10 Fun Examples of Product Placement in Films That’ll Make You Chuckle
Product placement in movies has become a common way for brands to get exposure. Many films use it to help cover production costs or add realism to scenes. Some movies do it so well that viewers hardly notice, while others make it obvious for comedic effect.
Product placement in films can actually enhance a movie when done creatively. Clever uses of branded products have led to memorable movie moments. From cars to food to tech gadgets, all kinds of items have been featured on the big screen. This article looks at 10 fun examples of product placement that added something special to their movies.
1) Reese’s Pieces in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Release Date: June 11, 1982
Stars: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore
Product: Reese’s Pieces
Fun Fact: Mars company turned down the product placement opportunity for M&Ms, which cost them an estimated $20 million in sales. Hershey’s sales of Reese’s Pieces increased by 65% within two weeks of the film’s release.
Additional Context: The candy trail scene became one of the most iconic product placement moments in cinema history, costing Hershey’s just $1 million in promotional support.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, released in 1982, featured a clever product placement that boosted candy sales. The movie showed the alien character E.T. eating Reese’s Pieces.
This scene was not originally planned with Reese’s Pieces. The filmmakers first asked Mars to use M&M’s, but the company said no.
Hershey stepped in and agreed to let the movie use Reese’s Pieces. The company spent $1 million on ads to promote both the candy and the film.
The product placement paid off big time. After the movie came out, Reese’s Pieces sales went up by 65%.
E.T. helped make Reese’s Pieces famous. The candy was fairly new at the time, having only been introduced in 1978.
This example shows how product placement can work well when it fits naturally into a story. The candy became part of E.T.’s character and helped move the plot along.
2) Ray-Ban sunglasses in Risky Business
Release Date: August 5, 1983
Stars: Tom Cruise, Rebecca De Mornay
Product: Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses
Fun Fact: The famous dancing scene helped Ray-Ban increase Wayfarer sales from 18,000 pairs in 1981 to over 360,000 in 1983.
Industry Impact: This placement established the modern template for fashion product placement in films.
Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses became an instant icon when Tom Cruise sported them in the 1983 film Risky Business. The movie features Cruise’s character wearing the shades in several memorable scenes.
One of the most famous moments shows Cruise sliding across the floor in his underwear, white socks, and Ray-Bans while lip-syncing to “Old Time Rock and Roll.” This scene helped cement the sunglasses as a must-have fashion accessory for young people in the 1980s.
The product placement was a huge success for Ray-Ban. Sales of Wayfarer sunglasses reportedly jumped from about 18,000 pairs a year to over 360,000 after the movie’s release.
Risky Business wasn’t the only film to feature Ray-Bans prominently. The brand also got a boost from movies like Top Gun, where Tom Cruise wore Aviator-style Ray-Bans.
This clever use of product placement in popular films helped revitalize Ray-Ban’s image and sales. It’s a great example of how featuring a product in the right context can make it incredibly desirable to consumers.
3) BMW in James Bond films
Release Date: November 17, 1995
Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean
Product: BMW Z3
Fun Fact: The Z3 received 9,000 orders the month after the film premiered, despite not being available for sale yet.
Brand Value: The three-film deal with BMW marked the first time Bond drove a non-British car as his primary vehicle.
James Bond movies are famous for their cool cars. In the 1990s, BMW joined the spy game. The German automaker struck a deal to feature its cars in three Bond films.
It all started with “GoldenEye” in 1995. Bond drove a sleek BMW Z3 roadster. The car only appeared briefly, but it made a big splash. BMW saw a huge boost in sales after the movie came out.
Next up was “Tomorrow Never Dies” in 1997. This time, Bond got behind the wheel of a BMW 750iL. The luxury sedan came packed with gadgets, including a remote control system.
For the final BMW appearance, “The World Is Not Enough” in 1999 featured the Z8 sports car. This high-tech ride could launch rockets and had a special targeting display.
BMW’s stint with Bond was short but sweet. The partnership helped the brand reach new audiences and showcased its latest models. It proved that product placement in movies can be a powerful marketing tool.
