Top 10 Viral Subtitle Moments on Social Media

You’ve probably witnessed the viral phenomenon that is Subtitlemania; these pro-text posts often amass hundreds-of-thousands of likes and retweets across Twitter on any given day.

Considering their undeniable role in elevating the streaming experience (not to mention the fact that they’re entirely necessary for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers), the enthusiasm for subtitles and closed captions checks out.

To streamers craving clarity in a world where mumble-acting demands a “Huh?” every five minutes, closed captions show up looking like an absolute snack.

And to those who enjoy indulging in actual movie time snacks, closed captions give a voice to the crunched.

The love they inspire isn’t hard to understand. But what exactly turns these casual closed caption users into full-fledged tweeting loyalists?

What is it about those one-inch charmers that rouses such zealous adoration?

We scoured Twitter for answers *directly* from sub-porters:

1) Some just like it spicy

subtitles add seasoning to whatever I’m watching.

— queen quen (@quenblackwell) March 27, 2020

2) Big brain flex: incoming

Why people like subtitles:

✅ – some accents are hard to understand
✅ – low dialogue
✅ – people who are deaf or have difficulty with hearing exist
✅ – helps with spelling and understanding context

Why people don’t like subtitles:

???? – Can’t read fast :(( Brain hurty

— ???????????????????? ????️‍???? for hire!! ???? (@percibouquet) Fe

Learn what happens when your videos don’t have accurate subtitles

3)  [CC] you later

either we turn subtitles on or we break up your choice

— don-e (@lowkeyhahaha) February 10, 2020

4) To compensate for lost brain cells, a raise is only fair

The devil works hard, but the Bachelor subtitle writers work harder #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/XAqgso9ka1

— Madisen (@madisentweets) January 21, 2020

5) What yard-sign dreams are made of

┏┓
┃┃╱╲ in this house
┃╱╱╲╲ we
╱╱╭╮╲╲ use subtitles
▔▏┗┛▕▔
╱▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔╲
╱╱┏┳┓╭╮┏┳┓ ╲╲
▔▏┗┻┛┃┃┗┻┛▕▔

– ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????????????

— M (@LostAttSea) October 27, 2019

6) SO many (ahem: 2020 Revcommendation: Foreign Films Edition)

“Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” — Bong Joon-ho #GoldenGlobes

— Netflix (@netflix) January 6, 2020

7) Hulu with the fire response

if you don’t want to read subtitles, you can always learn Korean!

— Hulu – #PrideNeverStops (@hulu) April 8, 2020

8) It’s called literacy, sweetie

This is a subtitles household. I will not be turning them off. READ! pic.twitter.com/xmYzfqGSgH

— ????????????????. (@BeeNasty_) February 12, 2020

9) This is your brain on closed captions: ????

having subtitles on helps me hear better. i don’t know how but it does

— Shafeeq (@Y2SHAF) December 28, 2018

10) And finally, ACCESS IS A HUMAN RIGHT (a lovely thread)

All right. This debate about subtitles…

I’m Deaf. I need subtitles. I’ve advocated for subtitles & captions for years.

Bottom line: they should come with EVERY MOVIE.

Why?

Four key reasons.

First, it helps improve reading skills. You’ll never misspell anything again.

— Adam Pottle (@AddyPottle) February 11, 2020