As the year draws to a close, social media begins to overflow with people looking back at what 2022 has brought. From stock photos to reflections on what they’ve learned, many are passionately capturing standout moments.
Likewise, we’re looking back at some of the memes and trends that have gone viral on social media over the past year.
Fasten your seat belts as here’s a month-by-month overview of some of the most memorable memes and trends of 2022.
January: Happiness memes
second season of Happiness premiered on HBO Max earlier in the year, and it spawned several iconic memes by the time it aired through late February.
The high school principal is excited pic.twitter.com/ZeBbcjrW14
— corvs↝ (@Gushieee) January 12, 2022
– out of euphoria (@ooceuphoria) January 26, 2022
I want to see him in excitement pic.twitter.com/aQZ2zyO6Kd
– (@PEACHYBLACKG0RL) January 11, 2022
one of the kids from euphoria dropped his backpack 🙁 pic.twitter.com/h93J1Qhai0
– Carter Hambley (@carterhambley) January 13, 2022
February: The Joke of Julia Fox
Julia Fox came into the spotlight in early 2022 after going public with her now-expired relationship with Kanye West, and her antics quickly made her a regular topic online.
From a raised eyebrow shoot to the pronunciation of “Uncut Gems,” Julia Fox has that girl among the memer at a time. Plus, her loyal Twitter following continues to highlight her antics, so we might get more Julia Fox memes in the future!
and WHAT is happening to the rocks…
– sand (@sandyhonig) February 14, 2022
Feminine urge to do a Julia fox photo session here pic.twitter.com/BoVQLz7ED8
– lilies (@lillianpat2012) February 20, 2022
Julia Fox’s muse videos – Uncut Gems have brought me so much joy the past few days! 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/z7A885DodY
– awalkingthropy (@Robbi_Bobbi_Jae) February 17, 2022
Julia Fox Spider from school
of stone pic.twitter.com/qgAdP02z27– YES? YES. (@missrjevans82) February 4, 2022
Julia Fox’s next photo shoot pic.twitter.com/DKHDmiJ2gA
– KICK (@Iostb0y_) February 8, 2022
Julia Fox’s obsession with photography has the most disgusting rock I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/UbY0LzHN45
– Samir (@JustSamirOnly) February 15, 2022
March: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock
At the 94th Academy Awards, Chris Rock went too far after wearing the Jada Pinkett Smith clown’s hairstyle. In return, Will Smith confronts Chris and slaps him in the face.
This moment spawned several memes. In addition to the incident between Will and Chris, the internet also paid attention to Lupita Nyong’o’s reaction.
The most memorable moment of the Oscars ceremony, Will Smith slaps Chris Rock immediately became a meme template, a new version kept every minute.https://t.co/V548hWFEFy pic.twitter.com/R0XXEZW2Zz
– Know your Meme (@knowyourmeme) March 28, 2022
lupita realizes smith’s slap on chris rock is legitimately representing me pic.twitter.com/AJlnlBwiTm
– rubies (@17MINUTESX) March 28, 2022
LUPITA IS ALL of us #Oscar pic.twitter.com/UeUxXT0nvf
– Queen Bravo (@queensofbravo) March 28, 2022
April: Viola Davis As Michelle Obama
When Viola Davis played Michelle Obama in First lady, netizens have some mixed feelings about the way Viola pursed her lips while participating. However, the jokes are all fun!
Father God pic.twitter.com/ff8ybgZPZB
– Newsletter (@onthebulletin) April 15, 2022
Nobody:
Viola Davis as Michelle Obama: pic.twitter.com/MHQ8wns4OS
– K (@sirK88) April 18, 2022
Viola Davis saw Michelle Obama pout once and ran after it pic.twitter.com/qN6F20GH3I
— achumile martin (@achmilem1) April 21, 2022
literally no one:
Viola Davis as Michelle Obama:
– pears (@bigfatmoosepssy) April 16, 2022
May: ‘Legs, Hips, Body’ by Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss’ “Legs, Hips, Body” became an online hit in May thanks to its comedic meme potential.
on tiktok they call this the BBL ritual song pic.twitter.com/S3m90BWFyx
— kamani (@TEXASTITTIE) May 20, 2022
– bamboo (@trectrl) May 21, 2022
Legsssss’nnnn Hipssssss’nnnn BAH DEE BAH DEEEEE pic.twitter.com/ZIiFeea3Dk
– ChainzWrld (@JustChainz) May 23, 2022
June: The Elephant Revenge
The story of an elephant crashing into an Indian woman’s funeral to trample her dead body went viral earlier this year and it sparked a lot of conversation online.
With such a shocking situation, it’s no surprise that it’s finally been remembered!
I thought about how the elephant knew the time, date and place of the funeral pic.twitter.com/oSoSntQ0kY
– FitnessByBravo (@TotalMaxFitness) June 17, 2022
Oprah: So after you killed her, you went to the funeral and stomped on her a few more times?
