You Can Only Save One of These 80s Fantasy Films
Nostalgia Nation Weekly Round-up!
Thinking of moving my weekly round-ups to Thursdays or Fridays… does anyone actually read anything on Saturday mornings? Let me know in the comments, or poll at the end of the post, what you prefer—and while we’re at it, do you even like “round-ups?”
🧙♂️ ONLY ONE MUST SURVIVE
If you could save just one 80s fantasy film from total annihilation, which one gets the honor? Choose wisely… this is cinematic Highlander territory. There can be only one!
🎥 Drop your vote in the poll below. And yes, I know this is painful. That’s the point.
Universal Studios Just Unlocked After-Hours Pop Culture Paradise
… And yes, it's basically a nerd prom.
Starting April 25th, Universal Studios is rolling out Fan Fest Nights—and it's exactly what it sounds like: your favorite pop culture obsessions turned into a fully immersive, after-dark theme park takeover. We're talking exclusive access, themed food, cosplay, character meet-ups, and experiences that hit harder than Ivan Drago.
Think:
Late-night access to select rides 🎢
80s and 90s movie moments IRL 🎬
Photo ops your inner 12-year-old will lose it over 📸
Merch you’ll probably regret not buying 💸
Whether you're in it for the throwback vibes, the cosplay parade, or just want to ride Jurassic World with a shorter line and more synth music, this is your moment.
🗓 First night kicks off April 25th.
🎟️ Check Universal’s site for ticket drops and theme schedules.
And yes—if anyone’s dressing up as G1 Optimus Prime or Marty McFly, I better see those pics!
YouTube Celebrates 20 Years
20 years ago this week, co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded the first YouTube video: a 19-second clip titled “Me at the zoo.” Not exactly cinematic gold, but it lit the fuse on what would become the biggest video platform in the world.
Since then, YouTube has racked up over 5 billion uploads, 2.7 billion monthly users, and, as of last year, officially became the most-watched streaming service on TV.
But beyond the stats, YouTube did something bigger: It helped invent the creator economy. Here’s how that evolution unfolded:
2007: YouTube launches its Partner Program, sharing ad revenue with select creators. A year later, people like Michael Buckley are making six figures from vlogging.
2009: Fred becomes the first channel to hit 1M subs. (If you know, you know.)
2011: YouTube drops $100M on original content, rolls out Analytics, and unlocks monetization tools for more creators.
2012: Algorithm shift: views out, watch time in. Long-form content takes over. Gangnam Style becomes the first video to crack 1 billion views.
2013: Smosh hits 10 million subscribers. Comedy wins.
2017: Vine shuts down, YouTube scoops up the next wave of lifestyle creators—and faces the Adpocalypse, a major advertiser fallout that hits creator income hard.
2019: PewDiePie reaches 100M subs, becoming YouTube’s first content king.
2020: YouTube launches Shorts, because TikTok made it clear short-form wasn’t a phase.
2024: AI takes center stage. YouTube partners with CAA to protect creators' likenesses. Also, it becomes the first streaming platform to own over 10% of all TV viewership.
2025: Podcasts explode—1 billion people now use YouTube for podcast content every month.
QUICK HITS
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Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos says the streamer is on a realistic path to becoming a trillion-dollar company.
Sydney Sweeney & Michael Bay Team Up! 👇
→ Cool Stuff
Sideshow releases the most badass Batman sixth-scale figure ever!
→ Creator Buzz
Nintendo is trying to force Discord to give up the identity of the person behind last year's massive Pokémon leak
The trade war’s surprising targets: content creators
Nostalgia Nation is written by John Toma (aka. That 80s Dude), the author of Nostalgia Nation: The Definitive Chronicle of Growing Up Gen X — John shares nostalgia and Gen X memories daily to nearly a million followers across social platforms. If you enjoyed this post and believe nostalgia matters, please consider becoming a patron of this newsletter for less than a cup of coffee a month. Stay rad!
Princess Bride. No contest.
Neverending Story for sure!