It may be 2022, but the 1980s are alive and well. From the resurgence of neon colors and oversized blazers to the nostalgic themes present in modern media, the ‘80s are everywhere you turn. The decade is one that has an immediately recognizable aesthetic, and Hollywood, among others, loves it.

Decade-inspired media is nothing new. Modern movies like Captain Marvel, Fear Street: 1994 and American Hustle all take place in a specific decade and completely envelop the audience in the past through the use of music, costumes, hair and make-up, and the overall environment. From the ‘20s to the naughties, there are tons of modern media that brings each time period to life in a new way. But ‘80s-inspired and ‘80s-centric movies and TV have been the most popular decade to revisit for a long time now.

From horror movies to coming-of-age films, and TV and other dated dramas, the ‘80s are a gold mine as far as content is concerned. Odds are, if you log into virtually any streaming service, you’ll be able to find countless options that are either based in the ‘80s or have some kind of ‘80s nostalgia baked into them.

So why is it that ‘80s-based films and TV shows are so popular?

Nostalgia Sells

Back-to-the-Future
Universal Pictures

It seems as if it's almost human nature to feel nostalgic. As we grow older, we often reminisce on things from our past. Old toys, shows, snacks and fashion trends have all been the subject of those conversations that start with, "Do you remember this?"

Nostalgia is enticing. It's likely you can strike up a conversation with anyone in your age group about an old cartoon you used to love, or the way you used to do your hair, and odds are, that person will know exactly what you're talking about and join in on the sentiment. In a way, nostalgia can bring people together simply through shared experiences. That's why it makes sense for the TV and film industry to buy into the appeal of nostalgia.

For ages, nostalgia has always made a comeback in waves. Take the sky-high platforms and bell-bottoms from the '60s and '70s that are considered trendy again today. Or, butterfly clips and metallic eyeshadow making a resurgence from the 2000s. People love to see old items and concepts they used to enjoy step back into the limelight. It seems that older material that was iconic in its prime always finds a way to make a comeback. Take Indiana Jones, for example. The franchise about the perilous adventurer premiered in 1981 and was a mega success. Years later, Indiana Jones is gearing up for its fifth film. Or the recent sequel to the 1986 Tom Cruise hit, Top Gun. The sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, hit theaters at the end of May and has made over $700 million at the box office worldwide.

This is astounding considering that this sequel is coming more than 30 years after the original premiered. But, it works because it plays into nostalgia. People who saw the original Top Gun in theaters remember how much they loved it and how big of a pop culture hit it was, and young people who have probably just caught the movie on TV in the past are intrigued by the action and nostalgic elements of the '80s still present in the film.

Related: Which Classic '80s Movie Will Be The Next Comeback Film?

Appeals to Two Separate Audiences

The cast of Ferris Buellers Day Off in a museum
Paramount Pictures

Similar to the nostalgia factor making '80s-based films and TV shows so popular, is the fact that decade-centric media appeals to two separate audiences. A great example of this is the success of the TV show Cobra Kai.

This popular Netflix show is based on the massively successful The Karate Kid franchise that debuted in 1984. The show features returning cast members from the original movies, including Ralph Macchio, Martin Kove and William Zabka. Cobra Kai tells the story of Johnny Lawrence (Zabka) over 30 years after he lost to Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) in a Karate tournament. Lawrence decides to reopen the infamous Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his long-standing rivalry with LaRusso. Cobra Kai originally premiered in 2018 on YouTube Red and was acquired by Netflix in 2020. It's been a major success ever since and is preparing for its fifth season, set to premiere later this year.

Part of what makes Cobra Kai such a hit is the reach it has. 30-50-year-olds who got to enjoy the original Karate Kid movies in theaters remember how much they loved the films and connected with the characters. They probably shared the movies with their own kids and taught them iconic lines like "Wax on, wax off" and enveloped them in the franchise, too. So when Cobra Kai came out, it became a hit with both older and younger audience members and became something the whole family could enjoy together. And even though it's not based in the '80s, there's still a sense of nostalgia with the show, which just enhances its appeal to more people.

Related: How Stranger Things Season 4 Compares to The Other Seaons, Using Classic '80s Movies

It's a Very Aesthetic Decade

The young cast of Stranger Things in a hallway
Netflix

On top of nostalgia, the '80s' popularity also stems from its aesthetics. The '80s have a specific aesthetic that almost anyone can recognize immediately. When the '80s rolled in, the world was still reeling from the '70s. From the Watergate scandal to the Vietnam War to the energy crisis, people were pining for some light, positive energy. So in came big hair, big personalities, vibrant colors, and bold music. The extravagant nature and "sex, drugs and rock & roll" vibe that came along with the '80s led it to be referred to as the "Decade of Decadence."

Because the '80s have such a specific look and feel, it's easy to create movies and TV shows based in the time period. Likely anyone watching will be able to easily identify the decade. Take the hit show Stranger Things, for example. In the first episode, the audience is told when and where the show is taking place, but you'd be able to figure that out without the disclaimer. There are old cars, brightly colored clothing and patterns; the kids travel exclusively by bike, and even the music used in the show — both contemporary and composed specifically for it — makes it clear that it's taking you to the 1980s.

So, the recognizable aesthetics, coupled with appealing to people's nostalgic tendencies, is what makes '80s-based media so popular and monumentally successful. It's certainly not the only decade that has gotten a second wind, but it seems to be the one with the strongest lasting impression.