1. Harambe
Image: harambedepot.com
Why it’s important: Because Harambe died for our sins, and must live on forever in our hearts, minds and dicks.
2. Damn Daniel
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: Because damn, he really was back at it again in the white Vans. Also because it was a perfect example of a short-lived meme in that he went massive, appeared on Ellen and then was never heard from again.
3. Evil Kermit
Image: Twitter: @prettygurl2890
Why it’s important: Because the Evil Kermit speaks to the darkest part of all of our souls.
4. Arthur’s fist
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: It taught us that so much emotion can be shown in just one small picture of a cartoon aardvark’s fist.
5. Don’t talk to me or my son ever again
Image: Twitter: @CUTEST_ANIMALS
Why it’s important: Who doesn’t love small versions of normally big stuff?
6. Tag yourself
Image: Tumblr
Why it’s important: Because even if none of the pictures make any sense to you, you still have to tag yourself. I’m neon meme brah.
7. Obama and Biden
Image: Twitter: @hansmollman
Why it’s important: Imagining their conversations was the only joy we had while the world was slowly crashing down around us.
8. Dat Boi
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: Oh shit waddup!
9. Mr Krabs blur
Image: Twitter: @MrKrabsMemes
Why it’s important: 2016 was the year we found out Spongebob was the most relatable TV show of all time.
10. Dabbing
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: It’s a dance move that ~almost~ anyone can pull off.
11. Gavin reactions
Image: Twitter
Why it’s important: Because have you ever seen a kid with a more expressive face? No, no you haven’t.
12. Beginning of 2016 vs end of 2016
Image: Twitter: @CaraCompass
Why it’s important: No meme could sum up the terror that has been this year any better.
13. Ted Cruz is the zodiac killer
Image: theodysseyonline.com
Why it’s important: Because ex-Presidential candidate Ted Cruz was responsible for a string of gruesome murders back in the late 1960s and early 1970s and we can’t rest until he faces trial for his crimes.
14. Bottle flipping
Why it’s important: It taught us all that we’re very bad at bottle flipping.
15. DJ Khaled
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: It proved that even a man can become a meme if he tried hard enough, and if he owns the keys to success.
16. Confused maths lady
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: Because nothing makes sense any more.
17. Bone apple tea
Image: Twitter: @xoShemar
Why it’s important: It’s a stupid as shit meme, and that’s what also makes it hilarious.
18. Mannequin challenge
Image: Facebook
Why it’s important: [remains totally still]
19. SpongeGar
Image: memecenter.com
Why it’s important: If we can relate to a caveman sea sponge then surely we can relate to anything?
20. Get you a man who can do both
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: Because who wants a man who can only do one?
21. Sad Ben Affleck
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: Batman vs. Superman was terrible and Affleck needs to think about what he’s done.
22. Hodor holding the door
Image: onsizzle.com
Why it’s important: There is no better way to honour a fallen hero than through the power of memes. Just ask Harambe.
23. Sad Pawpaw
Image: Twitter: @kelssseyharmon
Why it’s important: Because the story ended with Pawpaw, five of his grandkids and a whole bunch of people who felt sad about the original meme having a barbecue together, proving that sometimes good things can happen in the world.
24. Conceited reaction
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: His face could not be more perfect.
25. Fight the Air Challenge
https://twitter.com/LEXXCCC/status/788090602806059008
Why it’s important: Like all the best memes, it makes absolutely no fucking sense.
26. White guy selfie
Image: Instagram: @fuckjerry
Why it’s important: Because the Large White Guy Collider finally successfully split a Chet into 7 smaller sub-Chets, the building blocks of White.
27. You vs The guy she tells you not to worry about
Image: Twitter: @HndrixLamar
Why it’s important: It was really easy to make your own versions of the joke and reap in those three precious likes on Twitter.
28. #McChicken
Image: Twitter: @taisenpaii
Why it’s important: Someone genuinely uploaded a video of himself fucking a McChicken sandwich and honestly it’s all a bit much.
29. Chewbacca mom
Image: YouTube
Why it’s important: She’s just so obscenely happy. Impossibly happy. Also literally every single person in the world saw this video.
30. Graham
Image: Twitter: @MailOnline
Why it’s important: Because someone named him Graham and it’s perfect.
31. Famous Melania Trump quotes
Image: Twitter: @AnnaKendrick47
Why it’s important: Turns out she’s responsible for like every famous quote in history. Without this meme, how would we have known?
32. Birdie Sanders
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it’s important: Birb.
33. Wholesome memes
Image: Tumblr
Why it’s important: Because it’s 2016, and we need this shit.
