To be fifteen in America in 2023 was to have “Kill Bill” by SZA everywhere, Barbie on every screen, and The Last of Us on after school. That year, gas cost $3.52 and the Tesla Cybertruck was the new thing. Born in 2008? You turned 15 in 2023 — a teenager from 2021 to 2027, 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 breakup anthem that ruled 2023 - SZA's darkly funny revenge fantasy from the era-defining 'SOS' album was the song teens sang along to without irony, dominating playlists and TikTok in a way the country-leaning year-end #1 never touched.
the year-end #1 was Last Night - Morgan Wallen.
the movies you are watching in 2023
Barbie
Oppenheimer
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
the tv shows you are binging in 2023
The Last of Us
Succession
The Bear
Wednesday
Ahsoka
the games you are playing in 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Minecraft
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Pikmin 4
Hogwarts Legacy
what things cost in 2023
What things cost in 2023
Gas (gallon)
$3.52
Movie ticket
$10.78
First-class stamp
$0.66
minimum wage
$7.25/hr
the average income
$80,610
trending this year
Wikimedia user "Producer", via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Barbie (2023 film)Prototyperspective, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain)ChatGPT / GPT-4Liz Sullivan (Lazyliz23), via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0The Last of Us (HBO)Wikimedia Commons, source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Threads_(app).svg · Public domainThreads (Meta)Drake Lancelot, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
the gadgets you just got
Dennis Cortés (Unsplash), via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain, no attribution required)Apple iPhone 15 ProWilly Jackson, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Apple Vision Pro (unveiled)Samuel Skånberg (Samel tvom), via Wikimedia Commons, released into the public domainSony PlayStation 5 SlimPhoto by メイド理世 (Wikimedia Commons), source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Back_view_of_Samsung_Galaxy_S23_Ultra_Green.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0Samsung Galaxy S23 UltraPhoto by Roy.wonder.cohen (Wikimedia Commons), source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meta_Quest_3_front_View.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0Meta Quest 3
what everyone is snacking on
Leon Brooks, via Wikimedia Commons, released into the public domainDoritos Dinamita Sticky Sweet ChiliEvan-Amos, via Wikimedia Commons (released into the public domain)Lay's Potato ChipsPhoto by Erick1222222 (Wikimedia Commons), source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Takis_fuego.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0Takis FuegoAngel caboodle / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 · CC BY 3.0 (also GFDL)Oreo CookiesPhoto by Evan-Amos, Wikimedia Commons (File:Cheez-It-Crackers.jpg) · Public Domain (CC0 / PD-self)Cheez-It Crackers
what everyone is drinking
Tbf69 (Toby Farman), via Wikimedia Commons (File:Prime hydration ice pop two bottles.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0Prime Hydration (Logan Paul / KSI)Hstoops, via Wikimedia Commons (File:Celsius Live Fit Can.png) · CC BY 4.0Celsius Energy DrinkPK-WIKI, via Wikimedia Commons (File:Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler —Limit 2 per customer.png) · CC BY 4.0Stanley Quencher (water tumbler craze)Simon Cousins, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsOlipop Prebiotic SodaВикидим, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0) · CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication)Liquid Death Mountain Water
what made the news in 2023
Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, triggering panic across the regional banking sector
A devastating wildfire destroyed Lahaina on Maui, killing roughly 100 people
Wagner mercenaries staged a short-lived armed mutiny against Russia's military
The Barbie movie and Oppenheimer ignited a 'Barbenheimer' summer box-office frenzy
rawpixel.com, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0) · CC0 1.0 Universal (Public Domain Dedication)Silicon Valley Bank collapses in largest bank failure since 2008NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research · Public Domain (US Government work, NOAA)OceanGate Titan submersible implodes near Titanic wreckPalestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa) in contract with APAimages, CC BY-SA 3.0 · CC-BY-SA-3.0Hamas attacks Israel on October 7, war in Gaza beginsPhoto: Phil Roeder, CC BY 2.0 · CC-BY-2.0Hollywood writers and actors strike shuts down film and TVNOAA/NGDC - M. Mehrain, Dames & Moore · Public Domain (released to PD by author, NOAA/NGDC)Turkey-Syria earthquake kills tens of thousands
what everyone is saying
"Girl dinner"TikTok trend describing a snack-plate meal for one
"Roman Empire"Viral trend asking men how often they think about the Roman Empire
"Rizz"Oxford Word of the Year 2023 meaning charisma/charm
"Beige flag"TikTok dating term for a boring or quirky trait in a partner
"Barbenheimer"Same-day release of Barbie and Oppenheimer films
