To be fifteen in America in 2018 was to have “God's Plan” by Drake everywhere, Avengers: Infinity War on every screen, and Game of Thrones on after school. That year, gas cost $2.72 and the show Cobra Kai was the new thing. Born in 2003? You turned 15 in 2018 — a teenager from 2016 to 2022, right in the window a soundtrack bonds to you for life.
Compiled by the Original Lore archive from period charts, box-office and price records. How we build these · sources noted throughout.
The biggest song of 2018 — that 'she say do you love me, I tell her only partly' opening was quoted everywhere, and the giveaway music video became a phenomenon. A 15-year-old had it on repeat all spring; it defined the year's mood far more than any year-end steady-seller.
the year-end #1 was this very song — God's Plan by Drake.
the movies you are watching in 2018
Avengers: Infinity War
Black Panther
Incredibles 2
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Deadpool 2
the tv shows you are binging in 2018
Game of Thrones
The Haunting of Hill House
Killing Eve
The Good Place
Sharp Objects
the games you are playing in 2018
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Fortnite
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Minecraft
Red Dead Redemption 2
what things cost in 2018
What things cost in 2018
Gas (per gallon)
$2.72
Movie ticket
$9.11
First-class stamp
50 cents
minimum wage
$7.25/hr
the average income
$63,179
trending this year
AI-generated illustrationFortnite Battle RoyaleGovernment & Heritage Library, State Library of NC, via Flickr/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0Black PantherNo attribution required (CC0). Photo: Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash/Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication)Red Dead Redemption 2No attribution required (CC0). Photo: Denisse Leon via Unsplash/Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication)TikTokPhoto by FASTILY (Wikimedia Commons), source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bird_Scooter_in_San_Francisco_1_2018-05-06.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0Bird electric scooters
the gadgets you just got
No attribution required (CC0). Photo: Dennis Cortés via Unsplash/Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication)iPhone XS / iPhone XS MaxNo attribution required (CC0). Photo: Dennis Cortés via Unsplash/Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication)iPhone XRLiam Dawe / GamingOnLinux; PNG by VulcanSphere, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Nintendo SwitchSindugab (CC0, no attribution required) · CC0 1.0Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)No attribution required (CC0). Photo: Dennis Cortés via Unsplash/Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication)Samsung Galaxy S9
what everyone is snacking on
annulla, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsFlamin' Hot CheetosPhoto by Erick1222222 (Wikimedia Commons), source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Takis_fuego.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0Takis FuegoSKopp · CC BY-SA 3.0Oreo ThinsEvan-Amos, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Pop-TartsEvan-Amos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsGoldfish crackers
what everyone is drinking
Fauxey, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Can_of_La_Croix.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0La Croix sparkling waterGlenn Samonte, via Flickr/Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Any_Means_Orange_Bang_Energy_Can_(54954447854).jpg) · CC BY 4.0Bang EnergyPush Doctor — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starbucks_Pumpkin_Spice_Latte_(38404428942).jpg · CC BY 2.0Starbucks Pumpkin Spice LatteBxxiaolin, edited by Pittigrilli, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Can_of_Monster_Energy_drink_sold_in_China_(0.33_l),_on_white_background.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0Monster EnergyChristian Gidlöf, via Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coca-cola_50cl_white-bg.jpg · CC BY-SA 3.0Coca-Cola
what made the news in 2018
A Parkland school shooting reignites a national push for gun reform
The Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang spark Korea diplomacy and Shiffrin gold
Trump and Kim Jong-un hold a historic summit in Singapore
Wildfires devastate California as the deadly Camp Fire razes Paradise
Londisland, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY 3.0Royal Wedding: Prince Harry marries Meghan MarkleCapt. Jessica Tait, U.S. Air Force, 353rd Special Operations Group · Public Domain (U.S. federal government / DoD work)Thai cave rescue saves trapped youth soccer teamPax Ahimsa Gethen (Funcrunch), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC-BY-SA 4.0Parkland school shooting sparks March for Our LivesKorea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service (KOGL / CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia CommonsWinter Olympics open in Pyeongchang, South KoreaGage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia CommonsStan Lee, Marvel Comics legend, dies at 95
what everyone is saying
"Yanny or Laurel"viral audio clip debate over which word people heard
"Kiki, do you love me?"In My Feelings / Shiggy dance challenge to Drake's hit went viral that summer
"Is this a pigeon?"anime screenshot meme that exploded across social media in 2018
"Thank u, next"Ariana Grande song that became an instant catchphrase
"Big mood"Tumblr/Twitter slang for a deeply relatable feeling
