1

Snickers

Image: Joshua Fernandez

We’ll start this article with an absolute classic. In the 1930s, Mars came up with a now-iconic candy bar packed with peanuts and covered in delicious chocolate. When it came the time to name it, inspiration came from an unlikely source: Snickers are named after the Mars family's favorite horse.

Snickers quickly became a global icon, becoming available in grocery stores and supermarkets worldwide. Nowadays, they come in a huge variety of flavors, including white and milk chocolate, as well as in different products like ice cream.

2

Hershey’s chocolate bar

Image: Janne Simoes

Known as "The Great American Chocolate Bar" , the Hershey’s bar is truly an American tradition. It was first sold in 1900, making it one of the oldest chocolate bars in the United States. However, they continue to be a delicious treat long past their one-hundredth anniversary.

This chocolate bar’s origin is rather interesting. In 1893, Milton Hershey visited the Chicago World’s Fair, where he was impressed with the chocolate manufacturing machinery displayed by the German delegation. The following year, he founded the Hershey Chocolate Company, which developed its own kind of chocolate products.

3

Twizzlers

Image: Filip Mroz

Let’s step away from the chocolatey goodness of our previous entries (don’t worry, there’s a lot more chocolate to go on), and focus on the delightful "Twist You Can't Resist". Twizzlers are one of the most unique candies out there: Their distinctive flavor and fun shape truly set them apart from other products in the market.

You might be surprised to learn that Twizzlers are made by one of the oldest confectioneries in the country: Young and Smylie, the company behind their creation, was founded as far back as 1845. Another fun fact is that, while only their black flavor contains ingredients from the licorice plants, Twizzlers as a whole are considered licorice-type candy.

4

M&Ms

Image: Christopher Ott

Many surveys state that M&Ms are the most popular candy in America. And, to be honest, anyone who has tried these brightly colored pieces of chocolate confectionary probably agrees. With their classic slogan "the milk chocolate that melts in your mouth, not in your hand", M&Ms have been a beloved part of American life since 1941.

Just as cherished as M&Ms themselves are their iconic mascots, which are anthropomorphized pieces of candy. These colorful "spokescandies" have been the company’s representatives since the ‘90s, and have grown to be considered icons of American pop culture.

5

Jelly Belly

Image: Patrick Fore

Choosing a single brand of jelly beans to include in this article was no easy task, but we ultimately decided to give Jelly Belly this spot. After all, they were famously the most beloved snack of Ronald Reagan, and share a long and fun history with our 40th President.

This love story began in the 1960s when Reagan decided to quit smoking and turned to jelly beans as a replacement. By the time he reached the White House, Jelly Belly had become the de-facto presidential snack: A jar filled with jelly beans was regularly seen on the president’s desk.

6

Baby Ruth

Image: Ric Matkowski

No one can deny that Baby Ruth is a popular product: This delicious nougat-filled candy bar has been around since 1920. However, did you know that they were originally called "Kandy Kakes"? Not only that, there’s a small controversy related to the current name we know and love.

According to the Curtiss Candy Company, the name "Baby Ruth" was inspired by Ruth Cleveland , daughter of President Grover Cleveland. However, it doesn’t take a keen observer to realize that this is particularly similar to the name of baseball legend Babe Ruth, whose fame was skyrocketing in the 1920s. "The Sultan of Swat" even sued the candy company for using his name, but ultimately lost the case.

7

Candy corn

Image: Debby Hudson

This is perhaps the most polarizing piece of candy on this list. With its distinctive shape and bright colors, Candy Corn is either beloved or hated. In any case, it is one of the most popular candies during Halloween, becoming synonymous with this festivity.

Candy Corn is also one of the oldest candies in America, having been produced since the 1880s by the Wunderle Candy Company. It was originally known as " Chicken Feed " because of its resemblance to corn kernels used to feed poultry.

8

Sour Patch Kids

Image: Vinicius Amano

We’ve been mostly focusing on sweet products so far, so let’s take a small jump in the opposite direction. Sour Patch Kids, known for their slogan "Sour Then Sweet" , are famous for their initial tart and sharp taste that gradually gives way to a sweeter flavor. The contrast of both sensations is what makes this soft candy so iconic, which has been standing strong for almost 40 years.

Created in the 1970s, Sour Patch Kids were originally named "Mars Men". However, by 1985 the product was rebranded to the name we now know, possibly to capitalize on the popularity of the Cabbage Patch Kids, an extremely popular toy at the time.

