The Best TikTok Videos Of 2021
TikTok users @dutchdeccc, @mimi_thefunnyone, @zo3tv and @ohheyadam provided so much comic relief. (Photo: Illustration: Isabella Carapella/HuffPost; Photos: TikTok users @dutchdeccc, @mimi_thefunnyone, @zo3tv and @ohheyadam)
By now, you can already tell I spend way too much time on TikTok. Yes, I’m one of probably millions of users who downloaded the app out of boredom early on in the pandemic. More than a year later, I’m still falling asleep with my phone in my hand, with some earworm sound on repeat. BING BONG.
Naturally, I liked hundreds of TikTok videos in 2021, shared many of them to my Instagram stories and with friends in all my group text message threads. So here is a well-rounded compilation of a huge handful of my favorites (don’t worry, I spared you all the workout and cleaning videos, makeup tutorials, and most of the recipes). These videos are mostly funny and relatable — the perfect antidote to a wild and sometimes rocky year.
January
This cat knows a hit when he hears it:
@fluffsquad Straight vibin (via: @chloebrickell2 ) #catsoftiktok#cats#petsoftiktok#fyp#justcatthings
♬ original sound - Fluff Squad
When it’s been 21 years into the new millennium and you suddenly feel old as hell:
@theboxdad But for real 💙😊💙 #winetime
♬ original sound - Joey Mayberry
Sometimes you have to listen just a little more closely:
@jax.tilo Accurate description of my life 😴 #introvert#extrovert#sleepyhead
♬ Into resting - Josh Mullen
Sometimes DIY projects are not worth the pain:
@prettyb.eeeee Part 4 : Behind the scenes of my mom waxing my armpits . 😫 I don’t like that lil laugh she did at the end !!!! She was having way too much fun .😫💔
♬ original sound - prettyb.eeeee
When we needed to laugh to keep from screaming and crying about the insurrection:
This tortilla trick was one of the best hacks of the year:
@moribyan Tortilla wrap but Taco Bell Crunchwrap Edition! #TortillaTrend#Homemade#tacobell#doritos#fyp#foryou
♬ Roxanne - Instrumental - Califa Azul
Ellen Pompeo may be ready to throw in the towel, but this “Grey’s Anatomy” moment will live on forever:
@speaking_of_michy #stitch with @chloaymay ICONIC!! #meredithgrey#greysanatomy#shesaidwhatshesaid🗣#period#fyp
♬ original sound - Take.care
Kris Jenner is usually two steps ahead of us all:
@sassyycassidy1998 It’s a trap and we all played into it #kanyewest#krisjenner#kuwtk#LiftandSnatchBrow#ignoremyagressivetan
♬ original sound - Cassjeanelle
A new version of the Slip ’n Slide:
@lilloafygirl PLS I CANNOT #ZodiacSign#2021Affirmations#SkinCare101#bestfriend#hiking#canada#canadian#hahaha#fyp#foryou#foryoupage#texttospeech
♬ Elevator Music - Bohoman
When we stanned Michelle Obama once again:
@bjfromtheburbs.pt2 CMON MADAM MICHELLEEEE 😭😍🔥
♬ original sound - BJFROMTHEBURBS 🏡
When you gotta convince yourself that this will be your day:
@lovemilanmarie1 When everyday is your day! Wake up and say this to yourself and I promise you will feel good #thisismyday#singingtoddler#leavemealone
♬ original sound - Milly from Philly
But then you gotta convince everyone to leave you alone:
@lovemilanmarie1 All 2021 Stay out my face 😂😂😂
♬ original sound - Milly from Philly
February
When you remember self-love is the most important love:
If you’re on TikTok, this was in your head for at least 17 hours this year:
@ahsiajanae Reply to @mayaprothro3 SAY LESSSS 💓
♬ A BOOKIE BOOKIE BOOP Bankhead voice - Ahsia Janaé
This song about Mesopotamia has no right being this catchy:
@thejacks meet me in the fertile crescent #band#singer#newsong#drummer#fyp#loveyourinsecurities
♬ original sound - THE JACKS
March
An analysis of why we didn’t love Matt James’ season of “The Bachelor”:
@morganptalks The tell all was telling. #thebachelor#morganpw#bachelornationabc
♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
When we all remembered we don’t really like Prince Charles:
@kaylamarie033_ tbh I never really got off the hate train I just kinda forgot about him for a sec #meghanmarkle#princeharry#oprahinterview#princessdiana
♬ original sound - kaylamarie033
When y’all were obsessed with “nature’s cereal”:
@zo3tv #MyMajor#tasteBuds#inTheBack of #MyTongue#not#feelingThis#natureCereal#coconutWater#nature#dude#usedToIt#he#outside#everyday#mixingShit
♬ original sound - Zolo
This sound had a hold on us all:
@ohheyadam A day in the life when a TikTok sound invades your workday. #wfh#over30#millennial#tiktokaddict#morningroutine
♬ A BOOKIE BOOKIE BOOP Bankhead voice - Ahsia Janaé
Sometimes you need help calming down:
@overtime His older brother really held him down 🤞 #love#brother#cute#family#shoutoutot (via ashleyoutloud/TW)
♬ original sound - Overtime
Who else is tired of washing dishes?
