Top 10 Things That Became Popular Again out of NOWHERE

Top 10 Unexpected Things That Became Popular Again out of Nowhere

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the top things in mainstream pop culture that had an unexpected resurgence.

Dusting off an old Jane Fonda workout video? Youre not alone! Both step aerobics, which Fonda was the queen of, and dance workouts in general, were booming in the 90sand then fell off a bit before experiencing a resurgence. The rhythmic, high-energy moves and throwback vibes have people jumping back into their old exercise routinesand others dipping their toes in for the first time. If youre in an aerobics class, or you decide to try one, dont be surprised if you spot some retro leg warmers making a return too! Matter of fact, maybe its you wearing them!

During the Covid-19 pandemic, people needed new waysor old waysto pass the time. One of the biggest comebacks? Jigsaw puzzles. The history of jigsaw puzzles dates back to the 18th century. In 2020, puzzle makers like Ceaco and Ravensburger saw sales skyrocket by at least 300 percent. Ceacos president even revealed that in just one day in March, the company sold more puzzles than it had in the entire previous December. The puzzle shelves at various toy stores were cleaned out, as retailers struggled to keep up with such an unexpected surge in demand.

These two activities often associated with older generations have made a comeback for several reasons: the Internet, social media, celebrities, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Sharing knitting and crochet content online has helped these crafts reach more people than ever before. And when stars like Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Brooke Shields, and Russell Crowe are spotted knitting, that can only help fuel a comeback for the ages. When it comes to the pandemic, knitting and crochet provided a creative escape from screens and a way to recharge from work-from-home burnout. The revival of these centuries-old activities has been massive.

Once a cornerstone of the stereotypical idea of nerd culture, Dungeons & Dragons reemergenceparticularly its breakthrough into mainstream culturehas been exceptional. While many continued to play this iconic role-playing game in the decades following its release in 1974, 2017 saw the highest number of D&D players everand that was followed by a record-breaking sales year in 2018. The hit Netflix series Stranger Things has played a significant role in D&Ds substantial growth in popularity, given its thematic ties to the game and multiple scenes of characters playing it. Both in-person and online D&D sessions have soared, transforming the once more-niche game into a global phenomenon.

While the roller skate disco scene of the 1970s and 1980s might not be poppin in the same way it was back then, roller skating in general made a significant comeback in 2020. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the early 21st century was a period of decline for the once uber-popular activity. Amidst the unprecedented, challenging times of the pandemic, roller skating offered an outlet for nostalgic fun. More rolling was going on, whether it was in driveways, streets, or skate parks. Throw on some music, too, and this retro-vibe activity has allowed many people to have a blast.

Nostalgia is powerfullike, really powerful. While video games have evolved in terms of graphics, complexity, and gameplay, classic arcade games were once thought to be fading away. After the golden age of arcade games in the late 1970s and early 1980s, arcades and coin-operated video games businesses began to lose their grip a bit. But it never quite reached Game Over territory. The simple gameplay and nostalgic charm of timeless classics like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and others left the door open for a revival. Many probably doubted the comebackand understandably so. But the rise of barcades is proof that these classics are still alive and well.

From late March through mid-August of 2020, drive-in theaters generated over 80 percent of North American box office revenuea stark contrast to the single-digit percentage in 2019. What changed? You guessed itthe pandemic. With traditional indoor theaters forced to shut down, drive-ins, once considered relics of the past, offered a safer, nostalgic alternative. Drive-ins peaked in the 1950s and 1960s. Decades later, under unprecedented circumstances, they made an unexpected comeback. Some basically rose from the deadand many kids and young adults got to experience moviegoing the way their grandparents once did.

As cell phones with cameras have become ubiquitous in society, it wouldve been understandable for Polaroid cameras to remain a thing of the pastbut not so fast. In 2001, the company declared bankruptcy. Seven years later, it halted production of its iconic instant cameras. But even our phones didn't give us the same photographic experience as Polaroids. The ability to hold a physical pictureand a memoryin your hand still held value. That became clear in 2020 when Polaroid made its long-awaited return with a new instant camera, bringing the retro, nostalgic phenomenon back with a bang.

Who ever thought vinyl records were dead? Admittedly, it seemed that way in the 1990s and early 2000s. With the rise of CDs, followed by digital downloads and streaming platforms, ways to listen to music have evolved over the decades. But in the 2010sand even more so in the 2020svinyl records were selling in a way that made it feel like it was the 80s again. The revival wasnt just happening in one place eitherwere talking multiple countries and continents. In 2017, Sony Music even announced it would be producing vinyl records again for the first time since 1989. The durability, engagement, and nostalgia of vinyl records turned out to be too potent to keep them quiet forever.

Fashion trends can catch on really quicklybut, oftentimes, theyre not new styles, but old. So, while its not surprising to see something as dynamic and versatile as fashion change, there have been certain vintage clothing resurgences that have seemingly come out of nowhere. Whether its scrunchies, fanny packs, or bell bottomsjust to name a fewtime and time again, weve been shown that society can be pulled back in by cultural phenomena of the past. Not only that, but fashion trends can come back at any time. Especially with social media, and the widespread circulation of pictures of celebs rocking throwback outfits, maybe next time we shouldnt be so surprised about whatever throwback style makes a major comeback.

What comeback do you think could be in the cards next? Let us know in the comments!