Top 20 YouTube Videos That Became Iconic

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FilmCow

Nothing encapsulates the bizarre humor of early YouTube like this surreal short. Created by animator Jason Steele in 2005, the story follows the grumpy Charlie as two of his fellow unicorns lure him on a magical journey, only to (spoiler alert) steal his kidney. With its strange yet quotable dialogue, offbeat animation, and absurd laughs, it became a sensation, spawning sequels and a devoted fanbase. Its influence lasted for years, shaping internet humor and meme culture. Even today, “Charlie the Unicorn” remains a nostalgic favorite, demonstrating that weirdness and whimsy can leave a lasting impression.

MrBeast

Ask and ye shall receive! By 2019, MrBeast (whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson) had already made a name for himself with outrageous challenges and massive giveaways. But this time, he set his sights on YouTube history. Inspired by a record-breaking photo of an egg on Instagram, MrBeast rallied his massive fanbase with a simple yet ambitious task: smash that like button! Although MrBeast had no intention to steal the crown from fellow YouTuber Pewdiepie, his egg-centric creation did, in fact, become the most-liked non-music and non-short video on the platform. The feat solidified MrBeast’s reputation as a YouTube powerhouse.

Tay Zonday

In 2007, Zonday, a 25-year-old graduate student from Minneapolis, uploaded a self-produced song that took the world by storm (no pun intended). “Chocolate Rain’s” unique style and poignant lyrics, combined with Zonday’s luscious baritone, resonated widely with watchers and listeners, amassing millions of views over the years. Its success led Zonday to make multiple media appearances on programs such as “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and the “Opie and Anthony” radio show. And who could forget the “South Park” parody? “Chocolate Rain” remains a testament to how authentic content can spark meaningful conversations – not to mention YouTube legends.​

Ylvis

What does the fox say, anyway? We may never know, but at least we can rock out while we’re wondering. Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis won hearts with this strange yet undeniably catchy hit in 2013. Originally created as a bit to promote their talk show, “The Fox” became an unexpected global hit, racking up over a billion views and even peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite its novelty nature. While Ylvis never quite replicated the success of this track, we won’t be forgetting it any time soon (mostly because it’s still stuck in our heads).

TheKheinz

Why walk down the aisle when you can PARTY down the aisle? Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz decided to do something a little different for their 2009 wedding ceremony, and their innovation culminated in the ultimate “feel-good” YouTube clip. Viewers around the globe watched as Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota erupted into a dance-fest celebrating the union of “J and K” (better known as Jill and Kevin). Even if you’ve never watched the original video, you may have seen it recreated on “Today” or referenced on “The Office.” Thanks to its sweetness and wholesome charm, the clip is bound to remain a favorite.

Randall

Nature documentaries don’t usually make people laugh out loud, but this classic meme turns wildlife footage into pure comedy gold. In 2011, a mysterious narrator known only as “Randall” uploaded his irreverent take on a “National Geographic Wild” segment about the mighty honey badger. With a sassy voiceover and plenty of outrageous commentary, Randall transformed the small furry animal into a pop culture legend. This wild interpretation shows that sometimes all it takes is the right narration to make something a lot more interesting. It’s also the reason many of us will never look at honey badgers the same way again.

“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)
Back in 2005 when YouTube was just a baby, SNL took a bold leap into our cyber-centric age with a skit that would become a worldwide sensation. "Lazy Sunday" features Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg rapping about a lazy afternoon spent viewing “The Chronicles of Narnia” and eating cupcakes (as you can see, very edgy stuff). The over-the-top, memorable sketch captured the internet’s attention, with bootleg versions of "Lazy Sunday" flooding YouTube shortly after the SNL episode aired. “Lazy Sunday’s” success not only made it a must-see clip but also marked a turning point, showing that mainstream media and YouTube could go hand in hand.

LiamKyleSullivan

This music video follows an inspiring lead, Kelly, on a noble journey to “get what she wants.” And what does she want? Lots and lots of footwear. The song, which was featured on Liam Kyle Sullivan’s debut album, struck a chord with viewers due to its absurdity, catchy tune, and over-the-top laughs. Soon, the goofy clip dominated the internet, quickly becoming a fan-favorite and inspiring trends in pop culture. Sullivan’s “Kelly” character became an icon of early YouTube humor, helping to solidify the platform's role in shaping content, and “Shoes” remains a nostalgic favorite to this day. Happy birthday, Twins!

Cara Cunningham

It may be said that no heartfelt plea has ever been quoted as frequently as this one. In 2007, Cara Cunningham made history when she tearfully begged the world to stop judging and ridiculing pop diva Britney Spears, who had been the subject of severe media scrutiny that year. While Cunningham’s intentions were pure, viewers found the video a bit over the top – okay, a LOT over the top – which led to a plethora of parodies and Cunningham becoming a meme in her own right. To this day, “Leave Britney Alone” remains a significant moment in YouTube culture.

