There's a fandom for that
Whether you're obsessed with a TV show, spend hours playing a game, or know every lyric from your favourite artist's latest album, you've probably been part of a fandom without even realising it.
A fandom is a community of people who share a passion for the same thing. That could be a book series, film franchise, musician, sports team, game, creator or even a single character.
If you love it and enjoy talking about it with others, there's probably a fandom for it. Here, BBC Bitesize takes a closer look at why millions of fans love being part of one and some of the most famous fandoms.
Fandoms aren't a new thing
It might seem like fandoms were invented on TikTok, Reddit and Discord, but they've actually been around for a lot longer. People have been forming fan communities for centuries.
In the 1800s, fanatical readers of Charles Dickens sent thousands of letters begging him not to kill off their favourite characters and wrote early versions of fan fiction. Also during the Victorian Period, admirers of Franz Liszt would pass out at his concerts and even fight over locks of his hair.
Modern fandom culture really took off in the 1960s with science fiction fans. Viewers of Star Trek (or 'Trekkies') began organising conventions, publishing fan-made magazines and meeting up to discuss episodes long before social media existed.
The internet changed everything. During the 1990s and 2000s, fans started gathering on forums, blogs and early social networks. Suddenly, a 'Potterhead' (Harry Potter fan) could find thousands of people online who cared just as much about Quidditch statistics as they did.
Today, fandoms are everywhere. From fan edits on TikTok to reaction videos on YouTube and live discussions on Discord, it's easier than ever to find people who share your interests.
Where did the word "fandom" come from?
"Fan" is short for the word "fanatic." In Roman times, a fanatic was a temple priest who danced so wildly during rituals that people thought they were possessed by divine madness.
Over time, that idea of "crazy enthusiasm" shifted, eventually giving us our modern word "fan" for anyone who's obsessed with sports, music, or a hobby.
"Fandom" is a combination of "fan" and "-dom", a suffix used to describe a realm or community, like in "kingdom" or "domain". The word was first published in a 1903 article in the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper to describe a group of baseball enthusiasts.
What do people do in fandoms?
Being part of a fandom can look very different depending on what you're into. A Manchester United fan, a Swiftie and a Minecraft player don't necessarily show their support in the same way, but they're all taking part in fandom culture.
Some fandoms are known for creating amazing artwork, others love sharing theories, making memes or attending events.
Famous fandoms
In the Harry Potter fandom, fans debate Hogwarts houses, discuss which spells they'd want to learn, and create their own characters and stories set in the Wizarding World. Meanwhile, fans of Wednesday love sharing memes, analysing mysterious plot twists and recreating the character's iconic dance.
Music fandoms can be just as creative. Taylor Swift fans, known as Swifties, are famous for hunting for "Easter eggs" hidden in songs, music videos and social media posts. Spotting clues before a new album release has become a fandom activity in its own right.
Gaming fandoms often take things even further. Minecraft fans build incredible creations, from fantasy castles to working calculators, while players of games like Pokémon debate their favourite creatures, share battle strategies and collect rare cards.
Then there are fandoms built around huge fictional universes like Marvel. Fans discuss which heroes would win in a fight, create edits of their favourite characters and spend months theorising about upcoming films and TV shows.
Do fandoms clash?
A fandom war is what happens when fans passionately debate characters, theories, teams or opinions. Most are well-intentioned, but some arguments can rumble on for years.
Some of the most famous include:
Team Edward vs Team Jacob
The debate that defined the Twilight era. Fans were fiercely divided over whether Bella should end up with vampire Edward or werewolf Jacob, and many had very strong opinions about it.
Marvel vs DC
The superhero showdown that never ends. Which universe has the best stories? Who has the greatest heroes? Ask ten fans and you'll probably get ten different answers.
Which Hogwarts house is best?
Harry Potter fans have been defending Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin for decades. Whichever house you identify with, you'll probably argue it's the best.
Who's the best character?
This debate exists in almost every fandom. Who had the strongest storyline? Who deserved more screen time? Who was secretly right all along? Expect lots of opinions and very little agreement.
Why do people join fandoms?
While disagreements can get all the attention, most fandoms are really about connecting with people who share your interests. There's something special about meeting someone who immediately understands a reference, a meme or why you're still thinking about a fictional character months after finishing a series.
Fandoms bring people together. They give fans a place to share theories, celebrate big moments, get creative and connect with others who are just as invested as they are.
At their best, fandoms remind us that enjoying something is often more fun when you can share it with other people. Whether you're debating your favourite Hogwarts house, hunting for Taylor Swift Easter eggs or discussing the latest Marvel film, you're taking part in a community built around a common passion.
This article was written in October 2026
