Comments such as “2026 is gonna be the new 2016” and “Is 2026 the new 2016?” have been circulating everywhere, from social media to news channels, with headlines such as “Why 2016 is taking over social media in 2026,” and “The Catalyst News,” “2026 is the New 2016: What Nostalgia, Celebrities, and Social Culture Say About This Year’s Trends.” But do these mantras actually mean anything, or are people just saying them to go viral and reminisce?Back in the 2010s, internet culture felt huge, where memes were constantly spreading, and short funny videos were everything. I’ve seen people on social media reflect on 2016 a lot, especially on the campy, carefree feeling everyone seemed to have, the movies and shows we were left with and all the online trends that are still popular today. These memories and social media comments leave me wondering: Is that same vibe reemerging today?
Entertainment was a central core to the 2016 vibe. Popular movies and shows, including “La La Land,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “The Secret Life of Pets,” “Moana,” “Zootopia,” “Fuller House” and “Stranger Things,” were released during this era and have been a part of film and TV culture since. Looking back to 2016, sophomore Olivia Dabiri recalled her go-to television show, “I always watched ‘The Loud House’.” In the past few years, there have been sequel productions for “The Secret Life of Pets,” “Moana” and “Zootopia,” releases of multiple seasons of “Fuller House” and the conclusion of the “Stranger Things” franchise.
In addition, music has played a significant role in maintaining the 2016 aesthetic today. Nostalgic songs such as “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, “Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes, “Hello” by Adele, “Cheap Thrills” by Sia and “Work” by Rihanna were released in 2016, but they remain popular in people’s Spotify and Apple Music playlists. In fact, influencers across different social media platforms have been striving to curate the perfect 2016 throwback playlist.
Although music carries over from one decade to the next, social media in 2016 was drastically different from what it is today. Before TikTok, there was Vine. Vine allowed users to post 6-second short videos and loop them. Videos tended to be humorous, fostering a creative, fast-paced platform. Though it ended up shutting down in 2017 due to the rise of competing platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, Vine started a love for short-form video content that dominates platforms today. One platform that has stuck around since 2016, however, is Snapchat. People would use Snapchat to take selfies with different filters and send them to other users. Today, the app is used less for its wide range of filters and has instead become most teens’ go-to messaging platform.
As I try to piece together 2016 trends, I arrive at another substantial topic: fashion. I think about skinny jeans, bomber jackets, streetwear style and how they have resurfaced on today’s Pinterest boards. Freshman Brooklyn Posin shared, “I remember always only wearing leggings and t-shirts with bright floral or animal prints.” While people likely thought certain clothing items were just micro-trends at the time, they’d be surprised to see their donated clothes coming back in style in 2026. Just because everyone once swore they would throw away their skinny jeans doesn’t mean they can’t come back in style.
While 2026 might not literally be the new 2016, the vision for this year seems to match that of a decade ago. Whether it is because people want something familiar and comforting this year to remind them of the past, or because 2016 was simply a memorable year to be alive, 2026 is starting to feel similar, close enough to bring back that shared sense of fun and freedom. Maybe it’s not about going back in time, but about bringing back the feeling of enjoying life together.
