Introduction

With over two billion users worldwide, YouTube has become a cultural giant and a true barometer of what people watch, share, and obsess over. Whether it’s a nursery rhyme that toddlers hum around the globe, a reggaeton track dominating the charts, or a nostalgic pop hit that refuses to fade, some videos rise above billions of others. Here, we present The Ultimate List of YouTube’s 20 Most Viewed Clips, combining data, cultural insight, and the stories behind the phenomenon.

In this list, we explore trending YouTube videos, popular internet content, and how video platform trends reflect global taste. We also explain which video has the most views on YouTube, dive into YouTube statistics and data, and discuss how the list of top YouTube videos of all time shapes the way we consume online content. For creators, marketers, and influencers especially those working with UGC Videos or influencer marketing in India, this breakdown offers valuable perspective.

1. How We Measured the Most Viewed Clips

Before diving into the list, it’s important to clarify the criteria:

1. We used publicly available YouTube statistics from authoritative sources like Brandwatch and Indian Express.
2. We focused on total view counts, not just viral spike moments.
3. The list reflects stable, long-term popularity not videos that briefly trended.
4. All data is current as of mid-2025, based on reliable online video popularity trackers.

This gives us a realistic snapshot of what truly dominates YouTube, rather than momentary hype.

2. The Top 20 YouTube Videos by View Count

Here is The Ultimate List of YouTube’s 20 Most Viewed Clips, along with some context about why these videos have amassed their views.

2.1 The Ultimate List of YouTube’s 20 Most Viewed Clips (Updated)

Instead of a long table, here is a clean and easy-to-read list of the top 20 most viewed videos on YouTube. These rankings are based on the most recent publicly available view counts and show how children’s content, music, and cultural moments dominate online video popularity.

Top 20 Most Viewed YouTube Videos of All Time

1. Baby Shark Dance by Pinkfong
2. Despacito by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee
3. Johny Johny Yes Papa by LooLoo Kids
4. Bath Song by Cocomelon
5. Wheels on the Bus by Cocomelon
6. See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
7. Shape of You by Ed Sheeran
8. Phonics Song with Two Words by ChuChu TV
9. Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
10. Gangnam Style by PSY
11. Masha and the Bear – Recipe for Disaster
12. Learning Colors – Colorful Eggs on a Farm
13. Dame Tu Cosita by El Chombo
14. Crazy Frog – Axel F
15. Sugar by Maroon 5
16. Roar by Katy Perry
17. Sorry by Justin Bieber
18. Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
19. Girls Like You by Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B
20. Let Her Go by Passenger

3. Why These Videos Became Legends

3.1 Baby Shark Dance

Baby Shark has become a global children’s anthem. Created by Pinkfong, the simple, repetitive melody paired with a catchy dance has made it wildly shareable. Parents across the world share this with toddlers, schools use it, YouTube playlists feature it, and kids can’t stop singing it. Its viral loop is one of the strongest in any content category, which explains its staggering ~15+ billion views Brandwatch.

3.2 Despacito

Luis Fonsi’s Despacito, featuring Daddy Yankee, is not just a song; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Its fusion of reggaeton beat, catchy chorus, and global appeal helped it take over multiple continents. When it released in 2017, it shattered all previous records. Today, it remains at the top of which video has the most views on YouTube lists. oriondistro.com

3.3 Johny Johny Yes Papa / Bath Song / Wheels on the Bus

These nursery rhyme videos show how powerful children’s content is. Channels like LooLoo Kids and Cocomelon have mastered animations, repetitive lyrics, and simple visuals that hijack the attention of toddlers and their parents. The result? Billions of views from millions of replays. All three videos are among the top five by view count. The Indian Express

3.4 See You Again

Wiz Khalifa’s See You Again, featuring Charlie Puth, struck emotional chords globally as a tribute to The Fast & Furious franchise’s late actor Paul Walker. Its emotional narrative and universal theme of loss and memory helped it skyrocket.

3.5 Shape of You

Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You is a textbook example of a global pop hit. The song’s catchy tune and simple video made it a replay machine. It continues to rack up views thanks to its loveable melody and huge replay value.

3.6 Phonics Song with Two Words

ChuChu TV’s phonics song helps young learners remember English sounds using a two-word structure. Parents and teachers use it for education, and its simplicity and repetition drive consistent replay.

3.7 Uptown Funk

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars hit a retro-rich nerve with Uptown Funk. Its energetic beat, throwback aesthetics, and danceable groove made it a party staple and YouTube favourite for years.

