As a video-sharing platform, YouTube sees billions of uploads per day, which generate just as many views. Considering that the platform is not even 20 years old, this is a massive achievement. Other video-sharing platforms can’t even compare.
Naturally, while billions of videos generate billions of views, the vast majority of them include content that sees a few dozen views in total, if that. Of course, there is also a handful of videos that have views in the multiple billions. And in this article, we aim to list the top 10 most-viewed YouTube videos of all time based on the latest statistics.
Some Observations Before You Dive In
When we have a quick overview of the videos that rake in the most views, a few interesting patterns emerge. So, before you discover what the ten videos the world has viewed the most are, let’s delve into these patterns a bit.
Firstly, every single entry on this list is a music video. While YouTube is home to lots of types of content, such as Let’s Plays, comedy, horror, news, political shows, podcasts, etc., none of those formats made the cut. In fact, even if you expand the list by an additional 10 entries, you will only get music videos.
Next, none of these videos has under 4 billion views. And even the ones at the lower end are nearing 5 billion. What’s more, don’t be surprised if, by December 2023, even those entries cross the 5 billion mark.
Finally, of the top 10 most viewed videos, more than half are children’s songs and nursery rhymes. It just goes to show you how powerful YouTube is as an entertainment hub for our young viewers.
With that out of the way, it’s time to see which videos have been seen by billions of eyeballs across the planet.
#10: “Learning Colors — Colorful Eggs on a Farm” by Miroshka TV
Coming in at number 10, you have an odd video from the Russia-based channel Miroshka TV. In this piece, the children learn the names of various colors in Russian. However, the setup itself is somewhat bizarre. Namely, a number of eggs with fake-looking smiles pop their heads open and giant tubes of paint empty their content into them. While the Learning Colors video is intended for children, its creepy, uncanny vibe makes it an intriguing watch for all audiences.
The current number of views: 4.8 billion.
#9: “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
A massive hit for eight straight years, Uptown Funk has put both Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars on the map. Of course, both artists had successful careers even before the single. But its popularity, and especially the YouTube exposure, has made it the undisputed smash hit that it is. You will not find a single club that doesn’t play this little ditty on a Friday night.
The current number of views: 4.82 billion.
#8: “Wheels on the Bus” by Cocomelon Nursery Rhymes
We’re back to nursery rhymes, and this time it’s a classic. There isn’t a toddler in the English-speaking world that doesn’t enjoy the fun, upbeat, and easy-to-follow Wheels on the Bus. So, when Cocomelon released its animated version 4 years ago, it knew that it had a slam-dunk on its hands. The combination of vibrant colors, cutesy characters, and soft music is all it took to make Wheels on the Bus a billion-view hit.
The current number of views: 5.1 billion.
#7: “Phonics Song with Two Words” by ChuChu TV
ChuChu TV offers plenty of nursery rhymes for your kids. The animation quality can sometimes be limited, but you will inevitably hear a little ditty that gets your toddler to smile and clap their hands. And out of all their videos, the Phonics Song is the one that climbed to the top. In fact, it was so popular that it surpassed Psy’s massive hit Gangnam Style during its heyday. For a nursery rhyme video with some animation, that is quite an accomplishment.
The current number of views: 5.2 billion.
#6: “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth
At number #6, we have a video that will tug at your heartstrings. See You Again, a standout track from Fast and Furious 7, pays tribute to the late Paul Walker with this emotional, sincere video. Both Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa give it their best as clips from past Fast and Furious movies remind the viewer why the franchise remains so beloved. Through sheer power and beauty, this video has reached billions of eyeballs, and it shows that though legends may be gone, they will never be forgotten.
The current number of views: 5.8 billion.
#5: “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
Much like Uptown Funk, Shape of You is a staple of many nightclubs and bars. Ed Sheeran’s music speaks to billions of people from around the world, and the video, with its high production value and atmosphere, complements the song perfectly. Of course, that’s not really a surprise for someone like Sheeran. The pop star knows his way around social media, so it’s only fitting that one of his songs ranks among the best of the best.
The current number of views: 5.9 billion.
#4: “Bath Song” by Cocomelon Nursery Rhymes
Cocomelon takes no less than two of the coveted top 10 spots, and its best outing is a song about hygiene. Technically, the Bath Song is not exactly an original tune. Its first part is clearly sung to the same rhythm as Itsy Bitsy Spider. On the other hand, the second part is actually a rendition of the nursery rhyme that’s at the very top of this list.
The current number of views: 6.1 billion.
#3: “Johny Johny Yes Papa” by LooLoo Kids
A video that is under two minutes long, with a baby and a father bantering back and forth, done in medium-tier 3D animation. That about sums up Johny Johny Yes Papa, the third most-viewed video of all time. This particular video was uploaded by LooLoo Kids, an Indian channel exclusively dealing with nursery rhymes. And as is the case with nearly all nursery rhyme channels, it has plenty of other song renditions to offer.
The current number of views: 6.6 billion.
#2: “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee
Coming in at number #2, it’s the final proper music video of this list, and it’s no surprise that it’s the megahit Despacito. One of the top comments on this video literally states, “2017: people came to listen to the song; 2023: people come to check views.” For a long time, this absolute banger by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee dominated YouTube, surpassing Gangnam Style and remaining on top until the first entry on this list came along.
The current number of views: 8.1 billion.
#1: “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong
While Psy may no longer be on top, another video from South Korea has managed to dethrone Despacito and claim the number #1 spot. That honor belongs to another nursery rhyme video, the immensely popular Baby Shark Dance by Pinkfong. With a mix of simple animation and live-action footage of kids playing about, it’s the perfect recipe for young viewers. And it also helps that the song is catchy and won’t leave your head for a long time. Nearly six years after it was first uploaded, the Baby Shark Dance remains the single most-viewed video of all time.
The current number of views: 12.3 billion.