A fork of Rural Dictionary
The future as it was envisioned by people from past eras.
The tv show The Jetsons is an example of retrofuturism from the 1950s era: flying cars, pill food, and robot servants are what people from that time thought would be commonplace in the year 2000.
A genre of music that can best be described as "What they thought the future would sound like in the 80's". Appearing in films such as Blade Runner or Hobo with a Shotgun, the mood of a retrofuture song can range from cheerful and wondrous to bleak and dystopian, but the common factor is always synthesizer. Sometimes, a retrofuture song is composed entirely from synthesizers.
"Have you played Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon yet? The entire soundtrack is retrofuture!"
Retrofuturism (also known as Chronopunk) is a genre where the past and future collideācombining historical elements with futuristic technology, culture, or society, or vice versa (a future where old tech is used). This fusion often creates unique, visually striking worlds where knights wield plasma swords, post-apocalyptic survivors repurpose ancient machines, or neon-lit cities exist alongside old-world traditions. While not always dystopian, hope and rebellion are often major themes in Chronopunk, as characters challenge oppressive systems, rediscover lost knowledge, or fight for survival in worlds that blend the old and the new. Examples of Retrofuturism / Chronopunk in Media: š„ Movies & TV Shows: Star Wars (Medieval empires + futuristic space travel) Nimona (Medieval kingdom + sci-fi tech) Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts (Post-apocalypse + advanced mutations) Arcane (Steampunk meets cyberpunk with magic) The 5th Element (High-tech future with ancient mythologies) Avatar (The Blue People) (Traditional tribal culture meets advanced technology) The 100 (Post-apocalyptic societies rebuilding with old-world & future tech)
Nimona is a perfect example of Chronopunk, blending medieval castles with futuristic technology to create a unique Retrofuturism aesthetic.
A version of the future that also has a nostalgic feel or vibe. Characteristic of the views of the future associated with the past.
Mike: "I spent all day listening to retrofuture vibes, best stuff out there." Paul: "Yeah, they sure make you feel like you're in 1980 and 2080 at the same time..."