21 Of The Most Amazing Mannequin Challenges
Lately, it seems we've all been stopped in our tracks by the latest internet sensation to hit social media platforms. From Twitter to Instagram, short, medium, and long length videos consisting of frozen folks have been popping up everywhere. For those not in the know, the Mannequin Challenge is a hashtag that started just this year, in early 2016. In the spirit of department store displays, weird horror movies, and other viral dances like the Harlem Shake, the Mannequin Challenge consists of a group of people freezing in the middle of an action. While some videos come off as creepy, some are hilarious and have taken the artistry of it to a new level. This list compiles 21 of the best-ever Mannequin Challenges into one compact article. From the most hilarious to the most daring, watch as all these different groups, from musicians to sports stars, tackle the challenge of freeze-framing under pressure.
21 Hillary Clinton
Don't stand still. Vote today: https://t.co/jfd3CXLD1s #ElectionDay #MannequinChallenge pic.twitter.com/4KAv2zu0rd
- Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 8, 2016
Hillary is giving Michelle Obama, who appears later on in this list, a run for her money in this viral video challenge. The importance of taking part in your country's democratic system is essential if only to back up the saying that “if you don't vote, you don't get to complain”. Hillary Clinton is taking a stand, literally, against people who refuse to get out there to the polling stations. Her video is cute, taking place with all of her campaign managers, friends, and other support systems during her run. The twist? She's on an airplane! Moving along the campaign trail doesn't mean she's not up to date on the latest viral trends. In fact, it gives her the unique position to take up some really interesting positions in crazy places. Thank you for using the Mannequin Challenge trend to send a political message, Hillary! That's a great example of using social media for the greater good.
20 Destiny's Child
🎈🎉🎂
A post shared by Kelly Rowland (@kellyrowland) on Nov 7, 2016 at 9:13am PST
These amazing ladies pop up in the news only for the most important reasons. And the Mannequin Challenge is one of them! Gracing us with their combined force of artistic power, this trio of awesome brought even more cool to the table when they opted into this viral video challenge. The ladies decided to get together originally for the celebration of Kelly Rowland's son. His second birthday was a great excuse for them all to get together, but the group quickly turned to more rambunctious activities. The women have made a hilarious video featuring play balls, long balloons, and Rowland's son's play room. Gorgeous, funny, and incredibly well shot, this short video is awe-inspiring if only because of the brilliance combined in it. The women look gorgeous, in casual clothing that screams “2nd birthday party” chic. They're so still it's hard to believe they aren't department store dolls brought to life.
19 The New York Giants
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! #MannequinChallenge #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/vxRhjdXICZ
- New York Giants (@Giants) November 6, 2016
Kicking off our sports team participants, these guys truly embraced the spirit of the challenge. Taking the simple approach, they gave us an intimate view into their locker room. This makes this video more like a diary entry, or a still from a documentary. It's fascinating to see how they all prepare, and to see the sheer amount of people that can fit in that room! Of course, because of the competitive nature of sports, they aren't the only team that has embraced this challenge. As one of the first ones, they had an advantage, quickly gaining viewership and likes. They'll be hard-pressed to keep up with the rest of the videos on this list, though, as playing it safe can only get you so far. The sports team up next beat them, we think, with a video filmed completely up in the air. See for yourself who did the better job!
18 The Dallas Cowboys
That 7-1 feeling #mannequinchallenge pic.twitter.com/mJeoKlANYS
- Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 6, 2016
In the professional sports world, competition is a huge part of the game. While most recreational leagues have participation medals, that's not the case at the level the New York Giants play at. These guys have to compete for everything since it's their job! Is it any surprise that they've gotten themselves into a Mannequin Challenge video competition? The gentlemen here are upping the ante with these videos once again and daring their other professional sports friends to match them. Fresh off a thirty-five to ten win, the team and their support crew were soaring high when they decided to pass the time by filming a crazy mannequin video. Their mid-air antics consist of shoving people into overhead compartments, making fun of the management team, and showing off their success. Careful about bragging too much, boys; there are still more sports teams showing off their stock still best on this list!
17 Michelle Obama
Our very own @cavs #mannequinchallenge @whitehouse
A post shared by Kyrie Irving (@kyrieirving) on Nov 10, 2016 at 5:14pm PST
Would you expect anything less than perfection from this incredible woman? Not only does she brilliantly turn a casual get together on its head, but she demonstrates remarkable elegance while doing it! Instead of the classic Black Beatles song, Michelle Obama chose a soaring classical theme to compliment the backdrop; where else would she create a viral video but the White House? She just needed the perfect accompaniment to round out the performance. Her and all her friends on the Cleveland Cavaliers squad are looking well-dressed and obsessed with making the best video out there. While this one scores high, it's not the absolute most amazing video we've seen. While the density of people is high and the folks there breathtaking, there are stranger and more death-defying ones out there. However, it still makes the list due to its elegance and charm, a quality not often seen in viral videos.
