Gallery: I'd Buy That for a Dollar: Craziest Fake Ads From Sci-Fi and Other Genre Flicks
01prometheus-2
In the world of sci-fi, there's a lot of predicting what the future will hold – utopia or dystopia, Singularity Good or Singularity Bad, etc. But one thing always seems to survive for years to come: advertising. Sort of like Yogurt in *Spaceballs* chanting, "[Merchandising, merchandising!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjEdWTk1l9o)," directors of geek films often find new and interesting ways to integrate fake ads into their movies and marketing materials – especially in the age of the viral video. With the holidays' annual deluge of commercials upon us, we collected some of pop culture's geekiest ads for your viewing pleasure. Check them out in the gallery above, and remember there can be some fun in advertising. __Above:__ 'Happy Birthday David' From *Prometheus* ---------------------------------------- In the lead-up to this summer's *Prometheus*, Weyland Industries' humanoid robot "David" (played by Michael Fassbender) appeared in this viral ad to post the existential question, "What is it about robots that makes them so robotic?" David then shed a tear for humanity. Long after the movie's release, the ad remains totally creepy.
02children-of-men
The Quietus Commercial From *Children of Men* --------------------------------------------- In [*Children of Men*](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206634/), a drug called Quietus is basically an assisted-suicide elixir for people who can't deal with Earth's (seemingly) childless future. But based on the ads, it seems like the kind of thing they give a person waiting for a massage at a very fancy spa. Or something used during a colon cleanse.
03ghostbusters-2
The Ghost-Busting TV Ad From *Ghostbusters* ------------------------------------------- In 1984's *[Ghostbusters](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/)*, the paranormal exterminators appear in this wonderful "We're here to believe you!" commercial. It's the kind of local TV spot that would make [Rhett and Link](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/2011/06/commercial-kings/) proud (awkward speaking, weird script, complete lack of decent editing). Also, please enjoy this opportunity to watch Bill Murray be so the best.
04southland-tales
The Treer Saltair Ad From *Southland Tales* ------------------------------------------- This ad from Richard Kelly's weird sci-fi comedy [*Southland Tales*](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405336/) really gives whole new meaning to "car sex," doesn't it? Also, nice wordplay!
05minority-report-3
Personalized Billboards in *Minority Report* -------------------------------------------- The idea that a floor-to-ceiling ad in a pedestrian walkway could know your name was just one of the many freaky things in the world of *[Minority Report](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181689/)*. Almost as creepy as an A.I. Gap salesgirl who would like to proffer you some new chinos.
06tropic-thunder
Booty Sweat/Bust-A-Nut Bars Commercial From *Tropic Thunder* ------------------------------------------------------------ Everything about [*Tropic Thunder*](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0942385/) and its promotion veered into farce, but this ad for Booty Sweat, which was actually sold in stores for a period around the time of the movie's release, was easily the most far out/awesome.
07inglourious-basterds
'Nation's Pride' From *Inglourious Basterds* -------------------------------------------- This clip isn't actually in *[Inglourious Basterds](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361748/),* but its film-within-a-film is basically the hinge upon which much of the movie's plot arc rests. (Well, that and Brad Pitt being awesome.) Also, the trailer was [reportedly cut together](http://screenrant.com/inglourious-basterds-nations-pride-trailer-ross-20209/) by *Inglourious Basterds* actor/Quentin Tarantino collaborator Eli Roth.
08wreck-it-ralph
Fix-It Felix Hammer Ad From *Wreck-It Ralph* -------------------------------------------- In *[Wreck-It Ralph](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772341/)*, the good guy in Ralph's game – Fix-It Felix Jr. – has a magic hammer that can fix anything in his small town. In this spoof ad to market the film, he fixes things of a less-obvious variety like excess weight and political elections. Sure, why not?
09starship-troopers-2
The Recruitment/Propaganda Ad From *Starship Troopers* ------------------------------------------------------ Are you doing your part? You can if you join the Mobile Infantry, as advertised in this propaganda newsreel from *[Starship Troopers](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120201/)*. And remember: Service guarantees citizenship. You know, if you live.
10i-robot-3
Droid Billboard Ads From *I, Robot* ----------------------------------- In this animated billboard ad from [*I, Robot*](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343818/), the droids look all sweet and tech-y, but are they actually deadly? Stay tuned to find out.
11robocop-3
Commercials for Fake Products in *RoboCop* and *RoboCop 2* ---------------------------------------------------------- Of all the faux advertisements ever put into films, the ones from the first two *[RoboCop](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093870/)* flicks might be the best. Now they look super-1980s/early '90s, but back when the movies came out, that was what commercials looked like and it didn't seem all that hard to believe we'd need special *Whoops, the ozone's gone!* sunblock or paralyze-your-car-thief security systems. Actually, that still doesn't seem too unlikely. If the OmniCorp viral video that went up this summer (below) is any indication, it looks like we might be in for some new fake ads in the *RoboCop* reboot slated for 2014. <script language="JavaScript" src="http://admin.brightcove.com/js/BrightcoveExperiences.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <object class="BrightcoveExperience" id="myExperience1978244035001"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"></param><param name="width" value="660"></param><param name="height" value="380"></param><param name="playerID" value="1577029897001"></param><param name="playerKey" value="AQ~~,AAAAAF1BIQQ~,g5cZB_aGkYZC26fBYKv5Nsnal0IamyGL"></param><param name="isVid" value="true"></param><param name="isUI" value="true"></param><param name="dynamicStreaming" value="true"></param><param name="@videoPlayer" value="1978244035001"></param></object> <script type="text/javascript">brightcove.createExperiences();</script>