Baauer & Filthy Frank
2013 saw the rise of an unexpected craze, all thanks to Baauer’s track and a chaotic clip from Filthy Frank’s channel. In the original version of the meme, Filthy Frank (also known as “Pink Guy,” among other monikers) bursts into an erratic dance along with three costumed friends. And thus, a meme was born, prompting various groups and media to join the trend with their own renditions of the “Harlem Shake.” Does it make much sense? Not really. Will our descendants understand it 200 years from now? Of course not. But it remains beloved as a defining moment of internet absurdity.

schmoyoho

Local news interviews don’t usually reach the entire world, but Dodson’s unforgettable delivery made this one an exception. Dodson gave an impassioned warning to his neighborhood after an intruder broke into his family’s home. His candid remarks, especially the now-famous “Hide your kids, hide your wife,” caught the attention of the Gregory Brothers, known for their “Auto-Tune the News” series. They transformed Dodson’s speech into a catchy tune that quickly skyrocketed in popularity. In fact, it was the most-viewed YouTube video of 2010, excluding major music label uploads. Dodson himself also enjoyed considerable fame for a time. The lesson? It pays to protect your family!

Neil Cicierega

2007 was a major year for fans of the monumental “Harry Potter” series. We’re referring, of course, to the Mysterious Ticking Noise song. (What else did you think we meant?) Created by Neil Cicierega, this puppet parody featuring Snape, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Voldemort – in that order – quickly became a hit. With its repetitive rhythm and unexpected explosive punchline, the clip captured the humor of the YouTube era while playfully poking fun at the franchise. Its infectious earworm of a melody and quotable lines cemented “Potter Puppet Pals” as a fan-favorite, keeping audiences singing their song all day long (at Hogwarts).

Invisible Children, Inc
Unlike most entries on this list, this short documentary sparked intense discussion – of both a positive and negative nature. The film aimed to raise awareness about Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which was known to take part in some unethical activity. Invisible Children, Inc.’s campaign successfully rallied international support, prompting a U.S. Senate resolution and increased efforts to capture Kony. However, critics argued that “Kony 2012” oversimplified a complex issue and inadvertently turned its subject into a household name. Controversies aside, the film amassed millions of views on YouTube and left a lasting impression.

Rebecca Black

Tomorrow is Saturday, Sunday comes afterwards…you know the rest. This 2011 “masterpiece” turned teenage singer Rebecca Black into a household name, though not exactly for the reasons she intended. The tune was meant to be a fun, lighthearted track for a young audience, but its repetitive lyrics, heavy use of Auto-Tune, and awkward visuals led to widespread mockery and a record-breaking amount of “dislikes.” Despite the initial backlash, the overwhelming response to “Friday” ultimately worked in Black’s favor, launching her into pop culture stardom and leading her to eventually rebrand herself as an independent artist.

Psy

Admit it: nothing takes you back to 2012 like this song! Believe it or not, “Gangnam Style” was the first YouTube video to surpass one billion views – and with good reason. Both the audio and visuals are incredibly memorable, from the infectious beat to the quirky humor to that legendary horse-riding dance. Psy’s satirical take on Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam district resonated with audiences worldwide, blending humor and social commentary with a fun, memorable tune. A milestone in the platform’s history, “Gangnam Style” remains a symbol of YouTube’s power to turn viral moments into lasting touchstones.

booba1234
When little David DeVore Jr. visited the dentist that fateful day, he had no idea he was about to become an internet legend. In a recording by his dad after he received anesthesia, David’s hilarious post-procedure musings – including lines like “Is this real life?” and “Is this going to be forever?” – warmed hearts around the world. With its mix of confusion, wonder, and impromptu screaming, “David After Dentist” cemented itself as one of YouTube’s earliest classics. Even better, David and his dad used their fame to launch a successful charity, proving that a little laughter can go a long way.

Judson Laipply

Back in 2001, Laipply – a motivational speaker – wanted a noteworthy way to illustrate the nature of change in his presentations. This led him to create the "Evolution of Dance," a mashup of iconic dance moves from over the years. When he shared it on YouTube in 2006, it became one of the platform's first smash hits. For a while, his channel even topped the subscriber charts. Since then, Laipply has added to the original routine and even put out two sequels. Whether you see it as a playful performance or a profound tribute to ever-evolving trends, you can’t say that "EOD" isn’t entertaining.

Jawed Karim
Put your hands together for YouTube’s very first video! On April 23, 2005, co-founder Jawed Karim kickstarted a platform that would revolutionize online video. In the 19-second clip, Karim stands in front of the elephant exhibit at the San Diego Zoo and delivers a simple observation: elephants have “really, really, really long trunks.” That’s it; that’s the video. Sure, “Me at the Zoo” may not provide the most groundbreaking zoological insight, but its significance lies in what it represents: the dawn of a digital era where anyone could share content with the world, as well as a symbol of YouTube’s humble beginnings.

And without a doubt, the most iconic YouTube video of all time…




Okay, sorry, we couldn’t resist. Here’s the real entry.

Is it Harry’s adorable British accent? Charlie’s mischievous lack of remorse? Or the silliness of Harry sticking his finger into Charlie’s mouth, only to complain when he gets bitten? Whatever the reason, the internet fell head over heels for this charming sibling moment. Uploaded in 2007, this clip perfectly captured the playful chaos of childhood, striking a chord with viewers worldwide. With its wholesome humor and relatable antics, the clip quickly became one of YouTube’s first viral sensations, racking up hundreds of millions of views. Decades later, it remains a much-loved piece of internet history.




Do any of these YouTube classics take you back? Let’s discuss below!