People have grafted a ton of dark themes onto SpongeBob, Patrick, and all their equally cheery underwater pals, suggesting their sunny dispositions are masking some serious trauma.

THE '90S
The search is on for the next Buddy. Submit your golden retriever’s video and join the legacy of the beloved Air Bud franchise.
If the only thing Jeff Buckley ever did was record his 1994 cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” he would still have a permanent spot in music history.
From Oprah to Jerry, ‘90s talk shows produced some titans of entertainment.
You might be glad you don’t remember some of the films that bombed during the turn of the 21st century’s teen movie renaissance.
Remember Chuck E. Cheese? He’s back with arcades aimed at grown-ups featuring classic games, collectibles, and throwback vibes.
Beanie Babies like the purple Princess Diana bear are sometimes listed for $900,000 on eBay. But how much money are the nostalgic toys really worth?
In the '90s, Nickelodeon convinced a handful of schools to cancel class for the day and let kids go (somewhat) wild.
From retired Victoria’s Secret perfumes to fragrances from Calvin Klein and others, these discontinued scents will always be great for a nostalgia trip.
The original 'Jaws' ride at Universal Studios Florida closed after two months—but not before terrorizing theme park guests (and their children).
Miss out on learning all about ‘Clueless,’ which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025? As if!
Kawara’s Ojisan Trading Card Game turns real-life older men into playable characters, connecting generations through creativity and play.
‘Magic: The Gathering’ cards can get extremely pricey among collectors, but certain versions—like the 1993 Black Lotus card—could still be worth a lot of money to this day.
The film that launched Natalie Portman's career wouldn't have starred the future Oscar winner at all if her parents had gotten their way.
‘Mr. Payback’ might not have set the box office alight, but it did at least try to pioneer a new form of entertainment.
Feeling nostalgic? Some of the most-loved millennial movies like ‘Superbad’ to ‘The Big Lebowski’ have stood the test of time.
Pixar really knows how to make some good ones.
In 1991, the NFL and Marvel created a superhero to fight football-related crime. It was a bit of a fumble.
On the genre-busting television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the heroine saved the world a lot over the course of seven seasons—and now, a sequel series may be coming to Hulu.