18 Movie Tie-In Products That Were Everywhere
Here's a list of iconic movie tie-in products that became cultural phenomena beyond the screen.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Movie tie-in merchandise has always been part of blockbuster hype, but some products become bigger than the films themselves. From fast food toys and cereal to fashion and tech, these 18 real-world examples show how Hollywood infiltrated everyday life. Whether you were eating green waffles or collecting limited-edition sneakers, chances are you’ve encountered one of these unforgettable movie tie-ins.
1. McDonald’s Batman Forever Glass Mugs (1995)
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These heavy collectible glass mugs featured etched designs of Batman, Robin, and other characters from Batman Forever. They were sold for a limited time with value meals and became a must-have for fans and collectors. Even years later, many people still remember their unique weight and quality compared to typical fast-food promos.
2. Burger King Pokémon: The First Movie Toys (1999)
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When Pokémon: The First Movie hit theaters, Burger King released a massive toy line including Poké Balls with figurines inside. The promotion became so popular that some toys even caused safety concerns, leading to recalls of the containers. Still, they remain a nostalgic treasure for ’90s kids.
3. Star Wars: Episode I Pepsi Cans (1999)
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PepsiCo released dozens of special-edition cans and bottles featuring characters from The Phantom Menace. Fans collected them all, hoping to find rare designs or complete the set. Grocery store shelves became battlegrounds for collectors during the summer of ‘99.
4. Spider-Man Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts (2002)
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To celebrate the release of Spider-Man, Kellogg’s released special Pop-Tarts with red and blue frosting and packaging featuring Tobey Maguire’s Spidey. The flavor wasn’t particularly unique, but the branding made it a hit among kids. It also came with mini-comic giveaways inside the box.
5. The Lion King Toys from McDonald’s (1994)
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With the original animated release, McDonald’s offered a line of The Lion King Happy Meal toys featuring characters like Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa. The colorful plastic figures were simple but wildly popular. They often became part of kids’ toy collections well past the movie’s hype.
6. Batman Returns Cereal by Ralston (1992)
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Batman graced the front of a limited-edition cereal box during the Batman Returns craze. Shaped like bats and slightly chocolatey, the cereal wasn’t exactly gourmet, but the packaging and included trading cards made it sell fast. It added to the massive merchandising machine behind the film.
7. Space Jam Air Jordans (1996)
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The Air Jordan 11s worn by Michael Jordan in Space Jam became iconic both on-screen and off. They were eventually released to the public and sold out instantly. Today, they’re one of the most coveted sneakers in history.
8. Shrek Kellogg’s Waffles (2001)
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To promote Shrek, Kellogg’s sold green waffles with Shrek’s face on the box. Kids begged for them despite the strange color, and they became a breakfast table novelty. The tie-in also included cereal and gummies.
9. E.T. Atari 2600 Game (1982)
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This infamous game was released as a tie-in for the wildly successful E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial movie. It sold well initially but was later blamed for contributing to the crash of the video game industry due to its rushed development and poor gameplay. Millions of unsold cartridges were famously buried in a New Mexico landfill.
10. The Incredibles Kellogg’s Fruit Snacks (2004)
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Kellogg’s released fruit snacks shaped like The Incredibles characters, timed with the movie’s release. Each pouch had the iconic red and yellow branding. They were a lunchbox staple for kids that year.
11. Transformers Chevy Camaro (2007)
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The modern version of Bumblebee was reimagined as a Chevrolet Camaro, and car sales saw a noticeable bump after Transformers hit theaters. GM used the tie-in to bring back the Camaro line. It was a rare case of a movie influencing real-world car buying.
12. Frozen Merchandise Explosion (2013–2015)
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From dolls and costumes to shampoo and cereal, Frozen tie-ins dominated store shelves for years. Elsa and Anna became inescapable icons for young children. Even basic items like toothbrushes and notebooks were suddenly branded with “Let It Go.”
13. Harry Potter Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans (2001–Present)
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Inspired by the books and movies, Jelly Belly released Bertie Bott’s beans with wild flavors like grass, vomit, and soap. Kids dared each other to try the worst ones, making them a fun (and disgusting) party item. They remain a best-selling novelty product in theme parks and online stores.
14. Avengers: Endgame Marvel Legends Action Figures (2019)
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With the final film of the Infinity Saga, Hasbro released dozens of detailed figures of nearly every character. Fans scrambled to collect their favorites, especially exclusives and Build-A-Figure editions. These toys were just as much for adult collectors as kids.
15. Toy Story Talking Woody and Buzz Lightyear Dolls (1995)
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Shortly after the movie’s release, talking versions of Woody and Buzz flew off shelves during the holidays. They quoted lines from the film and looked exactly like their animated counterparts. The Buzz doll especially became a sensation, echoing the film’s “To infinity and beyond!” line.
16. The Hunger Games Mockingjay Pins (2012)
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With the success of The Hunger Games, Mockingjay pins became a fashion statement among fans. The sleek, golden bird symbolized rebellion in the series. You could find them on backpacks, jackets, and fan-made merchandise everywhere.
17. Minions Tic Tacs (2015)
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To match the movie’s yellow characters, Tic Tac released special Minions-branded containers with banana-flavored mints. It was a clever match between character and product. The novelty flavor drew in both kids and adults looking for something different.
18. Barbie x OPI Nail Polish (2023)
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With the release of Barbie starring Margot Robbie, OPI dropped a line of nail polishes themed around the film’s aesthetic. Pink shades like “Hi Barbie!” and “Best Day Ever” were instant hits. It was part of a massive branding wave that included everything from fashion to food.