From a hippo sensation to a summer spent embracing our inner 'brat', there was no shortage of viral moments in 2024. Between elections, global conflicts and natural disasters, the past year has been an intense 12 months for the news cycle. Throughout it all, however, we have been given moments of levity as our collective consciousness has been rapt by the cute, the trendy and the downright bizarre.
We're talking, of course, about 2024's most viral moments, so sit back, relax, and prepare to relive some of the past year's best memes. Fresh off the box-office success of Wonka , organisers in Glasgow set out to enchant local children with an interactive Charlie and the Chocolate Factory experience . However, when Willy's Chocolate Experience officially opened in February, parents demanded refunds for the lack-lustre exhibition.
Social media was soon populated with photos and videos from the experience, including one of an Oompa Loompa handing out small rations of sweets to children. Actors involved spoke about the AI-generated script, which resulted in confusing characters including Willy McDuff and The Unknown. In May, a video portal opened up in Dublin's City Centre, offering Dubliners and New Yorkers to the chance to connect with one another despite being separated by the Atlantic Ocean.
However, it wasn't long before behaviour at the portal grew unruly, with mooning and insults about 9/11 and the Famine cited as poor portal decorum. After a brief shutdown, the portal was reo.
