Pokémon cards took over schools, pop princesses and boy bands ruled the radio, and everyone wondered if computers would survive the year 2000.
This guide rounds up what was popular in 1999, 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 1999-themed birthday or reunion.
Quick answer
In 1999, the biggest trends were Pokémon cards and Pokémon Yellow, the Y2K bug, boy bands and pop princesses, frosted tips and cargo pants, The Matrix and Star Wars: Episode I, SpongeBob's debut, the Dreamcast, Napster, and songs like "No Scrubs", "Livin' la Vida Loca" and "I Want It That Way".
1999 at a glance
| Category | Biggest in 1999 |
|---|---|
| Toy craze | Pokémon cards |
| Hit movie | Star Wars: Episode I and The Matrix |
| Worry | The Y2K bug |
| Console | Dreamcast (9/9/99) |
| Song everyone knew | "I Want It That Way" |
| Cartoon debut | An undersea sponge comedy |
Fashion trends of 1999
Here is what people were wearing in 1999. For the full decade, see 90s fashion trends.
Frosted tips
Boy band essential.
Cargo pants
Zip-off and nylon.
Low-rise jeans
Arriving fast.
Butterfly clips and bandanas
Pop star style.
Shiny fabrics
Metallics for the millennium.
Tank tops over tees
Still layering.
Popular toys and games in 1999
The toy aisle in 1999 looked like this. More in our list of popular 90s toys.
Pokémon cards
English cards launched January 9, 1999.
Pokémon Yellow
October 1999.
Pokémon Snap
June 1999.
Yo-yos
Still everywhere.
Furby
Still selling.
Technology in 1999
- Sega Dreamcast launched on September 9, 1999.
- A music file-sharing service launched in June and changed the music industry.
- Digital video recorders let people pause live TV.
See every gadget of the decade in 90s tech gadgets and every console in 90s video game consoles.
Popular movies of 1999
| Movie | US release |
|---|---|
| Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | May |
| The Matrix | March |
| The Sixth Sense | August |
| Toy Story 2 | November |
| 10 Things I Hate About You | March |
| Pokémon: The First Movie | November |
TV shows of 1999
| Show | Premiere / big year |
|---|---|
| SpongeBob SquarePants | May/July 1999 |
| Family Guy | January 1999 |
| Futurama | March 1999 |
| Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (US) | August 1999 |
| Ed, Edd n Eddy | January 1999 |
| Courage the Cowardly Dog | November 1999 |
For cartoons specifically, see 90s cartoons.
Popular songs of 1999
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| No Scrubs | TLC |
| Livin' la Vida Loca | Ricky Martin |
| I Want It That Way | Backstreet Boys |
| Genie in a Bottle | Christina Aguilera |
| Smooth | Santana featuring Rob Thomas |
| All Star | Smash Mouth |
Build a full playlist with our 90s party songs.
Big moments of 1999
- The world prepared for the Y2K bug.
- Pokémania peaked in schools.
- Online music sharing began.
Fun fact: Pokémon cards were banned in some US schools in 1999, joining pogs and virtual pets on the list of 90s crazes that got kicked out of class.
Throw a 1999 themed party
1999 party checklist
- A playlist of 1999 hits
- Posters from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and The Matrix
- A dress code inspired by frosted tips
- Trivia about 1999
- Toys from 1999 as decorations or prizes
- Disposable cameras
The story of 1999
In 1999, Pokémon became a full-blown mania. Trading cards launched in January and took over schools, the game following the cartoon arrived in October and the first movie opened in November with exclusive cards for moviegoers. Some schools banned the cards entirely.
Pop culture was at its shiniest. Boy bands and pop princesses dominated the charts, Latin pop had a breakout summer and fashion featured frosted tips, cargo pants, butterfly clips and metallic fabrics. At the movies, a science-fiction thriller about a simulated reality redefined action films, and a long-awaited space saga prequel broke box office records.
Technology was racing toward the new millennium. A new console launched on 9/9/99 with online play, a music file-sharing service changed how people got songs, and digital video recorders let people pause live TV. Meanwhile, fears about the "Y2K bug" had governments and businesses preparing for computer failures at midnight on December 31.
A 1999 party works best as a "Y2K countdown" New Year's Eve party, with pop music, shiny outfits and Pokémon cards as party favors.
Conclusion
1999 was the year of Pokémon cards, Star Wars: Episode I and The Matrix, The Y2K bug. Rewind one more year to what was popular in 1998, or fast-forward to what was popular in 2000.
Frequently asked questions
What was popular in 1999?
In 1999, the biggest trends were Pokémon cards and Pokémon Yellow, the Y2K bug, boy bands and pop princesses, frosted tips and cargo pants, The Matrix and Star Wars: Episode I, SpongeBob's debut, the Dreamcast, Napster, and songs like "No Scrubs", "Livin' la Vida Loca" and "I Want It That Way".
What was the biggest movie of 1999?
Some of the biggest movies of 1999 were Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, The Matrix, The Sixth Sense.
What toys were popular in 1999?
Popular toys and games in 1999 included Pokémon cards, Pokémon Yellow, Pokémon Snap, Yo-yos, Furby.
What songs were popular in 1999?
Popular songs in 1999 included "No Scrubs" (TLC), "Livin' la Vida Loca" (Ricky Martin), "I Want It That Way" (Backstreet Boys), "Genie in a Bottle" (Christina Aguilera), "Smooth" (Santana featuring Rob Thomas).
What TV shows started in 1999?
Shows that premiered or became hits in 1999 include SpongeBob SquarePants, Family Guy, Futurama, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (US), Ed, Edd n Eddy.
What did people wear in 1999?
Fashion in 1999 included frosted tips, cargo pants, low-rise jeans, butterfly clips and bandanas, shiny fabrics. See our 90s fashion trends guide for more.
How do I throw a 1999 themed party?
Use the songs, movies and toys from 1999 on this page: a 1999 playlist, movie posters, era snacks and trivia about the year. Our 90s party ideas guide has a full plan.