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Top Instagram Reels Trends Right Now (December 2024)

Top Instagram Reels Trends Right Now (December 2024)

Don’t look now, but Instagram Reels is blowing up. In fact, it’s getting 55% more interactions than single-image posts and 29% more than standard video posts.

No wonder the Explore page is bustling with Reels of all kinds, from awkward toe-tap dancing to pet voiceovers to retro workouts.

With that said, Instagram is crowded to the brim – so much so it’s forecasted to reach billions of users by 2025. 

How do you stand out in that sea of content? An effective strategy is to take advantage of Instagram Reels trends.

But to be successful, you need to jump on trends while they’re hot. 

To help you out, we’ve prepared this monthly and updated Instagram Reels trends guide to keep you ahead of the curve.

(And be sure to bookmark this article because we’re going to keep updating it monthly!)

Let’s get started.

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“Chill guy” trend

I guess this Instagram Reels trend doesn’t need much of an introduction—you’ve probably seen this meme circulating across your social media platforms.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… 🥁 the Chill Guy.

The essence of this trend is expressing your inner chillness in various social situations. Remember—it doesn’t matter what really happens as long as you stay as chill as this human-like dog.

Currently, there are nearly 140K Reels featuring the Chill Guy theme song, “Hinoki Wood” by Gia Margaret. If you’d like to learn more about the Chill Guy, tap this link.

How to use the trend: Think of a situation where you were carefree or casually ignored something that would typically require concern or action, and share it with others through an Instagram Reel. In other words, embrace your inner chill guy and let everyone know just how chill you are 😅.

“I love your daughter” trend

Do you remember the early 2000s show “Gilmore Girls”?

Of course you do! So, you’ll recognize the origins of this Instagram Reels trend 😅

For those who don’t know – in an iconic episode of the series, Kirk says the line: “I love your daughter,” and is then asked by the father: “What do you have to offer her?” In response, he showcases his spectacular dance moves.

Instagram users have taken advantage of this concept to present their unique hobbies and skills to their audiences via Instagram Reels.

How to use the trend: Use the dialogue from “Gilmore Girls” as the background audio for your Reel, and showcase your hobbies or skills to your audience.

“Eyes on fire” (AKA hoa hoa hoa) trend

Any Twilight saga fans here? Duh, of course.

October has finally arrived, the weather is getting gloomy and cold, and we all know what that means—another Twilight marathon!

But besides that, it’s also worth using the iconic song “Eyes on Fire” by Blue Foundation in your Instagram Reels. Currently, there are nearly 70k videos featuring the song (and the number is growing rapidly). Take advantage of this Instagram Reels trend while you still can…

How to use the trend: Put “Eyes on fire” by Blue Foundation as the audio of your Instagram Reel.

“Apple” trend

It definitely is a Brat Summer after all.

British singer Charli XCX released her new album, “Brat,” on June 7, and the aesthetic that emerged with it has dominated social media, including Instagram Reels.

Arguably, the song titled “Apple” is getting the most attention, with over 200k Instagram Reels featuring this audio.

Whether it’s dance trends, fit checks, or videos promoting certain products, this song suits them all! That’s why it’s an Instagram Reels trend worth trying this month.

How to use the trend: Put “Apple” by Charlie XCX as the audio of your Instagram Reel.

“What gave you the confidence?” trend

You probably heard this one on TikTok already, but this sound has re-emerged as the new Instagram Reels trend! With over 130k Reels featuring this audio, it’s undoubtedly the best pick for August!

What is so special about this trend? Well, it hits too close to home.

It doesn’t matter whether you call it confidence or delusion, if it works, it works 😉

“Please Please Please” trend

You probably have been hearing this track play over and over again in various Reels.

So it won’t come as a surprise to you that Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Please Please Please” has been used in over 400k Instagram Reels, which makes it a new Instagram Reels trend!

The coolest thing about this audio is that it’s a great pick for videos that aim to showcase your craft/product, such as this one:

So as the lyrics go… please please please get on this trend ASAP 🙂

“Chihiro” trend

Releasing numerous hit songs, Billie Eilish has been getting a lot of attention in the last few years.

