SCREAMING, CRYING, THROWING UP: The 5 Most Viral 'Crying And Screaming' Memes Of 2025
The "crying and screaming meme" has transcended a single image to become a massive digital language, a universal shorthand for extreme emotional overload. As of late 2025, this genre of meme is more popular and varied than ever, capturing everything from existential dread and frustration to overwhelming, joyful excitement. The phrase itself—often abbreviated to "screaming, crying, throwing up"—is now a cornerstone of online communication, particularly within high-energy fandoms. This deep dive explores the most dominant, viral, and culturally significant iterations of this meme category, tracing its evolution from simple reaction faces to complex, multi-layered digital art.
The essence of the crying and screaming meme lies in its relatability. It perfectly encapsulates those moments when a simple "I'm sad" or "I'm excited" just doesn't cut it, demanding a visual or textual outburst to match the intensity of the feeling. The latest trends show a clear shift towards specific, high-production video clips and recognizable character templates that offer maximum comedic or dramatic effect.
The New Wave: Lewis Saunderson's British Cop Screaming Meme
One of the most defining and freshest entries into the "screaming" category in late 2024 and throughout 2025 is the British Cop Screaming meme. This specific format took the internet by storm due to its sheer dramatic intensity and highly exploitable nature.
Lewis Saunderson: The Man Behind the Viral Outburst
The star of this viral sensation is TikTok content creator Lewis Saunderson (@Lewissaunderson38). The meme originates from a video clip where Saunderson, dressed in a police uniform, collapses to his knees and lets out a dramatic, soul-wrenching scream, often aimed "at the sky."
- Origin Platform: TikTok.
- Actor/Creator: Lewis Saunderson.
- Context: The original clips often depict a highly emotional, hard-hitting, or powerful reaction to a frustrating or overwhelming situation.
- Usage: It is primarily used to express a feeling of deep, inescapable frustration, panic, or despair over a minor inconvenience or a major life event. Examples include reacting to student loan debt, a favorite show being canceled, or a sports team losing a crucial game. The image of the officer on his knees, screaming, is the perfect visual representation of a total meltdown.
Saunderson's theatrical delivery gave the meme an immediate, high-quality template that resonated far beyond the UK. It quickly became a go-to reaction for situations that demand a level of digital anguish beyond a simple typed message.
The 'Screaming, Crying, Throwing Up' Phenomenon in Stan Culture
While the British Cop provides the visual, the ultimate textual expression of this meme genre is the phrase "Screaming, Crying, Throwing Up" (SCTU). This term is not tied to a single image but is a powerful verbal indicator of an emotional state so intense it is physically debilitating.
The phrase was largely adopted by stan culture in the 2020s, though earlier examples can be traced back to the mid-2010s. Stan culture—the world of highly dedicated fans, particularly in music and pop culture—uses SCTU almost exclusively to convey extreme joy and excitement.
For a K-pop fan, an unexpected album announcement from a group like BTS or BLACKPINK is an SCTU moment. For a Swiftie, a surprise song from Taylor Swift or an unvaulted track is cause for "screaming, crying, and throwing up" simultaneously. The hyperbolic nature of the phrase makes it an ideal fit for the passionate, over-the-top reactions that define modern fandom. It's a way of saying, "This is so good, I cannot physically handle it."
The Pillars of Digital Despair: From Wojak to MJ
No discussion of crying and screaming memes is complete without acknowledging the foundational templates that paved the way. These classic reaction memes continue to be relevant, forming the backbone of topical authority in the emotional meme space.
1. Crying Wojak (Frustrated Wojak)
The Wojak universe, which originated on 4chan, has provided countless emotional templates, but the Crying Wojak is perhaps the most enduring symbol of digital sadness and frustration. Also known as Frustrated Wojak, this variation features the simple, bald figure driven to tears, often clenching his teeth in a futile attempt to hold back the emotion.
- Origin: 4chan, as a variation of the original Wojak meme.
- Variations: Pink Wojak (a highly distressed version), Crying Wojak vs. Chad Meme (used for comparison of emotional states), and Yes Chad (the stoic antithesis).
- Usage: It represents feelings of being overwhelmed, helpless, or not getting what one deserves. The text often focuses on internal monologue or quiet desperation, making it a powerful counterpoint to the louder, more dramatic screaming memes.
2. The Crying Jordan Face (Crying MJ)
The Crying Jordan meme is arguably the most famous and widely recognized "crying" meme of all time. Its longevity is a testament to its perfect application in moments of misfortune or loss.
- Subject: NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.
- Origin: The image comes from Jordan's 2009 Hall of Fame induction speech, where he became visibly emotional.
- Usage: The meme is used to playfully mock or commiserate with someone who has suffered a defeat or misfortune. The famous image of Jordan's tear-streaked face is superimposed onto the head of the subject of the misfortune. Its popularity spiked in 2016, following events like the Panthers losing the Super Bowl, and it remains a relevant tool for playful trolling in sports and competitive gaming.
3. Perfectly Cut Screams Memes
While not a single image, the Perfectly Cut Screams genre is a video-based meme trend that feeds directly into the "screaming" category. These videos feature a sudden, loud scream that is abruptly cut off—usually right at the peak of the sound—creating a jarring and hilarious effect.
This trend is a masterclass in comedic timing, relying on the jump scare and the immediate cessation of sound to generate a laugh. The content often involves minor accidents, unexpected surprises, or near-miss moments in video games or real life. It’s a modern, dynamic evolution of the reaction GIF, proving that sometimes, the most effective scream is the one you don't fully hear.
The Cultural Significance of Extreme Emotion Memes
The rise of the crying and screaming meme category is a fascinating reflection of modern digital communication. These memes serve several critical functions:
- Hyperbole as Humor: By exaggerating a reaction (screaming, crying, throwing up), the user signals that the event is significant enough to warrant a total breakdown, which is inherently funny when applied to mundane situations like a slow Wi-Fi connection or a forgotten password.
- Instant Community: Using a specific meme, whether it's the Crying Wojak or the Lewis Saunderson cop, instantly signals membership in a cultural group that understands the specific context and emotion.
- Emotional Release: As one search result noted, crying helps relieve emotional tension and stress. These memes offer a safe, humorous, and socially acceptable way to express intense emotional distress or excitement without having to articulate the feeling in detail. They are a form of digital catharsis.
From the deep, existential sadness of Frustrated Wojak to the over-the-top elation of Screaming, Crying, Throwing Up, this meme genre continues to dominate the internet. It proves that in the fast-paced world of social media, the most extreme reactions often make the best content, ensuring that the sound of digital anguish and joy will echo across the internet for years to come.
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