The past decade has seen significant changes in entertainment, with pop culture undergoing drastic transformations due to social media and streaming services. Surprising trends emerged in fashion, music, film, and television, such as the comeback of vinyl, gender-neutral fashion, and the domination of superhero movies at the box office. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu changed traditional TV viewing, while K-pop went global, and true crime docuseries dominated. Short-form video app TikTok saw millions joining the platform, and there was an ‘unapologetic wave of nostalgia’ for the ’90s. The power of social media influencers and inclusivity in music rounded off a decade of stunning pop culture trends.
10 Surprising Pop Culture Trends of the Past Decade
The past decade saw various changes in the entertainment industry. With the rise of social media and streaming services, pop culture has undergone drastic transformations. From fashion, music, film, and television, there were quite a few surprising pop culture trends that emerged in the past ten years. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
1. The Comeback of Vinyl
With the advent of digital music, many thought that vinyl records would become obsolete. However, the past decade saw a resurgence of vinyl records, with people preferring the physical aspect of music rather than just streaming it. In 2019, vinyl sales surpassed digital downloads for the first time in history, making it a surprising pop culture trend of the decade.
2. Gender-Neutral Fashion
In the past decade, the fashion industry witnessed a massive shift in gender-destructive clothes. More and more brands are choosing to produce gender-neutral clothing, allowing individuals to express themselves without conforming to genders. It has opened up new avenues for designers to experiment, making it a surprising pop culture trend of the decade.
3. Superhero Movies Take Over
Over the past decade, superhero movies have broken box office records every year. The Marvel Cinematic Universe alone generated more than $22 billion worldwide. The success of these movies has turned superhero films into a cultural phenomenon, making them one of the most surprising pop culture trends of the decade.
4. Streaming Services Change the Game
With the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, traditional TV watching has become a thing of the past. Streaming services have changed the way people consume media, making it more accessible to everyone. From binge-watching entire series to releasing new original content, streaming services have redefined pop culture in the past decade.
5. K-Pop Goes Global
Over the past decade, K-pop has gone global, with artists like BTS, Blackpink, and Psy achieving record-breaking success worldwide. The genre has not only crossed borders but transcended the language barrier as well. K-Pop’s influence has been felt globally, making it a surprising pop culture trend of the decade.
6. True Crime Docuseries Dominate
True crime docuseries like Making a Murderer, The Staircase, and Serial have dominated the past decade, with their gripping narratives and compelling storytelling. These shows have gained a cult following, leading to numerous discussions, spin-offs, and recreations. The true crime genre has become a staple in pop culture, making it a surprising trend of the decade.
7. The Rise of TikTok
TikTok, a short-form video app, took the world by storm in the past couple of years. Millions of people joined the platform, sharing videos of dance routines, lip-sync videos, and comedic sketches. TikTok’s popularity has opened up new opportunities for creatives and influencers, making it a surprising trend of the decade.
8. Nostalgia for the ’90s
In the past decade, there has been an unapologetic wave of nostalgia for the ’90s. From fashion trends to music, TV shows, and movies, the ’90s has made a massive comeback in pop culture. It’s a testament to how powerful nostalgia can be, bringing back the icons of yesteryears into the present.
9. Gender and Sexual Identity in Music
Over the past decade, numerous musicians have come out and spoken about their gender and sexual identity. This trend has led to more representation of the LGBTQ+ community in popular music, breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes. It’s a surprising trend that has paved the way for more inclusivity in the industry.
10. The Power of Social Media Influencers
In the past decade, social media influencers have become a significant trend in the pop culture world. With their massive followings and influence, these individuals have successfully created niche markets, popularizing products, and shaping the way people consume media. The power of social media influencers is a surprising pop culture trend of the decade.
In conclusion, these surprising pop culture trends from the past decade highlight how much the entertainment industry has evolved. From vinyls making a comeback to the power of social media influencers, the decade has been an exciting time for pop culture. We can only predict what the future holds, but one thing’s for sure- pop culture will continue to surprise us.