Since its launch in 2005, YouTube has transformed how we consume video content, becoming the largest online video platform. Users can easily browse countless channels, watch, like, share videos, and subscribe to their favorite creators. Alongside platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, YouTube has amassed a vast user base, making it the world’s second-largest search engine, right after Google. But have you ever wondered which videos have the most views on YouTube?
The top 10 most-viewed YouTube videos provide a captivating insight into what resonates with global audiences. From chart-topping music hits to viral sensations and beloved children’s content, these videos have accumulated billions of views. Whether through catchy tunes, emotional messages, or engaging animations, these videos have struck a chord with viewers worldwide, earning them a spot among the platform’s most-watched offerings.
Most watched video on YouTube
On June 17, 2016, the Korean education brand Pinkfong released the video “Baby Shark Dance,” and it quickly became a global sensation. By January 2021, “Baby Shark Dance” made history as the first YouTube video to surpass 10 billion views, taking the title of the most-viewed video from the previous record holder, “Despacito,” a year earlier. Today, “Baby Shark Dance” has amassed over 15 billion lifetime views on YouTube, solidifying its place as a cultural phenomenon.
“Despacito,” the hit song by Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi, has garnered 8.56 billion views on YouTube, securing its position as the second most-viewed video on the platform. Following closely behind, “Johny Johny Yes Papa” holds the third spot with 6.96 billion views, and “Bath Song” takes fourth place with 6.87 billion views.
Also featured on this prestigious list is “Shape of You” by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, which ranks seventh with 6.34 billion views, further highlighting its global popularity on YouTube.
Music fans are among the most engaged audiences on YouTube, with music videos often attracting massive traffic within the first 24 hours of release. Similarly, movie trailers, especially those related to superhero films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), also generate substantial viewership. The first official trailer for Avengers: Endgame garnered an impressive 289 million views within 24 hours, while the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer became even more viral, amassing over 355 million views on its first day, making it the most-watched movie trailer of all time in that period.