From humble beginnings to viral sensations, these uploads shaped internet culture as we know it. Join us as we revisit the most memorable moments that defined YouTube's history! From hilarious accidents to catchy songs, these videos changed how we share and consume content online.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most legendary videos
00:10ever uploaded to YouTube.
00:18Number 20.
00:19Rewind YouTube Style 2012.
00:20YouTube.
00:21Some of you youngins might not remember YouTube Rewind, but it was quite relevant in its day.
00:29Long before the series infamously fell from grace in the late 2010s, it produced annual
00:33recaps that summarized and celebrated the platform's most popular additions.
00:38As 2012 was a big year for YouTube, there was a lot to showcase, which made this installment
00:42especially entertaining.
00:44The 4-minute banger combines hit songs from that year, incorporates references that viewers
00:48would immediately get, and features cameos from top creators like Jenna Marbles and Smosh.
01:05Looking back, this Rewind resents a more innocent era of the internet, when fun, silly videos
01:10truly defined its culture.
01:12Number 19.
01:13Charlie the Unicorn.
01:14FilmCow.
01:15Charlie encapsulates the bizarre humor of early YouTube like this surreal short.
01:26Created by animator Jason Steele in 2005, the story follows the grumpy Charlie as two
01:30of his fellow unicorns lure him on a magical journey, only to, spoiler alert, steal his
01:35kidney.
01:36With its strange yet quotable dialogue, offbeat animation, and absurd laughs, it became a
01:41sensation, spawning sequels and a devoted fanbase.
01:54Its influence lasted for years, shaping internet humor and meme culture.
01:59Even today, Charlie the Unicorn remains a nostalgic favorite, demonstrating that weirdness
02:03and whimsy can leave a lasting impression.
02:06Number 18.
02:07Make this video the most liked video on YouTube, MrBeast.
02:10Ask and ye shall receive.
02:12By 2019, MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, had already made a name for himself
02:17with outrageous challenges and massive giveaways, but this time, he set his sights on YouTube
02:22history.
02:34Inspired by a record-breaking photo of an egg on Instagram, MrBeast rallied his massive
02:38fanbase with a simple yet ambitious task, smash that like button.
02:43Although MrBeast had no intention to steal the crown from fellow YouTuber PewDiePie,
02:47his egg-centric creation did, in fact, become the most-liked non-music and non-short video
02:51on the platform.
02:52The feat solidified MrBeast's reputation as a YouTube powerhouse.
03:00Number 17.
03:01Chocolate Rain – Taye Zunday In 2007, Zunday, a 25-year-old graduate student
03:06from Minneapolis, uploaded a self-produced song that took the world by storm.
03:10No pun intended.
03:20Chocolate Rain's unique style and poignant lyrics, combined with Zunday's luscious
03:24baritone, resonated widely with watchers and listeners, amassing millions of views over
03:28the years.
03:29Zunday's success led Zunday to make multiple media appearances on programs such as Jimmy
03:33Kimmel Live and The Opie and Anthony Radio Show, and who could forget the South Park
03:37parody?
03:38Chocolate Rain remains a testament to how authentic content can spark meaningful conversations,
03:43not to mention YouTube legends.
03:53Number 16.
03:54Ilvis – The Fox What does The Fox say, Ilvis?
03:57What does The Fox say, anyway?
03:59We may never know, but at least we can rock out while we're wondering.
04:09Norwegian comedy duo Ilvis won hearts with this strange, yet undeniably catchy hit in
04:152013.
04:16Originally created as a bit to promote their talk show, The Fox became an unexpected global
04:19hit, racking up over a billion views and even peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot
04:24100, despite its novelty nature.
04:33While Ilvis never quite replicated the success of this track, we won't be forgetting it
04:37any time soon, mostly because it's still stuck in our heads.
04:40Number 15.
04:41J.K. Wedding Entrance Dance – The Kinds Why walk down the aisle when you can party
04:46down the aisle?
04:47Jill Peterson and Kevin Hines decided to do something a little different for their 2009
04:51wedding ceremony, and their innovation culminated in the ultimate feel-good YouTube clip.
05:04Viewers around the globe watched as Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota erupted
05:08into a dance fest celebrating the union of J and K, better known as Jill and Kevin.
05:14Even if you've never watched the original video, you may have seen it recreated on Today
05:18or referenced on The Office.
05:19Thanks to its sweetness and wholesome charm, the clip is bound to remain a favorite.
05:32Number 14.
05:33Honey Badger Don't Care – Randall Nature documentaries don't usually make people
05:37laugh out loud, but this classic meme turns wildlife footage into pure comedy gold.
05:46In 2011, a mysterious narrator known only as Randall uploaded his irreverent take on
05:50a National Geographic wild segment about the mighty honey badger.
