Baby Yoda wasn’t supposed to be a meme, but it took over the internet anyway! When The Mandalorian premiered on Disney+ in November 2019, the show introduced a tiny, green, big-eared creature that fans dubbed “Baby Yoda” (though its real name is Grogu). The character, a young member of Yoda’s species, wasn’t in any of the trailers or marketing—Disney kept it a total secret to surprise viewers. But within hours of the first episode, Baby Yoda memes were everywhere, from sipping tea to stealing Mando’s ship, turning the little guy into a pop culture phenomenon.

The memes exploded because of timing and cuteness. The Mandalorian dropped right before Thanksgiving, giving people plenty of downtime to binge and meme. Baby Yoda’s big eyes and curious expressions were perfect for capturing every emotion—whether it was “me trying to adult” or “when you finally get revenge.” One of the most viral moments came from a scene where Baby Yoda tries to use the Force to heal Mando, leading to memes about “healing your soul.” Another fan favorite was the “Baby Yoda sipping tea” meme, inspired by a scene where he casually drinks broth while Mando fights, sparking a wave of “that’s none of my business” jokes.

Disney wasn’t ready for the frenzy. They hadn’t made any Baby Yoda merchandise in time for the 2019 holiday season, worried it would spoil the surprise, so fans started making their own plush toys and T-shirts. By 2020, Baby Yoda was on everything from coffee mugs to socks, and the character helped The Mandalorian become one of Disney+’s biggest hits, with over 2 billion streams in its first year. It’s a funny reminder that sometimes the smallest characters can make the biggest splash—especially when the internet gets involved. Share this quirky fact with your friends and come back for more pop culture trivia!