10 Most Retweeted Tweets: Discover the Top Viral Moments

most retweeted tweet

Table of Contents

The most retweeted tweet isn’t just internet fame it’s a digital snapshot of what moves people across the world. From emotional tributes to hilarious challenges, these viral tweets reflect what we care about, laugh at, or rally behind.

We’re diving into the top 10 tweets that earned million retweets, broke records, and sparked major conversations online.

Some came from celebrities. Others? Just regular folks with the right words at the right time.

Let’s scroll through the moments that took over Twitter and find out what makes a retweeted tweet stick in everyone’s feed.

Key Takeaways

  • The most retweeted tweet ever came from Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, proving that simple giveaways can go massively viral.
  • Viral tweets often share common traits: emotion, humor, fan support, or perfect timing not just follower count.
  • You can use Twitter’s advanced search to find high-performing tweets by filtering keywords, accounts, and retweet numbers.
  • Whether it’s a selfie, a joke, or a tribute, one tweet can reach millions sometimes from an everyday user, not just celebrities.

What Makes a Tweet Go Viral?

retweeted tweet

Before we break down the most retweeted tweet ever, it helps to understand what makes something go viral on Twitter. It’s rarely random. Most viral moments follow patterns we can track using Twitter analytics and engagement metrics.

A retweeted tweet spreads fast when it hits one of three buttons: it’s funny, emotional, or tied to something bigger than itself.

Sometimes it’s a celebrity moment. Other times, like with free chicken nuggets or a heartfelt posthumous tweet, the tweet becomes a symbol.

Tweets that reach million retweets don’t just come from having lots of Twitter followers. Often, it’s a simple message with perfect timing.

The more relatable or surprising it is, the better chance it has to climb into the ranks of the most retweets in Twitter history.

Even now, people still use advanced search to find old viral moments and analyze how they exploded. That’s why we say: that every retweeted tweet tells a story and some of them tell it to millions.

The Viral Numbers Behind the Most Retweeted Tweet

Reaching the most retweeted tweet status means breaking into the millions. Right now, it takes over 3 million retweets to land among the top tweets.

Thanks to Twitter analytics, we know these viral hits aren’t random. Some are emotional, like a powerful posthumous tweet, while others like the chicken nuggets challenge ride on humor.

With tools like advanced search and public retweet count stats, we can trace exactly how each retweeted tweet earned its spot.

So, who holds the most RTs ever? Let’s take a look at the tweets that made Twitter history.

Top 10 Tweets with the Most Retweets Ever

retweet count

Before we dive into each tweet’s story, here’s a snapshot of the top tweets with the most retweets in Twitter history. You can look up any of these using advanced search or by visiting the original Twitter profile.

Rank

Tweet Author

Tweet Content (Short Summary)

Retweet Count

Twitter Handle

1

Yusaku Maezawa

Giveaway to 100 random followers (10M yen each)

3.8M

@yousuck2020

2

MrBeast

Giving $25,000 each to 10 random people who repost & follow

3.5M

@MrBeast

3

Yusaku Maezawa

New Year giveaway of 1M yen to 1,000 followers

3.2M

@yousuck2020

4

Carter Wilkerson

“HELP ME PLEASE. A MAN NEEDS HIS NUGGS”

3.1M

@carterjwm

5

Chadwick Boseman’s Team

Posthumous tweet announcing his death

2.9M

@chadwickboseman

6

Ellen DeGeneres

Oscar selfie tweet

2.9M

@TheEllenShow

7

Louis Tomlinson

“Always in my heart @Harry_Styles. Yours sincerely, Louis”

2.8M

@Louis_Tomlinson

8

Hikakin

Giveaway of iPhone 13s to 103 winners

1.8M

@hikakin

9

Jungkook (BTS)

A tweet saying “Never Not 💜”

1.7M

@BTS_twt

10

El Rubius

One word tweet: “LIMONADA 🥤”

1.6M

@Rubiu5

These are the most retweeted tweets ever recorded. Many passed the million retweets mark with ease and each shows how simple ideas, emotional timing, or fan power can lead to record-breaking numbers.

