What Happened in 2015 Pop Culture?: A Viral Time Capsule

Pop culture is one of those things that’s always happening, even when we don’t realize it. Like, there are sooo many things right now that we’ll look back on in the future and feel nostalgic about. It shapes the way we talk, think, act, scroll, dress it has a hand in everything we do. And the fun part? Every year brings a whole new wave of trends. 

Some fade within weeks, some stick around for a few months, and some straight-up become time capsules of who we were and what was most important back then. We recently discussed what happened in 2014 pop culture, and now we’re here to break 2015 down. Trust us, it’s wild what can change in a year. 

2015 was that girl. It almost felt like a true cultural reset, and we’re here to tell you why. From T-Swift’s 1989 era to the end of “Mad Men,” let’s rewind to pop culture moments that altered everything. Grab your acid-washed, distressed skinny jeans and OG Kylie Lip Kits this is gonna be a fun one.

What Happened in 2015 Pop Culture?: A Viral Time Capsule

What Were the Popular Trends of 2015 Pop Culture?

Netflix and Chill 

In 2015, “Netflix and Chill” entered pop culture and changed the game completely. This phrase wasn’t just a quick meme it was a lifestyle. Like so much so that you can still find the saying tossed around to this day. But to nobody’s surprise, it went from an innocent little joke to a full-on insinuation of… well, you know. Just listen to this episode of Ex-Virgin.

Anyone here a victim of that dreaded “wanna come over and Netflix and Chill” text? Yeah, you’re not alone. It was in Tinder bios, trending Twitter (X) hashtags, and on almost every T-shirt in Forever 21; it was everywhere. Which, yeah, it was an easy reflection of the rise of meme culture. But, it was also an indication of how fast streaming was replacing traditional media.

Viral Dances

There were a lot of catchy songs that caught the public’s eye in 2015. Uptown Funk, Trap Queen, Can’t Feel My Face 2015 pop culture gave us some bangers. But there’s one hit that became 2015’s theme song… Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) by Silentó. Yep, you know the one. 

It took over YouTube, Vine (RIP), Musically (also RIP), school dances, Facebook videos; it was the song of the year. But let’s give Silentó his flowers! This song was one of the first viral dance crazes that honestly paved the way for short-form, shareable content. Basically, this dance walked so TikTok dances could run. 

And while we’re getting nostalgic about OGs in 2015 pop culture, check out Say Yas to the Guest! Patrick Starrr interviews a list of 2015 legends that we can’t get enough of.

Future Day Hype

Fine, we’ll be the ones to say it: “Back to the Future II” set expectations way too high. October 21, 2015, was labeled “Future Day” the day Marty McFly time traveled to a world of flying cars, hoverboards, and self-drying jackets. Needless to say, we were all pretty disappointed when our version of hoverboards had wheels. 

There are a few things McFly got right, though! We do have biometrics, flat-screen TVs, and Nike’s self-tying shoes (… kinda.) Nonetheless, the film is a perfect example of how much media can shape our expectations for the future. 

What Were the Major Events in 2015 Pop Culture?

The Dress

Wait, was it… black and blue? Or gold and white? Who knows we’re still puzzled by it. If you aren’t sure what we’re talking about and need a little reminder, we’ve got you covered. A viral picture of this magical color-changing dress sparked endless online debates. Why could one person see one color scheme, but someone else right next to them see another? 

This wasn’t just any debate, though. It sparked serious controversy over color perception, differences in what our brains perceive, and how light can impact visual processing. Yeah, it went pretty deep.

Farewell to Letterman and Stewart

Late-night TV hit a reset button on 2015 pop culture as we said sayonara to two icons: David Letterman and Jon Stewart. Letterman wrapped his 33-year run as a late-night legend to make space for yet another icon: Stephen Colbert. And, spoiler alert! Jon Stewart did leave “The Daily Show” in 2015 but came back in 2024 to host once again. 

Even though hosts have changed since 2015, late-night TV isn’t going anywhere. How else would we have gotten Jimmy Fallon? Or Jimmy Kimmel? And whichever other Jimmy will hit late-night TV in the future? The OGs will always set the bar for the next generation. 

Amy Schumer’s Breakout Year

While comedian Amy Schumer is still at the top of her game, she was killin’ it in 2015! First off, her show “Inside Amy Schumer” was in its third season and gaining massive popularity. She eventually went on to win an Emmy Award for the “Outstanding Variety Sketch Series” category. 

She debuted her movie, “Trainwreck,” which she also wrote, earning her plenty of praise as a comedian. She hosted SNL, held an HBO stand-up special, sparked meaningful conversations about sexism and misogyny, and… kissed Tina Fey at the Peabody Awards? Yeah, it was a whole thing. Basically, Amy was a force to be reckoned with back in 2015.

Tune in to this episode of Come Together to hear our girl, Amanda Hirsch, stand up for Amy against the persistent, raging cancel culture. 

