12 Surprising Ways Morse Code Has Shown Up in Pop Culture—In Honor of Samuel Morse’s Birthday

Morse code, a 19th-century lifeline of communication, has gained a second life in pop culture—from the covert messages of Parasite to the blink-coded warnings of Lost. Its elegant dots and dashes continue to build tension, evoke nostalgia, and inspire intrigue through film, TV, music, and video games. This persistent code demonstrates that even in a digital technology era, analog signals can still thrill and bring together.

1. Parasite (2019) – A Flickering SOS

Image from IMDb

Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning film uses Morse code as a chilling plot point: a trapped character in an underground basement can communicate using a faint light. The creepy detail helps to further the film’s theme of invisibility and desperation. It even becomes a poignant attempt at reconnecting by the family.

2. Lost (TV Series, 2004–2010) – Blinking Secrets

Image from MDb

In the Season 4 episode “The Constant,” a character speaks through blinking eyes in Morse code after being drugged. The scene became a fan favorite after it was paused and deciphered. The message: “They are not who they say they are,” provided depth to the mystery of the plot.

3. Doctor Who (1963–present) – Timey-Wimey Transmissions

Image from IMDb

In the 2009 special “The Waters of Mars,” the Doctor receives a Morse code signal from a malfunctioning robot. The beeps foreshadow the darkening of the episode, signaling the threat without ever saying a word. It’s a sheer masterclass in sound design in science fiction.

4. The Simpsons (1989–present) – Bart’s Blinking Clue

Image from IMDb

In the episode “Bart vs. Lisa vs. the Third Grade,” Bart winks in Morse code to call for help from Lisa during a quiz show. It’s a quick joke, but the message—“HI LISA”—is technically correct Morse. The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it joke is one of those that are appreciated by detail-driven fans.

5. James Bond: Skyfall (2012) – Radio Revival

Image from IMDb

Morse code reappears fleetingly in Skyfall as a nod to the origins of the spy community. MI6 operatives intercept radio transmissions that include coded messages, a nod to the fusion of analog and digital spycraft. It is understated but a sign of Bond’s respect for tradition.

6. Stranger Things (TV Series, 2016–) – Lights as Language

Image from IMDb

While not technically Morse code, Stranger Things Season 1 uses flashing Christmas lights as a communication method from the Upside Down. The concept was similar to Morse’s—using on/off signals to communicate messages. It was a stimulus to analog communications during the height of technology.

7. Welcome to Night Vale (Podcast) – Hidden in the Static

Image from Spotify

This trippy podcast included Morse code secreted within its eerie sound intro and background noise. Fans cracked codes such as, “You are not safe.” and “They are watching.” It creates a creepy meta level to the experience, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.

8. Star Trek: The Original Series – Kirk Taps Out Help

Image from IMDb

In the “Mirror, Mirror” episode, Captain Kirk used Morse code on a communicator to send an SOS when he was in prison. Spock received it, and it led to a rescue at the appropriate time. It was one of the first sci-fi TV applications of Morse as a smart human failsafe.

9. Sherlock (BBC, 2010–2017) – Dancing Men Decoded

Image from IMDb

In a Season 1 episode, “The Blind Banker,” Sherlock used The Adventure of the Dancing Men, a Morse code cipher, to solve a case about symbols. This was a take on the concept with a graffiti spin in the series, a nod to the fact that Morse continues to influence cryptography in popular culture.

10. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) – Tapping for Survival

Image from Wikipedia

Players can call for assistance on the game’s in-radio using Morse code, a fantastic mechanic that rewards real-world knowledge. One of the characters even uses a fork to tap out messages when held prisoner. It’s one of the only games to employ Morse in gameplay and narrative.

11. The Beatles – “Strawberry Fields Forever” (1967)

Image from IMDb

Other listeners and sound engineers also claim to hear Morse code-patterned drumming towards the close of this trippy tune. Though the band never denied it in an official statement, it’s become one of the Beatles’ many music enigmas. Some listeners heard it as “J” or “I buried Paul” to perpetuate the popular “Paul is dead” myth. 

12. Gravity Falls (TV Series, 2012–2016) – End-Credit Ciphers

Image from IMDb

Each episode ends with a mysterious code—occasionally with Morse involved—viewers decode to uncover additional lore. The producers made sure Morse was just one of numerous types of ciphers used over the run of the show. It made the show a treasure hunt for hidden messages.

• Tags:
• Life
• trending
• Morse Code
• pop culture
• culture