Her music video for “Chihiro” just came out, and needless to say, Instagram users love the song and frequently put it in the background of their Reels.

As of now, there are over 100K Reels with “Chihiro” as the featured audio. The song’s chill vibe makes it a good pick for all kinds of Instagram Reels, however, make-up and fashion videos tend to get the most attention, so if you’re in that field it’s the perfect Instagram Reels trend to adopt in your content strategy 🙂

How to use the trend: Put “Chihiro” by Billie Eilish as the audio of your Instagram Reel.

Battle / Dance Trend

This Instagram Reels trend made its way to the platform due to its enormous popularity on TikTok.

The Battle/Dance trend involves two people acting out a fight, very much like characters in an old school video game. During the fight, they add captions to show each person’s perspective as they try to resolve their disagreement.

Above & Beyond’s song “Blue Monday” is the trending audio that always plays in the background of the performed fights on Instagram Reels.

How to use the trend: Make a video where you and your friend act like you’re play-fighting, and add funny captions to show what you’re arguing about. And don’t forget to put Above & Beyond’s song in the background!

Things I suffer from

Everyone has their own, often unusual, quirks. Most of them still don’t have a professional name, and as we all know, the list keeps on getting longer.

If your For You page is filled with all kinds of syndromes you haven’t heard of, fear not. It’s not the medical terminology that suddenly got so advanced. It’s the new Instagram Reels trend.

Instagram users started to name their quirks and to make the whole process more entertaining, they are coming up with long and extensive acronyms.

How to use the trend: Think about something you do that is peculiar and funny, come up with an acronym for it, and post it as an Instagram Reel. You can use the classic video format or upload it via Reel slide show.

If you win the lottery, you shouldn’t tell anyone – or so the unwritten rule goes. Because if you do, chances are you’ll be getting unwanted solicitations from friends (and even strangers).

But here’s a question worth asking: Will there be telltale signs you wouldn’t be able to hide if you did win the lottery?

Needless to say, the answer could reveal interesting things about yourself.

Given how Instagram Reels is a great format for expressing one’s individuality, it’s no wonder the “If you win the lottery” trend is blowing up.

Here’s a typical entry:

But here’s my favorite (just because it’s what I’d do)

How to use the trend: Create a Reel showcasing your product or service as a guilty purchase that people would splurge on if they won the lottery.

Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” trend

Natasha Bedingfield’s iconic 2004 hit, “Unwritten,” is experiencing a revival thanks to its inclusion in the romantic comedy Anyone But You, which hit theaters in December 2023. 

Since the movie’s release, creators have flooded Instagram Reels with their own interpretations of the song, dancing and sashaying to its infectious beat.

And with the track’s lively drum kick and guitar riffs building up to that blissful chorus (where Natasha invites listeners to “feel the rain on your skin”), can you really blame them?

Even Natasha Bedingfield herself, an Instagram Reels fiend if I ever saw one, couldn’t resist creating her own.

And it’s not just dance moves. The wonderful thing about the trend is it’s easy to put your own spin on it. 

Rheema Adakkoden, a well-known Filipino beauty queen and influencer, took part in the trend to showcase Ever Bilena’s Matte Colorblock Lippies.

How to jump on the trend: Create an Instagram Reel featuring your products being used in everyday scenarios while Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” is playing in the background.

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Ariana Grande’s ‘yes, and?’ trend 

Ariana Grande returned with a vengeance after a three-year hiatus by releasing her new single “yes, and?” to an eager audience on January 12. 

And it didn’t take long for the upbeat yet snarky track to take the internet by storm. Following the song’s release, Ariana reinforced her message with a music video that directly confronted her critics, addressing the relentless scrutiny she faces in the public eye.

Grande’s fans found Ariana’s message relatable. And because Arianators gonna Arianate, they took to Instagram Reels to clap back at their own detractors and reclaim their agency in the face of criticism while Grande’s track plays in the background.