9

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Image: Heather Barnes

We would like to take a moment to honor the innovator who realized that peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in heaven : Whoever you are, good sir or madam, we salute you. And while we can’t celebrate this anonymous hero, we can thank the man who brought us the quintessential pairing of these ingredients: H. B. Reese, creator of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

In 1928, the H.B. Reese Candy Company started selling their peanut butter cups, at the time known as " Penny Cups " since they were sold for one cent. Reese, who formerly worked at a Hershey dairy farm, used Hershey chocolate in all his products. By the 1960s, the company merged with the Hershey Chocolate Corporation, which continues to produce these delicious cups.

10

Milk duds

Image: Moritz Kindler

Milk Duds are truly living proof that mistakes can lead to wonderful opportunities. These delicious pieces of chocolate candy are known for their irregular shape , which is a direct result of a lucky accident.

In 1928, Hoffman and Company of Chicago attempted to create a perfectly spherical chocolate-covered candy but failed in every attempt to achieve this shape. These failed attempts were called "duds", which is a term used to describe a device or equipment that failed to work as intended. Over time, these duds inspired the name of this product and eventually evolved to become our beloved Milk Duds.

1

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Image: Chanan Greenblatt

This feud has colored baseball for more than a century. The teams clashed often in the early 1900s, and the sale of Babe Ruth to New York only fanned the flames. Generations of fans have passed down the lore, and every game still feels like a chapter in a never-ending story.

2

Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi

Image: Nik A.

The "Cola Wars" picked up steam in the late 20th century with taste tests, jingles, and flashy commercials. Each brand tried to outdo the other in ads and sponsorships. Many households still swear one tastes better, even if most folks can barely tell the difference in a blind sip.

3

Lakers vs. Celtics

Image: Tim Hart

When basketball fans talk about greatness, these two names pop up right away. Their battles in the 60s, 80s, and 2000s created unforgettable moments. From Magic and Bird to Kobe and Garnett, each era brought its own flavor. Even non-fans recognize the spark between these teams.

4

Democrats vs. Republicans

Image: Bruno Ngarukiye

The nation’s two major parties have been sparring since the mid-1800s. Their disagreements shape elections, public debates, and dinner conversations across the country. While their views often pull in different directions, both sides trace their roots deep into American history.

5

Michigan vs. Ohio State

Image: Jakob Rosen

College football’s "The Game" is a yearly event that can tilt an entire season. Families in the Midwest grow up picking a side before they can spell the names. The rivalry took shape in the late 1800s and still ends with dramatic finishes, loud crowds, and plenty of bragging rights.

6

Mickey Mouse vs. Bugs Bunny

Image: steven lozano

Disney and Warner Bros. shaped our childhood. Mickey brought gentle charm while Bugs introduced quick wit and a wink at the audience. Their studios battled for box office success, theme park magic, and Saturday morning loyalties, giving generations a favorite to root for.

7

Duke vs. North Carolina

Image: Markus Spiske

Just eight miles separate the schools, and that short drive holds decades of college basketball tension. Their first meeting was back in 1920, and each season brings new storylines. The noise inside their arenas can practically shake the floor when these two square off.

8

Giants vs. Dodgers

Image: Hongbin

This rivalry began in New York before both teams headed west in the 1950s. The move did not cool things down one bit. Whether in Brooklyn and Manhattan or Los Angeles and San Francisco, these clubs have carried the same competitive spark for well over a hundred years.

9

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Image: Sudan Ouyang

These two founding figures clashed over just about everything. Hamilton leaned toward strong federal power while Jefferson preferred a lighter touch from the central government. Their debates set the stage for questions that still guide the country’s political landscape.

10

Marvel vs. DC

Image: Rachit Khurana

Comic book fans have compared these two universes for generations. Marvel’s heroes often feel grounded and human, while DC characters carry mythic, larger-than-life qualities. Their films, shows, and comics compete for audiences who proudly cheer for their chosen side.

1

Singin’ in the Rain

Image: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

According to the American Film Institute, Singin' in the Rain is the greatest movie musical of all time . Its centerpiece is the film's title song, written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown and performed by the brilliant Gene Kelly.

The scene in which this melancholic melody is played has become a staple of American culture. "Singin' in the Rain" was later featured in dozens of films and remains a source of joy for many today.

2

Moon River

Image: Trailer screenshot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The theme song for Breakfast at Tiffany's was composed specifically by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini to be performed in Audrey Hepburn’s dreamy voice . The balcony scene in which Fred discovers Holly Golightly playing the song on the guitar is one of the most iconic moments in Blake Edwards' film—and to think it was almost removed from the final cut!

