Memes in 2025 have evolved into something far richer—and often stranger—than mere punchlines. They’ve become cultural signposts, blending spontaneous humor, absurdist art, and social commentary into compelling viral phenomena. Whether AI-generated chaos or unexpected celebrity moments, the most beloved memes reflect what brews just under the surface of internet culture. This overview spotlights the top trending memes of 2025 — how they emerged, what made them unforgettable, and what they tell us about the digital moment.
Emergence of the “6‑7” Meme: Nonsense That Stuck
The “6‑7” meme—also known as the “67 Kid” meme—was undeniably the meme of the year, capturing nearly 30% of votes in Know Your Meme’s annual poll.(knowyourmeme.com) It started innocuously: a catchy rap from Skrilla paired with TikTok edits of LaMelo Ball. Soon, a young boy yelling “six seven!” became its face—and it exploded.(en.wikipedia.org)
What makes “6‑7” fascinating isn’t a hidden meaning—it has none. Its absurdity, simplicity, and performative flair turned it into a global inside joke. It spawned offshoots (“41,” “6‑1”), inspired in-game emotes, and infiltrated fast-food promos.(en.wikipedia.org)
“At its core, it doesn't mean anything, but it sure is fun to say… Six-Seven proved so strong in 2025.”
— Know Your Meme editorial(knowyourmeme.com)
Italian Brainrot & AI Surrealism: When Nonsense Becomes Art
A prominent sibling of the “brainrot” family, Italian Brainrot emerged early in 2025. These AI-generated creatures—like Bombardiro Crocodilo or Tralalero Tralala—paired pseudo‑Italian voices with bizarre visuals, creating a surreal, post‑ironic comedy.(en.wikipedia.org)
Among them, Ballerina Cappuccina stood out: a ballerina with a cup for a head, choreographed to absurdity and shared across TikTok and Instagram.(es.wikipedia.org) What drives people to share such nonsensical creations? It’s the way they distort reality just enough to provoke laughter—or a lingering digital head‑scratch.
Other Viral Shockwaves: Strange, Cute, and Unexpected
Beyond “6‑7” and Italian Brainrot, several other memes left a lasting mark:
The “Eye of Rah” Meme
A TikTok edit transformed Rashad Bowens into a one-eyed dreadlocked character. The uncanny visual triggered mythological remixes and sci‑fi mashups—another entry into the surreal meme hall of fame.(en.wikipedia.org)
Chickawagga!
A random outburst by Dylan Boling—yelling “Chickawagga!” with infectious zeal—became a simple yet potent meme. It flourished across TikTok and Instagram, proving that raw energy can out‑shine polished production.(archool.com)
Labubu, the Ugly-Cute Gremlin
Originally a Pop Mart collectible, Labubu surged into meme stardom in early 2025. Blackpink’s Lisa holding a Labubu keychain propelled it into viral fame, spawning fan tribes, knockoffs marked “Lafufus,” and even a rumored Sony movie.(complex.com)
“Zoom Grandma Returns” & Other Wholesome Hits
A blast from 2020: the grandma who once bloopered on a Zoom call returned—inadvertently joining a fitness livestream in 2025. The wholesome nostalgia resonated widely.(yuks.co) Similarly, “404 Social Life Not Found,” “NPC Streaming,” and Taylor Swift’s “Wrong Camera” wave offered comic reflections on modern life.(yuks.co)
Cultural Highlights and Memes from Real Moments
Celebrity & Event Memes
Jon Hamm dancing—eyes closed, joyfully awkward—became a favorite remix template.(yahoo.com) Kendrick Lamar’s dense, symbolic Super Bowl performance, and Victoria Ratliff from The White Lotus Season 3, also grew into meme fodder.(yahoo.com)
Bollywood Goes Viral
In India, Akshaye Khanna’s impromptu FA9LA dance, Ram Charan’s grounded Peddi steps, a kiss-cam panic at a Coldplay concert, and Arjun Kapoor’s resurgent “Tune bola?” clip all found new life as relatable memes.(timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Meme Backlash: The “Great Meme Reset”
As 2026 approached, pushback against abstract and AI-driven memes gathered momentum. The Great Meme Reset called for a return to early-2010s classics like Big Chungus and Nyan Cat—trading chaos for nostalgia. Platforms like TikTok championed the movement; even Jack Dorsey rebooted Vine as “diVine,” nostalgic and non‑AI.(wired.com) Whether earnest or ironic, the Reset signaled growing fatigue with meaningless trends and a craving for shared, coherent humor.
Summary Table: Meme Highlights of 2025
| Meme Type | Examples | Why It Mattered |
|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| Nonsense supernova | “6‑7” / 67 Kid | Absurdity and simplicity turned into shared language |
| AI surrealism | Italian Brainrot, Ballerina Cappuccina | AI chaos as comedic art |
| Visual oddities | Eye of Rah | Misleading, uncanny imagery for creative remixing |
| Random energy | Chickawagga! | Raw spontaneity as viral fuel |
| Collectible craze | Labubu | Toy hype meets meme culture |
| Wholesome nostalgia | Zoom Grandma, “404 Social Life,” NPC, Wrong Camera | Familiarity + modern context = wide relatability |
| Pop culture moments | Jon Hamm dancing, Super Bowl Lamar, Bollywood memes, Kiss-cam panic | Real moments amplified online |
| Nostalgic backlash | Great Meme Reset | Meme culture seeking its roots |
Conclusion
2025's meme landscape was wildly varied—ranging from meaningless numbers to AI‑spawned creatures, from political surprises to toddler outbursts. What ties them together is a craving for rawness, humor that’s strange or oddly touching, and the fleeting unity of laughing at something nobody truly understands. As digital culture accelerates, memes become both mirrors and experiments—reflecting our collective mood while pushing its edges. The Great Meme Reset foreshadows what might come next: nostalgia-led clarity in a world still chasing the next delightful absurdity.
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