Fan Fiction Renaissance: Why It’s More Popular Than Ever
Fan fiction is having a moment—and not just in the dark corners of the internet. Once dismissed as unserious or self-indulgent, fanfic is now widely embraced as a legitimate form of storytelling, particularly by younger generations who grew up on Tumblr, Wattpad, and Archive of Our Own (AO3). In 2025, the global fanfic community is bigger, more diverse, and more creative than ever, with over 11 million works archived on AO3 alone. Why is it booming now?
A few reasons:
- Streaming platforms have revived old franchises and spawned new ones with cult followings.
- Queer and marginalized readers find representation in fanfic that mainstream media still struggles to provide.
- Online platforms like TikTok and Discord foster vibrant communities around fan works, blurring the line between fans and creators.
Top Fanfic Genres Dominating Today
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular fanfic genres and what makes them so irresistible—with excerpts from real fan works.
1. Slow Burn Romance
Fandom: The Last of Us (Ellie/Dina)
Excerpt:
“You think I’m afraid of you?” Ellie said, voice cracking.
“No,” Dina whispered, “I think you’re afraid of how much you care.”
The fire between them wasn’t the only thing burning.
📖 Read the full fic: To Call Myself Beloved by watery_sun on AO3
Slow burns are all about tension—emotional, physical, and often romantic. Writers stretch out the relationship arc across tens (sometimes hundreds) of chapters, making the final payoff feel earned and explosive. Think longing glances, almost-touches, and late-night confessions. Fans love the ache.
2. Canon-Divergent AUs (Alternate Universes)
Fandom: Harry Potter
AU: What if Draco Malfoy defected in sixth year?
Excerpt:
“You’re not supposed to be here,” Harry said, lowering his wand.
“Neither are you,” Draco replied, blood dripping from a cracked lip. “But here we are. Side by side, finally.”
📖 Read the full fic: Curses, Banter, and Babies, Oh My! by LiloLilyAnn on FanFiction.net
Canon-divergent AUs tweak one event in the source material to explore “what could have been.” It allows fans to right wrongs, explore moral ambiguity, or just mess with timelines.
3. Enemies to Lovers
Fandom: Attack on Titan
Excerpt:
Levi’s knife was at Erwin’s throat. “Still think I'm bluffing?”
“I hope not,” Erwin replied calmly. “It’s the only time you ever touch me.”
This genre is a fan favorite for the emotional whiplash: the hate, the banter, and the raw chemistry that slowly morphs into something tender. The stakes feel higher when affection is hard-won.
📖 While this excerpt is illustrative, you can explore many “Enemies to Lovers” fics in the Attack on Titan tag on AO3.
4. Hurt/Comfort
Fandom: Stranger Things
Excerpt:
“You saved me,” Steve whispered through cracked lips.
“Don’t thank me,” Eddie muttered, pulling the blanket higher. “You would’ve done the same. I think.”
This quote is illustrative, but AO3 offers a rich collection of emotional and cathartic Stranger Things stories in the Steve/Eddie hurt/comfort tag.
5. Found Family
Fandom: Star Wars
Excerpt:
“You’re not my brother,” Rey said.
“I know,” Finn smiled. “But I can still be your family.”
Though fictional, this excerpt captures the essence of countless found family fics in the Star Wars fandom. Many writers explore these dynamics in stories like this Finn & Rey bond fic on AO3.
My Favorite Fandom?
Honestly, it’s a tie between Avatar: The Last Airbender and Black Panther. There’s something endlessly generative about those worlds. I once read a Zutara fic that reimagined Zuko and Katara as rival chefs in the Fire Nation’s capital. Sparks (and steam) flew. Meanwhile, Black Panther fics often delve into Wakandan politics, Dora Milaje romance, or "Shuri builds a multiverse machine" chaos. There’s so much room for Black joy, resistance, and imagination.
Ultimately, fan fiction is a grassroots literary movement. It nurtures writers, cultivates community, and reshapes culture from the ground up. With platforms like AO3 winning Hugo Awards and fanfic authors scoring book deals (like Ali Hazelwood and Cassandra Clare), the boundary between fan and professional writer has never been blurrier—or more thrilling.
Fan fiction is playing a laudable role in the development of modern storytelling.
WRITTEN BY CHINAZA-IBE
