In the meme economy, most formats are like mayflies. They appear, go viral, get overused, and die within a few weeks. But some templates are different. Some templates are so perfectly designed, so universally applicable, that they survive year after year. These are the cockroaches of meme culture, and we mean that as the highest compliment.
Drake Hotline Bling
Active since 2015. Over a decade old and still one of the most-used templates on the internet. The reason is simple: the format is universal. Reject one thing, prefer another. That structure applies to literally every topic in existence. The Drake template will outlive us all. It is the Shakespeare of meme formats. Timeless, adaptable, and everyone knows the structure even if they have never studied it.
Distracted Boyfriend
This stock photo turned meme format arrived in 2017 and never left. Three characters, infinite scenarios. The Distracted Boyfriend template endures because the concept of temptation is universal. Everyone has been distracted from something important by something shiny and new. The format captures that guilt perfectly, and guilt is an evergreen emotion.
Expanding Brain
The Expanding Brain format has been escalating from normal to galaxy brain since 2017. It works because escalation is inherently funny. You set up reasonable options in the first panels and then go completely unhinged in the last one. The structure practically writes the joke for you. Any topic can be escalated to absurdity, which is why this template refuses to die.
This Is Fine
The dog sitting in a burning room saying "this is fine" was already iconic when it first went viral, and the state of the world has only made it more relevant every year since. The This Is Fine template survives because denial is a universal human experience. Every year, people say "things can't get crazier" and every year the universe proves them wrong. The dog in the fire remains our spokesperson.
Surprised Pikachu
Since 2018, Surprised Pikachu has been the go-to format for expressing shock at completely predictable outcomes. It endures because humans repeatedly do things with obvious consequences and then act surprised when those consequences arrive. As long as people continue to be oblivious to their own patterns, this format will thrive. So forever, basically.
Change My Mind
Steven Crowder at a table with a sign. The Change My Mind template works because everyone has opinions and everyone wants to share them. The format is a dare. It is confrontational but playful. It works for serious takes and absurd ones. "Cereal is soup. Change my mind." The format is a blank canvas for any opinion, which is why it never gets old.
Two Buttons
The sweating man choosing between two buttons captures the anxiety of impossible choices. It works because life is full of dilemmas. Do I stay up late or wake up early? Do I save money or treat myself? The format is simple but the relatability is infinite. Every impossible choice you face can become a Two Buttons meme.
Buff Doge vs Cheems
The strong dog vs the weak dog. The Buff Doge vs Cheems template is the evolution of every "then vs now" comparison. It taps into nostalgia, which is one of the most powerful emotions on the internet. Things used to be different. Whether they were actually better is debatable, but the meme format makes the comparison entertaining either way.
Why These Templates Survive
The templates that never die share common traits. They are visually clear (you understand the format instantly). They are universally applicable (any topic can be plugged in). They rely on universal emotions (preference, temptation, denial, surprise, indecision). And they are simple enough that the joke is in the content, not the format.
Formats that require explanation or that only work for narrow topics die quickly. Formats that tap into fundamental human experiences live forever.
Use the Classics
You don't need to find a new format to make a great meme. The classics are classics for a reason. Head to justmeme.wtf and browse our full template library. Start with one of these immortal formats, add your own twist, and create something that is both familiar and fresh. The best memes often use old formats with new ideas.