Top 10 Best Product Placements in Movies

Written by Niki Neptune

Top 10 Best Product Placements in Movies

We may not like being sold to, but sometimes it works. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 best product placements in movies.

For this list, we’re looking at effective marketing strategies in movies that made product placement oblivious or even enjoyable. While shameless product placement has a tendency to annoy audiences, delicate and intelligent placement can get us out of our seats and reaching into our wallets. But either way, be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 Shameless Product Placements as well, if you didn’t see something you think should be on the list.

#10: Nokia
“The Matrix” (1999)

It would make sense that the makers of the everlasting brick cell phone would’ve had a feature in this sci-fi classic. For the film, the Nokia 8110 was featured as the tool-du-jour used to bounce in and out of the artificially generated reality. It was a snazzy phone with some appealing features at the time, and best of all, it made you look like you were taking a REALLY important phone call.

#9: Red Ryder BB Gun
“A Christmas Story” (1983)

If the threat of losing an eyeball wasn’t enough to dissuade little Ralphie Parker from lusting after a Red Ryder carbine action 200-range-shot model air rifle for Christmas, then it certainly wasn’t going to stop kids in the audience. Even if you weren’t a kid who liked playing with guns or even one who liked shooting things, by the end of the film you kinda wanted an air rifle made by Red Ryder. You probably didn’t care if it meant a chance of shooting your eye out, either.

#8: Chevrolet Camaro
“Transformers” (2007)

Although General Motors is all up and throughout the film, and Mountain Dew also made what we’d call an ungraceful appearance, the true standout product placement in this movie is the Camaro. Bumblebee, the Autobot, endears himself to human Sam Witwicky, and then transforms from a crappy old Camaro into a sleek, sexy concept Camaro, making him a ride worthy of a hero like Shia LaBeouf. After being featured in the film, sales of the sporty yellow car skyrocketed, making the Camaro an easy leader in the cool car department.

#7: White Castle
“Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle” (2004)

The title of this slider franchise is in the name of the movie – which seems like a pretty shameless product placement. But when you think about it, White Castle is its own character in this movie, and that’s pretty ingenious. Two stoned high-achievers set out on a mission to satiate their White Castle cravings, and their mission seems to parallel many real-life munchies runs. The burger joint saw a strong boost in sales following the release of the film. Never underestimate the buying power of blazed out college kids.

#6: Mini Cooper
“The Italian Job” (2003)

Audiences may have not really been aware of these adorable little European cars prior to the film’s release. Although Mini Coopers were featured in the 1969 original, most American moviegoers weren’t exactly familiar with their popularity overseas. That is, until the 2003 remake. These retro-inspired, BMW-manufactured vehicles were integrated into the plot, making them stars in their own right. And having them look so darn adorable during a chase scene didn’t hurt sales, either.

#5: Wilson Sporting Goods
“Cast Away” (2000)

It’s the story of a FedEx worker who survives a plane crash and ends up on a deserted island – and believe it or not; it was actually positive PR for the courier service. But, Wilson Sporting Goods made out even better. When Tom Hanks’ character fashions a best friend out of a volleyball and a bloody handprint, he ends up humanizing an inanimate object. He also ends up advertising a sporting goods company for a solid portion of the film without it being annoying.

#4: Omega SA / BMW / Aston Martin
“James Bond” franchise (1962-)

Being a debonair secret agent man apparently comes with some perks. Clearly, you always get the girl, but you’re also always decked out from head to toe to motor vehicle in the finest of luxuries. What advertiser wouldn’t want to get in on that? When you’re a luxury brand, aligning yourself with sophistication is key, and it doesn’t get more sophisticated than Bond, James Bond. Just look at his watch and his wonderfully exciting cars if you need more proof.

#3: Ray-Ban / U.S. Navy
“Top Gun” (1986)

Nothing screams “I want to be a fighter pilot” more than a bomber jacket and a pair of Ray-Ban aviator glasses – especially since they were wisely included in this Tom Cruise classic. The actor had already boosted sales for the shades maker years earlier with “Risky Business,” but “Top Gun” prompted a sales boost of 40% in just seven months. However, no institution saw a bigger marketing impact the U.S. Navy, which saw a 500% uptick in recruitment. Cause everyone wanted to learn the “Top Gun” high-five and take the highway to the “Danger Zone.”

#2: Reese’s Pieces
“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982)

Chocolate covered candies and aliens don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand, but you’ve got to use something to lure to a shy extraterrestrial. Apparently, the role of the sweet bribe was supposed to go to M&M who declined for whatever reason, leaving Hershey’s relatively new product Reese’s Pieces to pick up the win. Reports say that the peanut butter-based treats saw an 85% increase in sales in the wake of the film’s success. So we guess not only aliens like bite-sized candy.

Before we plug our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Suntory Whisky
“Lost in Translation” (2003)
- Blackstone Winery
“Sideways” (2004)
- Shelby Mustang GT 500
“Gone in 60 Seconds” (2000)
- .44 Magnum
“Dirty Harry” franchise (1971-88)
- American Airlines
“Up in the Air” (2009)
- Dr Pepper
“Forrest Gump” (1994)

#1: DeLorean Motor Company
“Back to the Future” franchise (1985-90)

This film franchise was notable for a number of reasons: the creativity, the fun adventure, and the interesting plot. But the one thing that definitely stood out to audiences was the futuristic vehicle at the center of the time travelling story. With super-cool gull-wing doors, a silver chassis and angular body style, it wasn’t your run of the mill coupe. And even to this day, this car’s exclusivity makes it one of the most sought after in the world. Even if it doesn’t actually travel through time or fly

Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the best product placement in movies? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.