Most Viewed YouTube Videos in the First 24 Hours: Top 10 (2026)

Every year, a few YouTube premieres turn into worldwide events within hours. From K-pop music videos to blockbuster game trailers, millions of people rush to be the first to watch, like, and share. The biggest of these launches break records and make headlines, and they show how large and organized global fandoms have become.

The videos with the most views in 24 hours have one thing in common: a huge audience waiting for them at the moment of release. Whether it’s BTS with another hit, Blackpink with a new visual concept, or Rockstar Games with a long-awaited trailer, each one shows how fast content can travel.

Here’s the updated list of the top 10 most-viewed YouTube videos in the first 24 hours, as of 2026, and the stories behind their success.

1. Butter by BTS (108.2M views)

Released in May 2021, Butter still holds the record as the most-viewed video in YouTube’s history within the first 24 hours. It reached 108.2 million views in just one day, beating the 101.1 million record set by Dynamite. The sleek black-and-white opening turns into colorful dance sequences, showing BTS at their peak with unforgettable choreography.

2. Dynamite by BTS (101.1M views)

When Dynamite dropped in August 2020, it was BTS’s first English-language single. It pulled in 101.1 million views in its first 24 hours, driven by disco-pop energy, retro sets, and nods to legends like The Beatles and Michael Jackson. The playful choreography and feel-good message made it a worldwide anthem during a difficult year.

3. Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 1 (~90.4M views)

In December 2023, Rockstar Games released the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI. Fans had been waiting over a decade for the next installment, and the trailer drew about 90.4 million views in 24 hours, making it the most-viewed non-music video in YouTube history over that period. It revealed a Vice City-inspired setting and new protagonists, and it dominated gaming and mainstream news for days.

4. Pink Venom by Blackpink (90.4M views)

Released in August 2022, Pink Venom reached 90.4 million views in its first 24 hours. It became Blackpink’s biggest 24-hour debut, passing the group’s own How You Like That. The video opens with the sound of the geomungo, a traditional Korean string instrument, and its release was paired with a #PinkVenomChallenge on YouTube Shorts.

5. How You Like That by Blackpink (86.3M views)

Blackpink’s How You Like That, released in June 2020, reached 86.3 million views within the first day. With cinematic visuals that move from icy landscapes to neon jungles, the video shows the group’s range. The fierce choreography and powerful lyrics quickly made it a viral hit.

6. Ice Cream by Blackpink ft. Selena Gomez (79.0M views)

Ice Cream, the playful collaboration between Blackpink and Selena Gomez, premiered in August 2020 and collected 79.0 million views in its first day. With pastel outfits, ice cream trucks, and candy-colored sets, it became a summer anthem. The easy chemistry between Gomez and the group gave fans a reason to replay it.

7. Boy With Luv by BTS ft. Halsey (74.6M views)

In April 2019, BTS teamed up with Halsey for Boy With Luv, which scored 74.6 million views in 24 hours. The video’s pastel color palette, retro styling, and grand set designs gave fans both nostalgia and energy. The collaboration brought K-pop and Western pop together at a scale not seen before, and it remains one of BTS’s best-known releases.

8. Lalisa by Lisa (73.6M views)

Lisa’s solo debut, Lalisa, released in September 2021, reached 73.6 million views in a single day. The video showed her charisma through multiple outfits, including a striking Thai-inspired ensemble with a throne scene. It confirmed Lisa as a global solo star while keeping Blackpink’s fans just as engaged.

9. Permission to Dance by BTS (72.3M views)

Released in July 2021, Permission to Dance opened to 72.3 million views in 24 hours. The video is remembered for its uplifting message, bright visuals, and choreography that uses international sign language, a detail that connected with fans around the world.

10. Life Goes On by BTS (71.6M views)

Released in November 2020, Life Goes On reached 71.6 million views in 24 hours. Unlike the high-energy style of many BTS videos, this one is quiet and reflective. Scenes of the group relaxing, driving, and performing in an empty stadium spoke to fans living through the uncertainty of the pandemic.

What These Records Tell Us

This list counts views of each video’s official YouTube upload only, in the first 24 hours after release.

The top 10 most-viewed videos in 24 hours share a few common traits:

• They are backed by massive fanbases eager to stream at release. A big follower count turns into first-day views only when those fans press play, which is what the views vs followers question is about.
• They use teasers, countdowns, and marketing to build anticipation. For a smaller channel, the lesson on how to be successful on YouTube is the same: give viewers a reason to show up on release day.
• They have replayable visuals and choreography that encourage repeat views.

These records cover more than music, from game trailers to global pop stars. In every case, the first-day numbers come from people watching, rewatching, and sharing at the same time. Smaller channels can use the same early push: buying YouTube views gives a new upload a visible start, so it has a better chance of being picked up by viewers and recommendations in its first hours.

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