As an example, here’s @sodemsolana jumping on the trend to hit back at those who criticized his reluctance to use dating apps.

How to jump on the trend: As a brand, you should have a “villain” your products and services should be fighting against. You can use this trend to pick a fight with that villain (that way you can position your brand as an ally to defeat that “villain,” making you more relatable to your audience). 

For example, if your product is a meal delivery service, you can create a snarky dialogue to hit back at unhealthy fast food options, echoing Ariana Grande’s “yes, and?” to motivate your followers to make positive choices for their nutrition and well-being.

Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree” sparks a trend

Kelly Clarkson’s Christmas tune, “Underneath the Tree,” is making a good case to become the new “All I Want for Christmas.”

And why not? “Underneath the Tree” has that one fundamental quality that makes it a great Christmas song: it either makes you want to dance or chop your ears off (it goes both ways for me).

Many would agree, as the catchy tune has been trending every December over the last several years. 

And it sure has trended in a big way on Instagram Reels. Due to the song’s upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics, many creators couldn’t resist using it in their holiday-themed Reels.

It’s hard to pick a standout, but in my biased opinion, nobody does it better than these girls.

Okay, I take that back. I stumbled on this one just now. Absolute perfection.

How to jump on the trend: You can feature the song in a festive product showcase or create a heartwarming storyline that incorporates your products in a way that resonates with the holiday theme.

Thanksgiving TikTok Trend recreating ‘Gossip Girl’ epic moment

Remember that iconic Gossip Girl Thanksgiving scene where everyone’s dirty laundry got exposed while “Whatcha Say” by Jason Derulo is playing? That’s a big cultural moment in television right there.

So cultural, in fact, that thousands of users on Instagram are using Derulo’s track to recreate the scene by acting out the questions parents ask them during Thanksgiving dinner.

Many of the Reels were made for good fun, and some even had the parents themselves participating. What made the short videos even more funny is because there’s a ring of truth in them.

How to jump on the trend: You know how parents like to pick on their kids for overindulging in a specific product? You can create a series of Reels showcasing your brand’s product with humorous scenes of parents teasing their kids about indulging too much. 

For example, if you’re selling desserts, the parent’s dialogue could be “Isn’t that your third helping?,” which is of course met with an eye roll from the kid caught in the act.

Olivia Rodrigo “Get Him Back” Dance

Olivia Rodrigo returns with another banger and her fans are along for the ride as America’s pop-punk queen disses her ex in  “Get Him Back” the third single off her sophomore album, GUTS.

The angst and emotion expressed in Rodrigo’s lyrics resonated deeply with listeners, catapulting “Get Him Back” to the top of Instagram Reels trends. As of the latest count, the track has been featured in an impressive 42.2k Reels, and that number is still growing.

My favorite Reel using the trend features this Dad and her daughter singing and dancing to the upbeat tune. As a Dad myself, I’m a sucker for heartwarming Dad moments, so I can’t NOT pick this one. Could someone please give this Dad the Father of the Year award?

How to use this trend: Create Reels featuring your brand’s products as essential items for navigating through a heartbreak and moving on. You can, for example, showcase your comfort food, cozy blankets, or self-care products (accompanied by the song, of course).

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Metro Station’s “SHAKE IT” trend

“SHAKE IT” by Metro Station, a massive hit from 2007, experienced a revival in September 2023, thanks to Instagram Reelers. And it came with a new dance trend. And when a dance trend starts, you know you have a banger.

Needless to say, many creators on Instagram have been going bonkers over this song and performing dance routines to one section of it. Popular moves include chest bumping, shaking, nodding, and more, adding variety to the trend.

Of course, the Reels trend is also open to non-humans. This dog right here is a vibe.

That said, not every Reel featuring the song is centered around dance. Some users have found creative ways to incorporate “SHAKE IT” into their content beyond choreography.

As of our latest update, “SHAKE IT” has been featured in 19.3k Reels and continues to gain momentum. 

