Can Lads' Mags Make a Comeback in 2025?

Alright, lads, we need to talk about something important. You remember the glory days, right? When Nuts, Zoo, FHM, and Maxim were the backbone of every self-respecting bloke’s monthly routine. You’d stroll into the newsagents, grab your favourite mag off the shelf, and it was like a secret handshake for being a proper lad. But now? These magazines are basically extinct. They're rarer than a decent pint of lager at a gig. And it feels like we’ve all been robbed of some serious banter.

But here’s the thing—could lads' mags make a massive comeback in 2025? Could they rise from the grave like some kind of hilarious zombie? Is there hope for the return of the 100 Sexiest Women rankings and completely ridiculous life advice? Let’s dive in, because this is important stuff.

The Golden Age of Lads' Mags

Before we start rehashing why they disappeared, let’s talk about why lads' mags were the absolute gold standard back in the day. Picture it: the mid-2000s. A time when we were all in love with:

• Luscious cover stars that made every lad feel like a champ just by flicking through them. FHM had Keeley Hazell, Lucy Pinder, and a few other absolute stunners who could easily cause a pub brawl over who was the most fit.

• Bantersome features like how to survive a bear attack (yeah, because that’s a thing you’ll need to know) and "the ultimate guide to pub sports" that made you feel like you were one step away from joining Team GB in the Olympics (if the Olympics were about binge drinking and winning darts).

• Ridiculous challenges that had us all thinking: “I could totally try to do that, even if it means embarrassing myself in front of my mates.” Remember the stunt where you had to race a guy in a gorilla suit? Pure magic.

• Pub debates on the most important topics: “Is a kebab a respectable meal?” or “Who’s the best Bond—Connery, Brosnan, or Craig?” These were the kind of deep, world-changing discussions lads needed in their lives.

We had it all. In fact, FHM alone sold over 600,000 copies a month at its peak. That’s an entire football stadium of lads religiously flicking through the pages, getting ideas for their weekend and settling arguments that never needed to be settled.

The Sudden Downfall

But as with all good things, the lads’ mag empire started to crumble, like your mate’s night out that goes from "legendary" to "mate, I can’t remember the last two hours of that taxi ride." Here’s why:

1. The Internet Stole the Show – The lads started realising they didn’t need to buy a mag to see a scantily clad model or catch up on the latest celeb gossip. Thanks to Instagram, YouTube, and (let’s be honest) some questionable websites, lads were living the high life for free. Why bother spending £3.50 when you could get it all in a couple of scrolls?

2. The “Growing Up” Myth – Suddenly, anyone still clutching a FHM in their hand was considered a “man-child.” Apparently, hitting 30 meant you had to start reading The Times or the Financial Times and giving up on fun altogether. Who knew being a lad was a phase, not a lifestyle?

3. Advertisers Got Cold Feet – Big brands decided it was time to become “socially responsible,” and half-naked women on the cover didn’t exactly scream “family values.” So, ad dollars dried up quicker than a pint at last orders, and the mags went the way of the dinosaurs.

4. The Ban Hammer – And then, to top it all off, the fun police swooped in. Lads’ mags were banned from mainstream sites like eBay and Amazon. Gone were the days of browsing Zoo and thinking, “I’ll just grab a few to spice up the weekend.” No more leisurely strolls into WHSmith. No, now we had to literally build a website just to let the lads get their hands on some of the old-school Nuts or Maxim. As if getting our hands on a few cheeky mags was somehow akin to ordering dodgy fireworks on the black market.

So, Could Lads' Mags Make a Comeback in 2025?

Now, let’s get to the million-dollar question. Could we see a lads' mag resurgence in 2025? Could they claw their way back into our lives, or are they destined to stay a relic of the past?

Honestly, I reckon it’s more possible than you think. Here’s why:

1. Nostalgia Is a Powerhouse

Look at what’s happened with retro stuff: vinyl records, 90s football kits, and even Gladiators making a prime-time comeback. People love nostalgia—it’s like a trip to the past with a pint in hand. FHM could easily tap into that. Imagine a fresh, modern version of FHM that embraces all the great things we loved, but with a new, more inclusive twist.

2. Digital-First Could Work

Print may be on life support, but the digital world is pumping. Picture this: an app or website where lads could access Nuts, FHM, or Zoo content. You’d have exclusive vids of retro challenges, football banter, memes, and even a live poll to settle the “best curry house in the UK” debate.

We could be talking about interactive lads' mags, where you can vote on who should make the next “Sexiest Woman” list (with the proper lad-like banter, of course). Mix that with podcast-style banter about footie and fitness, and you’ve got a digital version of the lads’ mag, just for the 2020s.

3. The World Needs More Banter

Let’s face it—everything on social media is trying so hard to be perfect. Lads' mags were never about that. They were about rough, cheeky, fun energy. Mates ragging each other about that one time you got off with someone at the pub, or laughing at the bloke who tried to jump over a bar while on a lads' trip to Magaluf. In 2025, I can see lads’ mags making a comeback by embracing that carefree vibe, especially when everyone’s so serious these days.

4. No One Has the Balls to Do It Yet

Here’s the thing: it would take a fearless legend or two to bring the lads’ mag world back to life. Someone who’s had a few too many pints at the pub, looked around, and thought, “Why isn’t anyone doing this anymore?” We’ve got the market. We’ve got the nostalgia. We’ve got the demand. All we need is someone to take the plunge.

The Verdict: It Could Happen

Could lads' mags come back in 2025? Absolutely. Will they? Only if some absolute legends step up and make it happen. If we can get through this age of cancel culture, too-smooth Instagram influencers, and overly-sensitive everything, I’m convinced the lads’ mag could rise from the dead like some sort of glorious, cheeky zombie.

And if it does? You can bet your last pint we’ll be first in line, making sure we’ve got our hands on the first copy.

Until then, lads, we’ll keep fighting the fight—one Nuts mag at a time. Who’s in for the comeback? 🍻