Buzz
Over the last ten years, pop culture has splintered to the point where the concept of a unified cultural experience feels like a distant memory. While massive franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe still dominate, the internet has empowered individuals to explore their unique passions. This shift has also elevated once-niche interests to levels of popularity that might surprise you—starting with…
10. Undertale
Originally released in 2015, Undertale is a 2D role-playing game developed by Toby Fox on a modest budget. Its clever humor, emphasis on non-violence, and hidden layers of complexity quickly garnered a dedicated following among gaming enthusiasts.
Unlike many cult classics, where fan engagement typically centers on the original work, Undertale sparked a much broader movement. Fans began creating web comics that reinterpreted key moments and crafted elaborate battle animations, expanding the game's universe far beyond its initial scope.
Fans took their creativity even further, crafting entirely new Undertale universes such as Underfell, Underswap, Outertale, and Fellswap, among others. These spin-offs have grown into fully realized fan games with dedicated communities, and YouTube videos exploring these alternate worlds frequently amass millions of views.
9. VHS Collectors
Nostalgia is a potent force, as evidenced by the resurgence of vinyl records in the 21st century. While vinyl offers a warmer, richer sound, the same argument is harder to make for VHS tapes.
If you grew up in a certain era, you’ll recall the grainy, low-quality visuals of VHS movies from your local video store—a far cry from the sharp clarity of 4K Blu-Ray. Add to that the inconvenience of manually rewinding tapes, and it’s clear why VHS might seem outdated.
Despite these drawbacks, VHS collecting has surged in popularity recently. Rare, high-quality graded tapes have sold for as much as $10,000. If you were a horror enthusiast in the ’80s or a Disney VHS collector in the ’90s, now might be the perfect time to turn those old tapes into cash.
8. Juggalos
While many bands boast loyal fanbases, the devotion of Insane Clown Posse fans, known as Juggalos, is unparalleled. For Juggalos, supporting ICP isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way of life. This lifestyle includes exclusive habits like drinking Faygo soda, wearing official ICP merchandise, and donning full clown face paint.
Once fully immersed in the culture, Juggalos often attend the annual Gathering of the Juggalos, a music festival hosted by ICP. These events have attracted major artists like Busta Rhymes and Ice Cube, who join in celebrating the unique Juggalo spirit.
However, newcomers should tread carefully. Misusing gang signs or failing to respond correctly to a “whoop whoop” call can lead to trouble, as some Juggalo groups have been known to clash with others, despite the community’s generally peaceful and charitable nature. Stay alert.
7. Foot Fetishists
No judgment here. While foot fetishism might not be my personal preference, everyone has their own interests, and as long as they’re legal and consensual, there’s no harm in it. That said, it’s still intriguing why this particular fetish has garnered such a massive global following.
There are countless fetishes out there, but few have entire online archives dedicated to ranking and categorizing the feet of celebrities worldwide. If you scroll through the comments of any video featuring exposed feet, you’ll likely find discussions about their appeal—or lack thereof.
Even some celebrities openly identify as foot fetishists. Notable figures like Idris Elba, Pharrell Williams, and Quentin Tarantino have openly discussed the topic in interviews, proving it’s more mainstream than many realize.
6. Flat Earthers
While it’s tempting to ridicule flat earthers for their unconventional beliefs, let’s approach this with an open mind. Could their popularity stem from a sense of disenfranchisement, driving them to seek explanations that help them understand the world?
While recent years have shown how dangerous conspiracy theories can be, flat earthers themselves aren’t inherently harmful. They’ve formed a rapidly expanding online community, united by their shared belief that historical figures like Copernicus and Galileo were mistaken.
This movement has even spawned conventions where flat earthers gather in person to discuss their views. The trend has gained enough traction that celebrities like basketball star Kyrie Irving and rapper B.o.B. have publicly questioned the accepted scientific model of the world.
5. Vampires
Vampires have been a staple of pop culture since the era of Bram Stoker, Dark Shadows, and Anne Rice. However, the notion of modern-day individuals identifying as vampires might seem like a fictional concept straight out of movies.
Surprisingly, it’s not. Over the past few decades, vampirism as a lifestyle has seen significant growth. While you won’t encounter the so-called undead on your daily commute, millions worldwide now identify with this unique subculture.
Do they genuinely believe they’re bloodthirsty creatures? Mostly, no. They’re fully conscious of their mortality. However, inspired by role-playing games like Vampire: The Masquerade and franchises such as Blade and Twilight, many have embraced the lifestyle wholeheartedly. Some even sleep in coffins, draw energy psychically from others, or, in the case of sanguinarians, consume human blood.
4. Off-Grid Living
For years, a small group of individuals has chosen to live off the grid. These include survivalists, those wary of large corporations, and even the homeless.
Recently, off-grid living has surged in popularity, thanks in part to platforms like TikTok. Many young people are captivated by the idea of escaping high energy costs and reliance on municipal services, opting instead for self-sufficiency.
This trend has inspired countless Millennials and Zoomers to take action, leading to a significant rise in solar panel installations, rainwater harvesting systems, and homegrown crop cultivation.
3. Pro Wrestling
For those who grew up in the ’80s, Hulkamania likely dominated their childhood. Similarly, ’90s kids often spent their time watching Stone Cold Steve Austin deliver weekly beatdowns.
While pro wrestling’s mainstream appeal has diminished since its heyday, it remains a massively popular subculture.
The two major North American wrestling promotions, WWE and AEW, continue to pack arenas and, thanks to lucrative TV deals, are more profitable than ever. Events like WrestleMania attract fans from across the globe, eager to witness a spectacle unlike anything else.
2. Competitive Tickling
Tickling is a universal experience. Whether it’s making a baby giggle, teasing a partner, or being on the receiving end during a playful scuffle, everyone has encountered it at some point.
While many find tickling uncomfortable, others find it enjoyable. This has led to the rise of competitive tickling, a niche sport where participants tickle each other, aiming to endure as long as possible before conceding.
However, the movement has faced controversy, with accusations of enabling bullying and concerns about grooming young men for explicit content. If you’re considering joining a local event, it’s wise to research thoroughly first.
1. Extreme Body Modders
Body modifications, like tattoos and piercings, have been around for centuries. However, some individuals have pushed boundaries, making dramatic and unconventional changes to their bodies.
For some, this means covering their entire body in tattoos, like Eric Sprague, the renowned lizard man from Austin, Texas. Others opt for more extreme alterations, such as splitting their tongue to mimic a snake’s, dyeing their eyeballs, or embedding metal rings beneath the skin of their forehead.
While such modifications may seem extreme to many, it’s worth noting that practices like tattooing were once considered equally radical. These changes could also be seen as part of humanity’s ongoing evolution toward merging with technology, as we step further into a post-human era.