Taylor and Kanye Reconcile

We are all familiar with the infamous feud between Taylor Swift and Kanye West that occurred in 2009. But, did you know they (kinda) reconciled in 2015? This was groundbreaking information at the time. 

Taylor presented Kanye with the Video Vanguard Award and expressed how much she actually admired him and his creativity. T. Swift being the bigger person??? We’re not surprised. Of course, their relationship has experienced its ups and downs since then, but that moment definitely reshaped 2015 pop culture. 

Deflategate Scandal

There’s a very fine line in the sand when it comes to football; you either love it or you hate it. But no matter how you feel, the “Deflategate” Super Bowl scandal took 2015 pop culture by storm. If you’ve never heard of this situation, don’t worry we’ll fill you in. 

During the 2015 Super Bowl, the New England Patriots were accused of using under-inflated footballs. But it wasn’t the whole team that was under the microscope; it was Tom Brady, specifically. This topic superseded the football world and bled into late-night TV jokes, popular memes, and even an iconic SNL skit. It was a transcendent moment where football fans and pop culture enthusiasts became one. 

If you are a big sports girl, you’ve gotta tune into Sunday Sports Club. Trust us, it’s right up your alley.

Which Movies Hit Center Stage in 2015 Pop Culture?

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The return of a galaxy far, far away was THE movie event of 2015. Star Wars: The Force Awakens served as a cultural reset for both old and new Star Wars fans. It gave us returning characters, nostalgic memories, and a never-ending excitement. 

Obviously, Star Wars fans are loyal, so there’s no surprise that the movie is just as popular today. That also wasn’t the end of the saga you can continue binge-watching these films as they come out! 

Mad Max: Fury Road

Following close behind Star Wars in terms of success was none other than Mad Max: Fury Road. But get this: it wasn’t just any action-packed film. It was loaded with wild stunts, out-of-this-world visuals, and, honestly, a small amount of dialogue.

It’s hard to make a movie feel THAT good without a ton of conversation, but the producers made it work. And they made it work well. 

Inside Out

Even if we’re supposed to be “grown-ups” now, we all still love a good Pixar movie. I mean, heartwarming, gut-wrenching stories, fun characters, playful banter how can we not? And even though they have a stacked list of fan-fave films, “Inside Out” changed everything. It was the perfect exploration of mental health and memory packed as a lighthearted adventure. 

And honestly, how many times can kids and adults watch a movie and simultaneously think… “Wow, I relate to this in so many ways.” It sparked super important conversations about mental health that are still discussed and referenced today.

Who Were the Biggest Celebrities in 2015 Pop Culture?

Zendaya

Zendaya has played sooo many roles over the years. From “Shake it Up” and “Euphoria” to “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Dune,” she’s multifaceted for sure. But, in 2015, she was just coming off of her Disney Channel high and searching for her footing in the world outside of teen culture.

And in true Zendaya fashion, she had no trouble creating a new era for herself. As far as fashion went, she attended the Met Gala and the Oscars for the first time. And as far as cultural resets? She didn’t shy away from speaking out on important issues, such as race and representation. Zendaya, the woman that you are!

Taylor Swift

Let’s be honest: has Taylor Swift ever had a bad year? She is the QUEEN of reinventing herself, honoring old traditions, and shocking the world with her surprises. But, we’d be crazy not to talk about her “1989 World Tour.”

Or, as most of the world now calls it, her “1989 era.” She revisited her country roots, dipped a little bit into pop, talked about love and loss it was yet another cultural reset. Looking back, it feels like this is when Swift truly began making her mark in the industry.

Kendrick Lamar

There’s no denying that Kendrick was making waves in music in the early 2010s, but his reputation was still emerging. He had some great hits and made fantastic music, but he wasn’t the Kendrick Lamar that we know now. Once he released his album, “To Pimp a Butterfly,” the trajectory of his career really soared.

Once the Grammys came around, Lamar’s album earned 11 nominations, including “Album of the Year” and “Song of the Year.” And if you thought it was for the legendary collab with Taylor Swift, think again! It was actually for his hit song “Alright.” It was clear Kendrick Lamar had officially stepped into the spotlight as one of the most influential voices of his generation.

We don’t know about you, but this blast from the past made us seriously nostalgic.

There’s no denying that 2015 was an iconic moment in pop culture. Where would we be if we didn’t Netflix and Chill? Or if “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” never graced our phone screens? Or, most importantly, if Taylor Swift didn’t drop her 1989 era on us? TBH, we don’t even wanna know. We will always hold a special spot in our hearts for 2015 pop culture, and we can’t wait to dive deep into all the other iconic moments in history.  

Check out the Dear Media blog for everything from the latest pop culture updates to relationship advice. And, don’t forget to check out the DM shop for tons of must-have products! You need this “Good as Gold” hat, because that’s exactly what 2015 pop culture feels like.