From absurd internet trends and AI-powered aesthetics to political spectacles and once-in-a-lifetime celebrity spaceflights, 2025 was a year shaped as much by viral culture as global events. Across TikTok, X, Instagram and beyond, certain moments exploded into collective consciousness — entertaining, baffling, inspiring and sometimes downright strange. Here’s a look back at 10 viral moments that captured the world’s attention in 2025.
1. Chickawagga — The Meme That Kicked Off the Digital Year
One of the first memes to go supernova in early 2025 was “Chickawagga” — a spontaneous shout from an Instagram video that took off across platforms. Its nonsensical energy and simple absurdity made it an early viral staple of the year, setting the tone for meme culture in 2025.
2. Studio Ghibli AI Filter Dreams
Tech and creativity collided when AI tools enabled users worldwide to transform ordinary photos into whimsical, Studio Ghibli–style imagery. The trend dominated feeds for weeks, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology — though it also sparked debates about creativity, copyright and the ethics of AI aesthetics.
3. Coldplay Kiss Cam Moment Goes Global
A seemingly simple kiss cam fail at a Coldplay concert became one of 2025’s most discussed clips. A couple’s awkward reaction spawned memes, brand engagement and even real-world consequences for those involved — illustrating how pop culture, personal lives and virality can intersect unpredictably.
4. #RaptureTok and the Failed Prediction Trend
In a striking example of how prophecy and social media mix, the #RaptureTok trend spread widely in September 2025. Users speculated, joked and reacted to predictions of a world-ending Rapture — only for the date to pass without incident. The trend revealed how quickly existential anxieties can be amplified online.
5. Labubu Dolls: Creepy-Cute Collectible Craze
What began as a niche toy trend exploded into mainstream virality when Labubu dolls went from quirky collectibles to global sensations. Celebrity sightings and bizarre online lore about the dolls’ “mystique” helped fuel the cultural moment.
6. “Vartamaan Aankhon Ka Dhoka Hai” Dance Explosion
A catchy line and beat turned into one of the year’s most enduring reel trends. Users around the world remixing and dancing to the phrase “Vartamaan Aankhon Ka Dhoka Hai” turned it into a ubiquitous audio staple across TikTok and Instagram.
7. Nano Banana Edits and Tiny Selfies
Simple yet joyful, the “nano banana” trend had people shrinking themselves into miniature AI-generated figurines and sharing the results online. It was one of 2025’s light-hearted viral hits, emphasizing fun over controversy.
8. TikTok’s AI Music & Dance Challenges
Beyond visual trends, AI-generated music and choreography dominated social platforms. From collaborative beats to community dance battles guided by algorithms, these interactive challenges blurred the line between creator and AI co-creator.
9. Aussie Tradies Do the “Sexy Santa” Dance
In a festive moment that charmed the internet, a group of Australian construction workers donned “sexy Santa” outfits and recreated a Mean Girls dance routine, racking up millions of views and sparking global online chatter about workplace fun and unexpected joy.
10. Livvy Dunne’s ‘Brainrot’ Christmas TikTok
Influencer Livvy Dunne capped off the year with a tongue-in-cheek commentary on her own internet fame, joking about being a “brainrot term” among younger cousins — a meta viral moment that highlighted how celebrities and internet culture feed off one another.
Bonus: Ongoing Viral Culture Phenomena
While the above standouts defined discrete moments in 2025, other trends also helped shape the year’s digital landscape:
- Jet2 Holiday Soundtrack Overload — Ad audio became meme fuel for travel chaos content.
- 100 Men vs. One Gorilla Debate — A goofy yet addictive internet argument.
- AI-Generated Songs & Personality Memes — Including widely shared but controversial tracks and character memes that highlighted the power (and pitfalls) of AI virality.
A Year Defined by Digital Culture
What made 2025 especially viral was not just the moments themselves, but how quickly they spread, adapted and were repurposed across platforms. Whether through nostalgia, comedy, AI innovation or pure randomness, these trends captured the pace and unpredictability of modern online life — showing that even in a world dominated by headlines, internet culture remains a powerful force in shaping global attention and community.
7 years in the field, from local radio to digital newsrooms. Loves chasing the stories that matter to everyday Aussies – whether it’s climate, cost of living or the next big thing in tech.
