You’ve probably seen the headlines. Another year, another list of people making more money than some small countries by filming themselves in their basements. Except, that’s not really what’s happening anymore. The Forbes top creators 2025 list just dropped, and honestly, if you still think these people are just "influencers," you’re missing the entire point.
We are watching a total hostile takeover of traditional media.
It’s not just about clicks. It’s about who owns the shelf space at Walmart and who gets the Netflix specials. This year, the top 50 creators didn't just survive; they thrived to the tune of $853 million in combined earnings. That is an 18% jump from last year.
The $85 Million Man Still Reigns
Jimmy Donaldson—you know him as MrBeast—is sitting at number one for the fourth year in a row. Boring? Maybe. But the numbers aren’t.
📖 Related: Skills To Put On Resume With No Experience: What Most People Get Wrong
He pulled in $85 million this year.
Think about that. He’s got 634 million followers. That is basically double the population of the United States. But here’s the kicker: Forbes gave him a "4 out of 4" entrepreneurship score. This guy isn't just a YouTuber; he’s a consumer-packaged goods (CPG) mogul. Feastables is everywhere. His "Beast Games" show on Amazon Prime is basically what network TV wishes it could still produce.
He’s the blueprint. If you aren't building a physical brand, you’re just renting space on an algorithm.
The Shocking Rise of the "Scripted" Empire
Most people expected a TikToker or a gamer at number two.
Wrong.
🔗 Read more: Precio del dólar ante el peso mexicano: Lo que nadie te dice de este 2026
Dhar Mann took that spot with $56 million. If you’ve ever scrolled through Facebook or YouTube and seen those high-production "moral lesson" videos with the thumbnails that look like soap operas, that’s him.
He’s basically built a modern-day Hollywood studio in Burbank. We’re talking 125,000 square feet and nearly 200 employees. He’s not waiting for a network to greenlight his scripts. He just makes them and hits "upload." It’s sort of wild how he’s bypassed the entire Hollywood system by making content that feels like a 1990s after-school special, yet he’s out-earning almost everyone in the industry.
Why the Top 10 Looks Different This Year
The Forbes top creators 2025 rankings prove that the "middle class" of the internet is disappearing. It’s becoming a winner-take-all game for the people who can diversify.
Take a look at how the top tier shook out:
Jake Paul tied for third at $50 million. People love to hate him, but the Mike Tyson fight on Netflix changed the math. He’s a promoter now.
Matt Rife also hit $50 million. He is the first pure stand-up comedian to crack the top echelon by using TikTok to sell out arenas. It’s a genius loop: post crowd-work clips for free, sell $200 tickets in person.
Then you have Alex Cooper at $32 million. She took the "Call Her Daddy" brand and turned it into the Unwell Network. She signed a $125 million deal with SiriusXM. She’s not just a "podcaster" anymore; she’s a media executive.
✨ Don't miss: Bank of America Stock Price: What Most People Get Wrong About Today's Dip
Charli D’Amelio ($23.5 million) is still the TikTok queen, but she’s pivoting hard. Broadway. Reality TV. D’Amelio Brands. She’s trying to build a lifestyle legacy that outlasts the TikTok "For You" page.
The Stats That Actually Matter
If you look at the raw data, the engagement is where things get weird. Druski (ranked 9th) only made $14 million compared to MrBeast’s $85 million, but his engagement rate is a staggering 5.87%.
Compare that to MrBeast at 1.39%.
What does that tell us? It means Druski’s audience is obsessed. They aren't just watching; they are "in" on the joke. That’s why he’s landing Super Bowl commercials with Dunkin’. Brands are starting to value that "cult-like" connection more than just raw view counts.
Breaking Down the Top 10 Earners
| Creator | 2025 Earnings | Total Followers |
|---|---|---|
| MrBeast | $85 Million | 634 Million |
| Dhar Mann | $56 Million | 137 Million |
| Jake Paul | $50 Million | 79 Million |
| Matt Rife | $50 Million | 42 Million |
| Rhett & Link | $36 Million | 33.8 Million |
| Alex Cooper | $32 Million | 15 Million |
| Charli D'Amelio | $23.5 Million | 216 Million |
| Mark Rober | $25 Million | 80 Million |
| Druski | $14 Million | 25 Million |
| Khaby Lame | $20 Million | 258.5 Million |
Wait. Why is Mark Rober lower than Charli but has more followers? Forbes weights their rankings by an "entrepreneurship score." Rober has CrunchLabs—a massive subscription box business. He’s using his NASA background to sell education. That’s "high-quality" money compared to just getting a check from a TikTok creator fund.
The "Old Guard" of YouTube is Still Winning
Look at Rhett & Link. They’ve been doing "Good Mythical Morning" since forever. They brought in $36 million this year.
They are the "steady" money. They have a production company (Mythical) that buys other creator channels. They’ve proven that you don't need to be 19 and doing dance trends to stay on top. You just need a routine that people integrate into their breakfast.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
Honestly, the era of the "viral video" is dead.
The Forbes top creators 2025 list shows that the future belongs to the "Media-Entrepreneur." If you’re just making videos, you’re a hobbyist. If you’re building a supply chain for candy bars or launching a podcast network, you’re a titan.
The biggest misconception is that this is easy money. These people are running 24/7 operations with hundreds of employees. They are burning out, they are pivoting, and they are constantly fighting an algorithm that wants to replace them with the next shiny thing.
Actionable Insights for the Creator Economy
- Diversify or Die: If your income is 100% from one platform's ad revenue, you're in danger. The top earners all have at least three distinct revenue streams (merch, CPG, licensing, touring).
- Ownership is Everything: Notice how many of these people started their own studios. Owning the IP (Intellectual Property) is the difference between a one-year spike and a ten-year career.
- Engagement > Reach: Having 100 million "passive" followers is worth less than 10 million "active" fans who will buy your products.
- Traditional Crossover: The wall between the "internet" and "real world" is gone. Broadway, Netflix, and SiriusXM are the new retirement homes for successful creators.
To really capitalize on where the creator economy is headed, you should start by auditing your own digital footprint. Whether you are a brand looking to partner with someone or a creator yourself, the goal is no longer "going viral." The goal is becoming a "default" in your niche—the person people think of first when they need to be entertained, educated, or inspired.