DexertoFortnite isn’t just about clutch wins and crazy skins: half the fun is flexing your emotes.
When you’re hitting a victory royale or just vibing in the pre-game lobby, the right emote can be the perfect way to show off your style (or salt).
Over the years, Epic Games has dropped hundreds of emotes, which range from iconic collabs to OG classics and goofy originals, but only a few stand out as true legends.
So, to help you find your perfect way to celebrate, here are the top 20 Fortnite emotes of all time based on popularity, cultural impact, and just straight-up vibes.
Rarest emotes in Fortnite
1. Laugh It Up
Fortnite.gg- Release date: May 6, 2018 (Season 4)
Arguably the most toxic emote in Fortnite history. Laugh It Up features a donkey braying laugh, and it quickly became the way to taunt opponents after eliminations.
It’s been used in millions of salty clips and even got flagged as a “confrontational emote” by Epic. These days, you can turn it off in settings, but OGs still remember the chaos it caused.
2. Take The L
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: February 22, 2018 (Season 3 Battle Pass)
Take The L is Fortnite emote royalty. If you see someone dancing on you with it, you know you messed up. It features a jumping, L-to-the-forehead dance that screams “get good.” Since it was in the Season 3 Battle Pass, it’ll never return, making it an OG-only flex to this day.
3. Floss
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: December 14, 2017 (Season 2 Battle Pass)
Floss is the emote. Originally unlocked in the Season 2 Battle Pass, this dance took over the world, popping up in classrooms and sports arenas. It’s now ultra-rare, and only the earliest Fortnite grinders have it.
4. The Robot
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: February 22, 2018 (Season 3 Battle Pass)
Inspired by old-school breakdancing, The Robot was a fan favorite for its clean moves and killer music. It was the Tier 95 reward in the Season 3 Battle Pass, which means if you earned it, you really played Fortnite back then. Still one of the smoothest dances in the game.
5. Best Mates
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: February 22, 2018 (Season 3 Battle Pass)
Everyone loves Best Mates. This goofy, arm-swinging march became an internet meme almost instantly. Its upbeat tune and loopable animation made it a lobby classic, and even years later, it still slaps. Another Battle Pass exclusive that’s gone forever, but never forgotten.
6. Headbanger
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: April 22, 2020
Travis Scott’s Fortnite concert changed the game, and Headbanger was a huge part of that. Inspired by his real-life stage presence, this emote dropped as part of the Astronomical set. The beat goes hard, the animation hits harder, and its rarity only boosts the hype.
7. Scenario
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: March 2019 (Samsung Galaxy S10 Exclusive)
You had to buy a whole Samsung Galaxy S10 to unlock this K-pop-inspired dance. Scenario is clean, stylish, and has one of the most addicting soundtracks in the game. Because it never hit the item shop, it’s one of the rarest flexes in Fortnite history. If you see someone using this, salute them, or copy them – it might be your only chance.
8. Boogie Down
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: August 29, 2018
This emote was part of a community contest – yes, for real. It’s fun, funky, and free (if you enabled two-factor authentication back in the day). What makes it iconic? It feels like classic Fortnite, being fun for the sake of fun.
9. Hot Marat
Dexerto- Release Date: November 24, 2018
One of the rarest and shortest-lived emotes in Fortnite. Hot Marat arrived as a free promo for Ralph Breaks the Internet, stayed just two days, and never returned. It feels like a playful Disney crossover frozen in time, a tiny dance that became a massive flex.
10. The Worm
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: December 14, 2017 (Season 2 Battle Pass)
The Worm was Fortnite’s first silly flex. It’s goofy, exaggerated, and has real Saturday morning cartoon energy. Only available in the Season 2 Battle Pass, this emote is ultra-rare now, but it defined Fortnite’s early vibe perfectly.
11. Head Banger
Dexerto- Release Date: April 22, 2020
One of the first Icon Series collab emotes in Fortnite. Head Banger dropped with Travis Scott’s Astronomical event, letting players thrash along to the beat. It only returned a handful of times before disappearing in April 2020, making it one of the rarest music-linked emotes today.
12. Groove Jam
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: May 1, 2018 (Season 4 Battle Pass)
Based on Napoleon Dynamite’s dance, Groove Jam oozes personality. It’s quirky, rhythmic, and honestly iconic. You had to grind to Tier 95 of Season 4 to unlock it, and it hasn’t returned since. Fortnite’s best hidden gem.
13. Hype
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: May 1, 2018 (Season 4 Battle Pass)
You know the Hype dance even if you don’t realize it. This emote mimics BlocBoy JB’s viral “Shoot” dance, and it became the move in lobbies for years. It’s bouncy, loud, and somehow always makes you smile. Sadly, it’s a Battle Pass exclusive, so it’s locked away forever.
14. Fresh
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: December 16, 2017
Inspired by Carlton’s iconic dance from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, this emote is a true Fortnite OG classic. It’s been gone from the shop for over 2,000 days and was reportedly pulled due to legal drama.
15. Rambunctious
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: June 9, 2018
This dance is another one tied up in legal limbo based on a Fresh Prince clip, Rambunctious is fast, chaotic, and hilarious. Like Fresh, it was removed quietly and has become one of the most sought-after emotes in Fortnite’s history.
16. Lazer Blast
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: February 25, 2021
Major Lazer’s Lazer Blast is pure style. With killer beat drops and smooth animations, this icon series emote brought musical energy into Fortnite like never before. It hasn’t been seen in years, making it a rare item shop flex for music lovers and sweaty players alike.
17. Sing Along
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: December 18, 2020
A seasonal freebie turned legendary, Sing Along, dropped during Winterfest 2020. It’s festive, wholesome, and best of all, it was free. You had to log in during a specific time to grab it, and now it’s gone, possibly forever.
18. Poki
Fortnite.gg- Release Date: January 19, 2020
This emote brought streamer Pokimane’s viral dance to Fortnite, and it’s still a fan-favorite. Light, fun, and loopable, Poki was one of the earliest TikTok-style collabs, and its return to the shop is always met with hype. Clean and timeless.
19. Stuck
Dexerto- Release Date: September 6, 2021
Stuck came and went almost instantly in Fortnite. Released in September 2021, this Icon Series emote only appeared twice before vanishing. Its motivational vibe and unique choreography gave it personality, but its blink-and-miss shop run cemented it as one of the hardest emotes to find today.
20. Distraction Dance
Dexerto- Release Date: June 18, 2022
Distraction Dance was Fortnite’s nod to the viral Among Us meme. Added in June 2022 as part of the Gaming Legends Series, it only stuck around for a short week before vanishing. Its goofy, over-the-top routine made it instantly recognizable, but limited shop runs turned it into a hidden gem for collectors.
More helpful guides
- All seasons in order
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- Where to find all Mythic and Exotic weapons
- Where to find all NPCs
For more on the game, check out how to level up fast, where to find NPC characters, how to play split screen, and whether there are any free V-Bucks codes.
