Kinshasa, the message is clear: digital fame is no longer just about posting consistently. The biggest creators are building companies, selling products, launching shows and turning fan communities into serious businesses.

Forbes said the ranking considered estimated gross earnings, audience size, engagement and business ventures. That matters because the most powerful creators are no longer only competing with other influencers. They are now competing with television studios, record labels, media houses and consumer brands.

Full Forbes Top 50 Creators 2026 List

MrBeast — $300m — 873m followers

Dhar Mann — $65m — 171m followers

Steven Bartlett — $52m — 38.7m followers

Markiplier — $38m — 76.8m followers

Rhett & Link — $37m — 45.6m followers

Codie Sanchez — $31m — 10m followers

IShowSpeed — $30m — 184m followers

Mark Rober — $30m — 90.7m followers

Ms. Rachel — $26m — 34.2m followers

Jesser — $25m — 54.9m followers

MrBallen — $24m — 31.4m followers

Druski — $20m — 38.5m followers

Charli D’Amelio — $18m — 209.8m followers

Jacksepticeye — $18m — 48.9m followers

Adam W — $17.3m — 67.2m followers

Rebecca Zamolo — $15m — 45.3m followers

Jake Shane — $14m — 6m followers

Nick DiGiovanni — $14m — 65.4m followers

Brent Rivera — $13.7m — 120.8m followers

Typical Gamer — $13m — 31.6m followers

Jordan The Stallion — $12.4m — 49.1m followers

Stokes Twins — $12.4m — 177.5m followers

Alix Earle — $12m — 14.5m followers

Marques Brownlee — $10.9m — 33.6m followers

Alan Chikin Chow — $10.5m — 131.4m followers

Ashton Hall — $10m — 38.1m followers

Khaby Lame — $9.9m — 252.1m followers

James Dumoulin — $9.9m — 23.2m followers

Haley Baylee — $9.6m — 37.4m followers

Mikayla Nogueira — $9m — 21.8m followers

Vivian Tu — $8.2m — 10.7m followers

Dani Austin — $8.1m — 3.8m followers

Tana Mongeau — $8m — 22.8m followers

Nara Smith — $7.5m — 17.3m followers

Nurse John — $7.2m — 19.2m followers

Leah Kateb — $7.1m — 11.4m followers

Dixie D’Amelio — $7m — 72.9m followers

Erika Kullberg — $6.8m — 21m followers

Lexi Rivera — $6.7m — 56.3m followers

Josh Richards — $6m — 34.7m followers

Hannah Stocking — $5.8m — 74.4m followers

Katie Fang — $5.4m — 8.2m followers

Brooke Monk — $5.2m — 72.2m followers

Anwar Jibawi — $5m — 83.9m followers

Anna Sitar — $4.4m — 27.7m followers

iJustine — $3.4m — 12.9m followers

Tini Younger — $3m — 16.3m followers

Drew Afualo — $2.7m — 13.4m followers

Steven He — $2m — 29.6m followers

Logan Moffitt — $1.3m — 10.6m followers

MrBeast’s latest Forbes win confirms what the internet has been building toward for years: creators are no longer just entertainers on social media. At the highest level, they are media companies, product founders and global culture machines.