Fictional brand-name products from movies and TV shows, such as The Simpsons' Duff beer, Ghostbusters' Stay Puft Marshmallows, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Wonka Bars, have become just as iconic as real-world products, and sometimes even more so. Creating these fake brands allows filmmakers and television producers to avoid using product placement, which can often cheapen the overall quality of a production. Quentin Tarantino, a well-known critic of product placement, has famously created his own fictional brands and companies, including Cabo Air, Old Chattanooga, and Big Kahuna Burger.
Introducing a fictional brand that becomes embedded in the culture can effectively enhance the world created by a movie or TV show. Take, for example, The Simpsons, where characters dine at Krusty Burger instead of McDonald's, shop at the Kwik-E-Mart instead of 7-Eleven, and play with Malibu Stacy dolls instead of Barbie dolls. These fictional brands help establish The Simpsons as a distinct and unique universe. Other notable fictional brands and products from movies and TV shows include the Pizza Planet restaurant chain from the Toy Story franchise and the Sex Panther cologne made famous in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
10 Slusho
9 Moloko Plus
The movies in the Cloverfield universe are interconnected by the fictional brand, Slusho. In these movies, Rob Hawkins, who is hired by the Slusho corporation based in Japan, unintentionally captures the moment when the giant monster Clover attacks New York during his going-away party. Slusho is not just a random fictional brand, as it is believed to have played a significant role in initiating this franchise. The secret ingredient responsible for the delicious taste of Slusho drinks was discovered deep in the ocean, suggesting a potential connection to the origins of the colossal creatures that wreak havoc in the Cloverfield movies.
In A Clockwork Orange, set in a dystopian future, the protagonist Alex DeLarge and his gang consume "Moloko Plus" at the Korova Milk Bar before embarking on a crime spree. This peculiar beverage is no ordinary glass of milk, as it is spiked with various barbiturates. The three variants of Moloko Plus include vellocet (combined with amphetamines), synthemesc (mixed with synthetic mescaline), and drencrom (blended with adrenochrome and hallucinogens). This availability of these milk concoctions serves to instantly establish the futuristic Britain depicted in A Clockwork Orange as a sinister and perilous environment, far removed from the world we know today.
8 Wonka Bars
7 Pizza Planet
Considered the ultimate confection, Wonka Bars are the renowned creation of Willy Wonka, the eccentric chocolatier. These delectable treats are the outcome of extensive research spanning countless years, devoted to the study of cocoa beans and the art of chocolate production. As conveyed by Grandpa Joe in the novel, Wonka has masterfully crafted over 200 distinct variations of the iconic Wonka Bar. Beyond its divine taste, each bar holds the possibility of uncovering a coveted golden ticket, granting access to a mesmerizing excursion of the world's most enchanting chocolate factory. Symbolizing the pinnacle of Wonka's illustrious career, the creation of the Wonka Bar played a significant role in his subsequent withdrawal from society.
Pizza Planet is the most popular pizzeria chain in the Toy Story franchise. While stranded at a gas station, Woody and Buzz seize the chance to hitch a ride in a Pizza Planet delivery car, hoping to find their way back to Andy. This restaurant is also famous for its alien toys, adored by fans, who worship the claw in a vending machine. The futuristic ambiance of Pizza Planet provides Woody with the perfect opportunity to persuade Buzz (who is still unaware that he is not a real Space Ranger) that it's a cosmic outpost where he can catch a flight back to his home planet.
6 Stay Puft Marshmallows
Stay Puft Marshmallows, a well-loved marshmallow brand in the Ghostbusters universe, gains prominence during the thrilling climax of the franchise's first film. As the Ghostbusters strive to free their minds from fear, unfortunate circumstances arise when Ray Stantz's thoughts are filled with the lovable Stay Puft Marshmallow corporate mascot. This gives birth to one of the film's most memorable and comical scenes, as a colossal Stay Puft Marshmallow Man rampages through the bustling streets of New York City. Just as iconic as any other character in the Ghostbusters franchise, the presence of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is undeniably significant.
5 Sex Panther
In the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Brian Fantana uses a cologne called Sex Panther to attract women. The cologne becomes famous for its pungent scent and is showcased by Brian to Ron. This leads to a memorable line in the film: "60% of the time, it works every time." However, when Brian tries to ask Veronica Corningstone out on a date while wearing Sex Panther, she and everyone else in the newsroom are horrified by the overpowering smell. It seems that the cologne may not be as effective as claimed, even though it allegedly works 60% of the time.
4 Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans
The enchanting world of Harry Potter showcases a myriad of imaginative merchandise, such as Butterbeer, that distinctly set apart the realm of wizards from ordinary muggles. Among the initial enchantments that captivate Harry is a renowned assortment of wizarding delicacies known as Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. The claim of offering "Every Flavor" in the product's title is no mere jest. Bertie Bott's jelly beans encompass familiar flavors like apple, cherry, and lemon, alongside less desirable choices such as liver, tripe, and spinach. Astonishingly, some flavors even defy conventional edibles, encompassing the likes of vomit, paper, and earwax.
3 Acme Corporation
Wile E. Coyote, renowned for his relentless pursuits of the Roadrunner in Looney Tunes cartoons, relentlessly relies on an array of lethal products from the Acme Corporation. This renowned corporation offers an assortment of tools, ranging from traditional cartoon items like anvils and dynamite detonators to more intricate and ingenious weaponry such as artificial rocks, tornado seeds, exploding tennis balls, and rocket-powered roller skates. A recurring gag unfolds throughout the episodes, showcasing the consistent failure of Acme's products, which inevitably lead to calamitous consequences for Wile E. Coyote. Nevertheless, despite the constant letdown, he persists in supporting Acme's business, continuously pouring his funds into their questionable merchandise. Although Wile E. Coyote would undoubtedly have a solid case against Acme, he curiously refrains from legal action and rather chooses to immerse himself further in their alluring yet unreliable offerings.
2 Red Apple
One of the recurring motifs that connect Quentin Tarantino’s movie universe is the presence of the Red Apple cigarette brand. Red Apple cigarettes are smoked by various characters, including Mia Wallace and Richie Gecko. This fictional brand has a historical background, as it has been depicted as existing since the 1860s in the Tarantino-verse. The characters can be seen enjoying Red Apple cigarettes in The Hateful Eight, while in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Rick Dalton even promotes Red Apple as one of the sponsors of his show, Bounty Law. The creation of a fictional cigarette brand serves as a clever workaround to avoid the legal challenges associated with advertising a real cigarette brand.
1 Duff
Duff is the preferred beer in The Simpsons universe. After finishing their shifts at Mr. Burns' nuclear power plant, Homer, Carl, and Lenny head straight to Moe's Tavern for a round of Duffs. Homer had the opportunity to visit the Duff Brewery and even won a ride on the Duff Blimp. In the crossover episode with Family Guy, Duff serves as a representation of The Simpsons itself. It is revealed that Family Guy's fictional beer brand, Pawtucket Patriot Ale, is actually just a rebranded version of Duff. This satire aims to mock the notion that Family Guy is merely a feeble imitation of The Simpsons.