58 Pop Culture Moments And Things That Are Officially Turning 10 Years Old In 2025, And I Am Curious How Many Of Them You Even Remember Like It Was Yesterday

    It was the year of Pizza Rat, selfie sticks, #SquadGoals, and memes, memes, and more memes.

    1. Star Wars returned in a HUGE, HUGE way. The Force Awakens was released and would go on to become one the biggest movies of all time.

    Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie poster featuring characters holding lightsabers, with starships and other characters in the background

    2. Jurassic World, Inside Out, and Avengers: Age of Ultron were among the year's highest-grossing movies.

    Movie posters for Jurassic World, Inside Out, and Avengers: Age of Ultron, each showing key characters and release dates in June 2015

    3. We said goodbye to the Hunger Games movies (at the time), as The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part II also hit theaters.

    Actors in tactical gear crouch among rubble, holding weapons, in a scene resembling a dystopian action film

    4. Snapchat introduced filters, and the dog one immediately had a chokehold on us.

    Dog face filter with floppy ears, a nose, and a tongue on a plain background

    5. Selfie sticks were super popular, and people used them EVERYWHERE.

    Two people smiling and taking a selfie with a smartphone using a selfie stick indoors

    6. Lots of people were riding around (and falling) on hooverboards EVERYWHERE.

    Person wearing casual shoes and pants standing on a hoverboard with glowing lights, outdoors on a sidewalk

    7. Apple released the iPhone 6S, and it now came in the new oh-so-trendy Rose Gold color.

    Front and back view of a rose gold iPhone, showcasing its screen with app icons and sleek metallic back

    8. Almost a year after they were first announced, Apple Watches were finally released and were an immediate hit.

    Person wearing an Apple Watch with app icons visible on the screen

    9. Apple also launched Apple Music.

    Silhouette of a person holding a smartphone displaying Apple Music, with a large Apple logo in the background

    10. People were live-streaming themselves on the newly launched Periscope app.

    Hand holding a smartphone with the Periscope app open, displaying its logo. Another phone with the same app is shown in the background

    11. Everyone started using the peach and eggplant emoji for sexting. Though, people debated whether the peach emoji meant a butt or a vagina.

    Peach and eggplant emojis on a plain background

    12. Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk" ft. Bruno was the biggest song of the year — and really, you COULD NOT ESCAPE IT.

    Two men in stylish outfits: one in a pink blazer and hat, the other in a black jacket and white shirt, stand in front of a music-themed wall

    13. Adele dropped "Hello" and not only broke a bunch of records but also launched thousands of parodies...

    Person facing sideways in a fur coat, outdoors

    14. ...which included SNL's viral "A Thanksgiving Miracle" skit.

    A person wearing glasses and a fur coat sings indoors, reminiscent of past decades

    15. Adele also released her third album, 25, which broke records when it became the album with the most first-week sales — selling a whopping 3.38 million copies (beating NSNYC's record of 2.4 million, set in 2000). The album would go on to be the biggest album of the year.

    Close-up portrait of a person with striking eye makeup and styled hair

    16. Drake released the music video for "Hotline Bling," which launched thousands of memes.

    Person in orange jacket appearing to dismissively gesture in one image and approvingly point in another

    17. Madonna and Drake got into a mini-feud after she kissed him on stage during a surprise performance she did at his Coachella set, and he made a disgusted look afterward.

    18. Katy Perry headlined the Super Bowl Halftime show, though Left Shark upstaged her and took over the internet.

    Performer in a geometric dress sings onstage with two dancers in shark costumes, surrounded by colorful stage props

    19. The internet also lost its mind after Zayn Malik announced he was leaving One Direction.

    Person in a tailored suit and white shirt with a black tie, sporting a close-cropped haircut and earrings, smiling

    20. After news broke of Zayn's departure from 1D, Harry tweeted this, which became the biggest tweet of the year:

    All the love as always. H

    — Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) March 26, 2015
    Twitter: @Harry_Styles

    21. Taylor Swift embarked on her 1989 Tour, which was also the highest-grossing tour of 2015.

    Singer on stage, wearing a sparkling jacket, a black top, and a short skirt, holding a microphone and pointing upward, with sunglasses

    22. And she popularized the term and hashtag #SquadGoals.

    Group of seven women on stage, two in dresses, others in chic outfits. One holds a flag. Outdoor concert setting with a lively audience

    23. People posted videos and photos of themselves doing the Kylie Jenner Challenge (#KylieJennerChallenge). Which, in case you forgot, involved putting your lips into a bottle or shot glass in order to form an airtight seal and then sucking for a few minutes in order to swell them like hers.

    Person with long hair in a black and white outfit at a Nip+Fab event

    24. Fifty Shades of Grey was released, but the awkward press tour that Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan gave was what people were really talking about.

    Two people on a red carpet; one wearing a white dress, the other a dark suit with a tie, smiling for photos

    25. Beck shocked everyone (including himself) after he won the Grammy for Album of the Year, winning over Beyoncé's Beyoncé.

    A person holds a Grammy award on stage while another person stands beside them in a glittery outfit and sunglasses

    26. And Prince became a meme after giving side-eye on stage during the event.

    Person in sparkling outfit on stage, in front of an "Album of the Year" sign, looking to the side with a neutral expression

    27. Steve Harvey accidentally announced the wrong Miss Universe, and, of course, the internet roasted him for it.

    A well-dressed host holds a microphone and event card on stage, appearing focused during a live broadcast

    28. Everyone was filming themselves doing the "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" dance — including the kids in this video, who got over 200 million views on YouTube doing it.