@ayeethats.suavee As my momma would say “depress them dishes”🙄 #fyp#foryou#comedy#trending#relatable#fypシ#xyzbca
♬ original sound - Cardi B Fan Account
Because kids won’t let you get away with anything:
@sierrarenaeee omgggg 😂😂😂
♬ original sound - SIERRA✨
Sometimes TLC via Maya Angelou is exactly what you need:
@emmanuelreddish Reply to @neverjen No Scrubs. Period. #fyp#mayaangelou#tlc#lyrics#music#women#men#scrubs#foryoupage#PlantersTrickShot#RayBanElevatorDance
♬ original sound - Emmanuel Reddish
When you need to convince everyone that Selena is life:
@thekabsfamily I told Mali I could speak 12 languages 😂👀 I guess I wasn’t ready for the test lol Part 2 #thekabsfamily#Fyp#fatheranddaughter
♬ original sound - The Kabs Family
The best explanation for how mRNA vaccines work:
@hotvickkrishna How the mRNA Vaccine 💉 works #fyp#comedy#skit#covid19#mrna#coronavirus#vaccine#howitworks
♬ original sound - hotvickkrishna
April
When your doctor makes house calls:
@thehannafamily_ Dr. Harmony making house calls #harmonysworld#toddlersoftiktok#funnytoddler
♬ original sound - Harmony’s World
When you thought you were giving up “Law & Order: SVU” after summer 2020:
@asha.recaps fun fact: I thought TARU was an actual person for the longest #lawandordersvu#elliotstabler#criminalminds#drspencerreid#acab#simp#xyz
♬ Mrs. Officer - Lil Wayne
Thank you for the help!
@southerngal51 derekchauvin. #georgefloyd torture,murder
♬ original sound - Michelle Campos
When we stan Ina Garten:
@heymisskelsey I live vicariously through this woman #barefootcontessa#inagarten#foodnetwork#cookingtiktok#early2000s
♬ Elevator Music - Bohoman
When you won’t stand for “Grey’s Anatomy” slander:
When happy hour is any hour:
@ubuibme This is getting outta hand
♬ Its me again - Auntie
May
Hot girl summer? Let’s go longer.
When you’re sick of living through historical events:
@aliyah.tianna But, I have a full tank #fyp#skincare#healthyskin#gasshortage
♬ original sound - Aliyah
When time is money:
@theyeeetbaby Money is the only language I speak 😌💸
♬ original sound - Marleigh and Chris
June
This trend of guessing boyfriend names was too funny:
@brenley #stitch with @gene.noble
♬ original sound - Brenley
Immaculate vibes; no notes:
The cutest face ever singing one of the most popular sounds on TikTok:
@boopsalot Into the thick of it 🙈🥰#thebackyardians#intothethickofit#toddler#singingtoddler#toddlers
♬ original sound - Boopsalot
This is the kind of love I’m looking for:
@curltalk.honestea I love the fun we have 😍 So glad those boobs are gone lol #blacklove#marriage#husband#rain#blackmarrige
♬ original sound - fourwashington
Hard to pick just one video from this comedian:
@janewickline Forehead game
♬ original sound - Jane Wickline
July
Because dancing babies are the best:
We all have gotten pretty good at multitasking during the pandemic:
@nandizzzy Multitasking is my greatest strength 😆 #fyp#comedy#xyzbca#foryou#pandemic#panorama
♬ Bitch You Doin A Good Job - Destini Ann
When treat yo’ self goes too far:
@sammyfightmaster Vicious cycle #fyp#consequences#relatable#treatyourself#ClearGenius#XfinityFanthem
♬ well if it isnt the consequences of my own actions - farts in your mouth
The best explanation to convince you to get vaxxed:
@drewcomments Why I Took The Vaccine 💉 #DrewComments#covidvaccine#vaccine#Moderna#KamalaHarris
♬ original sound - Drew Comments
Whew, relatable for all my singles out there:
@mikestephens63 I got caught in the rain before filming this #dontflop#fypシ#foryou
♬ original sound - Bryan Riel
Did we all reach this broke breaking point over the summer?
