Top 10 YouTube Channels of 2021

VOICE OVER: Callum Janes WRITTEN BY: Mandy Anne Lutman

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 YouTube Channels of 2021. For this list, we'll be looking at YouTubers you suggested and voted for on our community poll. You told us who you wanted to see and here are your favorite content creators! Our countdown includes Arcade Crainiacs, Mark Rober, Dead Meat, CrankGamePlays, and more!

#9: MrBallen

John Allen, aka MrBallen, is all about true crime content - though he also has interest in the paranormal and sci-fi. His channel was launched in 2015, but his earliest video seems to have been posted in 2020. His views and subscribers are growing fast and we can totally see why you wanted to add him to our list. MrBallen is also a former Navy Seal, with plenty of stories to tell. He’s been praised for his storytelling abilities that make you feel like you’re present in the actual tale. He revealed it takes him 20 hours to research for each individual episode while the editing takes up to 10 hours. Impressive!

#8: Arcade Craniacs

Arcade Craniacs channel is owned by Edward and his girlfriend Nichole. Their channel started out to be about arcades and carnival games, but it expanded into so much more than that. The channel is most known for its “3 AM” videos where they explore supernatural entities and phenomena. Of course, each video is full of satire and irony, which is what makes Arcade Craniacs stand out from the rest. In October 2021, Edward confirmed that the rumors of their break up were true. However, the channel continues to grow, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers tuning in to watch each video.

#7: First We Feast

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Hot Ones is a popular YouTube web series created and produced by First We Feast and Complex Media. The basic premise of the show involves celebrities and spicy chicken wings in a typical interview format. Hilarity ensues as people discover their tolerance for spicy food. Some of the most popular celebrities included Gordon Ramsay, Billie Eilish, Lorde, Olivia Rodrigo, and many more. If you ever wanted to know whether your fave is able to handle spicy food, First We Feast is the perfect channel for you. One of the most outrageous moments belongs to the comedian Bobby Lee, who had a bit of an, erm, accident during his episode. If spicy food’s not your thing, then you can always check out one of the channel’s other series, including Pizza Wars, Burger Scholar Sessions and Snacked.

#6: Dead Meat

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James Anthony Janisse, aka Dead Meat is a popular movie reviewer, known for his comedy videos. If you’re a horror movie fan, you’ve probably come across his Kill Count series before. James dives deeper into each horror movie he reviews as he counts how many people lost their lives in the movie. He even provides statistics and discusses his fave and least fave slaughters. If you love horror-themed stuff, Dead Meat will definitely be a perfect YouTube channel for you. And it doesn’t stop there. James also runs the Dead Meat podcast with his fiancée Chelsea. The audio show focuses on horror-themed movies, games, guests who love horror, and much more.

#5: Markiplier

You voted for Mark Edward Fischbach to be next on our list! Better known as Markiplier, he’s an American YouTuber, known for his hilarious gaming playthrough videos. Over the years, he made big waves in the gaming community and became a go-to channel for horror gaming content. He’s known for his charitable acts, including raising money for Alzheimer's Research, Make A Wish, and more. Markiplier is also the co-owner of the popular Unus Annus channel, which was meant to only stay active for one year. Mark’s engaging personality is what sets him apart from others. As of November 2021, his subscriber count stands at more than 30 million.

#4: Dude Perfect

Alright, everyone, we just have to talk about Dude Perfect. Their channel launched in 2009, and these guys have since become one of the most subscribed sports channels ever. Dude Perfect is all about best friends trying different sports and trick shots with a sprinkle of comedy. One of their most popular videos includes the nerf blaster trick shots, which has amassed more than 115 million views to date. Bowling tricks, ping pong tricks, soccer tricks and more — these guys do it all. As of November 2021, Dude Perfect has over 56 million subscribers.

#3: PewDiePie

Who doesn’t know PewDiePie?! His channel has been around since 2010 and is considered to be one of the biggest channels around. Felix has since gathered over 110 million subscribers who tune in to his diverse content. From gaming to comedy sketches and beyond, PewDiePie grew with his audience and adapted to the content they’d like to see. Often considered the face of YouTube, he also has had his fair share of controversies over the years. But whether you like him or not, you have to admit that his popularity is pretty impressive.

#2: Mark Rober

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A NASA engineer and an Apple product designer turned into a popular YouTuber: that’s the story of Mark Rober, an American YouTuber who is known for his science-related videos and various challenges. In 2012, he launched a Halloween costume company called Digital Dudz, which features unique clothing with physical digital elements. After three weeks of its launch, Digital Dudz already took in $250,000 in revenue. Despite his success off YouTube, Mark continues to make impressive videos for more than 20 million subscribers. If you’re new to his channel, make sure to check out videos such as “World’s LARGEST SUPER SOAKER” to get a feel of what Mark is all about. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.