5 Viral Lizard Memes That Broke The Internet: From The 'Laughing Lizard' To Pixar's 'Lizard Lizard Lizard'

The "lizard meme" is not a single phenomenon, but a multi-generational internet obsession, with the most recent and viral iteration having a surprisingly corporate, yet accidental, origin. As of December 17, 2025, the internet is dominated by the "Lizard Lizard Lizard" meme, a mesmerizingly repetitive green-screen clip that has exploded across TikTok and Reels, but its roots stretch back over a decade to the early days of image macros. To truly understand the current reptilian reign, you must trace the lineage of digital lizards that have captured our collective attention.

The current, hyper-viral trend—the one featuring a small, green, animated character—is a direct result of a post-credit scene from the 2025 Disney-Pixar film Elio, designed as a teaser for the upcoming 2026 movie, Hoppers. This unexpected source of virality has generated millions of views and a massive library of user-generated content, proving that even a brief, ambiguous teaser can become a cultural touchstone.

The Unexpected Origin of the 'Lizard Lizard Lizard' (2025)

The most recent and dominant lizard meme, often referred to as "Lizard Lizard Lizard," "The Hoppers Lizard," or the "Green Lizard Meme," did not start as a fan creation but as a piece of promotional material.

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The Pixar Teaser That Launched a Thousand Memes

The meme's origin can be pinpointed to a dimly lit, post-credit scene following the Disney-Pixar film Elio in 2025.

• Source Film: Elio (2025), in a post-credit teaser for the film Hoppers (2026).
• The Character: The animated green reptile is officially named Tom the Lizard, and he is a character in the upcoming Pixar feature Hoppers, where he is voiced by Tom Law.
• The Action: The short clip features Tom the Lizard repeatedly tapping a button on a control panel, accompanied by a robotic, synthesized voice repeating the word "lizard" over and over.

The scene was strange, minimal, and entirely out of context for those who stayed after the credits, which is precisely why it became an instant meme. The clip was quickly ripped, isolated as a green screen template, and shared widely across social media platforms.

Cultural Impact and TikTok Trends

The "Lizard Lizard Lizard" meme became a viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram Reels, primarily because of its hypnotic, repetitive nature and the ease of use as a green screen effect.

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• Thematic Use: Creators use the meme to illustrate repetitive, mundane, or annoying tasks in their daily lives. The lizard's mindless, focused tapping perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being stuck in a loop.
• Trend Examples: Examples range from a student repeatedly checking their grades, an employee clicking through endless emails, or a person mindlessly scrolling on their phone. The robotic sound effect adds a layer of absurdist humor to the scenario.
• The 'Lizard' Innuendo: Some trends also incorporated a layer of innuendo, playing on the word "lizard" in a humorous, often suggestive context, further driving its virality among different user demographics.

A History of Reptilian Internet Fame: Previous Lizard Memes

While Tom the Lizard is currently the king of the meme kingdom, he stands on the shoulders of several other famous internet reptiles. Topical authority dictates that the history of the "lizard meme" is a three-part saga, with two other major variations preceding the Pixar phenomenon.

1. The 'Laughing Lizard' / 'hhhehehe' (2009)

The earliest major lizard meme dates back to the dawn of the image macro era, long before TikTok was even conceived.

• Origin: The meme is an image macro featuring a photograph of a horned lizard (often misidentified as a horned toad or horned frog) that appears to be smiling or laughing.
• Date: The original photograph was uploaded to the image-sharing site Flickriver on April 24, 2009, by nature photographer Casey Myers.
• Meme Format: The image is typically captioned with an interior monologue, usually a mischievous or slightly sinister thought, followed by the distinctive onomatopoeia "hhhehehe" or "ehehewhewheww."
• Legacy: This meme established the lizard as a source of subtle, self-aware humor and is a classic example of early internet anthropomorphism.

2. The 'Dancing Lizard' (2018)

The late 2010s gave rise to a different kind of lizard meme—an animated one that focused on movement and music.

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• Origin: The "Dancing Lizard" is a 3D animation of a lizard character performing a simple, rhythmic dance.
• Date: The original video was posted on Twitter by user @ka92 on July 28, 2018.
• Character Name: The lizard was occasionally referred to as "Tyler" by early fans.
• Meme Format: The video became a popular remix series, where creators would set the dancing lizard animation to different songs and musical genres, from pop to heavy metal.
• Legacy: The "Dancing Lizard" is considered the direct precursor and inspiration for the incredibly popular "Dancing Toothless" meme from How to Train Your Dragon, which utilized the exact same dance moves.

The Anatomy of a Viral Reptile: Why Lizard Memes Endure

The recurring success of lizard-based memes points to a few key principles of internet virality. Whether it’s a 2009 image macro or a 2025 Pixar teaser, the elements that make them stick are consistent.

The Power of Anthropomorphism

Lizards, with their seemingly permanent smiles (as seen in the "Laughing Lizard") or their oddly human-like actions (like Tom the Lizard pressing a button), are perfect canvases for anthropomorphic humor. We project our own emotions—mischief, boredom, or joy—onto their stoic, reptilian faces. This relatability, despite the subject being a cold-blooded animal, is a powerful engine for sharing.

The Green Screen and Remix Culture

The "Lizard Lizard Lizard" meme’s success is a masterclass in modern remix culture. By releasing the clip in a format that essentially acts as a green screen template, Pixar (or the fans who isolated the footage) guaranteed its spread. A green screen asset requires minimal effort for a creator to place into any context, making the barrier to entry for participation extremely low. This rapid, decentralized creation process is the hallmark of a truly viral trend.

The Absurdist Loop

Both the "Lizard Lizard Lizard" and the "Dancing Lizard" rely on the concept of the absurd, repetitive loop. The endless tapping or the perpetual dance is mesmerizing and often hilarious because it is so pointless. This loop reflects the nature of social media itself—endless, repetitive scrolling—and creators use it as a form of self-deprecating commentary on modern digital life.

From the early days of Casey Myers’ photography to the latest animated character from Pixar, the lizard has proven to be an enduring and versatile subject for internet humor. The "Lizard Lizard Lizard" meme is not just a passing trend; it is the newest chapter in a long, strange history of reptilian internet fame, cementing the lizard's place as an accidental icon of meme culture.