The last decade has seen significant changes in pop culture, from the rise of superhero movies and streaming services disrupting traditional television to the impact of social media and the revival of ’90s fashion. The shift towards incorporating diverse gender and sexual identities has been notable, as has the resurgence of pop music and the mainstreaming of video gaming. The internet meme has been a distinctive feature of the decade, while Hollywood’s tendency towards reboots and remakes has sparked debates on originality. With these trends in mind, it will be interesting to see how pop culture evolves in the years to come.
The Top 10 Pop Culture Trends of the Last Decade
Over the last decade, the world has seen a multitude of changes in many aspects of life. Pop culture plays a huge role in shaping our society and lifestyle. From movies to music to fashion, pop culture has been an ever-evolving landscape.
Let’s take a look at some of the most significant pop culture trends over the last decade.
1. Superhero Movies Take Over
The last decade has been a golden age of superhero movies. From Marvel’s Cinematic Universe to DC Comics’ Extended Universe, we have seen superheroes and villains take over box offices worldwide. With blockbusters such as Avengers: Endgame, The Dark Knight, and Spider-Man: Homecoming, these movies have not only created a genre of their own but have also introduced a new cast of superheroes to the world.
2. Streaming Services Disrupt Traditional Television
Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video have disrupted traditional television industries. As cable television’s subscriptions declined, these streaming platforms made waves by producing original content and offering affordable subscription plans. These services now compete with traditional television networks and provide users with binge-worthy content.
3. Social Media Takes Over
Social media has become an integral part of pop culture, and its impact on how we communicate, interact and portray ourselves online are profound. Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter have all changed the game, allowing people to share experiences, promote themselves, and even start businesses. Social media is now a ubiquitous part of modern life.
4. The Rise of Reality TV
Reality TV has been one of the biggest pop culture trends of the last decade. From shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians to Love Island, reality TV has dominated the small screen. These shows create real-life drama – whether it be through catfights, romances, or just people being themselves. In some cases, reality TV helped launch the careers of some stars who are still popular today.
5. Gender and Sexual Identity in the Mainstream
Over the last decade, there has been a significant shift in how gender and sexual identity are perceived in mainstream culture. LGBTQ+ people, for instance, are no longer hidden in the peripheries of society. Instead, their stories have been included in pop culture in movies and TV shows like Orange is the New Black and Transparent.
6. The Rebirth of Pop Music
Pop music has come back in a big way over the last decade. With major stars like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber at the forefront, pop music has become an overwhelming force in the music industry. Genres like EDM and K-pop have also become popular, representing a cultural shift towards global and diverse sounds.
7. The Revival of ’90s Fashion
The 90s were a statement-making era, and over the last decade, fashion has somewhat relived those times. Styles like baggy jeans, crop tops, bandanas, and oversized outerwear have made a dramatic comeback. The nineties fashion revival has been seen in films, music videos, and even social media influencers.
8. The Internet Meme
The internet meme has been a golden pop culture trend of the last decade. Through GIFs, viral images, and short videos, memes have taken over the internet. They can be created in mere minutes and are shared across social media platforms, breaking the internet and providing a vehicle for social commentary and political satire.
9. Video Gaming Goes Mainstream
Video gaming has always been a popular pastime, but over the last decade, it has become mainstream entertainment. With e-sports tournaments and events like E3, gaming now has a dedicated following worldwide. Games like Fortnite and Call of Duty have transcended barriers and have become pop culture phenomena.
10. The Age of the Reboot and Remake
The last decade has been marked by Hollywood’s tendency to create reboots and remakes of old films and TV shows. Through the likes of Star Wars, Jurassic World, and the rebooted Ghostbusters, we’ve seen a trend towards nostalgia in pop culture. These remakes have sparked debates on originality and have been both applauded and criticized.
Conclusion:
Pop culture has transformed significantly over the last decade. The shift towards streaming services, superhero movies, and social media have revolutionized industries while reboots and remakes tap into nostalgia. The value of incorporating gender and sexual identity in the mainstream and the re-emergence of nineties fashion have created more space for people to express themselves authentically. The revival of pop music, video gaming, and the birth of memes have us looking forward to what the next decade has to offer.