Why Nostalgia is Taking Over Pop Culture

From Y2K fashion to movie reboots - why are we so obsessed with the past?

First of all, what is nostalgia? By definition, nostalgia is a ‘sentimental longing for a happy or significant period in the past.’ It’s bittersweet, bringing us a feeling of contentment and comfort when recalling pleasant memories, but it can also evoke dissatisfaction, sadness or disappointment when comparing past experiences with the present. 

Nostalgia is a significant force in pop culture, seen in the resurface of past music and fashion trends like flared jeans, low-rise and more. Even in the reboot of popular movie franchises made in the early 21st century like Mean Girls and recently the upcoming Harry Potter movies, which still remain relevant in pop culture today, raises a question about a potential lack in original ideas.

So, why is this a bad thing?

Firstly, this can harm pop culture by discouraging innovation. Although most reboots that have come out in the last few years have gained lots of media attraction, whether it be bad and good reviews, or mixed opinions surrounding the - in general, it is still evident that the entertainment industry is leaning too heavily on nostalgia. Hollywood favours reboots, sequels and ‘legacy’ because there are considered to be safe bets as movies like - and - have existing fan bases. This makes it harder for fresh, new ideas to get funded.

Nostalgia often presents a selective or overly idolised view of the past, getting rid of the negative aspects and social injustices that were present at the time. This romanticisation can fixate on a comfortable past whilst neglecting ongoing societal challenges. For example, shows like MTV Cribs, The SImple Life and America’s Next Top Model were all engaging in the exploitation and humiliation of contestants for ratings. These shows also normalised bullying and toxic behavior, especially on competitive shows, but people look back at them as hilarious or over the top entertainment. Another example is the Disney Channel/Nickelodeon Era, where popular TV shows like Hannah Montana, Lizzy McGuire and iCarly were watched by millions and still remembered as funny, innocent and iconic shows for childhood. However many are unaware of the behind the scene mistreatment of child starts (many later spoke out about it), unsafe working conditions, and predatory behaviour from powerful figures in the industry. They pressured young actors to maintain perfect images that often harmed their mental health. 

So basically, when people today idolise the early 2000’s as a simpler, better time, they’re often forgetting how toxic and overlooked celebrity culture was.

Why the new Mean Girls movie flopped:

The reboot of the very successful movie ‘Mean Girls’ from 2004 was released just last year and has already received much criticism towards the acting and script writing- why? Firstly, many one star reviews of the show complained that Regina’s character was ‘trying too hard’ and that all the songs reminded the audience of how mean she was. In the original movie, Rachel Mcadam’s portrayal of Regina had a certain depth. Even though she was ruthless and manipulative, there was a stage charm to her that just wasn’t present in the remake. 

In one of the songs in the movie, ‘Meet the Plastics’, Regina sings:

My name is Regina George

And I am a massive deal

I don't care who you are

I don't care how you feel

Here, Regina makes it clear that she doesn’t care who you are and how you feel. These lines show how the character has a superiority complex, thinking she is above everyone, whereas in the original movie, it is obvious but not said how Regina is rightfully ‘Queen Bee’. 

In conclusion, the remake of the movie completely removed her savage nature and social intelligence just so they could make her more relatable to modern audiences and keep the character relevant in today’s pop culture, even if it means losing the original sharpness and social cunning that defined her.

But nostalgia can also be a great thing:

Although nostalgia is often present in pop culture, leading to lack of creativity and selective idolisation, it can also bring generations together and keep cultural continuity. Nostalgic media can be shared between older and younger generations, helping bridge age gaps and creating shared experiences. Nostalgia also keeps the classic ideas and styles alive, preserving elements of cultural history. Not only this but nostalgia can be a source of comfort and escapism, an escape from stressful times by watching nostalgic movies, books and shows, creates a sense of security. 

In conclusion, nostalgia is a powerful force in pop culture that can both inspire and limit creativity. While it keeps audiences emotionally connected and preserves cultural memories, it can also encourage over-reliance on reboots, gloss over the negative aspects of the past, and reduce opportunities for fresh ideas. Ultimately, nostalgia is most effective when it balances honoring the past with embracing innovation for the present.