Reddit’s upvote system has transformed the platform into a cultural barometer, where communities rally behind posts that resonate with humor, shock, or collective action.
Over 1.7 billion registered users and 1 billion monthly active participants have propelled content to unprecedented heights, with upvotes serving as the ultimate metric of virality.
This report analyzes the 12 most upvoted posts in Reddit’s history, examining their origins, cultural impact, and the subreddits that amplified them.
Top 20 Most Upvoted Reddit Posts of All Time
1. $GME GO BRRR (r/wallstreetbets)
With 492K+ upvotes and a 99% approval rate, this post epitomizes the GameStop stock frenzy of 2021.
A user purchased a billboard in Times Square featuring the meme “$GME GO BRRR,” referencing GameStop’s ticker symbol ($GME) and the “brrr” onomatopoeia for money printing.
The post became a rallying cry for retail investors challenging hedge funds during the short squeeze, blending financial rebellion with internet humor.
Its success underscored Reddit’s influence on real-world markets and the power of collective action in niche communities.
2. Rick Astley Rides a Bike (r/pics)
Posted by Rick Astley himself in 2020, this 439k-upvote post features a throwback photo of the “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer cycling during his 1989 tour.
The image combined nostalgia with Reddit’s love for celebrity engagement, sparking thousands of “Rickroll” jokes in the comments. Astley’s active participation in the thread, including witty replies, solidified the post’s status as a meta-commentary on internet culture.
3. The Senate (r/movies)
A 439k-upvote post urged users to upvote an image of Star Wars’ Chancellor Palpatine to make it the top result for The Senate.
Though the effort failed, the post’s irony-comparing a fictional dictator to the U.S. Senate-resonated with political satire enthusiasts.
It also highlighted Reddit’s potential for coordinated campaigns, even in non-political subreddits like r/movies.
As of 2025, the image in this post was removed, but the post is still live.
4. NYC Taxi Drivers Calendar (r/funny)
This 300k+ upvoted post showcased a parody calendar featuring New York City taxi drivers posing in absurd scenarios, earning widespread acclaim for its creativity.
The calendar’s humor relied on juxtaposing gruff taxi drivers with whimsical themes, such as a “February: Love on the Meter” photo shoot.
5. Showing a Game You Mastered to Someone You Care About (r/gaming)
This post gained incredible traction with its relatable humor about guiding friends through gaming adventures! Everyone’s faced that moment when you’re trying to help a newbie figure out the controls, all while reminiscing about your own gaming journey.
The mix of nostalgia and laughter struck a chord, prompting a flood of 270k+ upvotes and a sense of community! It’s a celebration of the joys and struggles we all share as gamers!
6. All News Anchors Say the Same Thing (r/videos)
A montage of news reporters using identical phrases such as “this is extremely dangerous to our democracy”. The video’s seamless editing and sharp commentary attracted over 300,000 upvotes, sparking debates about journalistic integrity. It remains a staple in media studies discussions on Reddit.
7. Thirsty Frog Takes a Bath (r/aww)
A viral video of a frog sipping water from a leaf combined cuteness with unintentional comedy, amassing 339k+ upvotes. The post’s simplicity underscored r/aww’s dominance in feel-good content, while commenters debated whether the frog’s behavior was natural or staged.
8. Battle for Net Neutrality (r/books)
With 181,000 upvotes, this 2017 post urged users to oppose legislation allowing ISPs to throttle access to eBooks. Framed as a defense of free knowledge, it exemplified how subreddits like r/books could mobilize for political causes.
The campaign’s mixed success—net neutrality was repealed but later reinstated in parts, reflected Reddit’s complex role in activism.
9. Deangelo Juggles Balls for Real (r/DunderMifflin)
A clip of The Office’s Deangelo Vickers (Will Ferrell) juggling in Season 7 became a surprise hit, earning 181k+ upvotes. Fans praised Ferrell’s physical comedy, while others debated whether the character’s short arc deserved more screen time.
The post highlighted r/DunderMifflin’s enduring love for deep-cut references.
10. Brave Soldier Buried Amongst His Devoted Troops (r/todayilearned)
This historical anecdote about a WWI soldier buried with his regiment earned 161k upvotes for its emotional weight.
Commenters shared similar stories of wartime loyalty, transforming the post into a memorial thread.
Its popularity revealed Reddit’s appetite for poignant, lesser-known history.
11. Barack Obama’s AMA (r/IAmA)
The former president’s 2012 Ask Me Anything session remains a landmark post, with 216,000 upvotes.
Obama answered questions on healthcare, education, and even his favorite basketball player, blending policy insights with personal anecdotes.
The AMA set a precedent for celebrity and political engagement on Reddit, though later AMAs rarely matched its authenticity.
12. Test Post Please Ignore (Historic)
One of Reddit’s oldest viral posts, this literal test post from 2008 earned fame through ironic upvotes. Users embraced its absurdity, turning it into a meme about Reddit’s in-jokes. While later surpassed in upvotes, it remains a cultural touchstone for longtime users.
The most upvoted Reddit posts share common traits: humor, relatability, and often a touch of absurdity. From stock market rebellions to nostalgic celebrity posts, these viral moments reflect broader societal trends and the platform’s evolving identity. As Reddit grows, its top posts will continue to serve as time capsules of internet culture, where earnestness and irony coexist in perfect balance.