4) Nike Shoes in Back to the Future Part II
Release Date: November 22, 1989
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
Product: Nike self-lacing shoes
Fun Fact: Nike actually created real self-lacing shoes called the Nike Mag in 2016, with proceeds going to Parkinson’s research.
Innovation Impact: The film’s product placement actually inspired future product development.
The 1989 film Back to the Future Part II featured a futuristic pair of Nike shoes that captured viewers’ imagination. These self-lacing sneakers were a standout product placement in the movie.
Marty McFly, the main character, puts on the shoes in the year 2015. The laces automatically tighten, amazing both Marty and the audience. This scene became iconic and memorable for fans.
Nike saw an opportunity to turn movie magic into reality. In 2016, they released a limited edition of self-lacing shoes inspired by the film. These real-life versions were called the Nike Mag.
The company auctioned off 89 pairs of Nike Mags. They raised millions of dollars for Parkinson’s research. This connected the shoes to a good cause and honored Michael J. Fox, who played Marty.
Nike later created more affordable self-lacing shoes for the public. The product placement in Back to the Future helped spark interest in this technology. It’s a great example of how movies can influence real products.
5) Ferrari in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Release Date: June 11, 1986
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck
Product: Ferrari 250 GT California
Fun Fact: The car used in the film was actually a replica, as real Ferrari 250 GTs were too valuable to use for stunts.
Value Today: A real 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California sold for $17.2 million in 2016.
The Ferrari 250 GT California plays a big role in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This fancy car belongs to the dad of Ferris’s best friend, Cameron.
Ferris convinces Cameron to “borrow” the car for their day of fun in Chicago. The Ferrari gets lots of screen time as they drive around the city.
The car becomes a key part of the story. Ferris and his friends try to hide how many miles they drove by running it backwards on jacks. This leads to a funny and tense scene.
Even though the Ferrari looks real, it wasn’t a true Ferrari in the movie. The filmmakers used replicas because real Ferraris were too expensive.
The fake Ferrari still made a big impact. It helped make the movie more exciting and became famous among car fans. Some replica cars from the film have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions.
6) Apple Laptops in Mission: Impossible
Release Date: May 22, 1996
Stars: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight
Product: Apple PowerBook
Fun Fact: The PowerBook scene helped rebrand Apple as a “cool” tech company during a period when they were struggling.
Tech Impact: This placement helped establish Apple’s ongoing relationship with Hollywood.
The Mission: Impossible franchise has featured Apple laptops in several movies. These sleek devices often show up in the hands of tech-savvy spies and hackers.
In the first Mission: Impossible film from 1996, an Apple PowerBook makes an appearance. It’s used by one of the main characters to access secret information.
The sequel, Mission: Impossible II, also showcases Apple technology. Tom Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt uses an Apple laptop during a key scene in the movie.
These product placements weren’t just random choices. In the mid-1990s, Apple was looking for ways to boost its image. Putting their computers in a big action movie was a smart move.
It helped make Apple products look cool and high-tech. This fit well with the cutting-edge gadgets often seen in spy films.
The use of Apple laptops in Mission: Impossible movies has continued in later installments. It’s become a bit of a tradition in the series.
7) KFC in Crazy Rich Asians
Release Date: August 15, 2018
Stars: Constance Wu, Henry Golding
Product: KFC
Fun Fact: The KFC scene was authentic to Singapore culture, where the chain is considered a respected dining option.
Cultural Context: The placement helped bridge Western and Asian cultural elements in the film.
KFC made a surprising appearance in the hit romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians.” The movie showcased the luxurious lifestyles of Singapore’s elite, but it also included a down-to-earth touch with the fast-food chain.
In one scene, characters are seen enjoying KFC’s famous fried chicken. This product placement stood out because it contrasted with the film’s many high-end brands and lavish settings.
The inclusion of KFC helped make the characters more relatable to viewers. It showed that even wealthy people enjoy simple pleasures like fast food sometimes.
This clever product placement also highlighted cultural differences. KFC is quite popular in many Asian countries, including Singapore where the movie takes place.
