YouTube remains the most influential content platform in the United States, shaping pop culture and digital marketing strategies alike. As of 2025, the biggest creators are not just entertainers. They are global brands, creative studios and advertising powerhouses.
In this article, we take a closer look at the top 10 most-subscribed YouTubers in the US , examine the themes dominating their content, and explore what this says about the evolving YouTube landscape.
The Current Leaderboard: Who’s at the Top?
The table below shows the most-subscribed US YouTube channels in 2025, along with their primary focus and performance data.
| Channel | Topic | Subscribers | Engagement | Avg Views/Vid |
| MrBeast | Pranks & Challenges | 397M | 2.43% | 73.4M |
| Cocomelon | Children’s Entertainment | 193M | 1.27% | 210.4K |
| Vlad and Niki | Children’s Entertainment | 140M | 0.61% | 487.3K |
| Kids Diana Show | Children’s Entertainment | 134M | 0.75% | 230.2K |
| Like Nastya | Children’s Entertainment | 127M | 0.30% | 1.1M |
| Stokes Twins | Pranks & Challenges | 125M | 1.65% | 18.6M |
| Alan’s Universe | Comedy & Sketches | 92.4M | 2.19% | 6.8M |
| Baby Shark (Pinkfong) | Animation & Cartoons | 81.7M | 0.50% | 58K |
| 5-Minute Crafts | DIY Projects | 81M | 0.64% | 40.9K |
| A4 | Pranks & Challenges | 80.2M | 2.62% | 6.4M |
What Topics Are Dominating YouTube in the US?
Children’s content holds a commanding presence in this list. Channels such as Cocomelon, Vlad and Niki, and Like Nastya are designed for repeat viewing, with content that is safe, colourful and endlessly rewatchable. Although their engagement rates are relatively low, the volume of views they receive — and the long-term brand partnerships that follow — remain significant.
At the same time, pranks and challenge content continues to capture huge audiences. Creators like MrBeast, A4 and the Stokes Twins consistently generate tens of millions of views per upload. Their videos offer entertainment with high replay value, which resonates particularly well with Gen Z and younger millennial viewers.
Comedy and sketch content also makes a strong showing. Alan’s Universe, for example, is winning over audiences with character-driven humour and relatable scenarios.
MrBeast: Still on Top, and Getting Bigger
No surprise here — MrBeast remains the most-subscribed YouTuber in the US , and the numbers speak for themselves. With nearly 400 million subscribers and an average of 73 million views per video, his dominance is unmatched.
MrBeast’s content strategy is focused on high-stakes challenges, large-scale giveaways, and tightly edited storytelling — but his growth is now being fuelled by more than just content. In early 2025, he signed a major production deal with Amazon , with his first original series set to launch on Prime Video. This move is expanding his reach beyond YouTube and positioning him as a cross-platform entertainment figure.
His status as the number one creator has also become self-reinforcing . Being the most-subscribed YouTuber brings constant media attention, algorithmic visibility and new audience discovery. In essence, his position at the top helps keep him there — making MrBeast not just a viral star, but a brand in his own right.
The Unstoppable Force of Children’s Content
Half of the top ten list is dedicated to children’s content. Cocomelon’s animated songs, Vlad and Niki’s play-based episodes and Like Nastya’s imaginative storytelling continue to dominate the algorithm. These channels attract long watch times, repeat views and strong subscriber loyalty.
Children’s channels also benefit from extensive back catalogues, which contribute to consistent viewership over time. They may not always have the highest engagement percentages, but their relevance and revenue potential are undeniable.
Unexpected Performers and Emerging Trends
Alan’s Universe has emerged as a major player in the comedy space. With over 90 million subscribers and an engagement rate of 2.19%, the channel proves that personality-driven sketches are still in high demand.
Perhaps even more impressive is the performance of A4. With a 2.62% engagement rate — the highest on this list — and over 80 million subscribers, A4 has built a deeply loyal audience through fast-paced, challenge-style content that aligns well with algorithmic preferences.
5-Minute Crafts also maintains its position in the top ten. While engagement is modest, its library of evergreen how-to content continues to drive regular traffic, particularly from search and suggested video placement.
What This Means for Brands and Marketers
These trends offer valuable insights for brands exploring YouTube as a channel for influencer marketing.
Scale versus engagement:
MrBeast and A4 demonstrate that it is possible to combine mass appeal with strong audience interaction. Brands should consider both subscriber numbers and engagement metrics when selecting creators.
Children’s content is powerful but complex:
Although highly effective, marketing in this space requires sensitivity to regulatory frameworks such as COPPA. Brands must be strategic and responsible in how they approach younger audiences.
Comedy and relatability continue to perform well:
Channels like Alan’s Universe highlight that even without huge budgets, creators can succeed by being authentic, consistent and in tune with their audience’s interests
Final Thoughts
YouTube in the United States continues to evolve, and 2025 is no exception. Children’s entertainment still dominates in scale, while challenge content and character-driven humour are proving to be just as powerful in capturing viewer attention.
What unites these creators is not a single formula, but a commitment to content that connects. Whether through spectacle, consistency or simplicity, they have built audiences that are loyal and engaged.
Data provided by ChannelCrawler. Interested in another country or niche? Try a free search now.