Coffee in Pop Culture: Iconic Coffee Moments in TV and Film
Whether you’re a coffee drinker or not, there’s something magical about a coffee shop. The atmosphere has a way of turning ordinary conversations into heartfelt moments and everyday experiences into cherished memories. A simple cup of coffee can act as a tension breaker, warming hands and easing conversations, while the coffee shop itself often becomes the home where tension lingers, sparking both drama and connection.
From lighthearted meet-cutes to profound heart-to-hearts, coffee has a way of stirring up feelings in us. I'm someone who loves the world of coffee and of pop culture, so let’s explore some iconic moments where the two intertwine.
Stranger Things (2016–) – Hopper’s Coffee Dependence
In Stranger Things (2016–), Hawkins police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) is frequently seen drinking coffee, especially during his late-night investigations, early morning lags, and high-stress moments—which are all pretty frequent. “Mornings are for coffee and contemplation,” he informed us, and I have to agree.
His coffee reliance paints his character in a relatable light and adds a bit of normalcy to the hovering tension and supernatural forces of the show.
Photo: Pinterest
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – A Bittersweet Café Moment
In Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), one of the film’s most devastating scenes takes place in a lovely-seeming, well lit, coffee shop. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) steps into a familiar space, hopeful and ready to reconnect with his friends, only to face and accept the harsh reality that they no longer remember him at all.
The bittersweet atmosphere of the coffee shop mirrors Peter’s loneliness, with the warm hum of life around him contrasting his muffled heartbreak. This moment underscores how coffee shops can be places of both connection and loss, where the simplest acts—like ordering a cup of coffee—can carry the weight of unspoken emotion.
Photo: Reddit
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) – An Espresso Amidst Chaos
In John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), a brief but telling scene has John Wick (Keanu Reeves) preparing coffee for Italian mafia boss Santino D'Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio). Instead of pouring a casual cup of drip coffee, Wick thoughtfully pulls an espresso shot, honoring his guest’s cultural roots.
This small act of hospitality adds a surprising layer of humanity to the otherwise intense and chaotic John Wick universe. In the middle of high-stakes violence and vengeance, a simple cup of coffee serves as a rare moment of calm and connection, grounding the narrative in an unexpected way.
Photo: Reddit
The Good Place (2016–2020) – The Coffees of the Afterlife
In The Good Place (2016–2020), coffee makes recurring appearances, from Eleanor's (Kristen Bell) unapologetic love for frappuccinos to the running joke that the afterlife offers “perfect” coffee.
The show cleverly plays with the ideas of indulgence and morality, using coffee as a symbol of both reward and temptation. Whether it’s a treat or a tease, coffee becomes part of the whimsical yet thought-provoking exploration of what we deserve in the afterlife.
Photo: X
Get Out (2017) – Coffee Alternative: Tea
This plays into the symbolism of control and manipulation, contrasting the calm comfort associated with coffee culture. Tea represents a departure from normalcy and everyday comfort, heightening the film’s psychological tension.
Photo: Reddit
From Stranger Things’ high-stress investigations to Spider-Man’s heartbreaking coffee shop moment, and even The Good Place’s afterlife café, coffee serves as more than just a drink. It’s a tool for connection or isolation, as seen in John Wick’s thoughtful espresso-making amidst chaos. In Get Out, the choice of tea intensifies the psychological tension and contrasts the comfort we often associate with coffee culture.
Whether it’s creating humor, driving symbolism, or grounding a narrative in something familiar, coffee continues to play a quiet but significant role in storytelling.
This blog was written and edited by Alexis Millsaps.