Legacy in Popular Culture: How Movies, TV Shows, and Music Reflect Our Desire to Be Remembered

Legacy in Popular Culture: How Movies, TV Shows, and Music Reflect Our Desire to Be Remembered

In every culture, across every generation, the desire to be remembered echoes through time. We see it not only in how we live our lives but in the stories we tell on screen, in lyrics, and through the characters we hold dear. Popular culture is rich with portrayals of legacy and the longing to leave behind something meaningful, to shape the lives of others, even after we’re gone. It’s no surprise that this universal theme resonates so deeply with audiences. It reflects something primal: our yearning to matter, to make a mark, to live on through memory.

Let’s take a thoughtful look at how legacy shows up in popular films, TV shows, and music — and how these stories can inspire us to reflect on our own.

Movies: Legacy as the Heartbeat of the Story

Many of the most beloved films of our time center around legacy: sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly.

• The Lion King (1994)
  From the moment we hear “The Circle of Life,” we understand that this isn’t just a story about kings and kingdoms. It’s about lineage, responsibility, and the impact of those who came before. Mufasa’s message to Simba, “Remember who you are,” is a powerful reminder that legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, but what we carry forward.
• Coco (2017)
  This vibrant Pixar film lovingly explores how remembering our ancestors keeps their memory alive. The Day of the Dead is more than a tradition; it’s a tender metaphor for the legacy of family, music, and love that transcends death.
• Black Panther (2018)
  T’Challa’s journey is deeply rooted in honoring those who came before while shaping the future for his people. The ancestral plane, where he speaks to past kings, reminds us that we are never alone and that our legacy is a continuation of many before us.

TV Shows: Intergenerational Stories and Personal Impact

Television gives us time to dwell in characters’ lives and to watch how their choices ripple through generations.

• This Is Us (NBC)
  This show is essentially a love letter to legacy. Through layered timelines and heartfelt storytelling, it reveals how one person’s love, decisions, and values can shape a family for decades. Jack Pearson, a fictional father, becomes a symbol of how ordinary actions such as showing up, loving well, and leaving a note can echo for lifetimes.
• The Crown (Netflix)
  Legacy takes on a global scale in this historical drama. It poses challenging questions: What do we inherit, and what do we pass on? What happens when personal desires conflict with duty? It’s a compelling exploration of the burden and beauty of legacy in leadership and family.

Music: Echoes of the Soul Across Generations

Music, perhaps more than any other medium, expresses the heart of legacy through lyrics, tone, and timeless melodies.

• “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin
  This haunting song reflects the unintended legacy we leave when we don’t prioritize what matters most. It’s a cautionary tale and a reminder that our presence, or absence, can become part of our story.
• “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
  Written for the Furious 7 soundtrack as a tribute to actor Paul Walker, this song captures the pain of loss and the hope that love transcends death. It’s a modern anthem of remembrance and emotional connection.
• “Glory” by Jay-Z
  A celebration of fatherhood and the birth of his daughter, this song explores how legacy begins the moment we create life and how our children become part of the story we leave behind.

Why It Matters

These stories move us because they speak a truth we often carry quietly: that we are all writing a story with our lives. Whether or not it’s filmed, recorded, or written in script, it matters. Legacy isn’t reserved for the famous. It lives in the memories we make, the love we give, the wisdom we share.

What these films, shows, and songs teach us is this:

• Legacy is not perfection, it’s presence.
• It’s not about wealth or fame, it’s about values, character, and care.
• It’s not about being remembered by many, but being remembered well by a few.

Your Legacy, Your Story

Inspired by these stories, consider your own. What do you want your loved ones to remember? What wisdom have you gathered? What stories, traditions, or messages would you want to pass on?

At My Life’s Message, we believe that everyone has a story worth preserving. Just like the characters we love onscreen, your journey, your voice, and your values matter.

You don’t need a scriptwriter to shape your legacy. You just need the courage to start sharing.

What story will you leave behind?
Let today be the day you begin writing it — for those who will carry it forward.