With thousands of people working remotely due the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all using video conference calls more than ever. Zoom conferencing seems to be the platform of choice in these physical distancing times. And if you’re weary of your coworkers gazing upon your kitchen or your couch in the background while you pontificate about KPIs, you can swap out your actual setting for a virtual one. Fans and brands alike have shared a plethora of pop culture options for everything from Star Trek to Seinfeld. We’ve even made a few Nerdist designs for you.
Get ready to make some challenging Zoom decisions, because we have a lot of backgrounds to share. Maybe you could pick a different background for every work day? This is precisely the time to exercise ridiculousness.
Let’s start with Star Trek.
Some Galaxy-class backgrounds for your video calls:#StarTrek pic.twitter.com/3ZuxJb2NFB
— TrekCore.com ➡️ SDCC (@TrekCore) April 2, 2020
Take your next meeting from outer space. Download these @zoom_us backgrounds from #StarTrekPicard. pic.twitter.com/vAvjtxZGXZ
— Star Trek on Paramount+ (@StarTrekOnPPlus) April 2, 2020
It's the perfect time to explore new worlds with these #CBSAllAccess @zoom_us backgrounds. #InThisTogether #StarTrekPicard #TheGoodFight #StarTrekDiscovery #WhyWomenKill pic.twitter.com/8bsHHLOqgs
— Paramount+ (@paramountplus) March 30, 2020
Lucasfilm
And from there to Star Wars. You can download backgrounds featuring everything from Hoth, to Tatooine, to a Star Destroyer at StarWars.com.
Long have we waited... 💫 Video backgrounds from a galaxy far, far away have arrived! Use these backgrounds on your next video call to show off your love for the light or dark side!
— Star Wars (@starwars) April 16, 2020
View more backgrounds on https://t.co/mVXi17qoJk: https://t.co/itIF4qBsIl (1/2) pic.twitter.com/vxtsFKk3NO
Parks and Recreation
Tell your friends to join you for a virtual breakfast date with these #ParksAndRec backgrounds. 🍴 pic.twitter.com/IawCV1yCA8
— Parks and Recreation (@parksandrec) April 1, 2020
Knives Out
Some internet memes
iconic zoom backgrounds: a thread
— Shell 🐝 (@BeeShellll) March 31, 2020
keep it going pic.twitter.com/GU54B97tiR
The Simpsons (typed to the sound of the theme song)
Need a @zoom_us background for your meetings?
— FOX (@FOXTV) March 23, 2020
I've got you fam. pic.twitter.com/PBsac0P36X
A little Animal Crossing
Seinfeld
seinfeld zoom background for you pic.twitter.com/E9sYMrgpsr
— Seinfeld Current Day (@Seinfeld2000) April 1, 2020
John Wick 3
Ru-Paul’s Drag Race
Some @zoom_us backgrounds for all of your werk from home / #DragRace viewing party needs 👠✨ #AloneTogether pic.twitter.com/rhUbzdvqIE
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) March 31, 2020
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Why not add a bit of flair to your Zoom video calls with a custom background?
— FINAL FANTASY VII (@finalfantasyvii) April 2, 2020
Mosey on over to the #SquareEnix Blog where we’ve gathered together a number of #FinalFantasy VII Remake designs for you to use! #FF7R
🖼️ https://t.co/EYWAq4jpDR pic.twitter.com/pRJO51UzTj
Schitt’s Creek
some subtle @zoom_us backgrounds for the more nuanced #SchittsCreek fan working from home.#StayHomeStaySafe pic.twitter.com/MMWrHpLU0u
— Schitt's Creek (@SchittsCreek) March 30, 2020
Top Gun
Zoom up to new altitudes by downloading these #TopGun: Maverick Virtual Backgrounds for your @zoom_us meetings, hangouts and happy hours here: https://t.co/fQ7ONELci6.
— Top Gun (@TopGunMovie) March 27, 2020
Share your screenshots with us by tagging @TopGunMovie! pic.twitter.com/TaUBfa4TuS
Disney
Missing Disney Parks? You can choose from a variety of parks backgrounds, including the above Disneyland image, at the Disney Parks Blog. And if you’d rather have Disney animation Zoom backgrounds, you’re in luck!
