7 Shocking Things Everyone Calls 'Overrated' In 2024—And What The Word Really Means

The word "overrated" is one of the most potent and divisive terms in contemporary English, acting as a cultural lightning rod that instantly sparks debate. As of late 2025, the term has transcended its simple dictionary definition to become a critical tool used to push back against viral hype, corporate marketing, and the tyranny of popular opinion. It's a verbal shortcut for saying, "My personal experience did not match the overwhelming public consensus," and understanding its modern usage is key to navigating today's fast-paced digital culture. The core intent behind calling something "overrated" is not necessarily to declare it "bad," but rather to state that its perceived value, popularity, or critical acclaim is disproportionately higher than its actual quality or worth. This distinction is crucial, as the term is now widely applied to everything from blockbuster movies and travel destinations to technology trends and even life philosophies, making it a powerful expression of contrarianism and a critique of the modern hype machine.

The Etymology and True Definition of "Overrated"

The word "overrated" is a compound adjective formed from the prefix "over-" and the past participle "rated." Its meaning is straightforward: rated or valued too highly. * Over-: Meaning "too much" or "beyond the usual." * Rated: Meaning "assigned a value or standing." In a formal sense, to say a person or thing is overrated is to suggest that people have a higher opinion of them than they deserve. The earliest known uses of the adjective date back to a time when it was used in a much more literal sense, often in financial or quantitative contexts. However, its modern, subjective usage—applied to art, culture, and experience—is what gives it its current cultural weight.

Overrated vs. Underrated vs. Just Bad: The Crucial Difference

A common misconception in online discourse is equating "overrated" with "bad." They are not synonyms. * Overrated: A thing is good, perhaps even great, but the public or critics treat it like a masterpiece or a necessity. Its *rating* is too high. * Underrated: A thing is genuinely good or great, but the public or critics have largely ignored it. Its *rating* is too low. * Just Bad: A thing has poor quality, regardless of its popularity or hype. The true power of "overrated" lies in the implied comparison: it suggests a gap between the immense hype (the rating) and the actual, subjective experience (the value).

The Psychology of Hype and the Contrarian Impulse

Why do people feel compelled to label things as "overrated?" The answer lies deep within human psychology, specifically in the mechanisms of expectation, social consensus, and contrarianism.

The Expectation-Reality Gap

The primary psychological driver is the gap between expectation and reality. When a movie, restaurant, or travel destination is relentlessly hyped, a person's expectations skyrocket. If the actual experience, while pleasant, does not deliver the transcendent, life-changing moment promised by the hype, the natural reaction is disappointment. The term "overrated" is a way of externalizing that disappointment, essentially blaming the hype for the letdown.

The Social Critique and Contrarianism

In an age of viral trends and algorithmic popularity, calling something "overrated" is a powerful form of social critique. It is a declaration of independence from the majority opinion—a way to assert individual taste and intellectual autonomy. This contrarian impulse is a psychological defense against the feeling of being manipulated by marketing or pressured by social consensus. By declaring something popular as "overrated," a person signals: * Originality: "I don't follow the crowd." * Discernment: "I have a more refined taste than the masses." * Authenticity: "I value substance over manufactured hype." This dynamic fuels endless debates across social media, where the "overrated/underrated/properly rated" format has become a popular game for discussing everything from sports figures to breakfast cereals.

7 Things People Are Calling Most Overrated Right Now (2024/2025)

To understand the term's modern relevance, we must look at what is currently being targeted by the "overrated" label. The following entities and concepts have been widely discussed as being overvalued in late 2024 and 2025:

1. "AI PCs" and Incremental Tech Upgrades

Despite massive marketing pushes from tech giants, many consumers and critics are labeling the first wave of "AI PCs" as overrated. The argument is that these devices, which promise transformative AI processing power, currently deliver only incremental, often unnoticeable performance increases for most everyday users. The *hype* surrounding the AI revolution has far outpaced the *utility* of the initial consumer-grade products.

2. The "Virtue" of Constant Traveling

A growing cultural backlash suggests that the idea of "constant traveling" as an inherently virtuous, morally superior, or necessary path to self-discovery is overrated. Critics argue that the relentless pursuit of new destinations, often driven by social media aesthetics, has become a performative exercise that ignores the environmental cost and the value of finding joy and fulfillment closer to home. The pressure to constantly explore is seen as an exhausting, overhyped lifestyle expectation.

3. Certain Blockbuster Movies and Sequels

While specific film titles change throughout the year, the general consensus on Reddit and film forums is that certain high-budget, heavily marketed sequels or franchise entries are consistently overrated. The critique is often aimed at films that rely on nostalgia or spectacular visuals without delivering a compelling, original story. For instance, early in the year, films like *Challengers* were mentioned in this conversation, not because they were bad, but because the intense critical and social media buzz felt disproportionate to the actual cinematic experience.

4. The Concept of "Buy-In" in Corporate Culture

In the business and HR world, the corporate obsession with "buy-in" from every employee is being called overrated. The argument is that too much time is spent trying to achieve universal agreement on new initiatives, which often stifles innovation and slows down execution. The contrarian view suggests that smart, decisive execution by a few is often more valuable than the drawn-out, consensus-driven process of achieving full organizational "buy-in."

5. The Obsession with "Grind Culture" and the Gym

The relentless promotion of "grind culture"—the idea that one must be constantly working, hustling, or optimizing one's body—is facing significant pushback. Specifically, the pressure to "go to the gym" is frequently cited as overrated, not because exercise is bad, but because the social and aesthetic pressure surrounding it has become performative and detached from genuine health goals. This critique targets the *social expectation* of gym attendance rather than the act of working out itself.

6. Inauthentic Marketing Trends

CMOs and marketing experts themselves are labeling many of their own industry's trending strategies as overrated. The most common critique is aimed at "inauthentic marketing," which includes overly polished, unconvincing attempts to appear "relatable" or "raw" on social media. When a marketing trend becomes ubiquitous, its effectiveness is often diluted, making the trend itself feel overhyped and ineffective for brands.

7. The Iron Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Event

The highly publicized boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, initially scheduled for July 2024 (and later postponed), was widely labeled as one of the most overrated or "overhyped" events of the year. The sentiment was that the spectacle and marketing surrounding the fight—pitting an aging legend against a younger internet personality—far outweighed the actual sporting significance or competitive quality of the match. This is a classic example of the hype machine overpowering the product.

The Future of "Overrated" Culture

The term "overrated" is here to stay, and its usage will only intensify as the speed of cultural trends and marketing hype accelerates. As consumers become more sophisticated and skeptical, the "overrated" label serves as a necessary check on the system. It forces a conversation about genuine value and reminds us that popularity does not automatically equal quality. Ultimately, calling something overrated is an invitation to dialogue. It challenges the listener to move beyond the surface-level consensus and articulate their own personal standard of value. In a world saturated with manufactured excitement, the question "What does overrated mean?" is a powerful prompt for critical thinking and the assertion of individual taste.