Samriti Dhatwalia
A Nostalgia Wave Sweeps the Internet
If you’ve spent time on Instagram, TikTok or Threads in early 2026, you’ve almost certainly seen it: users everywhere captioning posts with “2026 is the new 2016” and sharing decade-old photos, videos, memes, filters and memories. What began as a playful throwback has exploded into a full-blown viral nostalgia trend — reclaiming the sights, sounds and spirit of a year that defined early social media culture.
Celebrities Jump on the Throwback Train
What truly supercharged this trend was when celebrities started posting their own 2016 memories, turning personal nostalgia into a global pop-culture moment.
Bollywood & Bollywood-Adjacent Stars:
Alia Bhatt shared throwback pics from 2016 featuring moments with Shah Rukh Khan, Sidharth Malhotra and more, delighting fans with glimpses into her past.
Ananya Panday posted a carousel of unseen photos — from Snapchat flower crown selfies to candid moments with Ahaan Panday, Suhana Khan and AbRam Khan — captioning it with classic Gen-Z nostalgia vibes.
Kareena Kapoor Khan dropped intimate, previously unseen pregnancy photos, calling it her “year of the bump” and giving fans a heartfelt throwback.
Global Icons & International Stars:
Legendary rocker Jon Bon Jovi embraced the trend with a nostalgic Instagram post featuring a 2016 People cover and memories from that era.
Meghan Markle joined in with a black-and-white dance video featuring Prince Harry, captioned with loving nods to 2016.
Jennifer Aniston gave a nostalgic fashion moment a modern twist by reviving a quintessential 2016 look with current flair.
Across the globe, singers, influencers and everyday users alike are sharing throwbacks.
Nostalgia Never Really Ages
The internet has hit rewind and this time, it’s not just a fleeting meme. The viral 2016 nostalgia trend shows how a decade can feel like a lifetime and a heartbeat all at once.