Forbes Unveils 2026 Top Creators List As Collective Earnings Surpass $1 Billion For The First Time

CANNES, FRANCE (June 23, 2026) – Coinciding with the Cannes Lions Festival today, Forbes unveiled its 2026 Top Creators List, the fifth annual ranking of the 50 highest-earning, most influential social media-savvy stars across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and other social platforms.

The creator economy is reaching new milestones as the world’s leading creators set a new standard for the media business through the power of social media, showcasing its impact on a larger scale. For the first time since Forbes debuted the Top Creators list in 2022, the ranking of the 50 most powerful influencers collectively broke the billion-dollar mark, earning a total of $1.02 billion—a 20% jump from last year's $853 million, and an 80% surge from the $570 million total earnings first reported in 2022.

Forbes’ Top Creator list makers are growing their audience and global impact as the list’s total number of followers rose 7% to 3.6 billion across platforms, up from 3.37 billion in 2025. The creator economy is no longer trying to break into show business, but has become it. Social media creators are jumping from smartphone screens to Netflix and Amazon series and also big screen, creating films like “Back Rooms” and “Obsession.” Other expansions that creators have leaned into include Fast TV, building hundred-person studios, leading national brand campaigns and beating traditional Hollywood in the box office.

For the fifth year in a row, and since the start of the Forbes Top Creators list, YouTuber and entrepreneur Mr. Beast retains the number one spot, and has yet to be dethroned by another creator.

The list of Top Creators 2026 includes TikTok creators Alix Earle, Charli D'Amelio, Jake Shane, Nara Smith and Khaby Lame, YouTubers Dhar Mann and Ms. Rachel, comedians Druski and Adam W, and podcaster Steven Bartlett. This year’s list also included newcomers such as chef and content creator Tineke “Tini” Younger, Love Island USA star and Chief Creative Officer of Skylar Perfume, Leah Kateb, School of Hard Knocks cofounder James Dumoulin and fitness creator Ashton Hall.

When compiling the Top Creators list, Forbes takes into account earning, entrepreneurship, and clout (follower and engagement ratio), creating a formula that evaluates and ranks each creator.

"Creators continue to harness their communities, creativity and a bold entrepreneurial spirit to steer the direction of media, entertainment and advertising," said Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor, Forbes. “By crossing the $1 billion mark in collective earnings, the Forbes Top Creator honorees demonstrate how social media stars now define the media landscape, building global audiences, launching influential businesses and shaping the future of show business.”

To celebrate the Top Creators List, Forbes will host its 2026 Forbes Top Creators List Launch Celebration at Influential Beach during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, in partnership with Lowe’s Creator Network. During the event, Lowe’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Jen Wilson, will join Forbes on stage as part of the event programming.

Additionally, to spotlight these creators, a selection of Forbes Top Creator list makers will be featured on OUTFRONT's digital billboards across the country.

“Creators are transforming how people discover new ideas, brands, and communities, and brands are increasingly turning to trusted voices to connect with audiences," said Liz Rave, Vice President of Marketing at OUTFRONT. "We're proud to partner with Forbes to bring this list drop to IRL canvases nationwide. IRL media extends creators' influence beyond the screen, creating meaningful connections between audiences and the voices shaping culture today."

To view the full list and features, visit:

ForbesForbes Top Creators 2026By Steven Bertoni

To join the conversation on social, follow #ForbesTopCreators.

Media Contacts:

Christina Vega Magrini, [email protected]

Feryal Nawaz, [email protected]