16 Rae Sremmurd
#Mannequinchallenge live 🤘🏽❄️ pic.twitter.com/y0aUTIfyTn
- Swae Lee Lee Swae (@goSwaeLee) November 4, 2016
“Black Beatles” is the unofficial official soundtrack of a lot of the Mannequin Videos we've seen. While it might not be obvious at first listen why this song is perfect for the Mannequin Challenge videos, it seems to be the best choice. The beat is steady and the music just eerie enough to add to the atmosphere of totally frozen scenes of movement. It lends itself to a kind of science fiction mood, harkening back to scenes in the Matrix and other futuristic movies. Due to the popularity of this song, of course, the recording artists had to do their own take on this viral video. This one shows a full concert, all the artists, and the audience members freeze framing during the song. We couldn't make a list without this one being involved, since it's the old grandfather of all the videos, despite it not necessarily being the first. But very well deserved!
15 Steph Curry
Soooo. This happened! Last night at @chefmichaelmina test kitchen for #internationalsmoke and they're on to the next! @ayeshacurry congrats! #mannequinchallenge
A post shared by Wardell Curry (@stephencurry30) on Nov 6, 2016 at 1:28am PST
If you're brainstorming where to take your sweetie out on a date, what's the first thing that springs to mind? The movies can be an entertaining-yet-intimate experience; a picnic is great for the summer or spring time. Drinks is fun and casual and usually, leads to an overall great night. But by far the most popular place to take your significant other out on a date to is dinner. Whether you opt for classy or casual, you can't go wrong with a good meal. Steph Curry knows this, which is why he and his wife Ayesha were out and about on the evening of their Mannequin Challenge. Out on a romantic date, this Golden State Warriors star and wife asked if the restaurant they were in would be willing to participate in this viral video challenge. Much to everyone's joy, they said yes! The video stars everyone from the chef to the bartender to the patrons. Keep an eye out for the ridiculous set up at the end, too!
14 Garth Brooks
This happened last night! #MannequinChallenge HA! love, g
A post shared by Garth Brooks (@garthbrooks) on Nov 13, 2016 at 10:12am PST
Garth and his compatriots pounded out a musical Mannequin Challenge when doing a live show this past week. This country star certainly has an eye, and ear, for the artistic, showing off his specialty moves and music while astonishing viewers with this crazy video. The camera person utilizes both the space and the sound well, integrating both into the action of this video. They start filming backstage, move to the front stage, and then move behind a curtain. On the way back, viewers of the video get to see the audience, crew, and musicians onstage and frozen in space. The music has stopped, which makes the whole thing a little creepy and otherworldly. Everyone, even the audience, stays frozen until the camera dips underneath the stage, which then sparks the music cue to unfreeze the world. Possibly the most magical video we've seen so far, this is one that's hard to beat!
13 Dancing with the Stars
That girl is a real crowd pleaserrrrr #MannequinChallenge #dwts pic.twitter.com/empyBNcngt
- Laurie Hernandez (@lzhernandez02) November 7, 2016
Anything that has to do with dancing and stars has our vote as one of the best! We love when celebrities pick up on viral trends, as they often have the resources to do absolutely crazy things us normal people wouldn't have the capacity for. And when you combine stunts and celebrities with viral videos, you're always in for a good time. This Mannequin Challenge pans from judges to dancers, so we get to see the whole range of crazy movements it's possible to be frozen in. The outfits alone are worth a watch too, as they bring a sense of joy and professionalism to this video. This challenge can also be a good prank, as it looks just like the show itself… But frozen! See if you can fool your friends by sharing this with them before telling them what it is. Dancing With the Stars has done such a good job with these shots, you can hardly tell whether your TV is on pause, or if they just have a remarkable talent for staying still!
12 The Late Late Show
Comedy is the name of the game on The Late Late Show. You'd think a star-studded cast and witty writers is enough to give this show the biggest and best viral videos always, but that might not be the case. While not the absolute most amazing on this list (that one comes later), this video shows off all the work that goes into making The Late Late Show everything it is. James Corden ring mastered this event, detailing the best way to go about getting everyone involved. He decided to film not only himself, but also his guests, backstage crew, support staff, and audience! Almost like a behind the scenes tour, it's neat to see how a huge show like The Late Late Show gets produced. We see people in hair and makeup, people working cameras, getting ready to go on, and hiding in plants. Maybe the latter isn't essential to producing a big late night talk show, but it sure brings us some laughs in this Mannequin Challenge video!