By featuring KFC, the filmmakers added a touch of authenticity to the story. They mixed global brands with local favorites, creating a more realistic portrayal of life in Singapore.
8) Corona Beer in The Fast and the Furious
Release Date: June 22, 2001
Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker
Product: Corona beer
Fun Fact: Corona never paid for placement in any of the Fast & Furious films; it was a character choice for Dom’s character.
Brand Impact: The natural integration made the placement more authentic and memorable.
Corona beer shows up a lot in The Fast and the Furious movies. The main character Dom Toretto often drinks it with his crew. It’s like their go-to drink when they hang out.
Corona didn’t pay for this product placement. The writers just thought it fit the characters and setting well. But it’s been great free advertising for Corona.
The beer appears so much that it’s become a part of the franchise. Fans expect to see Corona bottles in the films. It adds to the laid-back California vibe of the early movies.
Some marketing experts think Corona has gotten millions of dollars worth of exposure from the films. That’s a big win for a brand that didn’t spend any money to be there.
The beer doesn’t show up in every movie though. When Dom isn’t in the film, Corona usually isn’t either. It’s closely tied to his character.
This product placement works because it feels natural. It’s not forced or out of place. It just fits with who the characters are and how they live.
9) Prada in The Devil Wears Prada
Release Date: June 30, 2006
Stars: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway
Product: Prada (and other luxury brands)
Fun Fact: Over 100 brands were featured in the film, making it one of the most brand-heavy movies ever.
Fashion Impact: The film’s product placement strategy became a blueprint for fashion films.
The 2006 film “The Devil Wears Prada” takes product placement to a whole new level. The movie’s title itself is a nod to the famous fashion brand.
Prada products appear throughout the film, from bags to shoes to clothing. Characters often mention the brand by name, giving it plenty of screen time.
But Prada isn’t the only fashion label featured. The movie showcases many designer brands, creating a luxurious atmosphere. Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino get verbal mentions too.
Even the movie’s outdoor scenes include clever product placement. Sharp-eyed viewers might spot Prada fragrance ads in the background.
The film’s focus on high fashion makes these product placements feel natural. They blend seamlessly into the story without seeming forced or out of place.
This approach to product placement works well for the movie. It adds to the authentic feel of the fashion magazine world portrayed on screen.
10) Chevrolet Camaro in Transformers
Release Date: July 3, 2007
Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox
Product: Chevrolet Camaro
Fun Fact: The yellow Camaro became so popular that Chevrolet released a special “Bumblebee” edition in 2012.
Sales Impact: The film helped revive interest in the Camaro, which had been discontinued in 2002.
The Transformers movies brought product placement to new heights with the Chevrolet Camaro. Bumblebee, one of the heroic Autobots, took the form of a sleek yellow Camaro.
This placement was a huge win for Chevrolet. The car became an instant star, catching the eyes of moviegoers around the world.
Chevy paid millions to have their vehicles featured in the first Transformers film. But it was money well spent. The new Camaro model sold out quickly after the movie hit theaters.
The car’s look evolved in later Transformers films. It got tinted windows and special lights to match Bumblebee’s robot form. These changes made the Camaro even cooler to fans.
The partnership between Chevrolet and Transformers continued through several movies. It shows how powerful product placement can be when done right.
Many viewers dreamed of owning a Camaro after seeing it on screen. The car’s role in the films helped bring it back into the spotlight and boost sales for Chevrolet.
The History of Product Placement
Product placement has been around for a long time in movies. It started small but grew into a big part of films. Companies now pay lots of money to have their products shown on screen.
Early Beginnings
Product placement began in the 1890s. The Lumière brothers made films that showed Sunlight soap. In the 1920s, Red Crown gasoline appeared in comedy films.
The practice grew in the 1930s. Movies like “It Happened One Night” featured brands like Coca-Cola.
By the 1940s, product placement was common. Alcohol and cigarette companies often paid to be in films. This helped them reach more people.
Evolution in the Film Industry
Product placement really took off in the 1980s. The movie “E.T.” made Reese’s Pieces famous. Sales of the candy went up a lot after the film came out.
In the James Bond films, cars became a big deal. Aston Martin got very popular because of its role in “Goldfinger”.