Backgrounds set the stage for characters and stories to unfold. For your next video call, go under the sea or off to Wonderland with these backgrounds from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library collection! pic.twitter.com/WBBvJox00U
— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) April 14, 2020
Red Dwarf
We've made up some Zoom backgrounds from the new #RedDwarf special for you to download and confuse your work colleagues with. You're very welcome. pic.twitter.com/EqAapxJ1Pc
— U&Dave (@davechannel) April 1, 2020
You know, actual space.
Looking to spice up your Zoom meetings? Try these backgrounds.
— AeroDork (@AeroDork) March 27, 2020
The ISS cupola pic.twitter.com/pVic7fYDPW
Some gorgeous Ghibli backgrounds
Plus as a bonus, Studio Ghibli has officially shared backgrounds from Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and more. Download them here.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Make your @zoom_us backgrounds a bit more spectacular, Bohemians. Welcome to the Moulin Rouge! pic.twitter.com/NaROQtLhUE
— Moulin Rouge The Musical - Broadway (@MoulinRougeBway) March 27, 2020
Doctor Who
Remembered I had pictures from the Doctor Who Experience from 2016. They'd made excellent @zoom_us Zoom backgrounds for meetings, calls, etc. #DoctorWho #TheUltimateGinger @bbcdoctorwho @DoctorWho_BBCA pic.twitter.com/ENUf8EvjcH
— dave (@ddryan) March 30, 2020
Batman: The Animated Series
DC
Actually working in Gotham doesn’t sound appealing even a little bit, but having virtual Batman: The Animated Series backgrounds for Zoom? Now that we can get behind. Choose from several options at the DC Comics blog.
The Office
Here’s your new Zoom background. You’re welcome. pic.twitter.com/yR5UsbAuSH
— kitze 🚀 (@thekitze) March 30, 2020
A sampler, including Twin Peaks
Add a little Godzilla or Batman with these Legendary picture backgrounds
Feels like the right time to take Zoom meetings from the sweet isolation of Skull Island or Gotham City. Let us know how it goes! pic.twitter.com/YB7mIwSlQt
— Legendary (@Legendary) April 3, 2020
Nerdist News and Explainiac
Need a change of scenery? For your next @zoom_us meeting, why not step onto the Nerdist News or Explainiac set? Enjoy these backgrounds with our compliments. pic.twitter.com/EAqHiF0RTN
— Nerdist (@nerdist) April 2, 2020
Because Science
Get in The Void for your next Zoom call #BecauseScience pic.twitter.com/DVdfyTeYjZ
— Because Science (@becausescience) April 2, 2020
The Good Place
Here's a couple suggestions! https://t.co/gHDkayFC4k pic.twitter.com/sV2asUETY6
— The Good Place is taking it sleazy (@nbcthegoodplace) March 26, 2020
A sampler from Netflix
if you're in need of a new @zoom_us background... pic.twitter.com/M6HPUwFEua
— Netflix (@netflix) March 24, 2020
Addams Family
— The Addams Family (@meettheaddams) April 10, 2020
Bon Appétit Test Kitchen
Yes, I have an empty shot of the BA Test Kitchen you can use as your Zoom background. pic.twitter.com/sHR2szVgOT
— Matt Hunziker 🍉 (@matthunzi) April 20, 2020
Don’t see anything that suits your tastes? You can make a Zoom background by uploading any ol’ image or video. They just suggest you crop your image to match the aspect ratio to your camera. Not too bad, right?
To change your space to a virtual background, sit in front of an empty wall. If you, for some reason, own a green screen, this is made for you. Hang that baby up! If not, a plain wall will do. Then sign into Zoom, go to account settings, and then the meeting tab. Enable virtual backgrounds there. Get thorough, step by step instructions in Zoom’s help center.
Once you find and insert the perfect pop culture background into Zoom, we’d love if you’d share it and tag us. It’s a moral imperative. Plain and simple. Share it with us on Twitter or Instagram.
Featured Image: Bon Appétit
Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.
Amy Ratcliffe is the Managing Editor for Nerdist and the author of Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy. Follow her on Twitter.
