If 2025 felt like one long scroll session where you couldn’t look away, you weren’t imagining it. The year unfolded as a perfectly chaotic timeline of trends, controversies, and pop-culture moments that refused to stay offline. Here’s a chronological rewind of what went viral in 2025, from wholesome beginnings to full-blown internet madness.
1. Matcha Became a Global Lifestyle
The year began on a calm (and very green) note. Matcha moved beyond cafés and into daily routines, skincare shelves, and wellness rituals worldwide. From London creatives to Indian influencers, it became the aesthetic drink of 2025.
2. Prada’s Kolhapuri-Inspired Footwear Sparked Backlash
Soon after Cannes, fashion discourse heated up. Prada’s June runway featuring Kolhapuri-inspired sandals ignited debates on cultural appropriation, craftsmanship, and luxury accountability, keeping fashion Twitter busy for weeks.
3. Monalisa of the Mahakumbh Went Viral
During the Mahakumbh, a young girl’s serene presence quietly captivated the nation. Dubbed the “Monalisa of the Mahakumbh,” her images spread rapidly, offering a rare pause from loud, performative virality.
4. Labubu Dolls Triggered a Collectible Craze
Soon after, Labubu dolls took over feeds and wishlists. These quirky figurines sparked obsessive unboxing videos, long queues, and resale drama. The internet proved once again that cute chaos sells fast.
5. The Nano Banana & Ghibli Trend Took Flight
Early 2025 also saw the rise of the oddly named but wildly creative Nano Banana trend. Dreamy, animated visuals inspired by Ghibli aesthetics flooded social media, with users reimagining themselves in festive and traditional avatars.
6. India’s Got Latent Controversy Erupted Mid-Year
Mid-2025 took a sharp turn when a clip from India’s Got Latent went viral. Featuring popular creators, the moment sparked outrage, online debates, and multiple FIRs, reopening conversations around digital ethics and accountability.
7. Homebound Earned a Historic Cannes Ovation
Indian cinema hit a global high when Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, received a rare nine-minute standing ovation at Cannes. Social media erupted with pride, memes, and emotional reactions.
8. Taylor Swift’s Engagement Broke the Internet
Pop culture shifted gears when Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce made headlines. Swifties analysed rings, lyrics, and timelines, turning it into one of the most talked-about celebrity moments of the year.
9. A Coldplay Kiss Cam Led to Corporate Fallout
What looked like a harmless concert moment spiralled fast. A viral kiss-cam clip resulted in CEO Andy Byron’s resignation and a very public divorce, proving virality can have real-world consequences.
10. Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh Dropped a Surprise Collab
Music lovers rejoiced when Ed Sheeran teamed up with Arijit Singh for Sapphire. The track crossed borders effortlessly, dominating playlists and proving collaboration was the sound of 2025.
11. Travis Scott Finally Performed in India
Later in the year, Travis Scott’s first-ever India concert during the Circus Maximus world tour became a landmark moment. Concert clips flooded social platforms, marking India’s growing global concert presence.
12. MrBeast Posed with the Khans – and the Internet Lost It
A single photograph brought two worlds together. MrBeast, standing alongside Bollywood’s biggest Khans, became instant meme material and a symbol of global pop culture colliding.
13. The Gafoor Trend Ruled Relatable Content
As spring rolled in, humour took centre stage. The Gafoor trend dominated timelines with dry wit and expressive reactions, reminding everyone that simple, everyday comedy still wins online.
14. Akshaye Khanna’s ‘FA9LA’ Entry Set Screens on Fire
Mid-year cinema buzz peaked with Akshaye Khanna’s striking entry as Rehman Dakait. Paired with the powerful track ‘FA9LA’, the scene became one of the most replayed viral clips of 2025.
From matcha-fuelled calm to headline-making chaos, 2025 showed us that the internet doesn’t just reflect culture – it shapes it, one viral moment at a time.