10 Toxic Fandoms RUINING It For Everyone Else
#10: “Rick and Morty” Fandom
Thinking about joining the fandom? Are you prepared to be talked down to and treated like a person with inferior intelligence? Unfortunately, that’s what happens when most outsiders approach the “Rick and Morty” series. While the show is brilliant for its story and gags, certain members of the fanbase treat it like the benchmark for intelligence. The idea is that you need a very high IQ to understand the show. And in case you don’t like it? Well, then you apparently don’t have the brains to appreciate “comedy in its highest form.” Ironically, for a fandom that treats “The Big Bang Theory” as low-brow entertainment, there’s a lot of Sheldon Coopers running around in it.
#9: Bronies
Hey, look, we aren’t judging. Adult males enjoying a cartoon about colorful horses? That’s completely fine. But THIS much drama surrounding a show about magical ponies learning the value of friendship? Now things are weird. Online communities became notorious for infighting, harassment, and – we can’t believe we’re saying this – an abundance of not-safe-for-kids content involving the characters. You know it’s bad when even mainstream outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone all covered the toxicity revolving around the fandom. Unfortunately, this has impacted the genuinely friendly members of the community out there. Bronies within the fandom have been treated unfairly, a price they pay for the rowdier members of the bunch ruining it for everyone else.
#8: SPN Family
If a loud minority had their way, a show about fighting monsters and demons would’ve turned into a love triangle involving two brothers and an angel. What began as a fun bit of slash fiction turned into a battlefield around shipping characters and pitting actors against each other. Cast members and real-life partners sometimes found themselves dragged into arguments that existed entirely within the fandom. The “Destiel” ship got so loud that the show even made it partially canon. But were the shippers satisfied? Nope. Instead, the heartwarming finale was derided by this subset of the fandom for not ending with a makeout session between Dean and Castiel. Loving the boys is one thing. Treating actors like supporting characters in your preferred fanfiction is another.
#7: Snyderverse Fans
You knew these guys were coming, didn’t you? After all, they’ve been the poster figures for online toxicity for many people for years. It’s one thing to like a direction, and another to treat any criticism of his movies like an act of war. The Snyderverse, in particular, turned into an idea of such peak perfection, you’d think it was the “Godfather” of film franchises. Then again, the “#ReleaseTheSnyderCut” movement became so loud, Warner Bros. actually released a four-hour version of “Justice League.” While Snyder himself isn’t to blame, certain fans attack anyone from critics to audiences who don’t share their intense enthusiasm for his work. And no, “Rebel Moon” wasn’t a “misunderstood masterpiece,” no matter how much you say it.
#6: Nostalgia Fans
We get it. The ‘90s were a magical time. But they’re gone, and they ain’t coming back. When it comes to many nostalgia-related fans, though, that is when life was worth living. And while every generation has its favorites, some people just can’t praise the past without trashing whatever came next. You like streaming movies? Well, you’re spoilt and can’t understand the value of CDs. Bought the new iPhone? Apparently, sitting at home all day waiting for someone to call you on landline is how humans are supposed to communicate. There’s nothing wrong with preferring things the way they were when you grew up. But if it’s at the expense of mocking everything released after your 15th birthday, then you probably need to move on already.
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#5: MCU Fans
This one goes in two extremes. One that regards every facet of the MCU as if it were Tarantino or Scorsese. And another, that just hates everything about it. At its peak, ultra-passionate fans behaved as if they had a personal stake in Marvel, mocking other franchises like the DCEU whenever the MCU released a commercial hit. Didn’t like “She-Hulk” or “Secret Invasion”? Prepare to be called a troll. Liked the new “Superman”? Apparently you’re a traitor because enjoying anything else is forbidden by superhero law. Then there are those who consider “Avengers: Endgame” the peak of cinema, hate-watching just to shout “the MCU is dead” each time. Some of us actually liked the new “Captain America” film, guys. There’s nothing wrong with that.
#4: The Internet Wrestling Community
Welcome to the IWC, where every push is wrong, every “underrated” wrestler is “buried,” and every top guy “never drew a dime.” When it comes to nostalgia goggles, the IWC never took them off, treating the Attitude Era with near-mythical reverence. Any John Cena or Roman Reigns fan is deemed a “mark,” and every workrate guy should be “pushed to the moon.” If the IWC had its way, every wrestler would turn heel and move to SmackDown. Fans can spend months demanding a wrestler receive a bigger push, only to turn on them once they actually get one. Then there are the tribal wars, where enjoying WWE apparently requires hating AEW and vice versa. When absolutely nothing makes you happy, perhaps the problem isn’t always the booking.
#3: Disney
Loving all things Disney can be wholesome and endearing. But when defending a multibillion-dollar company starts becoming a performance or personality trait, you may have gone a bit too far. Certain corners of the fandom take devotion to a whole new level. Criticize a remake, question a brand move, or, God forbid, like a DreamWorks movie better, and it’s like you’ve set Mickey’s House of Mouse on fire. Some parkgoers have also been called out for entitled behavior, obsessing over merchandise, and mainly forgetting there are actual children at Disney World too. So, while it’s fun to get lost in the “most magical place in the world,” it’s also important to remember your life doesn’t revolve around a cartoon mouse.
#2: K-Pop
Apparently, enjoying your favorite group isn’t enough; everyone else needs to know they’re superior too. K-pop has produced some incredibly dedicated fandoms, but that passion can turn nasty when stan culture enters the picture. Rival fanbases wage online wars over everything from chart positions to awards, while criticism of an idol can unleash thousands of angry replies. Some fans organize relentless streaming campaigns as though a song dropping one position will cause an international emergency. Then there’s the parasocial side, where idols dating or simply interacting with the “wrong” person can trigger outrage from people who’ve never actually met them. Supporting your favorite artists is one thing. Treating every chart battle like national warfare? Maybe just put the headphones on and enjoy the music.
#1: “Star Wars”
Ah, yes, the ones who arguably kickstarted hostile fandom. As the saying goes: No one hates “Star Wars” more than “Star Wars” fans. Certain members spent years fighting over the very thing they supposedly adore. Taking gatekeeping to ridiculous levels, actors like Ahmed Best, Jake Lloyd, and Kelly Marie Tran have faced vicious treatment from sections of the fanbase. Then, there’s the constant shifting of the goalposts. The prequels “ruined Star Wars” until they didn’t. Sequel fans are treated like the lowest dregs of society. Everyone fights over what “real Star Wars” is supposed to be. With so much hostility going around, it’s hard not to wonder if the Sith outnumber the Jedi in this fandom.
Which fandom do you think deserves to be on this list? Let us know in the comments.