Elephant: Sure. pic.twitter.com/caHkdIwqEp
— Mamba Out (@kcjj_04) June 16, 2022
elephant on the eve of that woman’s funeral pic.twitter.com/LAszW5BXev
— Goon hack beautiful game with awesome GLUTES (@TheDgtalEmpress) June 16, 2022
nobody:
elephant at that woman’s funeral: pic.twitter.com/DkCkT7fuuT
— (@kayoss) June 16, 2022
That elephant pulled to the funeral defffff gave energy to the black air force😭 pic.twitter.com/XDrOUnsCaE
– Ed🗽🤠🇨🇴 (@myVisaExpired) June 16, 2022
July: Mr.Love & kid, little girl memes
This past summer, memes based on characters from Mr.Love and kid, little girl Mass flooding the internet.
With a very simple yet effective template, it’s easy for multiple users to join the fun.
Which Mr Men meme do you parody based on your astrological positions?
All photos from starbucksslayqueen on TikTok pic.twitter.com/pV7fohIOuG
— teen astro meme nepo (@magstrology) July 10, 2022
it’s me, i’m a little girl pic.twitter.com/Tzg7XebQDB
– fritzstanacct (@roseybunni) July 19, 2022
making memes for men about men who have treated you badly in the past is basically free therapy pic.twitter.com/lxr0UMsnzL
– nadia (@lonesomevenus) July 21, 2022
August: ‘It’s Corn!’
After a web series called Respite therapy interviewed a kid named Tariq about corn, the boy’s enthusiasm for the dish became a beloved meme.
In addition, a collaboration with Chipotle appeared, as well as a catchy song.
I laughed for 5 minutes and I had tears on my face pic.twitter.com/J4RtLq9l65
– Miniature Mayhem™️ (@MelDubs) August 31, 2022
IT IS SUCCESS!!!! pic.twitter.com/HbJHKyqEiJ
– Doug The Pug (@itsdougthepug) August 30, 2022
no one:
absolutely no one:
me to myself: THAT IS COLORS
I think I found my weekly anthem XD pic.twitter.com/A7Lbpu5zLf— KHALID◢ RJ (@KM___moe) September 2, 2022
wait for it pic.twitter.com/4ivkt8YJMy
– Chipotle (@ChipotleTweets) August 27, 2022
September: Rihanna’s Super Bowl Announcement
On September 25, Rihanna stunned fans when she frankly announced that she would perform at Super Bowl 2023. Her announcement was made through a photo of her tattooed hand holding a one. soccer ball, and it created a trend among brands.
Several companies have caught on, including Popeyes and Dairy Queen, turning Rihanna’s announcement into an effective social media marketing tactic.
– Rihanna (@rihanna) September 25, 2022
Stage = Stage pic.twitter.com/6aNhSDeRNm
– Pope (@Popeyes) September 26, 2022
Period pic.twitter.com/rDOT3np2O9
– Milk Queen (@DairyQueen) September 26, 2022
October: Spiritual Halloween costumes
As the internet gears up for spooky season, memes centered around the popular Spirit Halloween costume bags have started popping up.
From celebrities to funny topics, everything has the potential to be spoofed through this meme template.
November: Kamala Harris sings ‘Wheels On The Bus’
VP Kamala Harris was caught laughing as she performed “Wheels on the Bus” and Twitter users were OVERVIEWED with it.
While videos of Kamala jailbreaking herself are nothing new, something about the incident seems to have made a different impression. In fact, she was even compared to Joker.
making a joke before blowing up a bus in gotham pic.twitter.com/fx2Gde4yeC
– (@gothjafar) November 10, 2022
Kamala The Wheels on Roundabout Bus pic.twitter.com/WXb0g2zlyu
– Alien superstar Allison Reese (@alienreese) November 12, 2022
kamala harris sings the wheels on the bus going around the reaction video stan twitter meme pic.twitter.com/1nCDaIE7nr
– Memes Archive (@TheMemesArchive) November 14, 2022
December: Dead celebrity jokes
Finally, we have to acknowledge a recent social media trend that focuses on TikTokers playing pranks on older adults. Specifically, the videos focus on people documenting their parents’ reactions to fake news about beloved celebrities passing away.
In addition to the videos, people are also faking trends on Twitter with fictional characters.
no, I’m as wretched as these poor women pic.twitter.com/b964vDMYRG
— ً (@waitisovah) December 24, 2022
Lois Griffin DIE AT 43 pic.twitter.com/uhmTyeKrTl
— Patty LaCerva (@minasdemon) December 25, 2022
Oh my god stop. Charlie Brown died at the age of 6
— sarah schauer (@sarahschauer) December 25, 2022
Say hello to these remarkable memes and trends, and get ready to see what 2023 will bring!