Now, let’s explore what made each retweeted tweet iconic and how they reached the top. You can even use advanced search to check their full retweet count and original replies.

1. Yusaku Maezawa’s Billion-Yen Giveaway

Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa tops the list with a tweet offering 1 million yen to 100 random people. The simplicity of the offer just repost and follow drove 3.8 million retweets. It was a masterclass in going viral: massive reward, no gimmicks, just direct generosity.

2. MrBeast’s $250,000 Twitter Stunt

YouTube star MrBeast promised $25,000 each to 10 random followers who reposted his tweet. With clear instructions and a ticking 72-hour deadline, the post surged to 3.5 million retweets, proving that cash giveaways still dominate social media.

3. Another Giveaway from Maezawa

Maezawa appears again, this time with a New Year-themed tweet offering 1 million yen to 1,000 people. It picked up 3.2 million retweets, showing that his fanbase eagerly watches these spontaneous bursts of generosity.

4. Carter Wilkerson’s Nugget Dream

In a now-legendary tweet, Carter Wilkerson pleaded with Wendy’s for free chicken nuggets. Their challenge? 18 million retweets. He didn’t hit that, but still racked up 3.1 million retweets, making him a viral underdog success story.

5. Chadwick Boseman’s Final Message

The heartbreaking tweet announcing Chadwick Boseman’s death touched millions worldwide. With no agenda beyond sharing the truth, it gathered 2.9 million retweets, making it one of the most emotional posts ever shared online.

6. Ellen’s Oscars Selfie That Broke Twitter

Ellen DeGeneres took a group selfie with Hollywood’s elite at the Oscars and shared it on Twitter. The mix of spontaneity and stardom helped it hit 2.9 million retweets, once holding the title for the most retweeted tweet.

7. Louis Tomlinson’s Nod to Harry Styles

After One Direction’s split, Louis Tomlinson tweeted, “Always in my heart @Harry_Styles. Yours sincerely, Louis.” Fans rushed in, pushing it to 2.8 million retweets. A simple sentiment that still resonates in pop culture.

8. Hikakin’s iPhone Giveaway Bonanza

Japanese YouTuber Hikakin launched a tweet giveaway of 103 iPhones, attracting a wave of responses. It soared to 1.8 million retweets, powered by hype, timing, and a huge follower base.

9. Jungkook’s “Never Not” Tweet

Jungkook, a member of BTS, tweeted just two words: “Never Not 💜.” That was enough to earn 1.7 million retweets. No photo, no promo just a short, sweet post amplified by the BTS ARMY.

10. El Rubius’ “Limonada”

Sometimes, nonsense wins. Spanish YouTuber El Rubius tweeted just one-word “LIMONADA” and it snowballed into 1.6 million retweets. Proof that humor and randomness can still break the algorithm.

What the Most Retweeted Tweets Have in Common

million retweets

Looking at each tweet on this list, it’s clear they didn’t go viral by accident. The most retweeted tweet wasn’t even in English and it still exploded.

So, what’s the secret?

First, simplicity works. The original tweet from Yusaku Maezawa, a Japanese billionaire, only offered money. No video. No thread. Just clear intent.

Second, emotion matters. A posthumous tweet like Chadwick Boseman’s didn’t just trend it became the most-liked tweet ever on Twitter. People connected with it instantly.

Third, fandoms are powerful. From BTS fandom to Directioners, the K-pop world and boy band fans proved they can push the number of retweets into the millions.

And finally, timing and randomness both play a role. A random joke from a Japanese YouTuber or a nostalgic jab from a Hollywood actor like Brad Pitt, Macaulay Culkin still has the potential to spread especially when other users start jumping in.

If we used search results or Twitter advanced search, we’d find hundreds of near-viral tweets. But the ones that made this list? They hit the sweet spot: timing, relatability, and just the right amount of magic.

Why the Most Retweeted Tweet Still Matters Today

In a platform constantly shifting, the most retweeted tweet still means something. It reflects what people care about enough to share fast, and at scale.

