Overview
This is a recurring internet thought experiment and meme that pits 100 unarmed men against a single silverback gorilla, sparking humorous yet impassioned debates. It resurfaces periodically—most notably originating on Reddit in 2020, exploding on TikTok in 2022, and resurfacing across nearly all social platforms in April 2025, partly fueled by influencer commentary and media coverage.
- FIRST SEEN April 2025, February 2022, July 2020
- PLATFORMS Facebook, Reddit, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube
- POPULARITY Viral resurgence in April 2025, coverage across major platforms; cited millions of views and mentions
- FIRST KNOW CREATOR u/probablycashed (Reddit)
- HASHTAGS (Often appears without formal hashtags, but commonly seen as) #100MenVs1Gorilla, #WhoWouldWin
How It Started
The best-documented starting point is a 2020 post on Reddit’s r/whowouldwin by u/probablycashed, phrased as “100 men versus 1 silverback gorilla.” That thread seeded years of “who would win?” style arguments. A later early instance on TikTok (Feb 22, 2022) helped reframe it for short‑video culture.
Early milestones:
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2020: r/whowouldwin post by u/probablycashed. Reddit
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Feb 22, 2022: TikTok by @yuri5kpt2 asks the same question.
How It Spread
The question simmered on Reddit and resurfaced on TikTok throughout 2022-2024. In late April 2025, a viral X post racked up hundreds of millions of views, then MrBeast joked he needed “100 men to test this,” prompting replies from Elon Musk and coverage from major media. Activity spilled across Facebook and YouTube, with explainers, TV segments and game tie‑ins keeping it visible.
Growth drivers:
Ultra‑viral X discourse and quote‑tweets.
Influencer amplification (MrBeast, Musk).
Cross‑platform coverage (Guardian, USA Today, Rolling Stone, NBC, NPR).
Examples
Below are representative posts and coverage that mark the trend’s trajectory and public milestones.
Reddit (r/whowouldwin) – u/probablycashed (2020): “100 men versus 1 silverback gorilla.” Original thread. Reddit
TikTok – @yuri5kpt2 (Feb 22, 2022): Early TikTok framing of the debate.
X – @DreamChasnMike (Apr 25, 2025): Viral post claiming 100 men could beat 1 gorilla (300M+ views on‑platform). X (formerly Twitter)
X – @MrBeast (Apr 28, 2025): “Need 100 men to test this, any volunteers?” (50M+ views snapshot). X (formerly Twitter)
Variations & Spin-offs
As the meme spread, creators remixed it into other universes and formats. Blizzard/Overwatch 2 staged “100 Soldier:76 vs 1 Winston” in a live stream. Gaming outlets ran hypotheticals like “100 Marios vs one Donkey Kong.” The debate also cross‑pollinated with other viral hypotheticals (e.g., “man or bear”).
Notable spin‑offs/remixes:
Overwatch 2 special livestream (May 6, 2025). GameSpot
Destructoid: “100 Marios vs one Donkey Kong.” Destructoid
Comparisons to “man or bear” TikTok debate.
Why It’s Popular
The format is simple, absurd, and endlessly debatable, inviting strategy talk, bravado and parody. It taps into the classic “who would win” meme DNA while letting people perform identity-masculinity, teamwork, bravery-through a low‑stakes hypothetical. News outlets note it also reflects deeper cultural anxieties about male strength and status, which helps explain its staying power.
By the Numbers
Public metrics during the 2025 resurgence illustrate massive reach across platforms. Press coverage and platform counters provide the best snapshots. The Washington Post
4B+ potential impressions across social from Apr 19, 2025, per Sprout Social data reported by The Washington Post. The Washington Post
A single X post (Apr 25, 2025) surpassed 290-300M views. The Washington PostX (formerly Twitter)
MrBeast’s “100 men” tweet hit 50M+ views (on‑platform counter). X (formerly Twitter)
Mainstream coverage by Rolling Stone, USA Today, NBC, NPR further amplified the cycle.
Community / Ethics Notes
Animal‑welfare groups and wildlife experts criticized any suggestion of staging such a fight, stressing ethical and conservation concerns around endangered species. PETA publicly called out the meme’s framing; experts used the spotlight to redirect attention to gorilla conservation. Political actors even co‑opted the meme to make unrelated points, which drew separate criticism.
How to Spot It
Look for posts that explicitly ask “100 men vs 1 gorilla-who wins?” or variants like “100 guys vs 1 gorilla.” Visuals often include silverback photos, AI art, or game simulations. Captions debate dog‑pile strategies, “waves,” or “endurance” vs raw strength, and polls/rankings of “which 100 men” show up frequently.
How to Recreate This Trend
To participate ethically, keep it hypothetical and comedic-don’t involve real animals or promote harm. Frame your post as a thought experiment, use a poll or stitch/duet format, and cite an expert take for contrast. If you create visuals, label AI or simulation clearly to avoid misinformation.
Update Log
This section records significant revisions or new information (e.g., updated participation totals, new academic evaluations of impact, or notable anniversary revivals). We’ll adjust figures and attributions if stronger primary sources emerge or if platforms release new analytics.
June 2020: First known mention on Reddit’s r/whowouldwin by u/probablycashed.
Feb 22, 2022: First documented TikTok version by @yuri5kpt2.
Apr 25, 2025: Viral X post by @DreamChasnMike reaches hundreds of millions of views.
Apr 28, 2025: MrBeast tweets about “testing” the debate, hitting 50M+ views.
May 3, 2025: Trend reached 4B+ potential impressions since April 19, 2025.
May 6, 2025: Overwatch 2 livestreams “100 Soldier:76 vs 1 Winston” special match.