"Moon River" is such a timeless tune that it even won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and has been recorded by many other artists since its release in 1961.

3

Let The River Run

Image: David Jones

Remember those aerial shots of New York paired with the gorgeous music of "Let The River Run" in the title sequence of Working Girl ? Just epic!

The main theme of the 1988 film, directed by Mike Nichols, is one of the greatest of all time. Thanks to this song, Carly Simon became the first person in history to win an Oscar , a Golden Globe , and a Grammy for a track composed, written, and performed entirely by a single artist.

4

I Will Always Love You

Image: Hunters Race

Dolly Parton wrote "I Will Always Love You" in 1973. While it was a commercial success for the country legend at the time, it is Whitney Houston’s version of the song for The Bodyguard that everybody remembers.

Houston's 1992 pop ballad stayed at number one on the Billboard chart for 14 weeks and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. It also became the actress’s signature song.

5

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Image: Stainless Images

According to the American Film Institute, the greatest song in the history of cinema is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from _The Wizard of Oz_—and no wonder! The 1939 song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and was later inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural significance.

The ballad was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg with Judy Garland in mind . At just 16 years old, Garland delivered a masterful performance as Dorothy, and the scene remains one of the most iconic in film history.

6

What a Feeling!

Image: Juli Kosolapova

Written by Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey, and Irene Cara for the 1983 film Flashdance , "What a Feeling!" is one of the most defining songs of the decade. It’s fair to say the film includes other great tracks, like Michael Sembello's "Maniac" and Laura Branigan's "Imagination."

Yet, the main theme, played during the iconic audition scene, became a worldwide bestseller. It spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

7

Stayin' Alive

Image: NEOSiAM 2024+

The Bee Gees contributed several songs to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, but without a doubt, the most famous is "Stayin' Alive." This 1977 hit tune, along with John Travolta's iconic dance moves, defined the disco era .

"Stayin' Alive" became one of the British group's most popular songs, earning widespread recognition , including a Grammy Award and a spot on several "greatest songs of all time" rankings.

8

GoldenEye

Image: Quang Viet Nguyen

As its name suggests, this song, performed by the great Tina Turner , was written for the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye . It was composed by Irish musicians Bono and The Edge from U2 with Turner in mind.

Depeche Mode were originally asked to compose the film’s main theme but were too busy at the time. "GoldenEye" reached number two on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 when it was released as a single and, along with "Live and Let Die" by Paul McCartney and "You Only Live Twice" by Nancy Sinatra, is considered one of the best 007 theme songs !

9

It Must Have Been Love

Image: Malin Kettil, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The soundtrack of Pretty Woman , one of the best romantic comedies of all time, features several great songs—including Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman."

However, this time, we’d like to highlight "It Must Have Been Love," a bittersweet tune by Roxette . Originally released in 1987, the song was reintroduced when Touchstone Pictures wanted to feature a track by the Swedish pop duo in the 1990 film. Thanks to this re-release, it became a smash hit in the U.S. and around the world.

10

Eye of the Tiger

Image: Dolo Iglesias

Originally, Sylvester Stallone wanted to use Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" as the theme song for Rocky III . When permission was denied, he turned to the American rock band Survivor to write an original song.

Since then, "Eye of the Tiger" has achieved massive success and will forever be associated with Rocky Balboa . It remains one of the most frequently used songs at sporting events and is undoubtedly one of the greatest movie songs of all time.

11

My Heart Will Go On

Image: Courtesy of NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island (NOAA/IFE/URI)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Performed by Celine Dion, "My Heart Will Go On" is one of the most listened-to and best-selling songs of all time. Originally composed by James Horner as a motif for the Titanic soundtrack , it was later developed into the film’s official theme song.

This catchy tune, which won multiple Grammy Awards, is the perfect complement to Jack and Rose's tragic love story.

12

As Time Goes By

Image: Geert Pieters

Of course, we couldn't leave out of this list one of the most emblematic songs in film history: "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca . Play it again, Sam, and let us relive Ilsa Lund and Rick Blaine's unforgettable love story.

Originally composed by Herman Hupfeld for the 1931 Broadway musical Everybody's Welcome , the song achieved international fame thanks to one of Casablanca 's most memorable scenes. It became the foundation of the film’s soundtrack and was ranked No. 2 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs list.