Fastest 1M Views on YouTube: 13 Videos That Broke Records

YouTube has become the top platform for video content worldwide. In this competitive space, reaching 1 million views quickly marks serious success for creators. This article reveals the 13 videos that achieved the fastest 1M views on YouTube, figures out what made them go viral so rapidly, and discusses the common elements that drove their extraordinary popularity.

Part 1. 13 Fastest YouTube Videos to Reach 1 Million Views

The race to the fastest 1M views on YouTube gets more intense each year as creators use new strategies to gain attention rapidly. These 13 videos broke records with their viral speed.

1. MrBeast's "$456,000 Squid Game In Real Life"

Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, recreated Netflix's Squid Game with a massive $456,000 prize in November 2021. His YouTube recreation reached 1 million views in just 10 minutes after upload. With 456 contestants competing in games from the show, MrBeast built elaborate sets matching the original series.

Around $3.5 million went into production costs, which is one of YouTube's most expensive non-corporate videos. YouTube viewers rushed to watch this real-life version during peak Squid Game popularity. MrBeast timed the release perfectly when Squid Game discussions still filled social media feeds. Now with over 748 million views on YouTube, this video shows how clever content planning and existing fan support can create record-breaking results on the platform.

2. BTS "Dynamite"

BTS's "Dynamite" YouTube music video reached 1 million views in approximately 21 minutes when it was released in August 2020. This English-language disco-pop track gave the Korean group a way to connect with broader global audiences during the pandemic.

Seven members appear in vintage-inspired outfits against bright backdrops in this colorful, retro-themed video. "Dynamite" set multiple YouTube records with 101.1 million views in 21 hours, the most at that time. Grammy voters recognized this crossover hit, giving BTS their first nomination, while Billboard saw it top the Hot 100, making them the first Korean act to be #1. Their devoted ARMY followers played a key role in driving these impressive numbers and cementing their global reputation.

3. Adele "Hello"

Adele's comeback single "Hello" reached 1 million YouTube views in approximately 24 minutes after its October 2015 release. Director Xavier Dolan chose a black-and-white aesthetic for this YouTube video, where Adele sits in an abandoned house and reflects on lost love. Her vocals and heartfelt lyrics perfectly complement the emotional depth shown throughout each scene.

After a three-year music hiatus that built enormous anticipation, viewers immediately responded to her return. Within just 3 months, the views crossed 1 billion and now sit at 3.1 billion. In stores, "Hello" became the fastest single to sell 1 million digital copies across the US. Her universal themes about regret and lost relationships resonate worldwide, which demonstrates how truly great songwriting transcends all cultural lines.

4. Taylor Swift "ME!"

Taylor Swift's "ME!" featuring Brendon Urie hit 1 million YouTube views in under 30 minutes after its April 2019 release. This pastel-colored, fantasy-filled YouTube music video marks her post-Reputation comeback and shows viewers a brand new Swift. Throughout the video, Swift and Urie move through dreamlike sets filled with French dialogue, marching bands, and vibrant rainbow scenery.

Swift built anticipation through a 13-day countdown on social media, which sparked theories among fans. The YouTube video set a record for the biggest 24-hour debut for a female artist at that time. This lead single from her Lover album signaled Swift's shift to a brighter musical direction. The current view count stands at 441 million.

5. BLACKPINK "How You Like That"

BLACKPINK's "How You Like That" hit 1 million YouTube views in 34 minutes after its June 2020 release. The YouTube video showed members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa in elaborate sets with stunning costume changes and choreography.

"How You Like That" broke several YouTube records, including the fastest video to reach 100 million views at that time (32 hours). The song's trap beats combined with K-pop production create a powerful musical statement. BLACKPINK's global YouTube fanbase, known as BLINKS, gathered for the premiere, with over 1.66 million fans watching simultaneously. The video currently has over 1.3 billion YouTube views and won MTV's Song of Summer award. The track proved BLACKPINK's international appeal.

6. Ariana Grande "thank u, next"

November 2018 saw Ariana Grande's "thank u, next" YouTube music video surge to 1 million views in 35 minutes after release. This clever YouTube video recreates beloved scenes from four iconic 2000s movies: Legally Blonde, Mean Girls, Bring It On, and 13 Going on 30.

These nostalgic references immediately connect with millennial viewers who grew up with these cultural touchstones. Several celebrities appear throughout, including Kris Jenner, Jennifer Coolidge, and Grande's former Victorious co-stars, who add star power to each scene. After weeks of strategic social media teasers that built anticipation, Grande released the song shortly after her public breakup with Pete Davidson. This personal context adds deeper meaning to her lyrics about gratitude for past relationships. With over 845 million views today, this YouTube sensation proves Grande's cultural impact remains undeniable.