11 Anaheim Ducks
#MannequinChallenge, 80s style 😎
A post shared by Anaheim Ducks (@anaheimducks) on Nov 14, 2016 at 4:07pm PST
Hockey is often thought of as a violent sport. The number of injuries is shocking when you watch a game, and the statistics surrounding permanent damage or concussions is staggering. It's almost enough to question who would want to go into sports in the first place! Some people do enjoy it, though. Those people are often incredibly hard working too. The benefit to all this hard work is that players know how to have a good time off the court as well as on. These boys were showing off their skill off the court here, during a big celebration party. This 80s-themed bash was just a few days ago but has already had a huge response to it. The lights, sound, and color make this Mannequin Challenge video exciting to watch, despite the fact that there's no movement or dramatic stunts. It feels more like a time machine than a viral video project, which makes this one super exciting to watch!
10 Paul McCartney
Love those Black Beatles #MannequinChallenge pic.twitter.com/aAu9umHKI7
- Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) November 10, 2016
Typically, the videos we've been seeing have had music playing in the background. Whether it's a unique soundtrack or a song we've heard a thousand times, the music is an important part of any mannequin challenge video. Traditionally (if it's possible for a viral video to have tradition) the song playing in the background is “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd. This song has a great beat and adds to the overall tone of the videos we've seen. On the topic of Beatles, it makes sense that this musical Beatle decided to make his own version of the challenge. Paul McCartney pops up every now and then for only the most important reasons, and this hilarious video is one of them. Who doesn't find his self-effacing humor charming? Another artist might make themselves the center of attention, but instead, McCartney draws more attention to the song in order to build humor.
9 Cheerleader Challenge
We don't know about you, but the scarier the better is what we're looking for in these videos! Gravity-stopping, death-defying feats of strength are the highlights of all these amazing videos. Most regular people don't have the physicality to achieve that, though. So many Mannequin Challenge videos seem to fall a little flat because of the way they look like everyone else's. If you're making your own, unique location and crazy stunts are a great way to get more views. That's true for this team, at least! While not perfect (if you look closely, you can see a girl's hair moving in the first couple seconds), these cheerleaders know how to impress! The crowd also seems to be participating, until they can't hold their excitement in anymore! These kids have remarkable control of their strength and have incredible trust in themselves. We can only imagine what it must have been like to be there in the stands for this wild show!
8 “ZachKing”
Who has heard of the #mannequinchallenge ? Grab some friends this week and create your own version!
A post shared by Zach King (@zachking) on Nov 5, 2016 at 8:02am PDT
Once upon a time Andy Warhol said we'd all be famous for 15 minutes. This seems to be the slogan of the internet age, in a time when viral videos can be posted by anyone and everyone. We doubt Andy Warhol was thinking of the Mannequin Challenge when he said that, but the essence of the idea still applies. This is particularly interesting when we apply it to people like ZachKing, the Instagram star with a gravity defying Mannequin Challenge Video. While you might not have known of him two weeks ago, last week he and his friends posted an incredible video featuring ping pong balls, mid-air leaps, frozen falls, and other accidental spills caught on camera. He posted this video last week and quickly has garnered over 4 million views. Warhol would be proud to know that the allotted 15 minutes has been extended to more than a week, but it makes it hard for anyone else to get in the game! Who will be the next person to top ZachKing? We found a couple… Read on!
7 Chicago's The Rink
The Rink did the #mannequinchallenge . I'm feeling homesick. Chicago is the greatest city, but y'all already knew that :D. pic.twitter.com/czDQfODxqp
- MyLynda (@MyLyndaS) November 9, 2016
Chicago is full of weird artists, talented people, and brilliant ideas. One of the best ways to combine all these things is in a viral video. You have the confines of what the video is about, while still being able to stretch your creativity and ideas. This makes viral videos the most interesting things to watch, as you never really can predict what's coming next. The Rink is a staple in Chicago. This roller skating paradise features two maple wood floors, a gear shop, and offers both regular roller lessons and theme nights. No surprise, the roller rink also features lights, music, and a plethora of people and talents. The rink here is seen frozen in mid-party, with all of the moving lights on pause too. How is it possible? It must be rollerskating magic since we can't figure it out. Making this Mannequin Challenge video truly stand out is the fact that all of these talented people are frozen, in position, on wheels! Bet you can't freeze frame mid-fall in a set of roller skates!