Today, product placement is a key part of many movies. Companies pay millions to have their products shown. Some films even change their stories to fit in certain brands.
Digital tech now allows products to be added after a movie is made. This gives studios more options for product deals.
Impact on Consumer Behavior
Product placement in movies can shape how viewers think and act as consumers. It affects what people remember and buy in subtle ways.
Subtle Influence
Product placement works quietly in the background of films. Viewers often don’t notice it consciously. But seeing familiar brands on screen can make people feel more positive about them. This good feeling may lead to buying those products later.
When movie characters use certain items, it can make those things seem cool or desirable. Fans might want to copy their favorite actors by getting the same products. This effect is strongest when the placement fits naturally into the story.
Memorability and Recall
People tend to remember products they see in movies better than regular ads. The emotional connection to a film scene helps the brand stick in viewers’ minds. This improved recall can last long after watching.
Repeated exposure to a product across different movies boosts recognition even more. When people later see that item in a store, they may feel like they already know and trust it. This familiarity often leads to increased sales.
Unique or surprising product placements are especially memorable. A clever or funny use of a brand in a key scene might become a talking point, spreading awareness further.
Jay Neill
Jay Neill is the founder and managing editor of iFILMthings and believes everyone should have access to the film resources they need to plan their filmmaking project, which is why he’s dedicated iFILMthings to helping all filmmakers.
Jay, your exploration of iconic product placements in movies like E.T. and James Bond films is fascinating. It made me wonder whether filmmakers initially resisted this form of advertising, fearing it might dilute their artistic vision. Has there been significant pushback from the creative community over the years, or have they largely embraced it as a necessary aspect of modern filmmaking?
Great question, Eliot. From what I’ve seen, indie films seem more resistant to blatant product placements, whereas big studios tend to lean into it for the funding boost.
It’s a complex issue, Maggie. Some argue that when done subtly, product placement can add realism to a scene, as long as it doesn’t distract from the narrative.
Interestingly, filmmakers have had mixed reactions over the years. Some directors like Steven Spielberg actually embraced it creatively – the Reese’s Pieces in E.T. became an organic part of the storytelling. However, others have pushed back. Quentin Tarantino, for instance, is known for creating fictional brands to avoid corporate influence.
The reality is that product placement has evolved from simple advertising to become more nuanced. Modern filmmakers often try to strike a balance, using real brands to create authenticity (like Corona in Fast & Furious) while avoiding obvious commercialization. The best examples are when the product enhances rather than interrupts the story.
Really loved the part about Ray-Ban sunglasses in Risky Business. It’s just so cool how a movie can turn a product into an icon overnight. Makes me appreciate the power of cinema even more!
Thanks Terry! The Ray-Ban story is definitely one of the most iconic product placement success stories ever. Isn’t it amazing how one scene of Tom Cruise sliding across the floor in those Wayfarers turned them into a must-have fashion item? They went from selling just 18,000 pairs a year to over 360,000 after the movie!
Speaking of iconic moments, it wasn’t just Risky Business – Ray-Ban struck gold again when Cruise wore their Aviators in Top Gun. Sometimes the right product with the right star at the right moment just creates pure movie magic. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm for this piece of cinema history!
The segment on the impact of product placement on consumer behavior is particularly intriguing. It raises important questions about the ethical boundaries of such practices, especially considering the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed to influence viewers. Further research in this area would be beneficial.
You raise an excellent point about the ethical dimensions of product placement. The evolution from obvious placement (like Reese’s Pieces in E.T.) to more subtle integration (like Apple products in modern films) does warrant deeper examination.
What’s particularly interesting is how product placement has shifted from simple visual exposure to psychological association – like how Ray-Ban sunglasses became synonymous with coolness through strategic film appearances. This subliminal impact on consumer behavior definitely deserves more academic scrutiny.
Your suggestion for further research is valuable. Perhaps examining the intersection of entertainment, marketing psychology, and consumer ethics could provide insights into establishing better industry guidelines. Would you be interested in sharing any specific aspects of product placement ethics you think deserve priority in future studies?