Hype, as it were, is a pretty double-edged sword. Its origin lies, most likely, in the word hyperbole and it was originally used to describe "excessive or misleading publicity or advertising," which remains pretty true at the end of the day. But every now and then, people stumble across things that are worth the hype.
We’ve gathered examples of things that really did live up to the hype from across the internet. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your own thoughts and examples in the comments below.
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Driving 8 hours into the desert, escaping the light pollution, and seeing the Milky Way.
I cried.
Credits: SamZTU, Intricate Explorer

Seeing the Northern Lights in person. Photos don't do them justice.
Credits: emjaybe, Tobias Bjørkli

Polio vaccine.
Credits: Tolbitzironside, Nataliya Vaitkevich

My dog, he's still awesome. Well, time to go walk again.
Credits: tacojohn48, Megan (Markham) Bucknall

The LOTR film trilogy. I've never been so hyped and at the same time nervous as when I went to see Fellowship. Within the first minute I knew they had pulled it off. Still the best theater going experience I've ever had.
Credits: anon, New Line Cinema

The Grand Canyon. It is 100% worth the trip to see it.
Credits: Cassiyus, Marty

European chocolate.
Credits: ethancd1, Tetiana Bykovets

Marriage.
My wife and I love the same things. We support each other's dreams, but also try to empathize with each other's pains.
I'll take the most mundane day shared with my wife over an exceptional day alone, just because I know she will be there to be the little spoon at night.
Also the whole dual income thing is nice.
Credits: Rhode_Runner

Weird Al in concert. He wears a new costume for almost every song, his band is fantastic, and despite being around for ~30 years his tickets are still affordable.
Credits: MechaMonarch, SiriusXM

Pompeii. Holy was it amazing.
Credits: -Mr_Burns, Kirsten Velghe

Dungeons and Dragons as a second grader in 1980. S**t blew my mind for years.
Edit: wow happy to see all the folks who still love DnD and PnP RPGs. Still have a scar on my sole from a D4 I stepped on at age 10.
Credits: Bostonterrierpug, Clint Bustrillos

Seeing a solar eclipse in totality it was amazing! 11/10 would recommend to a friend.
Credits: potterMathWho, Justin Dickey

Dark Side of the Moon. I finally got a copy when I was...16? I started listening to it and was like...wow, no wonder.
Credits: MrLeopard25, SouthernBeautiful116

The Internet.
In the early days when it stopped being solely for universities and government, people, media, etc. was unsure what to make of it and how useful it would be.
Credits: speak2easy, Cj

Scuba Diving. Had friends who wouldn't shut up about it, but I was never sure (I was comfortable in the water, but I didn't like swimming that much).
Holy s**t, after the first time I can only think of when the next dive is.
Credits: morierus, Getty Images
Naps. The older get man the better they are. With noise canceling headphones it’s even better now. I look forward to them all the time. Hug a pillow, blanket over eyes but not mouth or nose, headphones in and I’m out cold in like 15 seconds. I wanna take a nap now just typing about it.
Credits: anon, Adrian Swancar

Deadpool and Ryan Reynolds playing him; oh boy if that didn't live up to be more than we all expected it to be!
Credits: Moejason, 20th Century Fox

Shakespeare. You spend your whole life being told his stuff is just sooo goood and then you're forced to read it in high school and what do you know, it is actually good.
Credits: ErinHollow, Taha

That f*****g Kinetic Sand toy. It's AMAZING. You form it into a ball or a mound and it stays. You squish it in your hands and it runs over your finger tips like water. You break a chunk in half and both sides slowly ooze over itself like lava. What an easy, stupid, but highly therapeutic toy.
Credits: User, User

Eggs Benedict.
Credits: anon, Scott Eckersley

The Harry Potter Books.
Credits: ColourfulColeslaw, Shayna Douglas

The Godfather
I've been on a kick lately of watching classic movies widely considered masterpieces. Best of anything so far has been The Godfather - not really into mafia movies or anything like that, but I guess it's more a movie about *humanity* and not just the mafia.
Absolutely deserves all the hype and more.
Credits: The_Juggler17, Paramount Pictures

Better Call Saul is an amazing show, definitely lived up to the hype.
Credits: TylerMcFluffBut, netflix

Bidets. Mine is the first thing I miss whenever I travel.
Credits: Itcomesinacan, Renee Verberne

Smart Phones. I used to think it was all hype...but d**n it on the off chance that they didn't end up being helpful.
Credits: Ashley_Lianes, Getty Images

Riding motorcycles
It's a true physical feeling of freedom.
Credits: unlived_life, Getty Images

Air Fryers. Little kitchen miracles.
Credits: aperson7780, Daniel Horvath
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