Viral moments: Press loop

Top 10 by Spread Score

1. 1Banksy's Self-Shredding Painting · Banksy, 2018A painting shredded at auction, then set a Banksy record at $25.4 million.66
2. 2Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift at the VMAs · MTV (broadcast); Kanye West and Taylor Swift (participants), 2009A 2009 VMA interruption became an image macro, video remix and recurring awards-show joke.62
3. 3Kermencement · University of Maryland; The Muppets Studio / Disney, 2025Kermit’s UMD speech spread through TikTok clips, including one with 3.2 million views.62
4. 4Mike Pence debate fly · 2020A fly on Mike Pence’s head became a meme; the Biden campaign sold nearly 35,000 swatters.62
5. 5Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson · Netflix / Most Valuable Promotions, 2024Netflix reported 65 million peak concurrent streams for Paul vs. Tyson.61
6. 6Ford Super Duty Rescues a Cybertruck · Matt Chambers, 2023A 2023 towing clip brought Ford's CEO and the Forest Service into a Cybertruck debate.60
7. 72017 Great American Eclipse · 2017Glasses sold out before an eclipse seen by an estimated 216 million American adults.60
8. 8Pesto the Penguin · SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium (Merlin Entertainments), 2024Aquarium staff estimated Pesto's reach at 5 billion as fan clips and memes spread.60
9. 9Ever Given in the Suez Canal · 2021A grounded ship delayed an estimated $9.6bn in daily trade and became a meme.59
10. 10Billy Porter’s Oscars tuxedo gown · Billy Porter and Christian Siriano, 2019Lyst reported a 100% rise in designer searches after Porter’s Oscars tuxedo gown.58