In today’s hyper-connected digital world, fans don’t just consume media — they reshape it. Across the globe, passionate communities gather online to celebrate their favorite characters, shows, games, and stories, turning personal affection into cultural movements. At the heart of this transformation lies one of the internet’s most potent tools: the meme.
Memes are more than jokes or fleeting trends. They’re cultural artifacts that reflect collective emotion, nostalgia, irony, and creativity. Through platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, fandoms use memes to deepen engagement, expand fictional universes, and even influence the entertainment industry’s decisions.
👉 Discover how online communities are reshaping pop culture through viral creativity.
How Fandoms Fuel Media Evolution Through Memes
Digital spaces have become the primary hub for fan interaction. According to a 2023 study by BAMM Global, social media platforms — especially Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok — serve as vital connectors for fans across borders. These communities aren’t passive; they actively reinterpret content, create fan art, and generate memes that breathe new life into existing narratives.
This participatory culture means that fans often contribute to expanding narrative universes without official involvement. Whether it’s reviving forgotten characters or redefining a movie’s legacy through irony, meme culture has real-world impact on how media is perceived, marketed, and consumed.
The Big Chungus Effect: When Memes Become Canon
Few examples illustrate this power better than Big Chungus, the rotund version of Bugs Bunny born entirely from internet humor. What started as a Photoshop edit in 2018 snowballed into a global phenomenon. So influential was the meme that Warner Bros. officially incorporated Big Chungus into Looney Tunes World of Mayhem and featured him in Space Jam: A New Legacy. The studio even filed to trademark the character — a clear acknowledgment of fan-driven intellectual property.
This isn’t just recognition; it’s integration. Fans didn’t just comment on the franchise — they expanded its canon.
Gaming Fandoms and the Rise of Meme-Powered IPs
Video game fandoms have long been at the forefront of internet culture. From Team Fortress 2’s enduring irony to Pokémon’s emotional resonance, gaming communities turn gameplay moments into viral legends.
The Most Memed Games: Data from Know Your Meme
According to Know Your Meme’s database:
- Pokémon leads with 422 meme entries and over 85,000 images, making it the most memed video game franchise.
- Minecraft dominates in regions like Eastern Europe, Brazil, Iran, and Turkey.
- Despite massive commercial success, some top-selling games lack deep meme cultures — proving that popularity doesn’t always equal cultural penetration.
The key differentiator? Emotional connection and visual expressiveness. Games with exaggerated animations, quirky characters, or nostalgic value provide fertile ground for meme creation.
Surprised Pikachu: A Viral Icon Born from Fandom
One of the decade’s most iconic memes — Surprised Pikachu — originated from a single frame in the Pokémon anime. Posted in 2018, it quickly became a universal reaction image for shock or disbelief.
Contrary to rumors, it wasn’t a stealth marketing campaign for Detective Pikachu. The creator confirmed she made it purely as a fan. Yet, The Pokémon Company later embraced it — referencing it in official games and social media.
This reflects a broader trend: 18% of fans consider themselves creators, and 8% have made fan art based on their favorite franchises (BAMM Global). When companies recognize and validate these contributions, they strengthen loyalty and amplify reach.
👉 See how fan creativity is redefining digital engagement in real time.
TV Shows and Movies: Meme Culture as Cultural Currency
Television and film thrive on shared experiences — and memes are the modern watercooler conversation.
Squid Game: From Streaming Hit to Global Meme Machine
Netflix’s Squid Game became a cultural juggernaut in 2021, amassing 1.65 billion viewing hours in 28 days. But beyond its gripping narrative, its visual simplicity made it meme-ready.
The “Red Light, Green Light” doll inspired countless TikTok challenges. One video alone garnered 164 million views, turning a horror moment into participatory entertainment. The show’s success wasn’t just due to storytelling — it was meme-able by design.
The Most Memed TV Shows: Nostalgia Rules
Data shows that the most memed TV shows are often decades old:
- SpongeBob SquarePants reigns supreme globally, with 413 distinct memes and 24 million views on Know Your Meme.
- The Simpsons dominates Latin America.
- Friends remains strong in Asia.
Why? Because these shows were formative for early internet users. As The New York Times noted, SpongeBob “took off when many early meme creators were children.” That emotional bond fuels endless reinterpretation.
Mocking SpongeBob: A Format That Lives Forever
The “Mocking SpongeBob” meme — with alternating uppercase and lowercase text — is still used daily to mock absurd arguments online. It originated from a 2012 episode but exploded in 2017. Its staying power lies in its universal applicability and visual clarity.
Movies That Found New Life Through Memes
Some films gain fame not through box office success — but through internet redemption.
The Morbius Phenomenon: Failure Turned Viral Gold
Sony’s Morbius (2022) was critically panned and commercially underwhelming. Yet, it became a meme legend.
