Every so often, people might find themselves revisiting old movies, shows or music for what feels like the hundredth time. The question is what is pulling people back to these specific forms of media. The answer is nostalgia. This happens when people have a desire to return to or experience the past. For example, constantly going back to a favorite childhood show might take someone back to a comforting event of their childhood. Or people might have these so-called comfort movies and shows for a sense of familiarity and security.
Nostalgia isn't just about remembering the past; it's about how people feel about it and the emotions that come with it. Media, like songs or shows, can create this feeling because people connect them to specific memories in their lives. These slight moments of nostalgia aren't random either. People tend to hold on to things that make them feel happy or even safe. This is why hearing an old song out of nowhere can take someone right back. Comfort is one of the biggest reasons people return to nostalgia. If life starts to feel overwhelming or stressful, watching an old movie you already love can bring some peace to all that stress. There's no need to give it all of your attention since you already know what's going to happen. That is what makes it relaxing. These songs, shows and movies don't change, and they provide something you can rely on even if the whole world seems to never stop changing and moving forward.
The impact of nostalgia becomes clear when looking at the kinds of media that continue to bring people joy and comfort over time. For me, "Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Coraline" are my go-to comfort movies. I have seen them many times before, and watching them is one of the ways I try to relax when there is a lot going on. For others, movies can also even create nostalgia by making you look back at old versions of yourself in the past. "The movie 'It Ends with Us' gives me nostalgia because when I saw Lily growing and making tough choices it reminded me of times in my life where I also had to make important decisions and go through difficult decisions," said sophomore Gabby Kostick. Songs can also bring just the amount of nostalgia for people that movies and shows do. In particular, sophomore Brooke Patrick. Brooke says, “A song that brings me nostalgia is 'Be Our Guest' from the movie 'Beauty and the Beast' because when I was younger I always thought I looked like Belle, and I related to her because I used to love to read.”
Some media creators have even tried to give the feeling of nostalgia to their audiences on purpose. They tend to use familiar themes and characters which can bring back memories for people who grew up with that media. The show "Stranger Things" uses a lot of references to the '80s that gives the older viewers a sense of nostalgia but, at the same time, attracts younger viewers who didn’t experience the '80s. This can also be seen in remakes, reboots and sequels of classic films too.
Nostalgia isn't just about liking old stuff; it's about feeling a connection that can bring you right back. Nostalgia can stem from anything, wherever or whenever. The power a certain movie, show or song can hold can make it feel like you’re reliving a certain moment in time. This moment can be one of your happiest, and there's no wrong in taking a quick trip to the past.