05:54With a sassy voiceover and plenty of outrageous commentary, Randall transformed the small,
05:59furry animal into a pop culture legend.
06:02This wild interpretation shows that sometimes, all it takes is the right narration to make
06:07something a lot more interesting.
06:12It's also the reason many of us will never look at honey badgers the same way again.
06:16Number 13.
06:17Lazy Sunday – Saturday Night Live Back in 2005, when YouTube was just a baby,
06:22SNL took a bold leap into our cyber-centric age with a skit that would become a worldwide
06:27sensation.
06:33Lazy Sunday features Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg rapping about a lazy afternoon spent
06:38viewing the Chronicles of Narnia and eating cupcakes.
06:40As you can see, very edgy stuff.
06:42The over-the-top, memorable sketch captured the internet's attention with bootleg versions
06:46of Lazy Sunday flooding YouTube shortly after the SNL episode aired.
06:55Lazy Sunday's success not only made it a must-see clip, but also marked a turning point
07:00showing that mainstream media and YouTube could go hand-in-hand.
07:04Number 12.
07:06Liam Kyle Sullivan – This music video follows an inspiring lead, Kelly, on a noble journey
07:11to get what she wants.
07:13And what does she want?
07:14Lots and lots of footwear.
07:15Or more simply, shiz.
07:24The song, which was featured on Liam Kyle Sullivan's debut album, struck a chord with
07:28viewers due to its absurdity, catchy tune, and over-the-top laughs.
07:32Soon, the goofy clip dominated the internet, quickly becoming a fan favorite and inspiring
07:37trends in pop culture.
07:38Sullivan's Kelly character became an icon of early YouTube humor, helping to solidify
07:42the platform's role in shaping content, and shoes remains a nostalgic favorite to
07:46this day.
07:56Happy birthday, twins!
07:58Number 11.
07:59Leave Britney Alone – Kara Cunningham
08:01It may be said that no heartfelt plea has ever been quoted as frequently as this one.
08:09In 2007, Kara Cunningham made history when she tearfully begged the world to stop judging
08:14and ridiculing pop diva Britney Spears, who had been the subject of severe media scrutiny
08:19that year.
08:20While Cunningham's intentions were pure, viewers found the video a bit over-the-top
08:23– okay, a lot over-the-top – which led to a plethora of parodies and Cunningham becoming
08:28a meme in her own right.
08:29To this day, Leave Britney Alone remains a significant moment in YouTube culture.
08:51Number 10.
08:52Harlem Shake – Bauer and Filthy Frank
08:542013 saw the rise of an unexpected craze, all thanks to Bauer's track and a chaotic
08:59clip from Filthy Frank's channel.
09:07In the original version of the meme, Filthy Frank, also known as Pink Guy among other
09:11monikers, burst into an erratic dance along with three costumed friends, and thus a meme
09:16was born, prompting various groups and media to join the trend with their own renditions
09:20of the Harlem Shake.
09:21Does it make much sense?
09:23Not really.
09:24Would the descendants understand it 200 years from now?
09:26Of course not.
09:27But it remains beloved as a defining moment of internet absurdity.
09:37Number 9.
09:38Antoine Dodson Auto-Tune Mix – Schmoyoho
09:41Local news interviews don't usually reach the entire world, but Dodson's unforgettable
09:45delivery made this one an exception.
09:47Dodson gave an impassioned warning to his neighborhood after an intruder broke into
09:51his family's home.
09:55His candid remarks, especially the now-famous, Hide Your Kids, Hide Your Wife, caught the
10:00attention of the Gregory Brothers, known for their Auto-Tune the News series.
10:04They transformed Dodson's speech into a catchy tune that quickly skyrocketed in popularity.
10:09In fact, it was the most-viewed YouTube video of 2010, excluding major music label uploads.
10:20Dodson himself also enjoyed considerable fame for a time.
10:25The lesson?
10:26It pays to protect your family.
10:27Number 8.
10:28Potter Puppet Pals – The Mysterious Ticking Noise – Neil Cicierega
10:322007 was a major year for fans of the monumental Harry Potter series.
10:36We're referring, of course, to the Mysterious Ticking Noise song.
10:44What else did you think we meant?
10:46Directed by Neil Cicierega, this puppet parody featuring Snape, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione,
10:51Harry and Voldemort, in that order, quickly became a hit.
10:55With its repetitive rhythm and unexpected, explosive punchline, the clip captured the
10:59humor of the YouTube era while playfully poking fun at the franchise.
11:11Its infectious earworm of a melody and quotable lines cemented Potter Puppet Pals as a fan
11:15favorite, keeping audiences singing their song all day long at Hogwarts.
11:20Number 7.
11:21Kony 2012 – Invisible Children, Inc.