    Children perform dynamic dance moves in front of a colorful mural, featuring a child holding a book with a silhouette, and a small pink toy car beside them

    29. People were also filming themselves doing the Mannequin Challenge. If you have forgotten, it was freezing in place to Rae Sremmurd's song "Black Beatles."

    Three people pose together. The person on the left wears a dark suit with a pin, the person in the center points playfully, and the person on the right sports a tie

    30. Pizza Rat went viral and became an NYC ICON, and someone even renamed a street in Brooklyn for it!

    Street signs with "Shared Lane," "Pizza Rat Blvd," and "One Way" pointing directions, under a clear sky. Trees partially visible

    31. Avocado toast and poke bowls were trendy foods to eat.

    32. Hamilton was the hottest show on Broadway, and people were obsessed with the soundtrack.

    Cast members of a stage production wearing period costumes stand holding hands, suggesting a theatrical performance curtain call

    33. Nicki Minaj called out Miley Cyrus at the VMAs, and it was heard around the world.

    Two performers on stage. One is speaking animatedly into a microphone, while the other appears surprised, wearing sunglasses and a police cap

    34. Jennifer Aniston and Justin Justin Theroux, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher were the big celebs weddings that happened that year.

    Celebrities posing on the red carpet at an event, dressed in elegant formal attire, with notable figures in evening gowns and tuxedos

    35. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner announced they would be divorcing after 10 years of marriage.

    A couple poses at an event; the man wears a suit, and the woman is in a sleeveless, shimmering dress

    36. Marvel and Sony announced that Tom Holland had been cast as the new Spider-Man.

    Person in a dark sweater with a neutral expression, facing forward. Background is plain

    37. Mad Max: Fury Road was released and was possibly the most unexpected and wildest ride of the year.

    A person with a shaved head and dark eye makeup, wearing a rugged outfit and sitting inside a vehicle, gazes intensely forward

    38. The first Back to the Future Day was celebrated on October 21, to commemorate the day that Marty, Doc, and Jennifer arrived in 2015 in Back to the Future Part II.

    39. Jon Stewart hosted his last The Daily Show (well, at least at the time).

    Two men on "The Daily Show" set; one in a suit seated at the desk, the other adjusting something. Background shows a world map graphic

    40. David Letterman hosted his final episode of The Late Show.

    A man in a suit and patterned tie is smiling, standing behind a desk with a microphone, gesturing with both hands raised

    41. And few months later, Stephen Colbert took over as host, and had George Clooney on as his first guest.

    Two men in suits have a lively conversation on a late-night talk show set, with a cityscape visible in the background

    42. Mad Men aired its last episode, which featured a pretty perfect final scene.

    Person with eyes closed, outdoors near ocean, wearing a collared shirt; appears serene and contemplative

    43. Parks and Recreation also aired its finale, which included multiple time jumps — with one being in 2025 😱.

    A group of ten people stand smiling indoors, dressed in a mix of casual and semi-formal outfits, posing for a photo

    44. Empire premiered, giving us the juiciest rich people nighttime soap since Dynasty.

    Five people pose stylishly in front of an "Empire" sign. Seated man wears a suit; others wear modern attire. Indoors with artistic decor

    45. Mr. Robot also premiered and instantly got us hooked.

    Person in a hoodie standing on a subway platform, looking thoughtful

    46. The Season 5 finale of Game of Thrones aired, leaving us on a huge cliffhanger about whether or not Jon Snow had died.

    Actor lying on snowy ground, wearing dark medieval-style clothing, looks up with a serious expression

    47. Everyone went wild for the Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection...

    Four women on the red carpet wear colorful, patterned dresses. They pose together in front of a backdrop with text related to a fashion event

    48. ...and the Balmain for H&M collection.

    Closet with black Balmain x H&M jackets featuring gold details on hangers, symbolizing a fashion collaboration

    49. The Met Gala's theme was "China: Through the Looking Glass," and Beyoncé showed up late, but looked stunning in a sheer Givenchy gown.

    50. While Rihanna wore one of the most iconic looks ever to the Met Gala: the yellow fur-trimmed Guo Pei gown (and we're still not over it).

    51. Rihanna also released the epic music video for "Bitch Better Have My Money."

    Person smiling in a pool, wearing large sunglasses, a headscarf, and layered necklaces, with tattoos visible on their arm

    52. Justin Bieber pulled a bait-and-switch and released the music video to his boptastic single "Sorry" without having himself in it, featuring just a dance crew.

    Group of people in trendy, bold outfits and sunglasses pose with a large sign that reads "SORRY"

    53. Demi Lovato released her sultry sapphic single "Cool for the Summer":

    A person in a geometric, black cut-out top and skirt walks confidently in an industrial hallway, hands on head, with intense expression

    54. Kendrick Lamar released his critically acclaimed album To Pimp a Butterfly, which was arguably the best album of the year.

    Men posing in front of the White House, holding money and alcohol. Image inspired by music album art. Parental Advisory label visible

    55. Måns Zelmerlöw won Eurovision.

    Person celebrating with a trophy and a flag draped over shoulders, surrounded by confetti

    56. Everyone loved Amy Schumer! She won an Emmy for Inside Amy Schumer and had a box-office hit with Trainwreck. Amy also fake-fell in front of Kim Kardashian at the Time100 gala.

    A woman poses humorously on the red carpet, wearing a blue dress. Two others stand in elegant black attire at a TIME 100 event backdrop

    57. "Netflix and chill" entered the lexicon.

    Person holding remote pointed at a screen displaying the Netflix logo

    58. And lastly, the dress happened, and it absolutely, absolutely broke the internet (sorry, Kim K, this did it way more than you!) and people's brains.

    A dress with stripes causing viral debate over whether it appears blue and black or white and gold

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