Phrases like:
- “It’s Morbin’ Time”
- “Stand Back, I Am Beginning to Morb”
- “Morbius Sweep”
turned Jared Leto’s performance into ironic heroism. Fans pretended the film had "swept" box office records, mocking its failure while celebrating its unintentional absurdity.
Sony attempted to capitalize by re-releasing the film — but the move backfired, generating more jokes than ticket sales. The lesson? You can’t force meme culture — it must emerge organically.
Star Wars vs. Shrek: The Great Meme Divide
Globally, Star Wars leads with 300+ meme entries and 26 million views on KYM. But Shrek holds equal sway, especially among younger generations who see it as a symbol of early internet absurdity.
India stands out by favoring The Avengers, showing how regional tastes shape meme trends.
Music Fandoms: Where Trends Go Viral
Music thrives on virality — and memes are its accelerant.
Drake vs. BTS: Global Meme Rivalry
- Drake has dominated global meme searches since 2013, thanks to his expressive facial reactions and lyrical versatility.
- BTS exploded in meme popularity around 2018–2019 during their Love Yourself World Tour, driven by passionate K-pop fans.
K-Pop Fandoms: The Ultimate Supporters
K-pop fandoms are among the most organized and creative online communities. The K-Pop Fancam Reply trend on Twitter turned fan-recorded performance clips into reaction memes. In one case, EXID’s song “Up & Down” surged in popularity after a viral fancam, leading to award nominations and increased TV appearances — all driven by fan effort.
This demonstrates how fan-generated content can directly impact commercial success.
Books and Comics: From Page to Punchline
Even literature isn’t immune to meme transformation.
Thanoscopter: From Obscure Comic Detail to MCU Easter Egg
The “Thanoscopter” — a helicopter piloted by Thanos in old Marvel comics — became an inside joke for years. In 2021, Marvel paid homage by including it in the Loki series on Disney+, proving that fan memes can influence official storytelling.
Most Memed Characters: Icons of Internet Culture
Characters like:
- Patrick Bateman (American Psycho) — now a “Sigma male” icon
- Juggernaut (X-Men) — known for his “I’m The Juggernaut!” catchphrase
- Darth Vader (Star Wars)
- Walter White (Breaking Bad)
have transcended their original media to become symbols of attitude, power, or irony.
The “I’m The Juggernaut!” meme began as a parody dub in 2006 — later referenced in X-Men: The Last Stand. Again, fans led; studios followed.
Barbenheimer & Grimace Shake: When Memes Move Markets
Recent phenomena prove that memes can drive real economic impact.
Barbenheimer: The Double Feature That Broke Records
The simultaneous release of Barbie and Oppenheimer in July 2023 sparked the Barbenheimer meme — encouraging audiences to watch both films in one sitting. The campaign went viral, helping Barbie surpass $1 billion globally and breaking records for female directors.
Fans created posters, schedules, and themed snacks — turning a marketing coincidence into a cultural event.
Grimace Shake: Fast Food Meets Internet Absurdity
McDonald’s launched a purple milkshake for Grimace’s birthday — expecting mild engagement. Instead, the internet turned it into a surreal horror trend (“Grimace killed me after drinking the shake”).
The company leaned in fast, posting playful content that helped #GrimaceShake reach 2.9 billion TikTok views and boosted global sales by nearly 12%.
👉 Explore how digital trends are shaping consumer behavior worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do memes influence media production?
Studios monitor trending memes to gauge audience sentiment. When fans elevate certain characters or moments (like Big Chungus), creators often incorporate them into official content as easter eggs or new features.
Can fan-made memes become part of official canon?
Yes. Examples include Big Chungus in Space Jam: A New Legacy and the Thanoscopter in Loki. These integrations validate fan creativity and deepen engagement.
Why are older shows like SpongeBob still so memed?
They were formative for early internet users. Their exaggerated expressions and absurd humor make them ideal templates for modern commentary.
Do companies intentionally create meme-worthy content?
Some do — shows like Squid Game have visually striking scenes designed for shareability. However, authenticity matters; forced memes often fail.
How do music artists benefit from being memed?
Viral memes increase visibility. K-pop groups like BTS gained global fame partly due to fan-driven trends on TikTok and Twitter.
Can a failed movie succeed through memes?
Not necessarily financially — Morbius didn’t profit much from its meme fame — but it achieved lasting cultural relevance. Memes can rescue reputation even when box office fails.
Final Thoughts: Fans Are the New Gatekeepers
Fandoms are no longer just audiences — they’re co-creators. With over 49,000 fan-related meme entries on Know Your Meme, the data is clear: fans don’t just love content — they remix, reclaim, and redefine it.
When brands listen, collaborate, and celebrate fan creativity — rather than control it — they unlock powerful partnerships that drive culture forward. In the age of memes, the most influential voices aren’t studios or celebrities — they’re the fans.