3.8 Gangnam Style

PSY’s Gangnam Style needs little introduction. The K-pop megahit broke the internet with its quirky dance and catchy hook. It was one of the first to cross billions of views, and marked K-pop’s arrival on the global music stage.

3.9 Masha and the Bear – Recipe for Disaster

This video from Get Movies appeals to kids with its playful storyline and animation. Interestingly, its fame isn’t just limited to children — meme pages, parents, and educators all reference it.

3.10 Learning Colors – Colorful Eggs

Miroshka TV’s alphabet and color video uses simple visuals and bright colors, making it a staple for early learning. Its educational appeal boosts its online video popularity.

3.11 Dame Tu Cosita

This animated alien dance video by El Chombo became a meme machine. Its bizarre but infectious choreography and catchy beat helped it cross the 4 billion views mark.

3.12 Crazy Frog – Axel F

This one is nostalgia in a loop. Crazy Frog’s novelty sound and meme-friendly visuals kept it alive in digital culture long after its first surge.

3.13 Sugar – Maroon 5

Maroon 5’s Sugar wowed audiences with its wedding-crashing video concept. It’s romantic, fun, and frequently shared a combination that drives long-term views.

3.14 Roar – Katy Perry

“Roar” became an anthem of empowerment. Perry’s strong vocals + powerful visuals = a repeat-worthy track that resonated across age groups.

3.15 Sorry – Justin Bieber

The “Sorry” music video tapped into a familiar tune and a catchy dance backdrop. Bieber’s mass appeal, combined with Instagram-worthy choreography, kept it trending.

3.16 Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

This romantic ballad, paired with a beautiful dance performance, became a favorite at weddings, on playlists, and across YouTube millions of times over.

3.17 Girls Like You – Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B

This video gathered attention not just for its song but also for its star-studded cameo format. Fans rewound to spot celebrities, giving it a unique engagement loop.

3.18 Let Her Go – Passenger

A soft, acoustic track that hits emotional chords. The video’s simplicity and melancholy narrative help it maintain its viewership.

3.19 Counting Stars – OneRepublic

Counting Stars blends a catchy tune with thoughtful lyrics. Its narrative video and strong replay value kept it among the top-watched.

3.20 Shree Hanuman Chalisa (or similar devotional/spiritual)

In many lists (such as on The Standard), a spiritual devotional like “Hanuman Chalisa” from T-Series ranks within the top 20 due to its massive regional appeal.

4. Why These 20 Videos Dominate YouTube’s Ecosystem

4.1 Diversity of Genres

Notice how the list includes nursery rhymes, pop hits, K-pop, Christian or spiritual songs, and meme videos. This variety underscores the power of YouTube as a platform that caters to all tastes, not just one genre.

4.2 Replay Value

Many of these videos are designed to be rewatched. Children’s songs like Baby Shark or Bath Song are naturally repetitive. Pop hits like Shape of You or Despacito are danceable and singable. This makes repeat views a major driver of the high view counts.

4.3 Global Reach

These videos are not just localized hits. Tracks like “Despacito” have been shared globally. Kids’ content from Cocomelon or ChuChu TV is viewed by parents around the world. YouTube statistics and data clearly show that global content drives engagement.

4.4 Viral and Meme Power

Some of these clips became viral because of memes. Dame Tu Cosita and Crazy Frog are great examples their oddity made them meme staples, which boosted their long-term popularity.

4.5 Algorithmic Boost

YouTube’s algorithm rewards high engagement. Videos with frequent likes, shares, and replays get surfaced more. That’s how these clips maintain momentum years after their release.

5. What the Top Viewers Tell Us About Online Video Trends

5.1 The Power of Children’s Content

Children’s content is extremely powerful on YouTube. Because kids watch the same videos over and over, and parents let them rewatch, nursery rhyme channels generate astronomical view counts. This trend underscores the value of video platform trends that tap into evergreen learning content.

5.2 Music Videos Aren’t Going Anywhere

Music remains one of the most-viewed categories on YouTube. Songs like Despacito, See You Again, and Shape of You show how music videos drive some of the highest engagement in online video popularity.

5.3 Nostalgia & Novelty

Videos like Gangnam Style or Crazy Frog prove that novelty and nostalgia make content survive. The internet loves odd, funny, and quirky even decades later.

5.4 Educational Content Is Monetizable

Channels like ChuChu TV offer educational content without sacrificing reach. That shows how trending YouTube videos don’t need to be purely entertainment learning content can compete with global pop hits.