6 Kevin Hart
#MannequinChallenge complete 😂😂😂😂 @wayne215 @justtrain1 @cbuys6 @william_lam__ @korean_dinosaur #movewithhart #HustleHart
A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on Nov 4, 2016 at 5:35pm PDT
The funny man himself is bringing more laughs to this viral video challenge. It's surprising that with all the sports teams jumping on this train, we haven't seen many that take place in a sports arena. We've seen the incredible cheerleading group, and we've seen the gymnastics team, but we couldn't seem to find any inside a gym… Until now! When we saw this short, hilarious video filmed inside a gym, we couldn't believe how brilliant it was. While no one is upside down, and there's no ping pong balls in the air, this video is still one of the most impressive ones we've seen. These strong men pose like there's no tomorrow, without a muscle twitch or a watery eye. Their feats of strength are almost as dazzling as their faces, which are exaggerated just enough that it looks like they might actually be cartoon characters brought to life!
5 Britney Spears
We use our bodies to make our own #MannequinChallenge 🎉 THANK YOU for voting #PieceOfMe for @TheBestOfLV!!!
A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on Nov 12, 2016 at 6:08pm PST
Is there anything this queen of pop can't do? Taking the media by storm, she's been a cultural icon since a young age. Most girls, boys, and all in between remember the shocking steaminess of watching “Oops, I did it Again” for the first time. From her breakdown to her momhood, Britney continues to create new life milestones… Such as this mannequin challenge! She has upped the ante of the viral video world again, with this new dance-oriented frozen challenge. This simple but astonishing video shows dancers in varying poses; everything from deep squats to splits, to single-legged stands are scattered throughout this video. The densely packed crowd means the camera person must have had a heck of a time getting around them. That makes the stillness even more impressive! This control and balance is something very few pop stars can ever hope to achieve, especially stars with a history like Britney's.
4 Ellen Degeneres and warren Beatty
#MannequinChallenge
A post shared by Ellen (@theellenshow) on Nov 7, 2016 at 3:45pm PST
Put these two together and what do you have? Trouble. Fun and playful, but trouble nonetheless. These two froze the entire set they were filming on, from people snacking on bananas to a woman almost getting run over! There's an incredible moment with a ping pong ball too, where Ellen goes to whack it but gets stopped mid-swing. The camera person does a long, scrolling shot, weaving in and out of people to get all the views possible. This is definitely one of the better videos we've seen for this challenge, but that's no surprise. Ellen is a little bit magic (okay, a lot magic), and she makes wild things happen sometimes. We wouldn't be surprised if this was an actual scene frozen in time, rather than just a bunch of people acting! It's not, of course, but that's the type of effect Ellen has on people: stop-you-in-your-tracks talent, as seen in this video!
3 Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian
When you were young, in the teenage or preteen years, did you ever have to watch the movie “The Miracle of Birth”? Typically shown in high school life sciences classes (or biology), this movie demonstrates a female giving birth to a real, live human baby. While the birth process is interspersed with helpful commentary aiding in the digestion of the material, this video is traditionally the stuff of every kid's nightmares. No amount of colorful voiceover can erase the horror from the minds of the youth who watched it. Luckily, this video is a little more tame. More of a 12th grade diorama scene than a real birth, Chyna and Kardashian played their antics well, with everyone involved frozen to the spot. The most amazing part? Well, the most amazing part is the silence. There's no screaming, twitching, or contractions while the filming was happening, which is totally opposite to what one expects from a birthing room. We're impressed! Bravo!
2 Ivanka Trump
We opened the new #TeamIvanka office and had to partake in the #mannequinchallenge. Mannequin included 😉
A post shared by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Nov 14, 2016 at 7:11am PST
The Trump name has been all over the news lately, due to his new elected standing in the white house. The man himself has had a scandalous past, but does that rub off onto his family? Well, yes and no. Ivanka Trump has been less in the news than her dear old dad, but she still gets the fame and fortune of her namesake. She's just gone about opening her new office. As any new, office owning woman of the business world should do, she decided to celebrate this new success. Celebration usually consists of appetizers and champagne, as well as the office staff and maybe a few close friends. 'But,' Ivanka thought, 'what would make this more exciting?' The best way to make something immediately more exciting is to film it. And the best way to have more fun is to partake in a video challenge! Ivanka combined all of the above with an office party mannequin video challenge… With a twist! Look closely and see if you can find the odd one out in this office party.
1 Team Valnet
Ok, so you might be wondering who Team Valnet is so we will tell you. This is a little behind-the-scenes of the people who are behind this wonderful site and many others that they have. The editorial team from different websites, including The Talko, along with other willing participants got together and joined in on the mannequin challenge fun. The idea behind the video was to give everyone a taste of what goes on in an office full of creatives during meetings! Everything about this video is amazing we don't even know where to start. How epic is that spilled coffee? The team did such an amazing job and the way they managed to stand still (how did they do that!) It's really cool to see so many people come up with these videos, not only celebs but real people like us too! You can follow Valnet on Instagram @valnetinc to see more behind-the-scene stuff of the offices and the people who bring you the things you love and more!