Enjoying a stroll down memory lane as a millennial of nostalgic leanings
In the realm of entertainment, 2025 has witnessed a significant resurgence of pop culture from the 1990s and early 2000s, appealing to not one, but two generations - millennials and Gen Z.
Adam Sandler's "Happy Gilmore 2" made history on Netflix, debuting to a staggering 46.7 million views, setting a new record for the streamer's largest U.S. film opening ever. Meanwhile, the Backstreet Boys are playing to sold-out crowds, their music resonating deeply with millennials, offering a sense of healing and nostalgia in these challenging times.
The Backstreet Boys concertgoers, dressed in all-white attire in homage to the band's "Millennium" album, sang along to hits like "Drowning," their voices echoing the memories of a bygone era. Some of the concert videos have amassed millions of views on TikTok, a platform where Gen Zers, who once mocked millennial culture, are now found romanticizing it.
The resurgence of millennial-focused pop culture extends beyond music. Shots of Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt filming the sequel to the 2006 hit "The Devil Wears Prada" in New York City have caused a frenzy. Fans are analyzing the actors' high-fashion looks and lining up to catch glimpses of the stars in person as they shoot.
Gen Z’s interest in these trends reflects a blend of nostalgic appeal and their values such as sustainability, mental wellbeing, and authenticity. This is evident in contemporary Broadway productions like "Romeo + Juliet," which authentically reflect young adult experiences without sugarcoating life’s complexities.
Notably, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson were recently spotted filming a new project in New York City. Nelly, Creed, and The All-American Rejects have launched tours, while studios continue to green-light sequels, prequels, and spinoffs based on beloved titles from the '90s and 2000s.
However, the trend is not without its downsides. A tragic incident occurred at a concert in Egypt, where one person was killed and others were injured in a fireworks explosion.
In the spirit of authenticity and sustainability, American Eagle says their ad featuring Sydney Sweeney is about the jeans, not the actress. Millennials, typically defined as individuals born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s, find a sense of connection and less judgment in this shared nostalgia for their formative entertainment.
In conclusion, the current trend of millennial-pop culture's revival is a testament to the power of nostalgia and the shared values of authenticity, realness, and sustainability, creating a cultural resonance across both generations.
The Backstreet Boys' resurgence in popularity offers a sense of nostalgia and healing to millennials, while their music captured on TikTok is being romanticized by Gen Z. (pop-culture, entertainment)
The revival of millennial-focused pop culture, such as the sequel to "The Devil Wears Prada," showcases a blend of nostalgic appeal and Gen Z's values like sustainability, mental wellbeing, and authenticity. (pop-culture, entertainment)
