12 Magazines Everyone Subscribed to (and What Happened to Them)
A nostalgic dive into the rise and fall of 12 once-beloved magazines, revealing how shifting media, culture, and technology reshaped what we read—and what we left behind.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Once the staple of coffee tables and checkout counters, these 12 legendary magazines defined pop culture, politics, and fashion for generations. From the pioneering photojournalism of Life to Playboy’s racy combination of brain power and sensuality, each of these titles is a tale of influence, adaptation, and ultimately, demise. This nostalgic look back traces their ascent to glory—and what transpired when the world shifted.
1. Life
Image from Britannica
Life was the pinnacle of photojournalism, providing gorgeous, full-spread photography of world events and daily life. In its heyday during the 1940s, it had more than 13 million readers. The weekly edition ceased operation in 1972 because of waning ad revenue and competition from television, although it re-emerged intermittently in various other forms before shifting to online-only.
2. Reader’s Digest
Image from Wikipedia
A coffee table staple for decades, Reader’s Digest summarized stories, health advice, jokes, and advice into bite-sized pieces. It was once the world’s most-read magazine, published in over 20 languages. It still exists today, but its power has faded considerably, particularly after twice declaring bankruptcy (2009 and 2013).
3. TIME
Image from Jetspeed Media, Inc.
TIME magazine was once regarded as a must-read weekly publication for anybody wishing to remain up-to-date, its red border and Person of the Year cover becoming iconic images. Although still in print, its circulation has fallen precipitously owing to the advent of online news and shifting media practices. Now controlled by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, it’s attempting to reinvent itself as a digital-first brand.
4. Seventeen
Image from Models.com
Seventeen magazine was the teen girl’s bible, packed with fashion advice, quizzes, and celebrity news. It debuted in 1944 and defined youth culture for generations. In 2018, it ended regular print publication and went online exclusively, targeting Gen Z.
5. National Lampoon
Image from Wolfgang’s
Fostered by the Harvard Lampoon, National Lampoon transformed American comedy in the ’70s with its gritty satire and disrespect. It gave rise to box office successes such as Animal House and Vacation, but internal issues and scandals saw it fall from grace. The magazine ceased publication in 1998, although its brand has been intermittently reactivated.
6. The Saturday Evening Post
Image from Wikipedia
This magazine personified Americana with its Norman Rockwell covers and serialized fiction by writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was once one of America’s most widely read magazines. Its fortunes declined during the TV age, and although it still exists today, it’s a specialty publication with a much smaller readership.
7. Playboy
Image from Magazine Shop
More than just a male counterpart to Cosmopolitan, Playboy was a cultural power center, blending sex, serious journalism, and all sorts of fiction by literary greats. At its peak in the 1970s, it sold more than seven million copies monthly. Print editions ceased publication in 2020, and the brand repositioned itself as a digital lifestyle platform with a far more contemporary swagger.
8. Newsweek
Image from www.wolfgangs.com
After being a significant competitor to TIME, Newsweek published weekly commentary on politics, international affairs, and culture. It closed its print version in 2012 because of falling revenues but reopened in print in 2014 under new management. It’s currently involved in several controversies and ownership changes, and much of its content is geared toward generating web traffic.
9. Gourmet
Image from Seacoastonline.com
Gourmet was the first U.S. magazine devoted to food and wine, with lush photography and literary essays about cuisine. Published for nearly 70 years, it was a favorite of serious food lovers. Condé Nast shut it down in 2009, citing declining ad revenue and the rise of online food blogs.
10. Rolling Stone
Image from USA Today
Rolling Stone started life in 1967 as a counterculture music magazine and became a chronicler of rock history and political scandals. Its great covers and long-form reporting were once must-reads. It still exists, with much less cultural influence, and now concentrates on web content and entertainment news.
11. JAN
Image from Maison Deux
Founded in 1997 by Sassy magazine creator Jane Pratt, JANE was a hip, feminist-slanted alternative to glamorous women’s mags. It included gritty interviews and uncensored content that clicked with millennial women. It ended publication in 2007 after Condé Nast couldn’t make it work in an evolving market.
12. TV Guide
Image from www.tvguidemagazine.com
TV Guide was a staple of homes in the pre-DVR world, aiding millions in coordinating their weekly TV viewing. In the 1970s, it was the most widely circulated magazine in America, reaching almost 20 million. Its paper form persists in a condensed form, but most now utilize online guides or streaming platforms.