In a definitive reflection of the nation's digital viewing habits, YouTube Canada has unveiled its 2025 year-end lists, and one title emerged as a clear cultural force: the Netflix animated musical KPop Demon Hunters. The film and its infectious soundtrack dominated multiple categories, from trending topics to top songs, capturing the attention of Canadian audiences throughout the year.
A Sweeping Animated Victory
The data released in early December 2025 confirms that KPop Demon Hunters was not just a popular movie but a multimedia phenomenon. The film itself secured a spot among the platform's Top Trending Topics in Canada. Beyond the movie's plot, its music achieved remarkable success. Tracks like Soda Pop, Golden, How it's Done, and Your Idol—performed by the cast—featured prominently on both the year's top trending songs list and the popular Shorts charts.
This musical triumph was highlighted by singer EJAE, who penned several songs for the film including the hit Golden and provided the singing voice for the heroine, Rumi. The film's success has already paved the way for a sequel, which is anticipated to release in 2029.
Chart-Toppers and Shorts Sensations
While KPop Demon Hunters made a significant impact, the overall song charts revealed a mix of global blockbusters and viral trends. The number one song on YouTube in Canada for 2025 was APT, the collaboration between Rosé of BLACKPINK and Bruno Mars. The track set records as the fifth-fastest music video to reach one billion views and unseated Gangnam Style as the fastest K-pop song to achieve that milestone.
The YouTube Shorts format, for videos under three minutes, proved to be a powerful engine for rediscovery and breakthrough. It propelled older songs like Pretty Little Baby by Connie Francis and Rock Your Body by The Black Eyed Peas back into the spotlight on the Top Songs on Shorts list. Simultaneously, it served as a launchpad for new artists, such as Doechii, whose smash hit Anxiety gained massive traction through the short-form video platform.
Canadian Creators in the Spotlight
YouTube's 2025 report also shone a light on homegrown talent, naming several Canadian Creators to Watch. The list includes a diverse range of content makers from across the country:
- SleepyCrafter and Morgannbook, both based in Ontario.
- Mia Plays & Kouman from North Vancouver.
- The sports-focused channel Blue Jays Today.
- TheCrochetCrowd from Nova Scotia.
The complete 2025 YouTube Canada lists offer a snapshot of a year where animated K-pop heroes, resurgent classics, and innovative Canadian creators collectively defined the nation's online video landscape.
