Biggest doesn’t always mean the best, and millions of subscribers don’t always mean that those channels are producing high-quality content. With the massive amount of content YouTube offers daily, it can be difficult to keep up with the content you like. You might not even know where you should begin.
Luckily, we do — if you’re looking for some quality content this year, we know which channels are worth checking out.
Science, philosophy, and learning
Minute Physics
Want to learn all there is to know about physics but don’t have a long attention span? Minute Physics makes science easy to understand with videos that rarely go on for more than a few minutes (the longest is around seven minutes, but most average around 90 seconds). The channel helps explain everything from “What Is Fire?” to the recent discovery of the Higgs Boson. Now you don’t have to feel lost when your geek friends discuss scientific topics — and you can stop trying to learn from The Big Bang Theory.
Crash Course
Made by the two siblings responsible for Vlog Brothers, Hank and John Green, this channel offers short, 40-video courses on anything from biology to literature. Using illustrations and animation, these videos can make anyone care about a nomenclature — and maybe help you pass a test or two.
Big Think
Big Think gathers some of the greatest figures in philosophy, science, and other fields to discuss important ideas in short, comprehensible videos. Whether you want to hear physicist Michio Kaku talk about aliens or learn tips on how to improve your mental health, Big Think is a fountain of knowledge.
Arts and culture
Lessons from the Screenplay
Film theory can be hard to digest. Lessons From the Screenplay examines various popular films, breaking down what makes their stories work — or, in some cases, fail. The subjects vary: One video uses The Avengers to discuss the differences between three- and five-act narrative structures, another uses Blade Runner as a case study in building a sci-fi noir story.
Now You See It
Another film studies channel, Now You See It examines various aspects of filmmaking, explaining the different techniques a filmmaker might employ and why they might use them. Topics include costuming, the use of geometry in character design, and how to execute a proper jump scare in horror movies.
KEXP
Seattle public radio station KEXP hosts some of the most exciting musicians in alternative music today, and the station posts videos of these performances — half-concert, half-interview — on its YouTube channel. KEXP’s studio has incredible acoustics, and every performance sounds clear and intimate.
NPR Music
NPR isn’t just a go-to organization for insightful talk radio. Its music division features a number of programs, and NPR Music’s YouTube channel contains a bounty of great performances. The jewel in NPR Music’s crown is the Tiny Desk concert series, where artists visit the NPR office and perform intimate, often stripped-down shows.
Cooking and food
Epic Meal Time
If you’ve ever found yourself in a late-night conversation with your friends about how mixing lasagna and poutine would be the most delicious thing ever, Epic Meal Time is for you. These Canadians will take the bullet for you and add bacon or wings to pretty much anything — just to see what will happen. This is not for vegetarians or the weak of heart (or stomach).
Binging with Babish
On his weekly series Binging with Babish, host Andrew Rea combines pop culture and cooking, recreating dishes seen in movies and shows with immaculate detail. Despite the premise, Binging isn’t just humorous; Rea walks viewers through each step in every recipe, explaining things with clarity and confidence that should allow any viewer to make their own beef Wellington (or pumpkin pasties from the Harry Potter films).
Cocktail Chemistry
If you want to entertain guests — or simply cut down on your bar spending — it’s a good idea to know how to make a cocktail. Cocktail Chemistry breaks down recipes for various cocktails, ranging from classics like Old Fashioned and Negroni to more fanciful recipes. The channel also includes videos on bartending techniques, so you can take your cocktail game to the next level.
Video games
Giant Bomb
Video game website Giant Bomb blends a passion for gaming with hilarious personalities; the site’s staff is a murderer’s row of games journalism veterans. The site’s YouTube channel hosts its free video content, including Quick Looks (wherein staff members demo games, giving a firsthand look at how they play), and tapings of GB’s popular podcasts.
Jim Sterling
Video game journalist Jim Sterling (formerly of Destructoid and The Escapist) is one of gaming’s most bombastic personalities, as a quick tour of his YouTube channel should demonstrate. Sterling’s flagship series is The Jimquisition, wherein he gives his pointed (often caustic) opinions of the latest trends in the games industry.
OfficialNerdCubed
Imagine if Tim Curry yelled a lot and hosted a video game channel. That’s OfficialNerdCubed. Daniel Hardcastle will play any game imaginable, from Spiderman 2 to Flight Control, and say “bloody” so many
times you’ll want to jump on a double decker bus and drink tea in a red phone booth. Look out for the videos with his father — the two sound exactly alike, so it’s fun to figure out who is who. Most of the videos on this channel are pretty long, so make sure you set aside enough time to watch them.
Travel and adventure
Fun For Louis
Louis Cole does more in a month than most people do in their entire lives. He documents his adventures all over the world, and they will make you jealous. Though he doesn’t usually give any travel tips, he will show you things to add to your bucket list, such as a staying in an igloo or strolling through a haunted, abandoned prison. Whether you decide to follow his lead or just live vicariously through him, Louis will make sure you see something unique in every video.
Gareth Leonard
Otherwise known as Tourist2Townie, Gareth Leonard’s short videos are more like trailers about certain countries rather than travel diaries. They consist of shots of scenery and people set to music, which is a great way to get a small taste of what a country has to offer. Leonard’s goal is to immerse himself in a culture of a place so much that he feels like a local. You decide if he is successful.