11:24Unlike most entries on this list, this short documentary sparked intense discussion of
11:28both a positive and negative nature.
11:41The film aimed to raise awareness about Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance
11:46Army, LRA, which was known to take part in some unethical activity.
11:50Invisible Children, Inc.'s campaign successfully rallied international support, prompting a
11:56U.S. Senate resolution and increased efforts to capture Kony.
11:59However, critics argued that Kony 2012 oversimplified a complex issue and inadvertently turned its
12:05subject into a household name.
12:16Controversies aside, the film amassed millions of views on YouTube and left a lasting impression.
12:21Number 6.
12:22Friday – Rebecca Black Tomorrow is Saturday, Sunday comes afterwards,
12:26you know the rest.
12:27This 2011 masterpiece turned teenage singer Rebecca Black into a household name, though
12:33not exactly for the reason she intended.
12:45The tune was meant to be a fun, light-hearted track for a young audience, but its repetitive
12:49lyrics, heavy use of autotune, and awkward visuals led to widespread mockery and a record-breaking
12:54amount of dislikes.
12:55Despite the initial backlash, the overwhelming response to Friday ultimately worked in Black's
13:00favor, launching her into pop culture stardom and leading her to eventually rebrand herself
13:04as an independent artist.
13:11Number 5.
13:12Gundam Style – Psy Admit it, nothing takes you back to 2012
13:16like this song.
13:17Believe it or not, Gundam Style was the first YouTube video to surpass 1 billion views,
13:22and with good reason.
13:31Both the audio and visuals are incredibly memorable, from the infectious beat to the
13:35quirky humor to that legendary horse-riding dance.
13:39Psy's satirical take on Seoul's wealthy Gundam district resonated with audiences worldwide,
13:44blending humor and social commentary with a fun, memorable tune.
13:48A milestone in the platform's history, Gundam Style remains a symbol of YouTube's
13:51power to turn viral moments into lasting touchstones.
14:05Number 4.
14:06David After Dentist – Booba1234 When little David DeVore Jr. visited the dentist
14:12that fateful day, he had no idea he was about to become an internet legend.
14:20In a recording by his dad after he received anesthesia, David's hilarious post-procedure
14:24musings – including lines like, "'Is this real life?' and "'Is this going to be
14:28forever?' – warmed hearts around the world.
14:31With its midst of confusion, wonder, and impromptu screaming, David After Dentist cemented itself
14:36as one of YouTube's earliest classics.
14:45Even better, David and his dad used their fame to launch a successful charity, proving
14:50that a little laughter can go a long way.
14:52Number 3.
14:53Evolution of Dance – Judson Lively Back in 2001, Lively, a motivational speaker,
14:59created a noteworthy way to illustrate the nature of change in his presentations.
15:09This led him to create the Evolution of Dance, a mash-up of iconic dance moves from over
15:14the years.
15:15When he shared it on YouTube in 2006, it became one of the platform's first smash hits.
15:19For a while, his channel even topped the subscriber charts.
15:22Since then, Lively has added to the original routine, and even put out two sequels.
15:26Whether you see it as a playful performance or a profound tribute to ever-evolving trends,
15:30you can't say that EOD isn't entertaining.
15:38Number 2.
15:39Me at the Zoo – Javed Kareem Put your hands together for YouTube's very
15:43first video!
15:44On April 23, 2005, co-founder Javed Kareem kick-started a platform that would revolutionize
15:51online video.
15:56In the 19-second clip, Kareem stands in front of the elephant exhibit at the San Diego Zoo
16:01and delivers a simple observation,
16:03Elephants have really, really, really long trunks.
16:06That's it.
16:07That's the video.
16:08Sure, Me at the Zoo may not provide the most groundbreaking zoological insight, but its
16:13significance lies in what it represents – the dawn of a digital era where anyone could share
16:18content with the world, as well as a symbol of YouTube's humble beginnings.
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16:38Number 1.
16:39Rickroll – and without a doubt, the most iconic YouTube video of all time.
16:45Okay, okay, sorry.
16:48We couldn't resist.
16:52Here's the real entry.
16:53Number 1.
16:54Charlie Bit My Finger – Is it Harry's adorable British accent, Charlie's mischievous
16:58lack of remorse, or the silliness of Harry sticking his finger into Charlie's mouth
17:02only to complain when he gets bitten?
17:06Whatever the reason, the internet fell head over heels for this charming sibling moment.
17:12Uploaded in 2007, this clip perfectly captured the playful chaos of childhood striking a
17:17chord with viewers worldwide.
17:20With its wholesome humor and relatable antics, the clip quickly became one of YouTube's
17:29first viral sensations, racking up hundreds of millions of views.
17:33Decades later, it remains a much-loved piece of internet history.
17:36Do any of these YouTube classics take you back?
17:39Let us know in the comments below.
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