We’ve clearly all walked into 2026 with zero script, like the Duffer Brothers filming episode 8. It’s only day 73 of January and we’ve already lived through wedding plot twists, surprise drops, absolute bops, and more side-quests than a Netflix teen drama.
You’re probably still digging through 1000+ New Year emails and asking yourself how it’s somehow still January… but don’t worry, we’ve got all your online moments covered 💅
What’s Gone Viral? 🔥
Just want the headlines? Here’s a peek at some of the bigger viral convos before we dive into trends and the more… unhinged.
Bend It Like Beckham: Director’s cut
The Beckham family feud is no stranger to headlines. We’re long past being surprised by the classic “sources close to the family friend’s cousin’s neighbour” genre of reporting. This time Brooklyn himself dropped a lengthy tell-all on social and among all the details shared, one moment stopped the scroll. According to Brooklyn, his mum “danced inappropriately on him”. What we thought was a 'One Dance' situation turned out to be a full 'Werk' moment all along? Naturally, social did what social does best: users worldwide started reenacting the scene, remixing reactions, and yes... sprinkling in a little AI for dramatic effect.
2016 Called. Everyone answered!
Bring out the chokers, ripped black jeans, Anastasia Dipbrow pomades - heck, even the green jacket. 2016 is officially back. Arctic Monkeys dropped a new song. Zara Larsson embracing her dolphin-meme era aesthetic has put her right back on the map. Rihanna is finally dropping a new album (she’s not, but you can't blame us for manifesting it). And, of course, it wouldn’t be a full cultural cycle without Harry Styles showing up right on cue. As far as targeted newsjacking goes, the NHS absolutely cleared with a post that truly landed if you felt nostalgic for that era. A bait that cleverly doubled as a public service announcement.
The new symbol of clocking out mentally
Just when our feeds were already packed, the internet found room for one more: a lone penguin, quietly waddling away from everything it’s ever known [pause for sobs]. Pulled from the 2007 documentary Encounters at the End of the World, it resurfaced nearly two decades later with eerie music, existential captions, and a new title: The Nihilist Penguin. Brands have hopped on the trend, but more strikingly, it’s sparked genuine reflection: users projecting life choices, societal pressures, and the quiet urge to opt out. Rarely does a viral clip make scrolling feel so existential.
Trending Format Alert 🚨
We’re quite literally JUMPING right into the latest rising trend. Users have turned ratio restrictions into a full-on playground 🛝
Missed your January jumping jacks? Now’s your chance. Film yourself horizontally jumping, then edit the timing so that as you land, text or visuals are revealed underneath.
Perfect for playful brand announcements, the re-watchability factor can even add an extra boost to video performance.
Brand Champion 🏆
There are plenty of brands on social, 'but one of them caught our eye... the one in the center... but why?'
You're probably familiar with the struggle: reactive content that can’t feature people and the endless fight for relevance. Now imagine only being able to feature penguins and only having "noot noot" as a possible line. The Pingu accounts have turned those constraints into advantages, packaging clips to hop on cultural moments with style. A light wink at the Heated Rivalry craze here, a nod to the Nihilist Penguin documentary there, and an evergreen format in the middle.
This account is proof that diversifying formats, experimenting within constraints, and leaning into unexpected audio or niche communities can turn even the smallest asset into cultural relevance.
More Industry News 🗞️
Looking for a specific industry or topic? Say no more. Here’s a selection of a few bonus newsworthy moments and trends, organised into categories, ‘Type A’ style.
Travel & Hospitality ✈️
2026’s Hot Travel Spots You Can’t Miss
BBC Travel Photographer of the Year: The Winning Shots
Nat Geo’s Literary Travel Picks to Bookmark Now
Luxury & Lifestyle 🌟
Nostalgic Home Trends Making a 2026 Comeback
Vogue’s Guide to What’s Hot on Social Right Now
Fashion Hits the Wellness Era
Logistics & Transport 📦
Elon Musk Thinks Ryanair Could Be His Next Ride
TB Outbreak Hits Amazon’s Coventry Warehouse
RHA Warns: Tighter EU Borders Could Crush UK Hauliers
Music & Entertainment 🎶
Nigella Joins Great British Bake Off as Judge
BTS Reveal Album Name and Tour Dates
Netflix Unlocks America’s Next Top Model Vault
Trending Format Alert 🚨
And so, as time marches on inevitably, we find ourselves back at it again - observing the clash of eras:
Late Millennials and early Gen Z cohabiting in the wild (the workplace), negotiating territories, sharing scarce resources (meeting slots), and braving the trials ahead (securing tickets for the latest artist tours).
Across social feeds, a curious ritual has emerged: users “say their age”, cutting to montages of sarcastic collages of era-defining moments. And it’s not a one-way street 👀
Before we leave! Just a reminder, and this is important… whoever tries to convince you High School Musical was 20 years ago… IS LYING TO YOU!
Live, laugh, love,
The Culture Lab team 🎄
