The hottest TikTok trends right now: May 2026
Explore the latest TikTok trends with Epidemic Sound’s social media experts.
Another month, another absolutely wild time online. Join Epidemic Sound’s community managers, Madie Hooker and Leo Lukic, as they break down four of the latest TikTok trends.
Trend 1: Turning yourself into a video game loading screen
It’s the ‘90s. You just got a sick new lunchbox, Friends is on TV later, and you’re recreating Crash Bandicoot levels in the schoolyard. For a certain generation, video game load/home screens are the ultimate nostalgia hit…and TikTok loves nostalgia.
This trend builds on the “act like a non-playable character in GTA” trend from a few years ago, lovingly recreating the aesthetic, menu style, and music from users’ favorite games.
@falcopunch Hogwarts ✨️ Main menu of course 🗿 #edit #videogame #cinematic #hogwarts #trend ♬ original sound - nasatro
Want to try it yourself? It doesn’t get more old-school than Rocket Jr’s HeartBIT.
Trend 2: Fake World Cup squads
The World Cup does something to people. Even if they’re not interested in sport, it’s the spectacle, the passion, that brings unlikely groups together. Plus, the playlists are always full of bangers.
It’s almost time for kick-off, and TikTok’s had tons of fun building fantasy squads. Rather than just include their favorite footballers, creators have gone a step further, drafting pop-culture icons, politicians, and inanimate objects to play for the trophy. That’s why a can of chicken pâté is locked in for the Bosnia-Herzegovina squad. We think.
@itsammarbrzi This Bosnian team is winning the World Cup #fyp #zatebe ♬ original sound - Ammar Brzi
Trend 3: “How mfs be moving”
The biggest stand-up comedians usually crack relatable, observational jokes. Stuff most audiences have experienced. The “how mfs be moving” trend has blown up for a similar reason, gently poking fun at the hyper-specific, chaotic way folks behave in certain situations.
While some of the examples are a little more niche — think Swedish people losing all control whenever the sun comes out — the most popular examples apply globally. If you’ve ever been to an airport, you’ll feel the next video deep in the pit of your stomach.
@riovignon Anyone else relate?? @eli 🍓 #travel #airport #fyp #joke ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono - moshimo sound design
It’s a creator-led trend with broad appeal, but brands can get involved — especially those willing to be the butt of the joke. If you need some calm to soundtrack the chaos, try this Mozart movement.
Trend 4: Seb Draws Things’ brutal ratios
Ambition is what made creators like MrBeast so huge, gathering millions of subscribers with record-breaking challenges. Graphic artist Seb Draws Things has followed and monetized that path hard, announcing a canvas project comprising one million blank squares.
For one dollar, fans can buy a square and fill it with whatever graphic they want. Whether it’s a sports team or favorite band, a dearly missed pet or childhood hero, the whole idea’s pretty sweet.
But when people criticize the project, Seb Draws Things doesn’t feel the need to play nice for social media. Instead, he ratios naysayers straight into the sun. His burns have become so infamous, brands and even countries — Bosnia, again — want to get involved.
@seb.draws.things New career path just dropped. This is now the 5th country i have spoken to directly lol . . . . #art #dailychallenge #onesquare ♬ original sound - seb.draws.things
If you need more inspiration for your content, try Epidemic Sound. More than 55,000 tracks made by real artists. 250,000 sound effects. Smart workflows to help you find, edit, and work the perfect track into your video.
Globally cleared licensing. No surprises. Get started with Epidemic Sound below and tell your best story today.
For content longer than one minute, just add the music with a third-party app like CapCut. TikTok won’t mute it.
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