2018 was a great year for videos. YouTube shared their list of the top ten most watched videos and all of them have some of the same components which made them successful. Some of the videos are ads, but all of the videos are very creative, emotionally touching, and often have expert animation, videography, or special effects.

Let’s take a look at the individual ads to discuss why they were viewed so many times.

#10. LEGO Jurassic World   Rescue Blue the Dinosaur Almost 10.9 million views

This video is a mini action movie. It starts with Owen in the LEGO Jurassic World running as fast as he can to escape an erupting volcano to rescue Blue the Dinosaur. A couple of times, it appears as though he will burn to death from flying lava while a large dinosaur chases him. The end of the video gives the viewer the option to decide if Owen escapes in a truck or a gyrosphere. Each vehicle selection offers the viewer another video to watch. Rescue Blue the Dinosaur is creative, suspenseful and fun with wonderful animation, but most of all, this video ad is excitingly interactive.

 

#9. Gatorade Heart of a LiO  Almost 14 million views

Heart of a LiO is an inspiring video about real-life soccer player, Lionel Messi. The animated video starts with a crying, newborn baby boy who catches one of his falling tears with his big toe. Despite his small size caused by a growth defect, he refused to become discouraged, continued to work hard, and became a successful soccer star all while sipping Gatorade occasionally. This is an inspirational and memorable video ad.

 

#8. Apple iPod Welcome Home Almost 16.5 million views

A depressed and lonely looking woman comes home and says, “Siri, play me something I’d like.” While enjoying a drink, the woman begins to dance and becomes happy. As she dances around her apartment, the furniture and walls stretch until she is forced to look in the mirror and then she dances with herself. The special effects and choreography are memorable.

 

#7. Samsung Galaxy Moving On Almost 17.5 million views

A woman is traveling and has trouble with her iPhone during her transport. She notices people around her happily using their Galaxy phones. She went to the Apple store to get her phone fixed and when the salesperson said she could upgrade the phone as a solution to her slow phone, she left to buy a Galaxy phone. This clever video is aimed at unhappy iPhone owners.

 

#6. Groupon Who Wouldn’t Over 21.5 million views

Star-of-the-moment comedienne, Tiffany Haddish, says using Groupon saves users money and supports local businesses in this video. After a wealthy man is hit by a football while he opens the front door to his home, Haddish laughs as she says it feels so good when you save in your neighborhood, but not for the guy who was hit. The ad is a funny reminder for people to download the Groupon app.

 

#5. Turkish Airlines Safety Video with LEGO Movie Characters Over 25 million views

This is the second video on the top ten list featuring LEGO characters. The LEGO ad is a fun, laugh-out-loud video ad about airplane safety featuring cameos by Batman, Robin, and evil villain, The Joker. This is by far the most interesting plane safety video ever made featuring creative animation.

 

#4. Nike Dream Crazy Over 27 million views

This is ad never mentions Nike. Colin Kaepernick says it is good to dream big and called crazy for the dreams an athlete has. “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”, is a bold statement coming from blacklisted NFL player Kaepernick. Several unknown and well-known athletes are also in this video ad, but Kaepernick is the most memorable in this thought-provoking, if not controversial ad.

 

#3. OPPO F7 Real Support Makes Real Hero Almost 32 million views

This video is about boys who become successful cricket players despite destroying a lot of property. Various people in the video are supportive of the boys pursuing the sport despite a lot of damaged property. The end of the video shows the adult players taking selfies with the OPPO F7 phone. This is a fun, feel-good video with great music.

 

#2. YouTube Music Open the World of Music. It’s All Here. Almost 40 million views

It isn’t a surprise that an ad for the YouTube Music app would be on this list. The video attempts to answer the question — What is music? There are over a couple of dozen artists from all genres rehearsing, performing, and having fun.

 

#1. Amazon Alexa Loses Her Voice Over 50 million views

This funny Superbowl ad opens with Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, learning that Alexa has lost her voice. Various well-known celebrities take her place answering questions and their strong personalities make watching this hysterical. In the end, Alexa comes back to replace the celebrities.

 

I hope you enjoyed reading this list and watching the top videos for 2018 and I look forward to sharing another list with you at the end of next year. In the meantime, have a Happy New Year!