The 10 Worst Product Placements in Film and TV, According to Reddit

Movies and TV shows have to make money, but users on Reddit found the example of product placement too much to ignore.

As multibillion-dollar movie franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe use their movies and shows as advertising space, the proliferation of product placement has become so great that it's almost inevitable. While some movies and TV shows are more subtle about their product, others push it in the audience's face.

From blockbusters like Man of Steel to hugely popular shows like Stranger Things, product placement can be a distraction from the story. While all product placements are a little cheesy, users on Reddit have found a few examples that ruin the experience.

Chuck (2007-2012)

While NBC's massive ad deal with sandwich brand Subway helps keep shows like Chuck on the air, the nasty nature of product placement cannot be ignored. A deleted user made the show's aggressive marketing speak for itself when writing about "Chuck's Subway."

Rather than simply being advertised in the background, the subway is actually incorporated into the story and used as a plot device. The screen was filled with the brand's logo, and several characters commented on how much they enjoyed the food as they ate it. This is a lucrative deal for both parties, but after repeated viewings, the ad It's just a distraction.

Mac And Me (1988)

The 80's kitsch classic "Mac and Me" has been hailed as one of the most blatantly corporate films of all time, and given the film's purpose, the abundance of product placement should come as no surprise. User sue_donyem was still in shock when she wrote "Mac and I had an extended dance sequence at McDonald's...for no reason".

McDonald's financed the film to capitalize on the surrounding E.T. While the film starts off badly, the aforementioned dance sequence hinders the film's story, and it's clearly just to advertise the restaurant in the most clumsy way possible.

Casino Royale (2006)

The James Bond series has always had a clever use of product placement, and Bond's lavish lifestyle is enough publicity in itself. However, user dinkelidunkelidoja mentions a misguided choice when he says "Casino Royale when Bond girl asks him if he wears a Rolex."

Vesper's dialogue is so clumsy that it feels like it jumped straight out of an ad. Bond has been wearing high-end products such as Rolex, but In Casino Royale, there's really no need to point this out, and there are plenty of opportunities to get a close-up of the watch in less obvious situations.

World War Z (2013)

Product placement is an inevitable evil of the for-profit filmmaking industry, but it is only a problem if it detracts from the storyline. Citing one such example, user QuoisForce8 said: "Pepsi commercial during World War Z finale. Brad Pitt stops for a Pepsi during the movie's climax."

Depressingly flagrant and unrepentant, in Z That last-minute Pepsi ad at the end of World Wars felt like it was slapping viewers in the face. Not only does it unnecessarily lengthen the film, but it feels like an ad that viewers have to watch to learn about the character's ultimate fate.

Man Of Steel (2013)

Even if the product placement is not integrated into the story, its presence may distract from the aesthetics of the film or show. As an example, user McWhopper said: "Man of Steel...uses a very dark pallet...but all product logos are bright and stand out."

As user mentioned, Snyder's signature sombre emoticon is Bombarded with brightly lit product ads, it still manages to distract while not forcing the viewer to see it. Brand logos are designed to grab the eye, which can be a challenge for a film trying to specifically capture the audience's attention.

Stranger Things (2016-Present)

Netflix's hit series "Stranger Things" is known for its '80s pop culture references, but its product placement remains overdone in the eyes of some viewers. User fruitmask aired their displeasure, writing: "I'm kind of tired of the old stuff that keeps popping up on shows like Stranger Things...this is what Taco Bell was like in the 80s, and this is what Doritos were look."

The brand clearly existed in the 1980s, but it's often irritating when nostalgia for the brand is forced onto a show that relies heavily on storytelling. Stranger Things leaned on nostalgia, with brands capitalizing on their love of all things '80s as a way to sell their product.

Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)

Big and loud action films, such as Transformers: Age of Extinction, provided an opportunity for filmmakers to squeeze in product placement against the backdrop of a destroyed city. Even so, user TimelessFool is saying "a The Bud Light truck is destroyed and Mark Wahlberg does a "what?" move by drinking a bottle of wine.

Simply showing the truck being destroyed would suffice, but including a character recklessly drinking the product is a clear ad that viewers can't ignore. The fact that it means a humorous moment is worse because it feels like the film is at the expense of the viewer's time.^While every film and TV show in the TMNT series is essentially a commercial for the toy line, fans still hold onto a classic piece of '80s nostalgia that's deeply imprinted on their hearts. One deleted user pointed out a pointless product placement, saying: "In the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. They live in New York City...and order Domino's?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' love of pizza is legendary, and a sponsorship deal would only make sense if the first live-action movie was being made. However, their choice to eat a major chain's pizza doesn't mean they live in America's pizza capital.

Plant Intrusive Ads May Offend Viewers It's clear that no one is trying to hide it, and 2022's Uncharted suffers from it. More specifically, user 2ecStatic said, "Mark Wahlberg literally said 'I'm literally standing in Papa John', and then the next 10 minutes happened in Papa John's."

Uncharted (2022)

Fans want video game adaptation from saw an exotic scene in , but what they got instead was an extended scene set in a mediocre pizza chain. Fans expect commercials in corporate films like Uncharted, but they also expect them to be a little more subtle.

Adam Sandler's epic career is known for its triumphant highs, but its terrifying lows have exposed deeper problems with the way modern films are made. User BrendanInJersey allowed a movie's product placement to completely define it, sarcastically saying "it's all about Jack and Jill."

Jack And Jill (2011)

Terrible plot and execution aside, Jack and Jill is nothing more than a shameless sham for products like Coca-Cola and Carnival Cruise Line plug-in. In fact, the entire film takes place on a Carnival ship, and the characters spend a great deal of time explaining the benefits of Carnival products to the audience.

Next: 10 most weird product placement in movies