The "James Franco First Time?" meme is a good example of an image macro that is currently escaping the typical meme life cycle in which trends nowadays are coming and going in a matter of days instead of months or years.

The meme made its debut online back in 2018 and still is one of the more commonly used reaction images on platforms like Twitter / X, Reddit and Facebook despite its age.

But where exactly is this image of actor James Franco saying, "First Time?" even from, and how did it become such a prevalent meme on social media? Let's find out.

Where Is The James Franco 'First Time?' Meme From?

James Franco's "First Time?'" meme originates from a scene in the 2018 Netflix film The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, which is a darkly comedic Western anthology released in September of that year.

In a particular scene, Franco's cowboy character is about to be executed and hung at the gallows. While the noose is around his neck, he nonchalantly turns and asks a crying man next to him, "First time?"

This seemingly comical interaction in a grim context sparked attention after the scene was featured in the film's trailer, leading to a series of reactions and memes in the following months.

The initial tweet that popularized the meme came from X user @Ayub_dz, who posted a still image of James Franco in November 2018 when they created a school shooter meme.

The humor lies in juxtaposing the cavalier attitude of Franco's character with the emotional turmoil of the man next to him, creating a stark yet comical contrast.

This interaction has since been memorialized in meme culture, with users adopting Franco’s line to illustrate their own experiences with new and often overwhelming situations, effectively morphing the film into a backdrop for witty commentary.

How Is The James Franco 'First Time?' Used In Memes?

The First Time meme's humor lies heavily in juxtaposing the nonchalant attitude of the character amid a dire situation with the emotional turmoil of the man next to him, creating a comical contrast.

The meme is often posted as a reply on social media by users who sympathize or have gone through a similar situation that was shared online.

For instance, on November 26th, 2018, Redditor Dako_01 posted a version about the anti-vaccination movement, mocking it with a joke about a young child.

While old, especially for a meme, the format is still relevant in 2025. For instance, Threads user @alejandro.morti posted the meme in April to comment on the economic crisis and turmoil in the world at the time.

What Are Some More James Franco 'First Time?' Memes?

'First Time?' Meme Template

---

For the full history of James Franco “First Time?”, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.