While many people embrace the personal assistant-esque benefits of agentic AI tools (see Agentic Ambition in Look Ahead 2026), the rising tide of lazily conceived, low-quality AI-generated ‘slop’ will inflame a countermovement to AI in 2026. As anxiety about the soullessness of slop grows, audiences will seek ‘human premium’ advertising, social media content and entertainment championing verifiable human craft, idiosyncrasy and unmediated reality. 

Surrounded by permacrisis and polarisation, the ‘very online’ will seek out millennial optimism nostalgia in 2026, reframing derided ‘millennial cringe’ and mining the hopefulness, unassuming positivity and moral clarity of mid-millennial (about 2012-16) pop culture instead. Attracting irony-fatigued Gen Zers, as well as wistful 30- and 40-somethings, the mood will be fed by TV reboots, resurgent #millenialcore music and Gen Z’s #millennialcoded U-turn.

Driven by a rise in conservatism in the US, plus growing religious curiosity among Gen Zers (seeking belonging and purpose) in the US and Europe, devotional music – specifically inspired by Christianity and Catholicism – is set to soar in 2026. We outline must-know subgenres and artists, including Christian country, holy hip-hop, tradpop and the faith-based avant-garde.

Frustrated by attention-pummelling brain rot and online rage bait but turning away from traditional media for insight and guidance, in 2026, netizens will welcome in ultra-credible, fad-resisting information influencers. Battling misinformation with social wherewithal, indie-pro news-fluencers, women sports-journo TikTokkers, media-maven cultural analysts and certified health experts are reframing influencing away from bland distraction towards knowledge-sharing.

Globally, 65% of entertainment fans want to “step inside their fandom” by going to themed experiences. In 2026, they will flock to real-life immersive storyverses: purpose-built environments dedicated to bringing intellectual property (IP) from film, TV, gaming and even ultra-high-profile social media creators to life. We outline best-in-show examples blending theme parks, fan activations and retailtainment, packed with potential for brands. 

Indie game revenue is growing at more than twice the rate of AAA blockbuster titles due to players sidestepping the undercooked narratives and repetitive gameplay associated with high-profile disappointments. For 2026, we showcase the best indies demonstrating how to nail wonderfully weird thematic conceits, unique gameplay mechanics and unflinching emotional exploration.

While sexy-but-sanitised romantasy continues to soar (see Romance Reborn: Sex, Dragons & Romcoms in Pop Culture & Media Futures 24/25), another stripe of women’s literature that mines the darkest corners of female rage is gaining cult status. Enter femgore – women-penned ultra-violent (feminist) body horror fiction in which female protagonists exact revenge. It will command attention in 2026 among women looking for an anti-heroic release.

Climate fatalism is gaining ground: globally, rising percentages, especially Gen Z and millennials, say it’s “too late” for meaningful climate action, despite desperately wanting change. In 2026, kickstarting vital audience reinvestment will draw from eco-punk pop culture: anti-doomist agitational music and advertising and experiential design unearthing the foundational bonds between people and planet, both executed with counter-cultural verve.