Like Bollywood 'Stranger Things 5' is also reviving old music for Gen Z

Welcome to 2025—where your Spotify playlist might sound like your parents’ mixtape. From Deep Purple’s haunting 1970 ballad “Child in Time” resurfacing in the teaser of ‘Stranger Things 5’, to NSYNC’s early-2000s anthem “Bye Bye Bye” roaring back into the limelight via ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, it’s clear: nostalgia isn’t just a trend anymore—it’s the moment.

How Hollywood is reviving retro music

The use of retro music in modern storytelling isn’t new, but today, it’s becoming a cultural movement. Consider ‘Stranger Things’, the poster child of pop nostalgia. When Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” played a pivotal emotional role in Season 4, it didn’t just serve the narrative—it revived the track’s global popularity nearly four decades later.

TikTok and Instagram latched onto it, the charts welcomed it back, and a whole new generation discovered its ethereal pull. Now with “Child in Time” setting the mood for Season 5, the show continues to act as both a time machine and a tastemaker.

Meanwhile, superhero franchises are cashing in on the power of retro, too. Deadpool & Wolverine—already hyped for its chaotic charisma—surprised fans with the inclusion of “Bye Bye Bye” in its trailer. It wasn’t just a cheeky needle drop; it was a nostalgic gut punch. The track instantly transported fans to the boy band era, making the film feel both hilarious and oddly comforting. For a franchise that thrives on irreverence, this was a clever emotional hook.

Bollywood too has joined the trend

It’s not just Hollywood flexing its nostalgic muscle. Bollywood, too, has fully embraced the retro remix wave. From reimagining classic R.D. Burman hits to turning old Hindi film melodies into club anthems, India’s film and music industry knows that Gen Z might scroll fast—but they’ll pause for something familiar dressed in fresh beats.

A great example is the What Jhumka song from ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’, which is a remix version of Jhumka Gira Re.

But why does this trend resonate so powerfully across genres, languages, and borders?

One reason is emotional safety. In an era of political turbulence, climate anxiety, and digital burnout, nostalgia offers a sonic security blanket. These familiar tunes aren’t just catchy—they’re comforting. They evoke simpler times (even if they weren’t really simpler), and bring with them a sense of belonging and cultural continuity.

And let’s not forget the music industry itself. Older tracks being re-licensed for shows, movies, and ads is not just artistically satisfying; it’s lucrative. As streaming revives catalogue songs, the economics of nostalgia make perfect sense.

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So whether it’s Deep Purple scoring a horror-mystery saga, or a Bollywood dancefloor remix lighting up your Saturday night, one thing is clear: retro isn’t going anywhere.