Fandoms have become a large part of internet culture. In the modern era where everything is on the internet, fandoms have become its cornerstone. It influences pop culture, sets trends, shapes industries and builds communities. They bring people closer and connect fans to the creators. Even if most would see fandom as a group of overzealous enthusiasts, they are a collection of people who share the same level of passion towards their choice of media like music, movies or books. Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the biggest fandoms that have taken the world by storm.
The Giants of Music Fandom
- BTS Army
The BTS army has been the biggest fandom in the world for a few years now. They are known for their highly organised skills and influential actions. The ARMY is the fandom dedicated to a South Korean boy band, BTS. Although this biggest fandom in the world started as a small one with only local fans, it has transcended borders and demonstrated that music is the universal language. The ARMY has also showcased its influence and power on multiple occasions by breaking streaming records, raising millions for charitable causes and selling out tour tickets in minutes. The fans find the band’s music to be relatable and reinforce the band’s message of self-love, mental health awareness, and social issues in the fandom.
- Swifties
Taylor Swift’s fans call them themselves Swifties. They are a dedicated fandom that loves to decode the hidden messages and Easter eggs in her songs and music videos. They love their idol’s ability to tell compelling stories through music and videos. Swifties is a tight-knit fandom that has been showcasing its impact by breaking the streaming records of her re-released albums and selling the tickets to her Eras Tours in minutes. The fandom’s dedication to her is admirable.
- Beyhive
Beyoncé’s fandom has named itself Beyhive and they call her the queen. This fandom is known for their unwavering support to their idol and their tenacious nature of defending her against any kind of criticism is commendable. Their influence can be seen in various aspects of society such as social activism, fashion and arts. This fandom is the prime example of the power the collective mindset of people possess. They embody power and support their idol in all her endeavours.
Movie and TV Show Fandoms That Dominate Pop Culture
- Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
In the movie or TV show industry, MCU fandom is the most dedicated fanbase. It is massive, expanding globally and encompassing numerous countries, which has caused this fandom to emerge as a community dedicated to entertainment. Moreover, the movie series itself has spanned for over a decade which has provided the fans with endless materials for their fandom activities. This has deepened their involvement with the fandom and franchise, which keeps the fandom alive. There are multiple online spaces where MCU fans actively engage in theories and debates, while offline they can be seen impacting movie premiers and attendance at fan events like Cosplay.
- Star Wars Fans
When talking about movie fandom, one can not forget about Star Wars. It is one of older fandoms but its impact and influence can be seen even today. The fandom has existed since 1977, when the first movie was released. Since then, the franchise has enjoyed massive popularity and it keeps growing day by day. This is because the die-hard fans of the original trilogy have been keeping the fandom active and slowly drawing the younger generation into the fandom as well. The fandom is full of passionate debate about the movie’s plots and theories, and their presence is also legendary during cosplay events. This fandom is a prime example of passion.
- Potterheads
When talking about big fandoms, one can not simply forget the global phenomena and craze that was Harry Potter. The magical creation of J.K. Rowling created a wave all over the world and the fans call themselves Potterheads they are a highly active fandom with a huge online presence. The fandom is kept active with various activities like plot discussion, theories, and exchanging fandom-related materials. The fandom also enjoys popularity in the form of various wizarding world attractions based on the franchise. Their activities involve fan creations like artwork, fan movies and fan fiction on the internet. One of the most notable events is their presence at King’s Cross station on September 1st to see off ‘Hogwarts Express’. This fandom also enjoys the increase in materials in the form of spin-off movies and games.
Positives and Negatives of Fandom
Fandom has become a safe space where any individual can find a community of like-minded people and share their passion. It has helped to bring people closer and encouraged their creativity. Fandoms also show their impact on the real world as they bring people together for various causes as well.
However, it has its challenges in the form of toxicity and fan entitlement. Some of the fandom has been accused of being highly toxic as they lose sight of their passion or use it in the wrong way to harass the creator with threats or demands.
Conclusion
Fandom is the culture that keeps expanding and growing with each day. They bring the people together to celebrate the art and artists they admire. And it continues to grow and evolve. These passionate communities will remain at the heart of pop culture, sharing their love for art and storytelling.