2016 was a cultural time capsule of social media trends, viral memes and chart-topping music. Apps like Vine and Musical.ly dominated screens, while artists such as Drake, The Chainsmokers, Justin Bieber and Frank Ocean ruled playlists. Nearly a decade later, as 2026 approaches, echoes of that era are resurfacing; proof that some trends never really fade. From the Chicago Cubs’ historic World Series win to hits like “La La Land” and “Stranger Things”, 2016 remains a defining year that the next decade seems eager to revisit.
This year, several celebrities and artists from the 2010s have resurfaced, reclaiming the spotlight with new music, projects, and viral moments. Back in 2016, Kylie Jenner’s “King Kylie” era dominated social media and helped spark the beauty influencer culture that still thrives today. Nearly a decade later, Jenner is once again trending with the 10th-anniversary relaunch of Kylie Cosmetics, a brand that first cemented her place in pop culture. The new collection has gone viral on TikTok, re-introducing her to a new generation of fans.
“I mean, King Kylie is back and better than ever,” senior Josi Pellegrini said. ” The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is popular again, and I just feel like everyone wants that era to come back.”
The parallels don’t stop there. Stranger Things, which first premiered in 2016, is returning for its final season in 2026, bookending a cultural decade that began and now ends with Hawkins, Indiana.
The 2016 era was known for carefree acts and popular trends, until life went downhill in March of 2020. COVID-19 spread across the world, bringing life to a complete stop. Many believe the pandemic changed how people view life, which may explain why things feel so different nowadays.
“Well, COVID-19 happened and it felt like everything got so serious,” Pellegrini said. “ That just might be why we grew up so fast.”
For many, 2016 represents a “peak” era; a time when pop culture, sports and internet trends collided in unforgettable ways. That year, the Chicago Cubs made history by winning their first World Series since 1908, a victory that felt almost mythical to lifelong fans.
“That October the Cubs won, I was a freshman at Illinois State University, and we stormed the quad,” English teacher and 2016 superfan Madelynn Soberano said. “It just felt right, and it was so much fun.”
The content within media is revolving back to viral-like content, such as TikTok. In 2016, Vine and Musical.ly were huge platforms during this time, creating trends and iconic memories. Later on, Musical.ly was replaced with TikTok, which has become a popular worldwide social media platform.
In late 2015-2016, pop star Justin Bieber released his album “Purpose,” which rocketed to the top of the charts. This year, he later on released an album called “Swag ll” after blowing up on TikTok from a video of him yelling at fans. This turned out to be a PR stunt, but it still kept the media’s eyes on him.
With these comebacks and familiar trends, it is easy to see why so many people feel nostalgic for 2016. As 2025 continues, it will be interesting to see what trends fade, stay and possibly resurface.