@emilyflorenceviuh Respectfully, leave me at home pls and thank you 🙏🏼
♬ original sound - Emily Florence Viuhk
The most accurate representation of this year unfolding:
@esmeylove It be like that. #pandemicbaby#UltaSkinTok#viral#babyfunny#ohno#2021#fyp
♬ original sound - Esmey Parra
Still can’t believe this was actually a trend this year:
One of the most relaxing crowd-sourced TikTok sounds:
@felixgabrielmusic Reply to @kimbokak THANK U GUYS FOR ALL THE LOVE, WASNTING EXPECTING TO WAKE UP TO THIS BUT TY #piano#catsoftiktok#music
♬ Here Comes the Boy - Felix Gabriel
August
Return of the mask, part 143:
@jillwinkler My fiancé came up with this idea #cdc#covid#returnofthemask#masks#california#viral
♬ Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison
September
A cute puppy moment:
October
This fall salad is the truth:
@lahbco all I have to say is MAKE THIS SALAD PLS #harvestbowl#sweetgreen#salad#tempeh#miso#foodtiktok
♬ Fall Sounds - Lofee
We all need Abby in our lives:
@alongcameabby Smile Lines Poppin #foryoupage#smile#cute#feelinggood
♬ original sound - Along Came Abby
Another precious dancing baby:
@therealnikkireneebackup Wobble baby literally😂😂 #HowIBathAndBodyWorks#getitgirl#ThatCloseMessenger#aejeanshavefun#ChimeHasYourBack @therealnikkirenee
♬ Wobble - V.I.C.
Perhaps the most New York City moment ever:
@dutchdeccc real new yorkers go back for their donuts #nyc#newyorkers#gaystorytime
♬ original sound - Dutch
Yes, I’m obsessed with babies pouring but mostly spilling things:
@sailorkinsley After watching @wren.eleanor Sailor’s POV: I did a good job?😂 #pouring#fyp#fypシ#TargetHalloween#babiesoftiktok#MakeItCinematic#viral
♬ original sound - Baby S A I L O R🌻
Working, sleeping, minding my business, the keys to life:
@crownmecutie Working or sleeping…or minding my business Lmaoo
♬ Working and sleepin - CrownMeCutie
A truly iconic duo:
@lizzo Or this one?
♬ helllp the killer is ey scape ing - abi
Shout out to Keke Palmer for an explainer on that iconic moment at the Met Gala AND her “Titanic” comments:
@entertainmenttonight Our hearts can go on now that @KeekthaSneak made peace with Kate Winslet. 😌🙏 #Titanic#KekePalmer
♬ original sound - Entertainment Tonight
We love a confident little Black girl:
@thomasfamily101 Thank you ☺️ #AFRO#SamsClubScanAndGo#imsohappy#babiesoftiktok#toddlertok#itsanafro#fypシ#foryou#duetwithme
♬ original sound - cassidy_brianna
This french fry tutorial is so timely, since we all have air fryers now:
@thrivingrecipes Can you make a good French Fry in the air fryer? (By @prohomecooks) #recipes#airfryer#fries
♬ original sound - Thriving Recipes
November
There’s almost no in between:
@loewhaley both are considered ✨meets expectations✨ #wfh#corporate#millennial#worklife
♬ vibe for this year - joseph fagundes
You never know when you might need a coin purse!
@shopaif Road trip shenanigans 😫 #roadtrip#marriedcouple#lgbttiktok#lgbtcouples#gasstation#prizes#marriedlife
♬ original sound - RaeShanda Lias-Lockhart
One of the best feelings:
@lea_toshiye do me a favor and just don’t invite me 😬 #JustDanceWithCamila#artsandcrafts#relationships#productivity#selfcare#introvert#anxiety#rnbvibes
♬ original sound - Justine🦋✨ - Justine🇵🇭🦋
Don’t even try to explain it to me!
No help from the toddler in this one:
Open enrollment always gets the best of us:
The new dance challenge that I promise I will learn but I won’t:
@mimi_thefunnyone You’re welcome 😏 DC @dreyamac #fyp#foryoupage#foryou
♬ original sound - mimi_thefunnyone
’Cause it was always going to be a slim Christmas this year:
@dannytallen It’s called self love Susan #fyp#fypage#christmas#selflove#gifts
♬ original sound - Danny Allen
A pep talk we can all use right now:
@tessa.conway smiley face
♬ original sound - Tessa Conway
And we are ready for you, 2022!
@corporatesupervisor Not playing games this year. #wfh#work#workfromhome#DoTheJuJu#corporate#9to5#business#millennial#fyp#foryoupage
♬ original sound - Stephy Says 💋
Jillian Capewell contributed to this list.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.