Product placement has always been present in the movie industry, but some have recently argued that product placement is why Red Notice failed, Most movies feature product placement, and most of the time it's subliminal, but other times it's totally transparent and shoved in viewers' faces.
There are movies that aren't only not subtle, but they repeatedly tell audiences that they have to buy the latest sneaker, or they have to use a specific brand of shampoo, or they have to enroll at the hottest tech company. Redditors think these films are the biggest culprits and two-hour-long corporate ads. However, whether they're ads or not, most of them are still enormously entertaining.
Evolution (2001)
Evolution is the strangest and unlikeliest ad ever. The movie is an alien invasion comedy, and it follows scientists attempting to find a way to combat the aliens. As KualaLJ explains, "The big gag in the movie is a product placement for Head & Shoulders shampoo."
In the 2001 movie, scientists realize that selenium sulfide, which happens to be poisonous to the aliens, also happens to be found in none other than Head & Shoulders shampoo. The very final scene in the movie even sees the main characters performing in a Head & Shoulders commercial.
I, Robot (2004)
I, Robot doesn't get enough attention when it comes to 2000s sci-fi action movies, and between its suspense and clever narrative, the film deserves more recognition. However, ButtholeBanquets calls to attention how much it focuses on Del Spooner's brand new Converse sneakers. The Redditor reminds users, "he conspicuously opens a 'vintage' pair of Converse shoes. Then later, his mom asks him what he's wearing, and he lifts his foot up and says something like, 'Converse All-Stars, vintage 2004. I know you want them.'"
While the Converse sneakers are shown throughout the movie, I, Robot features another piece of unapologetic product placement. Those very Converse sneakers were delivered to Del buy not only by FedEx, but by a FedEx robot. And if that wasn't in-your-face enough, the robot tells Del, "another on-time delivery from FedEx."
Sex Tape (2014)
Sex Tape is appropriately titled, as it's all about a couple who uses an iPad to film themselves having sex. -eDgAR- reminds users that "there is literally a scene where Jason Segal throws an iPad out the window and then goes to get it from outside and says, 'Man, the construction on these things is unbelievable.'" The film isn't exactly subtle, and the iPad is even front and center on the movie poster.
However, one glaring problem that Apple failed to miss is how the movie makes the hardware look so insecure. The film is all about how the couple inadvertently has the sex tape spread amongst all of their friends and then onto an adult website due to an iCloud error. So Sex Tape may have very well had a reverse effect on prospective buyers.
Sonic The Hedgehog (2020)
After so many bumps in the road, Sonic the Hedgehog was a smash hit at the box office in 2020. The movie was faithful enough to the source material and Jim Carrey made Dr. Robotnik his own. But despite all that, Astrobre still thought the video game movie was one big commercial, as there's a running gag about Commander Walters' obsession with Olive Garden.
The Redditor explains that "they even quoted the Olive Garden motto. It was really jarring" Even though it isn't as constant as in the first movie, the running gag returns in the newly released Sonic the Hedgehog 2 too. Walters once again thinks the problem at hand can simply be solved with an Olive Garden gift voucher.
Talladega Nights (2006)
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is full of product placement. But they're used in inventive ways, such as how they're sponsors for Ricky Bobby's Nascar vehicle or the way that Carley "slaves" over a Sunday meal that's made up of Domino's Pizza, Taco Bell, and KFC. And the studio, Sony, interestingly didn't make any money from the satirically placed product placement.
However, as Flyingcircusdog mentions, there's one constant throughout the movie, which is Applebee's. The Redditor notes that "they play an entire Applebee's commercial right at the climax of the movie, and it's absolutely hilarious." Applebee's appears so much outside of that one commercial in the film that the chain restaurant is almost like a character itself.
Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)
CylonsInAPolicebox notes that Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle is one big advertisement, and they're not wrong, as the brand's name is in the very title of the stoner comedy. But the Redditor adds, "still a kinda fun movie though." The advertisement goes even further than the Redditor thinks, as not only was it an advertisement, but it was a free advertisement for White Castle too.
However, the promotion worked two ways, as White Castle also promoted the stoner comedy by selling Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle collectible cups. With that being said, the movie could have been a lot different, as, according to Chicago Tribune, the original plan was for the movie to be Harold and Kumar Go To Krispy Kreme, but the brand backed out at the last minute.
Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
Cjw1991 accuses Space Jam: A New Legacy of being a giant commercial for Warner Bros. The Redditor argues, "it was just Warner Brothers saying 'don’t forget, we own all these franchises… so suck it, Disney!'" It's pretty convenient that A New Legacy showcased all of the incredible movies in Warner Bros.' dense catalog right at the time when the studio was promoting HBO Max to no end.
The movie put their properties on show so much that Alex and his droogs from A Clockwork Orange, a Kubrick movie that was banned for its violence in the UK, can be seen cheering from the sideline. A New Legacy also features Batman characters, countless Matrix references, and so many others. But while the studio's motives might be transparent, it's still fun spotting all the hidden WB characters and Easter eggs in the 2021 film.
The Emoji Movie (2017)
Not many expectations come with The Emoji Movie, a film about cell phone text message icons, and while it's fun seeing the poo emoji come to life, there isn't much weight to it. On top of that, the film was full of scenes based around game apps. LightningCheeeks is more offended by anyone else at how the film didn't try to hide shifting apps onto its audience.
The Redditor argues, "like seriously, they show you multiple mobile games, how to play those games, and also shows them to be 'fun'. Little to no plot, just ads." On top of the price of admission into the movie, the film also cost parents tons of money from in-game purchases from games their kids forced them to download after seeing the 2017 film.
The Internship (2013)
The Internship follows two middle-aged men who inadvertently get an internship at Google with a group of people half their age. And it's difficult to remember what happens in the comedy outside of all the spectacular perks that come with having an internship at the goliath company. Sephiroth0327 calls the film, "essentially a big ad for Google"
The movie is the most blatantly obvious of all the films with a seemingly ulterior motive, as every scene is showing off how great it is to work for Google and how impressive its offices are. Each scene is set in a different area of the Google grounds, whether it's outside next to the Google bicycles or inside in the Sleep Pod room.
The LEGO Movie (2014)
Slow_Cat6602 accuses the beloved The LEGO Movie of being one big commercial, and they're not wrong, as the film is essentially based on a toy and video game franchise. Everything in the movie encourages viewers to seek out all the LEGO sets they can find, whether it's a random mix of bricks or a LEGO Batman Batcave.
However, the Redditor also admits, "fantastic ad tho." The movie is one of the most inventive animated movies ever, and even the ending, when it switches to live-action and sees a perfectionist gluing his LEGOs together, makes fans drool for more sets.