5.5 Global and Cross-Cultural Appeal

Many of these videos transcend language and cultural barriers. You don’t need to understand English to love Baby Shark or Wheels on the Bus. That’s the scale of modern internet communication terms and cross-border video influence.

6. What Brands and Influencers Can Learn from These Trends

For brands, creators, and marketers especially in India or working with influencer marketing platforms, these insights matter deeply.

6.1 Who to Collaborate With

When looking for creators, consider channels with viral, high-repeat content. Partnering with nursery rhyme creators (UGC Videos for kids) or global pop influencers could replicate some of this massive reach.

6.2 Create Content That Lasts

Rather than chasing trends, create content with evergreen replay value songs, catchy jingles, or simple animated stories. These stand a chance of becoming part of popular internet content and climbing view charts over time.

6.3 Leverage Shared Culture

Brands targeting India can tap into both local and global trends. Use motifs from nursery rhymes, Bollywood, or global pop to build video platform trends.

6.4 Use UGC to Amplify Reach

Encourage your users to create reaction videos, remixes, or covers. Real voices (UGC) make your content relatable. Platforms like Hobo.Video help connect brands with creators who can make this happen, using their network of over 2.25 million creators.

6.5 Analyze Engagement, Not Just Views

High view count is a vanity metric. Engagement (comments, shares, watch time) is more valuable. Look for ways your content can inspire reaction or become part of meme culture.

7. What This List Says About YouTube as a Platform

YouTube isn’t just a place for viral hits. It’s a place for:

• Learning (kids songs)
• Nostalgia (old pop)
• Movement (dance)
• Healing (emotional tributes)
• Global sharing

The platform’s ability to host such diverse content is part of its charm. According to a study in a recent arXiv dataset, YouTube’s cross-national trending lists captured over 446,000 snapshots across 104 countries between 2022–2025, showing how cultural diffusion drives viewership. arXiv

8. Limitations & Things to Watch

• Data Delay: View counts change constantly. This list reflects a snapshot as of mid-2025.
• Regional Skew: Some videos may have multiple versions; data might combine them.
• Algorithm Influence: Not all views are organic – some come via promoted content. The list of top YouTube videos of all time is influenced by YouTube’s own algorithm.
• Viewer Behavior: Kids watching repeatedly skew numbers; not all views mean unique viewers.

Still, despite these limitations, this list is the most realistic reflection of which video has the most views on YouTube and how long-term content popularity works.

9. Why This List Matters in 2025 for Influencers & Brands

• It helps influencers understand content archetypes that truly scale.
• Brands can identify evergreen content strategies not just chase trending topics.
• Marketers in influencer marketing India can align campaigns around high-engagement content.
• UGC creators can learn that repeatable, simple content can outperform flashy but short-lived stuff.
• It underscores the whole truth about digital popularity consistency, relatability, and replay value matter most.

Conclusion

The Ultimate List of YouTube’s 20 Most Viewed Clips gives a clear picture of what content has truly won on the platform: songs that touch hearts, animations that teach toddlers, quirky dances that sparked memes, and emotional tributes that resonate globally.

Key takeaways:

• YouTube viewership is not driven purely by trendy content, it thrives on repeatable, relatable, and cross-cultural pieces.
• For creators and brands, making content that drives long-term engagement and encourages user-generated responses is the real growth engine.
• Influencer marketing, especially when powered by UGC Videos, can leverage this understanding to build campaigns that feel authentic and sustainable.

Final Call to Action

If you’re a brand or creator looking to grow on YouTube or harness the power of UGC, now is the moment. The patterns that made these top 20 videos so successful shareability, repetition, emotional resonance are exactly what modern audiences respond to.

Join Hobo.Video, India’s leading AI-powered influencer marketing and UGC platform. With 2.25 million creators, we help you plan, launch, and scale campaigns that leverage real video platform trends and YouTube statistics. Work with real influencers, generate powerful UGC Videos, and build content that people don’t just watch, they share, rewatch, and love.

About Hobo.Video

Hobo.Video is India’s leading AI-powered influencer marketing and UGC company. With over 2.25 million creators, we deliver end-to-end campaign execution geared toward real brand growth. Our unique strategy blends AI insights with human creativity to maximize ROI.

Our Services Include:

• Influencer marketing
• UGC content creation
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Trusted by top brands like Himalaya, Wipro, Symphony, Baidyanath, and the Good Glamm Group, Hobo.Video helps you speak the language of true influence and long-term engagement.

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