How to use this trend: Nothing elaborate: Simply create Reels showcasing your brand’s products while incorporating the tune. Inject some personality into it. The point is to have fun! Audiences relate to brands that don’t mind letting their hair down.

The Tube Girl trend

People recording themselves in public places now happens all the time — coffee shops, parks, campuses, you name it.

But recording yourself on a moving train and dancing? Now that’s something else.

One day, in a stroke of inspiration, Sabrina Bahsoon began capturing herself dancing on a moving train and sharing the footage online. Since then, she became known as the “Tube Girl.”

“I have to commute everywhere because I live quite far out from everyone,” Sabrina disclosed. “So on the way home after a night out, I’d put my music on.”

Here’s the video that sparked the Tube Girl sensation for your viewing pleasure.

More Tiktokers and Instagrammers followed suit, making dancing on the tube a viral sensation (not to mention making mundane commutes a stage for self-expression and creativity).

The “Girl Dinner” trend

Whether you’re active on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve likely caught wind of the “girl dinner” trend.

The “girl dinner” trend is where a wide variety of snacks come together in one easy meal. 

In recent days, this trend has surged across the internet, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. On TikTok alone, it has garnered over 990 million views, and it spread on Instagram too via Reels.

The essence of the girl dinner trend lies in its simplicity – a delightful assortment of snacks combined into a single, convenient meal. Think of it as a casual, effortless way to enjoy a satisfying meal without the fuss of traditional cooking!

TikTok and Instagram user Olivia Maher, also known as @liviemaher, kickstarted the trend. The initial video featured a plate adorned with bread, butter, grapes, cheese, and a bottle of red wine.

“I call this girl dinner,” she proudly declares.

Many TikTok and Instagram users could relate, sparking a trend that keeps growing and growing.

Here’s the video that started it all.

How to use this trend: If you’re a brand selling food products, create Instagram Reels highlighting how your products can be incorporated into effortless yet satisfying meals. Pair your food products with other snacks for a complete girl dinner experience. Encourage your audience to get creative!

Bonus content: A more efficient way to manage your Instagram Reels

Your efforts to get trendy in your Instagram content won’t yield you your desired results if you’re not managing your Reels efficiently. 

Here’s some good news: there are social media management tools you can use to streamline your workflow. 

Case in point: NapoleonCat’s Instagram management tools for business. For starters, this social media management tool lets you have all your Instagram comments and DMs in one place — even across multiple Instagram accounts and ad campaigns.

social inbox dashboard
All social media interactions in one view.

NapoleonCat also allows you to schedule your Instagram Reels in advance. It saves you a ton of time, giving you more time to track trending Instagram Reels you can leverage in your social media strategy. 

facebook mockup
Scheduling posts to multiple platforms at once

We highly recommend you test NapoleonCat for free – no credit card required 😉

Social Media Inbox - Simplify Instagram Management

Simplify Instagram Business
Management with One Tool

  • Manage & reply to comments and DMs in one place.
  • Monitor ad comments from multiple accounts.
  • Automate answers to repetitive questions.
  • Schedule posts to multiple accounts, on desktop.
  • Analyze performance and monitor hashtags.
  • Keep track of your competition.
  • Create or schedule in-depth reports in seconds.
Try 2 weeks for free (no credit card required)

Wrap up

And there you have it – a comprehensive guide to leveraging Instagram Reels trends to elevate your brand’s presence on the platform. 

By staying on top of the latest trends on Instagram Reels and putting your own twist into them in ways that communicate your brand’s benefits, you can engage your audience, increase brand visibility, and ultimately drive business results. 

Of course, not every Reel has to involve a trend. If you need help creating Reels that can delight your audience, give our How to make on Reels on Instagram guide a read. Enjoy creating!

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AUTHOR

Lars Arboleda
Lars Arboleda

B2B Writer for SaaS and Marketing Brands

Freelance writer for SaaS and marketing brands with a knack for forging meaningful and human connections between businesses and their clients. A devoted dad and husband first, content strategist and devourer of books (and many other things) second.

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