The 20 Best Advertising Movies of All Time

Movies about advertising provide an entertaining and informative look into the advertising industry. They offer insights into the strategies used by advertisers to sell products, as well as the impact of advertising on society.

What Women Want (2000)

What Women Want is a romantic comedy that follows the life of an advertising executive played by Mel Gibson. After an accident, he gains the ability to hear women’s thoughts, which helps him become a better advertiser. The movie provides an interesting insight into the world of advertising, as well as gender dynamics in the workplace.

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)

This drama movie follows the life of a World War II veteran who works as an executive in a New York City advertising agency. The movie explores the challenges of balancing work and family life, as well as the cutthroat world of advertising in the 1950s.

99 Francs (2007)

This French comedy-drama movie tells the story of an advertising executive who becomes disillusioned with the industry and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The movie offers a critical look at the advertising industry’s excesses and its impact on society.

How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)

This British comedy movie stars Richard E. Grant as a stressed-out advertising executive who develops a pimple that grows into a talking boil. The boil becomes a separate personality and starts to take over the executive’s life. The movie is a hilarious satire of the advertising industry and its obsession with consumerism.

The Big Sellout (2002)

This documentary explores the relationship between advertising and public broadcasting in the United States. The movie provides an in-depth analysis of the influence of corporate advertising on public television and radio, as well as the impact on the quality of programming.

Crazy About Tiffany’s (2016)

This documentary takes a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic jewelry brand, Tiffany & Co., and its advertising and marketing strategies. The movie explores the company’s history, its famous blue box, and the role of advertising in building the brand’s reputation.

Art Machine (2012)

This independent comedy-drama movie follows a young artist who takes a job at an advertising agency to pay the bills. He soon discovers that the agency is creating fake political campaign ads, and he decides to use his talents to make a difference. The movie offers a critique of the advertising industry’s ethical practices, as well as an exploration of the role of art in society.

The Hucksters (1947)

This drama movie stars Clark Gable as an advertising executive who becomes disillusioned with the industry and decides to start his own agency. The movie offers a critical look at the advertising industry’s tactics and the moral dilemmas faced by advertising professionals.

The Internship (2013)

This comedy movie follows two salesmen who lose their jobs and decide to apply for an internship at Google. The movie offers a humorous look at the competitive world of tech and the importance of branding and marketing in the digital age. While not specifically about advertising, The Internship offers insights into the creative process and the power of branding.

Advertising in Movies

Advertising in movies is a common practice that has been around for decades. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement between advertisers and filmmakers, where advertisers pay for product placement or promotion within a movie. The practice allows advertisers to reach a wider audience and to promote their products or services in a more subtle way than traditional advertising methods. Filmmakers benefit from the additional revenue generated by the advertisers, which can help fund the movie’s production.

However, the practice of advertising in movies is not without its criticisms. Some critics argue that product placement and promotion can disrupt the narrative flow of a movie and take away from the viewer’s experience. Others argue that the practice can be manipulative, as it promotes consumerism and encourages viewers to purchase products they may not need. Despite these criticisms, advertising in movies continues to be a popular marketing strategy, with advertisers and filmmakers working together to create mutually beneficial partnerships that can benefit both parties.

The Best Uses of Advertising in Movies

One of the best uses of advertising in movies is when it is done in a way that is seamlessly integrated into the narrative. When done right, product placement and promotion can add a layer of authenticity to a movie, making it feel more realistic and immersive. For example, the use of Apple products in movies like Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and The Social Network helped to establish the tech giant as a cool and cutting-edge brand, while also enhancing the overall aesthetic of the films.

Another effective use of advertising in movies is when it is used to satirize or critique consumer culture. Movies like The Joneses and Thank You for Smoking use advertising as a central theme to explore the ways in which advertisers manipulate and influence consumers. By exposing the dark side of the advertising industry, these movies help to raise awareness of the power of advertising and encourage viewers to think critically about the products and services they consume. In this way, advertising in movies can be used not only to promote products, but also to challenge societal norms and promote a more informed and conscious consumer culture.

The Best Advertising Movies: Honourable Mentions

Advertising in movies is a fascinating topic that has inspired many filmmakers over the years. From satirical comedies to hard-hitting documentaries, there are a wide variety of movies that explore the world of advertising and marketing. While our previous list covered some of the most popular and acclaimed advertising movies, there are still many great films that didn’t make the cut. Here is a runner up list of 5 additional advertising movies that are worth watching:

Wag the Dog (1997)

This political satire tells the story of a spin doctor who creates a fake war to distract the public from a scandal involving the president. The movie highlights the power of propaganda and the ways in which advertising techniques can be used to manipulate public opinion.

Nothing in Common (1986)

This movie follows the life of an advertising executive who must navigate the challenges of balancing his career with his personal life. The film explores the high-pressure world of advertising and the toll it can take on individuals and their relationships.

Putney Swope (1969)

This satirical comedy takes a swipe at the advertising industry, portraying a black man who is accidentally elected as the chairman of a white-owned advertising agency. The film is a scathing critique of consumer culture and the ways in which advertisers exploit racial and cultural stereotypes.

The September Issue (2009)

This documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of Vogue magazine, providing an intimate look at the process of creating a fashion magazine. The film explores the relationship between advertising and editorial content, and the ways in which advertisers can influence the fashion industry.

Winnebago Man (2009)

This documentary tells the story of Jack Rebney, a disgruntled RV salesman who became an unintentional viral sensation after a series of outtakes from a promotional video were leaked online. The film offers a humorous look at the world of advertising and the challenges of creating effective promotional content.

Movies about advertising provide an entertaining and informative look into the advertising industry. They offer insights into the strategies used by advertisers to sell products, as well as the impact of advertising on society. By watching these movies, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world of advertising and marketing, while being entertained at the same time.