Rats have a long and varied history in popular culture, often being depicted as pests, villains, or even symbols of disease and filth. Here are a few examples of rats in popular culture:

Literature: Rats have been featured in many works of literature over the years, often serving as symbols of death, decay, and destruction. One famous example is George Orwell's "1984," in which rats are used as a form of torture and psychological manipulation.

Movies: Rats have appeared in many films as well, often as scary or menacing creatures. Examples include "Willard" (1971), "The Secret of NIMH" (1982), and "Ratatouille" (2007).

Music: Rats have also appeared in music, both as subjects of songs and as band names. For example, there's the song "Ben" by Michael Jackson, which is about a rat, and the punk rock band The Rats.

Comics: Rats have been featured in many comic books and graphic novels as well. One popular example is the character Splinter from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, who is a wise and heroic rat.

Folklore: Rats have also played a role in folklore and mythology around the world. In Chinese mythology, for example, rats are considered to be symbols of wealth and good fortune.

Overall, rats have played a variety of roles in popular culture, sometimes as villains or pests, and sometimes as heroic or wise characters. Despite their mixed reputation, rats remain a fascinating and important part of the natural world.