In recent years, classic childhood characters have made a surprising resurgence among Gen Z. From Hello Kitty and Care Bears to Spiderman, Snoopy and Garfield, these beloved characters have found a new life in today’s pop culture. But why is this happening now?
For many Gen Z teens, the pandemic disrupted formative years—canceled classes, proms and graduations, leaving a void where key memories should’ve been. With so much uncertainty in their lives, young people turned to nostalgia for comfort, clinging to characters that once brought them joy.
Starting in 2020, Hello Kitty and Friends, Care Bears and Maisy Mouse were majorly associated with the popular ‘indie-kid’ aesthetic. This aesthetic, defined by brightly saturated colors, Monster Energy drinks and a deep sense of nostalgia, leaned heavily on childhood media. Social media platforms like TikTok played a huge role in reviving these characters as users styled outfits, decorated rooms and curated playlists inspired by their favorite childhood franchise.
“I like Hello Kitty because she’s a symbol of friendship and she’s very optimistic,” sophomore Malia Burciaga said. “It seems like a lot of Gen Z people miss being a kid and they often revisit the things they used to like.”
While Spider-Man has been a childhood favorite since his debut in the 1960s, his recent surge in popularity among Gen Z can be accredited to the critically acclaimed “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018) and its sequel in 2023.
“He’s such a well-crafted character and his superpowers are among some of the coolest out there,” senior Mau Chavez said. “I think he’s gained popularity recently due to the fact that his main motto is ‘anyone can wear the mask.’ Spider-Man is a sign of hope and inspiration for many people.”
The idea that anyone can be Spider-Man resonates deeply with Gen Z’s values of inclusivity and self-expression, making his character more relevant than ever.
While Hello Kitty and Spider-Man have maintained relevance through ongoing years, characters like Snoopy, Garfield and Wallace & Gromit have become more popular in the past year—largely due to new movie releases: “The Garfield Movie” (2024) and “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” (2024).
“I like Wallace & Gromit because of the playful atmosphere they have around each other, and the loyalty they have for one another,” junior Cayman Jones said. “I think [they] have gained popularity because it reminds people of their childhood and gives them a sense of nostalgia.”
However, Snoopy’s revival stands out. Unlike Garfield or Wallace & Gromit, who have films fueling their comebacks, Snoopy’s popularity seems to have skyrocketed for no clear reason—except for an overwhelming influx of Snoopy merchandise. Plushies, clothes, calendars, stickers, air fresheners, mugs—you name it, Snoopy is on it. Whether it’s also nostalgia-driven marketing or a genuine cultural shift, one thing is clear: Snoopy is everywhere.
“I like Snoopy because he’s very relatable and he’s a very silly guy,” Jones said. “People have been paying more attention to older cartoons [and] characters, and since Snoopy is a chill and funny guy, a lot of people can relate to him.
At its core, the resurgence of childhood characters speaks to a deeper desire for comfort and familiarity. In a time of rapid change and uncertainty, these characters offer a sense of warmth and stability—reminders of a simpler time. Whether through fashion, film or merchandise, Gen Z’s embrace of nostalgia proves that some childhood favorites never truly go out of style.
