Pokémon arrived, a fuzzy talking toy caused holiday chaos, computers turned candy-colored and a new pop princess debuted in a school uniform.
This guide rounds up what was popular in 1998, 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 1998-themed birthday or reunion.
Quick answer
In 1998, the biggest trends were Pokémon (games and cartoon), Furby, the Game Boy Color, colorful all-in-one computers, yo-yos, platform sneakers and cargo pants, The Powerpuff Girls, and songs like "Truly Madly Deeply", "The Boy Is Mine" and "...Baby One More Time".
1998 at a glance
| Category | Biggest in 1998 |
|---|---|
| Pop culture | Pokémon arrives in the US |
| Toy craze | Furby |
| Tech | Candy-colored iMacs, Windows 98, first MP3 players |
| Fad | Yo-yos |
| Song everyone knew | "...Baby One More Time" |
| Cartoon | The Powerpuff Girls |
Fashion trends of 1998
Here is what people were wearing in 1998. For the full decade, see 90s fashion trends.
Cargo pants
With baby tees.
Platform everything
Sneakers, sandals, flip-flops.
Frosted tips
Boy band hair.
Butterfly clips and glitter
Peak late 90s.
Mall-brand logos
Preppy logos everywhere.
Tinted sunglasses
Small and colored.
Popular toys and games in 1998
The toy aisle in 1998 looked like this. More in our list of popular 90s toys.
Furby
The hit of holiday 1998.
Pokémon Red and Blue
Launched in North America in September.
Game Boy Color
Launched in November.
Yo-yos
A schoolyard craze.
Tech Deck
Finger skateboards.
Technology in 1998
- Translucent, colorful all-in-one computers arrived in August.
- Windows 98 launched in June.
- The first portable MP3 players appeared, and a now-giant search company was founded in September.
See every gadget of the decade in 90s tech gadgets and every console in 90s video game consoles.
Popular movies of 1998
| Movie | US release |
|---|---|
| Armageddon | July |
| Saving Private Ryan | July |
| Mulan | June |
| The Parent Trap | July |
| A Bug's Life | November |
| The Rugrats Movie | November |
TV shows of 1998
| Show | Premiere / big year |
|---|---|
| Pokémon (US) | September 1998 |
| The Powerpuff Girls | November 1998 |
| Dawson's Creek | January 1998 |
| That '70s Show | August 1998 |
| CatDog | April 1998 |
| The Wild Thornberrys | September 1998 |
For cartoons specifically, see 90s cartoons.
Popular songs of 1998
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Truly Madly Deeply | Savage Garden |
| The Boy Is Mine | Brandy & Monica |
| Too Close | Next |
| Gettin' Jiggy wit It | Will Smith |
| Iris | Goo Goo Dolls |
| ...Baby One More Time | Britney Spears |
Build a full playlist with our 90s party songs.
Big moments of 1998
- Pokémon launched in America in September.
- Titanic continued its record-breaking run.
- The internet boom accelerated.
Fun fact: Furby could not really learn, but it was programmed to switch gradually from its own "Furbish" language to English, which made kids believe it was learning from them.
Throw a 1998 themed party
1998 party checklist
- A playlist of 1998 hits
- Posters from Armageddon and Saving Private Ryan
- A dress code inspired by cargo pants
- Trivia about 1998
- Toys from 1998 as decorations or prizes
- Disposable cameras
The story of 1998
1998 was the year Pokémon came to America. In September, the cartoon premiered and the Game Boy games launched, introducing kids to 151 creatures to catch, train and trade. By the end of the year, the franchise was building toward the craze that would dominate 1999.
The holiday season belonged to a fuzzy, talking, blinking toy that seemed to learn English the more you played with it. Parents searched everywhere, and resale prices soared. Yo-yos and finger skateboards were schoolyard crazes, and a new color handheld game console arrived in November.
Technology turned colorful as translucent, candy-colored all-in-one computers arrived in August. A new version of a popular operating system launched, the first portable digital music players appeared, and a future search giant was founded. In music, a teenage pop star released a debut single that would make her one of the biggest stars of the next decade.
For a 1998 party, mix Pokémon, talking toys, cargo pants and pop music. It is the perfect year for anyone who grew up with Game Boys and boy bands.
Conclusion
1998 was the year of Pokémon arrives in the US, Furby, Candy-colored iMacs, Windows 98, first MP3 players. Rewind one more year to what was popular in 1997, or fast-forward to what was popular in 1999.
Frequently asked questions
What was popular in 1998?
In 1998, the biggest trends were Pokémon (games and cartoon), Furby, the Game Boy Color, colorful all-in-one computers, yo-yos, platform sneakers and cargo pants, The Powerpuff Girls, and songs like "Truly Madly Deeply", "The Boy Is Mine" and "...Baby One More Time".
What was the biggest movie of 1998?
Some of the biggest movies of 1998 were Armageddon, Saving Private Ryan, Mulan.
What toys were popular in 1998?
Popular toys and games in 1998 included Furby, Pokémon Red and Blue, Game Boy Color, Yo-yos, Tech Deck.
What songs were popular in 1998?
Popular songs in 1998 included "Truly Madly Deeply" (Savage Garden), "The Boy Is Mine" (Brandy & Monica), "Too Close" (Next), "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" (Will Smith), "Iris" (Goo Goo Dolls).
What TV shows started in 1998?
Shows that premiered or became hits in 1998 include Pokémon (US), The Powerpuff Girls, Dawson's Creek, That '70s Show, CatDog.
What did people wear in 1998?
Fashion in 1998 included cargo pants, platform everything, frosted tips, butterfly clips and glitter, mall-brand logos. See our 90s fashion trends guide for more.
How do I throw a 1998 themed party?
Use the songs, movies and toys from 1998 on this page: a 1998 playlist, movie posters, era snacks and trivia about the year. Our 90s party ideas guide has a full plan.