Pocket pets arrived in America, a British girl group took over, a ship sank at the box office and cartoons got edgier.
This guide rounds up what was popular in 1997, from what people wore and played with to what they watched and listened to. Use it to settle a nostalgia debate, write trivia for a 90s party, or plan a 1997-themed birthday or reunion.
Quick answer
In 1997, the biggest trends were virtual pets, Beanie Babies mania, Spice Girls style, platform sneakers, butterfly clips, Men in Black and Titanic, South Park and Daria, GoldenEye 007, and songs like "Wannabe", "MMMBop" and "Tubthumping".
1997 at a glance
| Category | Biggest in 1997 |
|---|---|
| Hit movie | Titanic and Men in Black |
| Toy craze | Virtual pets |
| Pop group | Spice Girls |
| Fashion | Platform sneakers and butterfly clips |
| Song everyone knew | "Wannabe" |
| Video game | GoldenEye 007 |
Fashion trends of 1997
Here is what people were wearing in 1997. For the full decade, see 90s fashion trends.
Platform sneakers
The girl power shoe.
Union Jack and glitter
Pop group style.
Butterfly clips
Everywhere by year's end.
Cargo pants
Late-90s utility.
Tiny sunglasses
Narrow and tinted.
Spaghetti-strap tops
Over tees or alone.
Popular toys and games in 1997
The toy aisle in 1997 looked like this. More in our list of popular 90s toys.
Virtual pets
Arrived in the US in May.
Beanie Babies
A fast-food giveaway caused chaos.
Giga Pets
Competing digital pets.
Spice Girls dolls
Fashion dolls of the group.
GoldenEye 007
Four-player split-screen classic.
Technology in 1997
- DVD players arrived in the US.
- A chess computer defeated the world champion in May.
- NASA's Pathfinder landed on Mars on July 4, and a future search giant registered its domain in September.
See every gadget of the decade in 90s tech gadgets and every console in 90s video game consoles.
Popular movies of 1997
| Movie | US release |
|---|---|
| Titanic | December |
| Men in Black | July |
| Hercules | June |
| Good Will Hunting | December |
| Romy and Michele's High School Reunion | April |
| George of the Jungle | July |
TV shows of 1997
| Show | Premiere / big year |
|---|---|
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer | March 1997 |
| Daria | March 1997 |
| South Park | August 1997 |
| King of the Hill | January 1997 |
| Recess | September 1997 |
| Johnny Bravo | July 1997 |
For cartoons specifically, see 90s cartoons.
Popular songs of 1997
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Wannabe | Spice Girls |
| MMMBop | Hanson |
| Tubthumping | Chumbawamba |
| Barbie Girl | Aqua |
| Semi-Charmed Life | Third Eye Blind |
| Hypnotize | The Notorious B.I.G. |
Build a full playlist with our 90s party songs.
Big moments of 1997
- Comet Hale-Bopp was visible for months.
- Dolly the sheep was announced as the first cloned mammal.
- The class of 1997 graduated, and celebrates its 30-year reunion in 2027.
Fun fact: Virtual pets were banned in many US schools within months of arriving in 1997, because kids kept feeding and cleaning them during class.
Throw a 1997 themed party
1997 party checklist
- A playlist of 1997 hits
- Posters from Titanic and Men in Black
- A dress code inspired by platform sneakers
- Trivia about 1997
- Toys from 1997 as decorations or prizes
- Disposable cameras
The story of 1997
1997 was the year of the virtual pet. Egg-shaped digital pets arrived in the US in May and quickly became a schoolyard obsession, then a classroom nuisance, then a banned item at many schools. Bean-filled plush collecting reached a frenzy, especially when a fast-food chain gave away miniature versions.
Pop music was everywhere. A British girl group became a worldwide phenomenon, a trio of young brothers had a catchy hit with a nonsense chorus, and a punk-pop anthem about getting knocked down became a stadium favorite. Fashion followed, with platform sneakers, Union Jack prints, butterfly clips and tiny sunglasses.
At the movies, agents in black suits protected Earth from aliens, and in December an epic romance aboard a doomed ocean liner began a record-breaking run. TV got edgier with new animated comedies and a teen drama about a vampire slayer. Technology made headlines too, from a chess computer defeating the world champion to a rover landing on Mars.
The class of 1997 graduated this year and celebrates its 30-year reunion in 2027. A 1997 party is all about pop music, virtual pets, platform sneakers and the year's blockbuster movies.
Conclusion
1997 was the year of Titanic and Men in Black, Virtual pets, Spice Girls. Rewind one more year to what was popular in 1996, or fast-forward to what was popular in 1998.
Frequently asked questions
What was popular in 1997?
In 1997, the biggest trends were virtual pets, Beanie Babies mania, Spice Girls style, platform sneakers, butterfly clips, Men in Black and Titanic, South Park and Daria, GoldenEye 007, and songs like "Wannabe", "MMMBop" and "Tubthumping".
What was the biggest movie of 1997?
Some of the biggest movies of 1997 were Titanic, Men in Black, Hercules.
What toys were popular in 1997?
Popular toys and games in 1997 included Virtual pets, Beanie Babies, Giga Pets, Spice Girls dolls, GoldenEye 007.
What songs were popular in 1997?
Popular songs in 1997 included "Wannabe" (Spice Girls), "MMMBop" (Hanson), "Tubthumping" (Chumbawamba), "Barbie Girl" (Aqua), "Semi-Charmed Life" (Third Eye Blind).
What TV shows started in 1997?
Shows that premiered or became hits in 1997 include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Daria, South Park, King of the Hill, Recess.
What did people wear in 1997?
Fashion in 1997 included platform sneakers, union jack and glitter, butterfly clips, cargo pants, tiny sunglasses. See our 90s fashion trends guide for more.
How do I throw a 1997 themed party?
Use the songs, movies and toys from 1997 on this page: a 1997 playlist, movie posters, era snacks and trivia about the year. Our 90s party ideas guide has a full plan.