Top 10 Product Placements That Made the Movie Better

“Challengers” (2024)

In the world of sports, “product placement” is seemingly second nature. Athletes across the athletic spectrum are sponsored by a variety of different brands, most of which make their way onto the field. So it should come as no surprise that “Challengers,” a film about tennis players, leans into a similar kind of intense branding aesthetic. Uniqlo, Chanel, and even Applebee’s all play roles in building up the film’s characters and their growing successes. Theoretically, it may seem a bit in your face, but, after a while, it all begins to feel natural. After all, aren’t we all surrounded by brands everyday?

“James Bond” franchise (1962-)

Any prop can tell a story, but few do so quite as well as a car. “The Italian Job” knows this all too well, as the BMW Mini Cooper utilized in its famed chase scene ended up being so iconic that it outshone the film’s human stars. Of course, no car can outshine Double-O-Seven…but his Aston Martins may come close. The brand’s sleek, distinctive design is perfectly in line with the spy’s signature style, and it doesn’t hurt that the luxury cars also have enough power (and added extras!) to quickly get Bond out of a tough spot. The DB5 is frequently the character’s model of choice, following him through decades of adventures and several different faces. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

“A Christmas Story” (1983)


Taking its name from the “Red Ryder” comic strip, the real Red Ryder BB Gun was a dream for kids and a nightmare for parents. The threat of danger was real - and yet alluring - landing it a top spot on many kids’ Christmas lists throughout the ‘40s and ‘50s. Ralphie, the protagonist of “A Christmas Story,” was one of those kids. His desire for the unconventional “toy” - whose exact model was made up for the film - acts as a repeated gag, with his mother, teacher, and even Santa Claus himself warning him that he could “shoot [his] eye out.” Of course, after getting what he wants, he does end up with a minor injury and a broken pair of glasses, but to him (and the audience), it’s all worth it.

“Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” (2004)


By the 2000s, subtle advertisement was becoming commonplace in film, but White Castle still took a risk when they became the first fast food restaurant to promote an R-rated comedy. The burger joint not only featured in the stoner comedy as the final destination of Harold and Kumar’s munchie road trip, it was also a part of its title. Thankfully, for both the film and White Castle, the pairing ended up being a match made in movie heaven. The restaurant’s exclusivity to certain parts of the U.S. made it the perfect holy grail destination for the titular characters, while White Castle itself reportedly earned increased sales at their locations.

“Top Gun” (1986)

When you think of Ray-Ban sunglasses, you likely think of “cool,” or maybe even “dangerous.” Though these brand associations feel second nature today, Tom Cruise actually had a big hand in cementing the ideas into popular culture. He first famously donned a pair of the company’s Wayfarer sunglasses in 1983’s “Risky Business,” but it wasn’t until he put on a pair of their Aviators for “Top Gun” that he and the brand would become inseparable. The combination just felt right! Of course, the emulation of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell didn’t stop at eyewear. Many Americans also decided that they wanted to live the action they saw on screen, apparently causing recruitment for the United States Navy’s aerial programs to skyrocket.

“Return of the Killer Tomatoes” (1988)

How do you integrate modern products into an absurd comedy horror and make it feel natural? …Well, honestly, you don’t. At least, that appears to be the conclusion reached by the filmmakers behind “Return of the Killer Tomatoes.” Instead of simply placing products in the background, this film breaks the fourth wall in a big way. Right as things start getting interesting, the plot comes to a screeching halt, and the “crew” insists that the cast must participate in a little egregious advertisement to fund the movie’s second half. Matt, played by a young George Clooney, is happy to oblige. Four years later, “Wayne’s World” would employ a similar approach, having Wayne and Garth poke fun at the very idea of product placement.

“Josie and the Pussycats” (2001)

Teen movies often get a bad rap, especially when they’re about teen girl pop stars. But if you haven’t seen “Josie and the Pussycats,” you’re missing out. The movie may have been made to appeal to a young demographic, but it’s also an incredibly smart satire of our modern, brand-heavy world. Naturally, this necessitates a lot of brand representation, including big names from then and now like Starbucks, AOL, Target, and McDonald’s. None of these brands paid for their products to be used in the film, which is interesting considering the film’s plot is about brainwashing through mass media.

“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982)

At a time when product placement was still in its infancy, director Steven Spielberg was determined to integrate a popular candy brand into his newest script - “E.T.” Despite the success of films like “Jaws” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Mars Inc. wasn’t sure about taking the risk with the famed filmmaker, ultimately denying him the use of their M&M candies. But the loss for Mars turned out to be a win for The Hershey Company, who allowed Spielberg to use Reese’s Pieces in the now famous scene. The film was an instant success and, as a result, Reese’s Pieces saw a massive sales increase, with some estimates putting it between 65-85%.

“Cast Away” (2000)

In “Cast Away,” the featured product wasn’t just an inanimate object, it was a fully fledged character. After finding himself marooned on an island, Chuck Noland becomes desperate for connection. Though he may have preferred the company of another human being, he settles for a volleyball, which he names Wilson. The name, of course, refers to the prominent real world branding on the ball itself. While FedEx also featured prominently in the film, its impact paled in comparison to the sports equipment manufacturer. Audiences fell in love with Wilson the character and, as a result, Wilson the brand. Ironically, this one of a kind product placement wasn’t even paid for by the featured company. Wilson simply provided 20th Century Fox with the volleyballs necessary for filming, and the rest is history.

“Back to the Future” franchise (1985-90)

The second “Back to the Future” film introduced some pretty in-your-face product placement with the futuristic lace-free Nike shoes and Pepsi Perfect. But the best use of embedded marketing within the franchise is actually hidden in plain sight: the DeLorean time machine made from a DMC DeLorean. Unfortunately, it came just three years too late. After existing just under a decade as a company, the DeLorean Motor Company filed for bankruptcy in 1982, and ended production of all future vehicles. Considering this short shelf life, however, it’s a wonder that the brand still has a life in the modern day. Thanks to “Back to the Future,” the company has been forever elevated from obscure automobile trivia to pop culture icon.

Have you ever bought a product because you saw it in a movie? Let us know in the comments!