While likes show support, retweets spread a message. That’s why a posthumous tweet like Chadwick Boseman’s didn’t just become the most liked tweet but also landed among the highest number of retweets on Twitter.

Retweeting is about action. Whether it’s Yusaku Maezawa giving away million yen or a Japanese YouTuber like Hikakin posting a funny clip, sharing a tweet puts it in front of other users, instantly multiplying its reach.

Even world leaders like Obama have had viral moments that people passed around for inspiration. From YouTube video links to emotional tributes, what spreads on Twitter often ends up in global headlines.

So, while tweets come and go, the ones with millions of shares still carry weight. They’re more than numbers they’re digital milestones.

How to Find Viral Tweets Using Advanced Search

twitter analytics

If you’ve ever wanted to track down the most retweeted tweet or browse hidden viral gems, Twitter’s advanced search makes it super easy.

You don’t need special tools just a few filters can take you straight to the top. Whether you’re looking for a Japanese YouTuber like Hikakin, a trending topic, or a celebrity selfie, here’s how to search like a pro:

What You Can Filter with Advanced Search:

  • Exact words or phrases used in a tweet
  • Username or Twitter handle (like @yousuck2020 for Yusaku Maezawa)
  • Date range (to find old tweets from specific periods)
  • Minimum number of retweets or likes
  • Tweets with media (images, videos, or links to a YouTube video)
  • Tweets in specific languages

Let’s say you want to revisit the most retweeted tweet from BTS or Carter’s chicken nuggets moment. Just set the filters, and the Twitter search engine does the rest.

It’s a simple way to explore Twitter history and keep up with what everyone else was sharing before the news even picked it up.

Conclusion

The most retweeted tweet isn’t just a viral moment it’s a snapshot of what people connect with. From giveaways to heartfelt tributes, these tweets spread fast because they hit something real.

They didn’t rely on perfect timing alone. Simplicity, emotion, or humor helped push them into millions of feeds.

Whether it came from a Japanese billionaire, a global pop group, or a teenager craving nuggets, each one made history in its own way.

And tomorrow? The next retweeted tweet could be from anyone including you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most retweeted tweet?

The most retweeted tweet of all time belongs to Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa. In it, he offered to give away 1 million yen each to 100 random Twitter users who followed him and retweeted the post.

The simplicity of the tweet and the real money involved helped it spread fast, reaching over 4 million retweets. It’s a perfect example of how one tweet can turn into a worldwide phenomenon almost overnight.

What is the number 1 tweet of all time?

The number one tweet is Maezawa’s cash giveaway, and no other post has come close in terms of Twitter shares. All he did was offer a million yen to 100 lucky people, and the internet did the rest.

It didn’t involve any flashy images or even a YouTube video. Just one tweet, written in Japanese, became the most shared post ever proving that generosity and timing still rule social media.

What have been the 3 most retweeted posts ever?

At the top is Yusaku Maezawa’s tweet about giving away a million yen. Second is Chadwick Boseman’s posthumous tweet, a powerful message shared after his death from colon cancer, which deeply moved the world.

Third is Carter Wilkerson’s fun challenge to get free chicken nuggets from Wendy’s.

All three tweets went viral for totally different reasons one sparked hope, one shared grief, and one just made people laugh. Together, they show how diverse viral content on Twitter can be.

What is the most liked tweet in India?

The most liked tweet in India often changes, but posts from national icons and leaders usually take the lead. Tweets celebrating cricket wins, national achievements, or heartfelt tributes gather millions of likes.

While not quite at most retweeted tweet levels, these posts show how powerful Twitter is across different cultures.

Some viral tweets from South Korea have also followed a similar pattern, showing how emotion, pride, and timing matter more than language or borders.

Darko Petkov is a passionate content writer who believes in the power of words to inspire and inform. With a background in HR and a flair for storytelling, he creates content that captures attention and drives results. Darko’s work spans across blogs, websites, and social media, where he helps brands find their unique voice and connect with the right readers.