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Gen Z’s latest insane TikTok trend may be its funniest yet. From Los Angeles to New York, from Vancouver to Edinburgh, large groups of young people are pulling off what they call “Scientology Speedruns.”
The “Scientology speedrun” trend has gone massively viral on TikTok, with participants treating Scientology centers like video game levels — entering buildings in hoodies and masks (or even Minions costumes), racing through hallways past confused staff, and exiting as fast as possible.
TikTokers are pulling off “Scientology Speedruns” across the world and the videos are going massively viral on social media
Videos from Los Angeles, New York, and other cities around the world have accumulated millions of views on social media since the trend began.
@juicy.jacobb Gru & minions go to Scientology #scientology #meme #prank #minions #funny
@djfartsucker69 scientology #fyp #trending #viral #funny #scientology
The “spreedruns” didn’t stop at the most famous Church of Scientology in California, though, as the trend made its way across the country to New York City, too.
And across the border in Vancouver, Canada.
@cbcbritishcolumbia Hundreds of teens gathered in downtown Vancouver on Saturday afternoon to stage their own version of a viral social media trend, “Scientology speedrunning.” As the CBC’s Sohrab Sandhu explains, the stunt has police issuing a warning. speedrunning scientology churchofscientology vancouver vpd cbcnews
♬ original sound – CBC British Columbia – CBC British Columbia
And even across the pond in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The Church of Scientology has responded by calling the “speedruns” hate crimes — arguing that they constitute organized trespassing involving property damage and are putting their staffs at risk. Some locations have reportedly removed external door handles to prevent easy entry.
How and why are TikTokers pulling off Scientology Speedruns?
Scientology centers are generally open to the public as a recruitment strategy, as anyone can walk in due to the “free personality test” the churches conduct as a hook to get people inside.
The speedrunners are utilizing that open-door policy by treating the initial unrestricted access as a video game entry point — walking in fast, navigating as deep into the building as possible before staff can intercept them, and getting out.
As for why they’re doing it, Anti-Scientology sentiment has been building for years — driven by documentaries like Going Clear, the Leah Remini series, and sustained coverage of abuse allegations within the organization, with the inherently ironic “speedrun” format giving the younger generation a viral format to raise hell at these mysterious churches.