Not everything about the movies is fake and make belief. Sometimes, the products or ideas featured on a TV show or a film are so damn good someone has to take advantage of that idea for financial gain, relying on fans to swallow the bait.
Anaheim Ducks, The Mighty Ducks
Walt Disney Co. originally founded the pro hockey team The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1993, one year after the theatrical release of the similarly titled Emilio Estevez-starring hockey film.
Ben & Jerry’s Schweddy Balls, SNL
Based on the popular recurring Saturday Night Live sketch, Ben & Jerry’s introduced the fudge-covered-malt-ball-flavored ice cream flavor in fall 2011.
Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, Harry Potter
Bubba Gump Shrimp, Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump inspired this chain of restaurants, the first of which opened in 1996, two years after the film’s release. Inexplicably, over 30 locations still exist and draw tourists today.
Cheesy Poofs, South Park
Frito-Lay produced 1.5 millions packs of the finger-staining treats as part of a promotional campaign celebrating the 15th anniversary of the show.
Dunder Mifflin Paper, The Office
Kwik-E-Mart, The Simpsons
In order to spread awareness of hotly anticipated The Simpsons Movie in summer 2007, the film’s creators converted several 7-11s into Kwik-e Marts, where fans could purchase Simpsons-related products such as Squishees, Buzz soda, and Krusty-O’s cereal.
Naked Heat, Castle
The ABC show Castle is about a mystery novelist named Richard Castle, who writes books about protagonist Nikki Heat, when he’s not teaming up with a cop to solve mysteries. Starting in April of 2011, Hyperion started releasing actual paperback novels “written by” Richard Castle.
Nike MAG shoes, Back to the Future
Sex Panther, Anchorman
A cologne that 60% of the time, it works every time.
