The 'AI-Generated 80s Dark Fantasy' meme trend emerged as a viral aesthetic on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, utilizing AI image generators like Midjourney to simulate non-existent movies from the 1980s. Drawing inspiration from cult classics like The Dark Crystal, Legend, and The NeverEnding Story, these images feature high-grain textures, dramatic lighting, and uncanny puppet-like characters. The trend relies heavily on 'vibe-based' storytelling, often accompanied by dungeon synth or synthwave music to evoke a sense of false nostalgia for a dark, mystical cinematic era that never truly existed. It is frequently used to parody modern pop culture by placing characters in a gritty, vintage fantasy setting or to celebrate the hauntingly beautiful aesthetic of retro practical effects.