Tom Cruise on Oprah (2005)

In 2005, Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah’s couch during an interview to declare his love for Katie Holmes. The over-the-top moment quickly went viral, becoming one of the most talked-about celebrity incidents of the year and a widely parodied pop culture moment.

Evolution of Dance (2006)

Judson Laipply’s six-minute performance showcasing iconic dance moves from five decades of music became the most viewed YouTube video of 2006. Its comedic and energetic style made it a defining viral moment of the year

Leave Britney Alone (2007)

Chris Crocker passionately defended Britney Spears in a tearful YouTube video, exclaiming “Leave Britney alone!” The clip quickly went viral, becoming a cultural phenomenon and one of the most talked-about internet moments of 2007

Charlie Bit My Finger (2007)

A British home video showing baby Charlie biting his older brother’s finger went viral on YouTube in 2007. Its adorable humor and genuine reactions made it one of the most viewed and beloved videos of the early internet era.

Rickroll (2008)

The “Rickroll” meme, where unsuspecting users were tricked into watching Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” video, became a massive internet prank in 2008, spreading across forums, emails, and early social media

David After Dentist (2009)

A YouTube video of a young boy, David, still groggy after dental surgery, asking hilarious questions became an instant viral hit. Its funny and relatable content made it one of 2009’s most shared videos.

Double Rainbow (2010)

A man’s enthusiastic reaction to seeing a double rainbow in Yosemite National Park became an internet phenomenon in 2010. His emotional and over-the-top response was widely shared, inspiring countless parodies and remixes.

Rebecca Black – Friday (2011)

Rebecca Black’s music video for “Friday” went viral in 2011, attracting millions of views and widespread online attention for its catchy tune and widely criticized lyrics, becoming a defining internet moment of the year.

Gangnam Style (2012)

PSY’s “Gangnam Style” music video took the world by storm in 2012. Its catchy tune and iconic horse-riding dance moves made it the first video to reach over a billion views on YouTube, becoming a global viral phenomenon

Harlem Shake (2013)

The Harlem Shake meme, where people danced wildly to Baauer’s song after a single person danced alone, went viral in 2013. Thousands of parody videos flooded YouTube, making it one of the year’s biggest internet crazes

Ice Bucket Challenge (2014)

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge became a worldwide viral sensation in 2014. Participants dumped buckets of ice water on themselves to raise awareness and donations for ALS, with countless videos shared across social media

The Dress (2015)

Who says Long Snappers don't get the spotlight? 🏈 John Duran from Lawrence University took the internet by storm with his insane precision snapping videos. From stadium seats to moving trucks, his accuracy is next level!

Mannequin Challenge (2016)

The Mannequin Challenge, where participants froze in action like mannequins while someone filmed the scene, became a viral sensation in 2016. Celebrities, sports teams, and schools joined the trend, spreading it across social media.

Salt Bae (2017)

Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe, known as “Salt Bae,” went viral in 2017 for his dramatic and flamboyant way of sprinkling salt on meat. The videos of his technique became widely shared memes and GIFs.

In My Feelings Challenge (2018)

The “In My Feelings” dance challenge, inspired by Drake’s hit song, became a viral trend in 2018. People around the world filmed themselves dancing alongside moving cars, spreading the craze on YouTube and Instagram.

Old Town Road (2019)

Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” became a viral sensation in 2019. Its catchy blend of country and rap, along with memes and TikTok videos, helped it dominate charts and online culture.

Among Us (2020)

The online multiplayer game “Among Us” exploded in popularity in 2020. Players worked together to find impostors on a spaceship, leading to countless streams, memes, and viral moments across Twitch, YouTube, and social media

Squid Game (2021)

Netflix’s “Squid Game” took the world by storm in 2021. Its intense plot and iconic visual imagery inspired memes, social media challenges, and widespread online discussions.

Oscar Slap (2022)

During the 2022 Academy Awards, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. The incident quickly went viral, dominating social media, news outlets, and becoming one of the most talked-about celebrity moments of the year.

Barbenheimer (2023)

The simultaneous release of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in 2023 sparked the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon. Memes, videos, and social media posts celebrating the contrast between the two films went viral worldwide.

Moo Deng – Viral Pygmy Hippo (2024)

Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo born in Thailand, went viral in 2024 due to her playful antics and adorable behavior. Videos of her snapping at hoses, exploring her enclosure, and showing her charming personality quickly spread across social media, captivating audiences worldwide.

The Coldplay Kiss Cam Fiasco (2025)

       

During a Coldplay concert in Boston in July 2025, the "Kiss Cam" focused on a couple whose shocked and guilty reactions immediately raised suspicions. The 10-second clip exploded on TikTok, garnering over 100 million views in days as "internet sleuths" discovered both individuals were prominent CEOs married to other people. The incident became 2025's ultimate cautionary tale about privacy, infidelity, and the power of viral surveillance in the social media age.