What Is Skibidi Toilet, and Why Does Michael Bay Want to Make a Movie About It?

Written by Matthew Byrd on July 25th, 2024.

When Variety recently shared that Michael Bay and Adam Goodman are working on creating TV and movie projects based on Skibidi Toilet, many people over the age of 25 were left wondering "What is Skibidi Toilet and why is Michael Bay making a movie about it?" This question is commonly asked by parents who are weighing the risks of allowing their children unrestricted internet access against the immediate relief of some quiet time for themselves.

However, with Skibidi possibly making the transition from the toilet to the big screen, this older millennial now feels a responsibility to stop questioning the choices that have led him to this point in life and shed some light on this strange turn of events.

What Is Skibidi Toilet? Don't Be Afraid To Ask!

Skibidi Toilet is a online show made by Alexey Gerasimov with Valve's well-liked Source Filmmaker program. It follows the escapades of a gang of strange creatures that have both toilet and human head features as they aim to conquer the planet. Similar to other Source Filmmaker works, Skibidi Toilet utilizes elements from Valve's video games. Particularly, the heads found in the toilets in the show are different versions of the G-Man character model from the Half-Life series.

Initially, the Skibidi Toilet videos were short clips that were perfect for TikTok, featuring the toilet creatures dancing and doing various actions to mashup songs. As time passed, the videos evolved into a complex story about a never-ending battle between the Skibidi Toilet group and creatures with electronic heads (cameras, speakers, TVs, etc.). While parts of the original videos are still present, the content has become much more detailed and intricate.

The fame of Skibidi Toilet surpasses its own series. The many videos of Skibidi Toilet have gathered more than 65 billion views on different YouTube channels and over 15 billion views on TikTok. Its universe and characters are also a regular feature in the Roblox gaming world, which is understandable considering the overlap between Skibidi Toilet and Roblox's very young main fanbases. It is, by all standards of contemporary media, a huge internet sensation.

You might be thinking about watching the videos now, but be warned that they might not make sense or be enjoyable if you are not part of their intended audience, which is Gen Alpha or younger Gen Z. The videos may seem like a confusing mix of images and sounds without any clear meaning or humor. Even younger viewers may not understand or appreciate the series and find it uncomfortable to watch.

However, I somewhat understand the Skibidi Toilet trend. I don't really know what's going on in these videos, but I can see why they have become so well-liked.

To start, every person from any generation that grew up with the internet cannot deny that they have spent time on websites or trends that may seem odd or outdated now. I have come across your old GeoCities pages, watched Salad Finger videos, and seen Planking photos. Once you realize that these things are just part of the internet's evolution, you can let go of the idea that they have to hold any significant meaning for you.

Additionally, the impact of Source Filmmaker cannot be overlooked. In recent years, online videos created using Source Filmmaker have gained immense popularity, especially among young people. When paired with the easily consumable style of Skibidi Toilet videos (perfect for TikTok), the Source Filmmaker format effortlessly connects with the exact audience these videos were tailored for. The quirky characters, reminiscent of Minions, and the absence of any traditional language further enhance the global appeal of these videos, appealing to viewers who understand the language of Source, memes, and the type of unconventional humor represented in these shorts.

Lastly, there is the aspect of storytelling. As Skibidi Toilet develops and expands, it remains connected to the online community that is fascinated with unraveling and interpreting the stories behind various things. Entire groups have formed around these in-depth investigations, and if you’re reading this, chances are you have been drawn into the intrigue of storytelling at some point.

This is also the aspect of these videos that probably assists us in addressing the other aspect of the question I raised earlier.

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The straightforward and likely correct answer to the question is "money." It would be amusing to discover that Michael Bay is a huge fan of Skibidi Toilet, but it is likely that the film industry's equivalent of Andrew Lloyd Webber is interested in this project for reasons beyond his creative success.

The widespread fascination with Skibidi Toilet videos and Hollywood's relentless appetite for new profitable projects demonstrate why influential figures in the movie industry are considering turning it into a movie. However, similar to many other video game adaptations, this potential movie or show may never actually be made.

The most fascinating thing about this situation is the high chance that it could be the first significant example of what might be called the "Five Nights at Freddy's effect." When the movie exceeded all expectations at the box office, it made people think about new opportunities. What if the key to attracting younger audiences to theaters was just focusing on popular online properties that they are familiar with?

I don't believe it's as easy as some may think, but I see where they're coming from. Skibidi Toilet has gained a dedicated following of fans who are passionate about every aspect of its complex world. While it's not exactly like Five Nights at Freddy's, I understand why it would appeal to a younger audience looking for new content. Despite the fact that it doesn't seem to make sense as a movie or scripted series, I can see why it's at the forefront of new properties being considered.

However, it is not surprising to realize this. The Skibidi Toilet situation is not new or groundbreaking. What sets this apart is the belief that an online sensation can transition into a successful movie. While someone may end up losing a lot of money on this gamble, one could also view it as a well-intentioned, albeit misguided, effort to connect with younger audiences and potentially revive the struggling theater industry during these challenging times.

The chances of the Skibidi Toilet movie or TV series being produced are very low. If it does happen, you don't have to watch it or give your opinion if you don't want to. It's best to be okay with not having a definitive answer to the question posed in this article. There have been many Skibidi Toilets in the past, and there will be many more in the future. Take solace in the fact that you now have enough knowledge about the topic to humorously tease someone in the future who will never outgrow their Skibidi Toilet phase.

You can also find reassurance in knowing that if a movie is made about Skibidi Toilet, it will probably star Chris Pratt as Skidibi and Kevin Hart as toilet.