7. PSY "Gentleman"

Approximately 39 minutes was all it took for PSY's "Gentleman" to accumulate 1 million YouTube views after its April 2013 release. Following his unprecedented "Gangnam Style" success, expectations ran extremely high for PSY's next release. Throughout this YouTube video, PSY plays pranks on women until he meets his match in K-pop star Ga In, who turns the tables on him.

Viewers immediately recognized the "arrogant dance" from Brown Eyed Girls' "Abracadabra" that appears throughout the choreography. Within its first 24 hours online, the video amassed 38.4 million YouTube views. Though it never matched the cultural phenomenon status of "Gangnam Style," the video reached 1 billion YouTube views faster than most videos in history.

8. LISA "LALISA"

BLACKPINK member LISA's solo debut "LALISA" took just 42 minutes to hit 1 million YouTube views after its September 2021 release. The YouTube video proudly shows LISA's Thai heritage through traditional outfits and set pieces that stand alongside futuristic scenes with dynamic choreography. Top-notch production quality jumps from the screen with multiple detailed sets and costume changes that show her skills as a performer.

Her visual treat gained 73.6 million views in its first 24 hours - an impressive number for a solo artist debut. A rap section in English works well with Thai-inspired musical elements in the track. Years of anticipation for her solo material, combined with her established BLACKPINK popularity, created perfect conditions for this YouTube success story that eventually surpassed 750 million views.

9. BTS "Boy With Luv" featuring Halsey

Just 45 minutes after its April 2019 premiere, BTS's "Boy With Luv" featuring Halsey crossed the 1 million YouTube views threshold. On movie theater-inspired sets in this pastel-colored YouTube video, the group performs synchronized choreography alongside Halsey's complementary vocals. Both BTS's ARMY followers and Halsey's supporters rallied behind this collaboration, which created a powerful cross-promotional effect for the release.

The video amassed 74.6 million views in its first 24 hours. This track shows BTS's continued push into Western markets while they maintain their Korean identity. Now with over 1.8 billion YouTube views today, the upbeat message and catchy melody, paired with star power, is still creating buzz.

10. Taylor Swift "Look What You Made Me Do"

August 2017 marked Taylor Swift's dramatic return when "Look What You Made Me Do" amassed 1 million YouTube views in under 50 minutes after release. This YouTube video arrived after her highly publicized squabble with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, which added major context to its reception. Visual elements include Swift in a diamond-filled bathtub and scenes where she directs an army of models in the video.

The most talked-about moment in the video shows her past personas literally fighting each other in a memorable sequence. Numerous hidden messages and references in the song sparked lots of social media discussions, and this led to the total view count of 1.5 billion as of this time.

11. Justin Bieber "Boyfriend"

May 2012 saw Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" reach 1 million YouTube views in one hour. It marks Bieber's change from teen pop star to mature artist with a more refined R&B-influenced sound. The video shows Bieber in stylish settings with cars and choreography meant to appeal to an older audience.

Director X created a sleek visual style that helps reshape Bieber's image to viewers. As one of YouTube's earliest quick-rise videos, it showed the growing power of social media in music promotion. Bieber's loyal "Beliebers" rallied to support the release from the first minute. The YouTube video eventually reached over 905 million views, and is still counting. This milestone is an important step in both Bieber's career and YouTube's role in music.

12. TWICE "More & More"

The nine-member K-pop group TWICE needed just 1 hour and 5 minutes for "More & More" to hit 1 million YouTube views after its June 2020 release. Their comeback features a paradise-themed YouTube video with lush settings and synchronized choreography that shows months of practice.

This tropical house-influenced track brought a more mature sound for the group, previously known for cute concepts. Their global YouTube viewers, called ONCE, organized viewing parties in different time zones to boost early numbers. The video hit over 20 million YouTube views in its first 24 hours. "More & More" shows TWICE's expanded appeal beyond their established Asian markets. The YouTube video now has over 366 million views, proving the growing global interest in K-pop beyond the biggest names.

13. Billie Eilish "Bad Guy"

With its March 2019 release, Billie Eilish's "bad guy" took about 1.5 hours to reach 1 million YouTube views. The unique YouTube video displays Eilish in oversized clothing doing odd actions like sitting on a man doing pushups and having a nosebleed with blue liquid. The unusual visuals match the song's offbeat production and Eilish's whispered vocals that created her signature sound.

The track became Eilish's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The YouTube video now has over 1 billion views in total. At just 17 years old when released, Eilish showed a new generation of artists who grew up with YouTube. Her distinct style and sound created immediate interest, especially among Generation Z viewers.

Part 2. FAQs of Fastest 1M Views on YouTube

Conclusion on Fastest 1M Views on YouTube

The incredible speed at which videos now hit the fastest 1M views on YouTube proves YouTube's evolution into a global entertainment powerhouse. From MrBeast's strategic productions to K-pop phenomena like BTS and BLACKPINK, these record-breaking videos share common elements: passionate fan communities, excellent timing, and content that encourages immediate sharing. As technology and social media continue moving forward, these records will likely change again by creators who master viral content.