YouTube list reveals Canadians can't get enough of animals, Despacito and Star Wars

Chances are that you've seen this video and may have even shared it with friends — a sea lion suddenly pulls a young girl into the water at a wharf in Richmond, B.C., and a man jumps in to rescue her.

The dramatic encounter has been viewed more than 30.2 million times, making it this year's top trending YouTube video in Canada. 

The list also shows many, many Canadians were clicking on the Spanish-language chart-topper Despacito and the teaser trailer for the upcoming Star Wars instalment The Last Jedi.

"I think those videos that really pull people to YouTube to watch are the ones that really get us all talking," Nicole Bell, communications manager for YouTube Canada, told CBC News.

"Whether that's something incredible that you've never seen before, whether it's something surprising, or moving and emotional, or challenging."

To figure out which videos audiences loved the most, YouTube looks at engagement: how often viewers commented, shared, and liked each post, in addition to how many views a video received.

After that, the most popular people, memes, music and moments make the cut into a yearly, much-anticipated compilation video, known as YouTube Rewind. 

This year, Canadians in the mash-up spotlight include YouTube megastar Lilly Singh a.k.a. Superwoman, along with transgender beauty expert GiGi Gorgeous, creative vlogger LaurDIY, AsapSCIENCE, and the channel Simply Nailogical, which sparked the unique global trend of 100-layer nail polish.

"We're looking at what were the biggest moments that exploded on our platform this year," said Bell.

"We look at designing scenes and bringing in creators that are going to surprise and delight the YouTube audience and make everybody remember those moments, but also relive them in a way that's different."

Top 10 trending videos in Canada for 2017

Top trending music videos

1. Despacito ft. Daddy Yankee by Luis Fonsi.

2. Shape of You [Official Video] by Ed Sheeran.

3. I'm the One by DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne.

4. That's What I Like [Official Video] by Bruno Mars.

5. HUMBLE. by Kendrick Lamar.

6. Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift.

7. Reminder by The Weeknd.

8. Stay (Lyric Video) by Zedd & Alessia Cara.

9. Bodak Yellow [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] by Cardi B.

10. There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back by Shawn Mendes.

Top trending movie trailers

1. Star Wars:  The Last Jedi Official Teaser by Star Wars.

2. IT - Official Teaser Trailer by Warner Bros. Pictures.

3. Thor: Ragnarok Teaser Trailer [HD] by Marvel Entertainment.

4. Black Panther Teaser Trailer [HD] by Marvel Entertainment.

5. DEADPOOL 2 Teaser Trailer (2018) by KinoCheck International.

6. JUSTICE LEAGUE - Official Trailer 1 by Warner Bros. Pictures.

7. THE BOSS BABY "Diapers" Trailer Tease (Animation, 2017) by FRESH Movie Trailers.

8. 12 FEET DEEP Trailer (Trapped in a Pool - Thriller - 2017) by Movie Coverage.

9. THE EMOJI MOVIE Trailer 1 - 3 (2017) by Entertainment Access.

10. BLADE RUNNER 2049 - Official Trailer by Warner Bros. Pictures.