If the success of a series used to depend on intriguing trailers and million-dollar advertising campaigns, today, a simple scene posted on TikTok can be enough. A remarkable dialogue, an unusual dance scene, or a touching soundtrack have the power to take a series from anonymity to everyone's bookmarks on TikTok and to the top of the audience rankings.

TikTok has established itself as the word of mouth of the 21st century, and this has, of course, affected the world of streaming. With millions of users commenting, editing, and sharing their favorite moments, many series have made a comeback (or have finally been discovered) thanks to 15-second clips that have gone viral.

In this article, we've rounded up the five series that skyrocketed in popularity after going viral on TikTok. From catchy dance choreography, teen romances, and unexpected twists to unforgettable soundtracks, there's something for everyone.

Plus, at the end, we'll show you how to save videos like these to your TikTok favorites so you don't miss out on discovering the next viral series before everyone else.

1.  Wednesday (Netflix)

What was supposed to be just another modern reinterpretation of a '90s hit ended up going beyond that. All it took was Jenna Ortega, the actress who plays Wednesday, dancing eccentrically to Lady Gaga's Bloody Mary for the series to explode.

The dance video spread like wildfire on TikTok. Millions of users copied the choreography and flooded the network with their videos using hashtags such as #WednesdayDance. The algorithm did the rest.

The result? Wednesday became one of the most-watched series in Netflix history (and it still is the number one until today). The gothic look, soundtrack, and charisma of the protagonist also contributed to the high numbers and became a trend, influencing fashion, memes, and even themed parties. 

• TikTok viral: Wednesday dancing at the school prom.

• Impact: +1 billion views on associated tags in less than a month.

2.  Heartstopper (Netflix)

Based on Alice Oseman's comic books, Heartstopper is a tender portrayal of an LGBTQIA+ romance between two British teenagers. The series, which already had a solid fan base, gained meteoric momentum on TikTok.

Emotional scenes, exchanged glances, lyrics from the soundtrack, and cute phrases caused an avalanche of edits. The audience not only identified with the series, but also began recommending it to others.

With massive support from the online community, the production was quickly renewed for new seasons, became an icon of queer representation, and is now among the most beloved series of Generation Z.

• TikTok viral: Nick and Charlie's cute scenes

• Impact: #Heartstopper hashtag with over 4 billion views

3.  The Summer I Turned Pretty (Prime Video)

The trilogy written by Jenny Han already had loyal fans, but the TV adaptation turned The Summer I Turned Pretty into a phenomenon, thanks in part to TikTok.

Romantic scenes and Belly's love conflicts between brothers Conrad and Jeremiah divided the internet into teams (#TeamConrad vs. #TeamJeremiah). The American summer aesthetic and pop soundtrack made the series dominate many people's FYPs and saved TikToks.

The songs featured in the episodes, such as those by Taylor Swift, enhanced streaming platform plays, further increasing the series' emotional appeal.

• TikTok viral: Belly and Conrad dancing to Taylor Swift's That's The Way I Loved You

• Impact: Instant rise in the soundtrack charts + global fandom

4. Ginny & Georgia (Netflix)

The formula seemed familiar: a young mother and her teenage daughter trying to start over in a new city. But Ginny & Georgia went further by delivering a combination of mystery, drama, twists, and complex characters.

On TikTok, success came from intense scenes with powerful soundtracks and strong lines that quickly became popular audio clips. Lip sync videos, character analyses, and fan theories yielded several videos, and everyone added them to their saved TikToks.

Digital word of mouth pushed the series to the top of Netflix in many countries. The platform noticed the phenomenon and responded with more campaigns for the following seasons, now with the strength of the fandom on social media.

• Viral TikTok: Ginny with the toothbrush

• Impact: Exponential increase in searches for “series similar to Ginny & Georgia”

5. Outer Banks (Netflix)

With a mix of action, romance, and treasure hunting, Outer Banks already had a strong appeal on its own. But it was on TikTok that the series found its viral fuel.

Fans began recreating scenes, commenting on the characters' style, and creating challenges inspired by the Pogues (the series' protagonists). John B.‘s outfits, videos of the series’ couples, and even the villains became memes and trends.

With each season, the series returned to dominate online discussions, with impactful highlights, action scenes, and theories. TikTok was essential in keeping the hype for the series alive between season releases.

• Viral TikTok: JJ's emotional scenes

• Impact: 300% increase in searches after each new trailer released

How TikTok Became the Biggest Series Curator Nowadays

TikTok not only influences what we see but also shapes how we consume content. The discovery of new series often happens through the spontaneous choices of users themselves, in the form of short videos, fan edits, reviews, and reactions. As much as video is liked, reposted, or added to saved TikToks.

The power of the community lies in pointing out what moves, entertains, or shocks us. And when something goes viral, the response is almost immediate: marathons begin, conversations about the show multiply, and the cycle repeats itself with other productions.

The most interesting thing? It's not always the most recent releases. Sometimes, an old series resurfaces thanks to a single exciting clip, as happened with Skins and One Tree Hill.

How to organize your saved TikToks of the series you want to watch

Who hasn't found themselves saving TikToks of shocking scenes, series recommendations, or fan edits, only to never find them again? It happens all the time!

That's where Dewey comes in, a service that helps you save, organize, and rediscover the TikToks that really matter. It transforms your saved TikToks into a practical and visual library, categorizing your content by theme, series, or creator.

For example, you can:

• Create a folder just for the series you want to watch

• Save favorite scenes to watch later

• Organize fan edits by character or couple

• Save recommendations for next weekend

In other words: less wasted scrolling and more spot-on marathons.

If you're the type who loves discovering new series on TikTok, Dewey could be your new best friend.

When 15 seconds are worth more than a thousand trailers

TikTok has transformed the way we discover and share series. It has given the public a voice, popularized productions that were previously niche, and created a new form of engagement, where a single scene can be the start of a global phenomenon.

If you haven't yet found yourself hooked on a series because of a viral video, it may just be a matter of time (or training your FYP algorithm the right way).

And if you want to turn that spontaneous discovery into something more organized, Dewey is there to help you better navigate the millions of videos and series that deserve your attention.

Now it's up to you: which series did you discover thanks to TikTok?