If there’s one thing the internet never runs out of, it’s viral challenges. Some are hilarious, some are straight-up ridiculous, and a few… left us questioning humanity. But love them or hate them, viral challenges are digital culture’s heartbeat — fueling trends, memes, and a lot of group chats.
Here are 20 of the most iconic challenges that had the internet laughing, crying, or cringing — sometimes all at once.
😂 1. The Ice Bucket Challenge (2014)
The OG. Dump a freezing bucket of ice water on your head for a good cause. Raised over $100 million for ALS research — and froze a lot of brains.
💃 2. The Renegade Dance (2020)
You couldn’t open TikTok without seeing someone busting this move. Created by Jalaiah Harmon, it defined the TikTok dance era.
🎭 3. The “Don’t Rush” Challenge (2020)
Started during lockdown, this glow-up challenge had creators passing makeup brushes or phones to show off stunning transformations. Group collabs were 🔥.
🎤 4. The “Buss It” Challenge (2021)
From zero to 100 REAL quick. What started in a hoodie ended in heels, glam, and a dramatic beat drop. Buss it, buss it, buss it…
🤡 5. The “Clown Check” Challenge
Calling yourself out for catching feelings, trusting the wrong person, or basically anything that screams “I should’ve known better.” 🤡 music included.
🤪 6. The “Try Not to Laugh” Challenge
Classic YouTube energy. You watch a ridiculous compilation while trying to keep a straight face — fail miserably — repeat.
🕺 7. The Harlem Shake (2013)
One person vibing alone… then BOOM — the whole room goes wild. Office workers, firemen, even soldiers jumped on this one.
😳 8. The “In My Feelings” Challenge (Kiki Challenge)
Jumping out of a moving car to dance to Drake? Sounded like a good idea… until people face-planted mid-dance. Cringe and viral gold all in one.
🧃 9. The “Skateboarding to Fleetwood Mac” Challenge (2020)
Nathan Apodaca cruising on a skateboard, drinking cranberry juice, vibing to “Dreams” — it was chill perfection. Even Mick Fleetwood recreated it.
🤔 10. The “Tell Me Without Telling Me” Challenge
“Tell me you’re a parent without telling me you’re a parent.” Cue chaos, cleverness, and creative chaos across TikTok.
🫣 11. The “Silhouette Challenge”
Starts in PJs under red lights and ends in sultry silhouette mode. Cool? Yes. Slightly risky? Also yes. Many had to issue viewer discretion warnings.
🧠 12. The “What I Ordered vs. What I Got” Challenge
Online shopping nightmares exposed. From Shein fails to Amazon flops, this challenge had everyone second-guessing their carts.
😬 13. The “Pass the Phone” Challenge
Group game + mild roast = viral gold. “I’m passing the phone to someone who still texts their ex…” — messy and entertaining.
🤸♀️ 14. The “Level Up” Challenge
Ciara’s track got people jumping, flipping, and working out in sync. But not everyone nailed the choreography… and that made it even better.
🧼 15. The “Wipe It Down” Challenge
Mirror. Spray. Wipe. Transformation. This challenge blended outfit reveals with slick editing — some even flipped genders or dressed as superheroes.
😱 16. The “Chair Challenge”
Guys couldn’t do it. Women could. What started as a random party trick turned into a weird science experiment that no one could explain.
🤯 17. The “Gravity” Challenge
Hold your balance while lip-syncing to “Gravity” — and try not to faceplant. Harder than it looks. Or sounds.
👯 18. The “Savage” Dance Challenge
Megan Thee Stallion’s hit gave us another classic TikTok choreo moment. Classy, bougie, ratchet — you already know.
😮💨 19. The “Oh Na Na Na” Footwork Challenge
Two people, one mirror image routine. Kicked off with one song — but turned into a viral coordination test for couples and besties.
🍝 20. The “TikTok Pasta” (a.k.a. Baked Feta Challenge)
Wait — a cooking challenge went viral? Yep. Feta, cherry tomatoes, and one baking dish turned the internet into a foodie frenzy. Grocery stores ran out of feta cheese in some countries. No joke.
Honorable Mentions:
- Mannequin Challenge
- Bottle Cap Challenge
- Flip the Switch Challenge
- Eat It or Wear It
- One Chip Challenge
- Plank Challenge
- No Beard Filter Reveal 😭
Final Thoughts: Cringe, Clicks & Culture
Viral challenges are more than just internet fun — they’re cultural moments. They bring people together (and sometimes to the ER), test creativity, and leave a digital footprint that screams “Yep, I was there.”
Whether you’re chasing views or just watching from the sidelines, one thing’s for sure — the internet never stays boring for long.
