Memes are an integral part of internet culture. Their emergence from popular animated shows is one of the clearest examples of how media content can find new life in the digital space. Modern cartoons like SpongeBob SquarePants or The Simpsons have become meme gold thanks to their memorable characters, witty dialogue, and absurd situations.
The appearance of such internet jokes is tied to how viewers reinterpret and reimagine scenes from animated shows. Often, the characters’ lines weren’t originally meant to be funny at all. A phrase spoken in one context can become a clever jab in a completely different one.
When social media users share images or stills from cartoons, they often add captions or edit the visuals to create something fresh and original. Sometimes, a meme exists solely because of a viral comment that gave new meaning to the image.
Fan communities quickly help spread and popularize this type of content. Memes remain a key part of modern communication and self-expression, offering a new perspective on familiar characters. They become more than just entertainment — they form a way of connecting people through shared interests and emotions.
We’ve collected 10 memes from popular animated shows that have taken on a life of their own, beyond the stories they came from.
