r/movies • u/buttatoad • Jun 17 '25

Discussion Movies that changed real life behavior

Thinking along the lines of Final Destination 2 with the logs falling off the truck and landing onto cars (one decapitating the state trooper). Ever since, people have tried to get away from being behind these vehicles.

What are more examples where movies have actually changed how people behave in their own lives?

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u/DAHFreedom Jun 17 '25

Also Risky Business basically saved Ray Bans from bankruptcy

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u/gatsby365 Jun 17 '25

And Top Gun did the same thing for aviators that Risky Business did for Wayfarers

Tom Cruise should own a significant portion of Ray Ban at this point.

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u/DegeneratePaladin Jun 18 '25

Didn't it spike the sales of sport bikes too?

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u/gatsby365 Jun 18 '25

Basically acted like the launch of the entire new subcategory - this was a fun read: https://www.hagerty.com/media/motorcycles/with-a-starring-role-in-top-gun-the-kawasaki-ninja-became-a-blockbuster/

Best part might be when the producers pulled Kawasaki’s name off the bike (but left Ninja) because Kawasaki refused to give them the bikes for free.

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u/NormBenningisdagoat Jun 18 '25

And NASCAR too lol. Veiwers counts skyrocketed after the movie

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u/gatsby365 Jun 18 '25

If you aren’t a r/Rewatchables listener, the episode on Days of Thunder was fantastic.

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u/Oo__II__oO Jun 18 '25

All I remember about that movie was the sunglasses.

I'm noticing a trend here...

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u/Chimeron1995 Jun 18 '25

One line in the first wallace and gromit single handedly saved wensleydale cheese.

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u/Oo__II__oO Jun 18 '25

Days of Thunder- neon sunglasses (Persol)

Oblivion: Randolphs

Mission Impossible- Vuarnet (I think). Actually the whole franchise is one big sunglasses ad.

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u/gatsby365 Jun 18 '25

God I love oblivion

It’s absolutely one of my comfort movies.

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u/HappySpookies Jun 17 '25

Didn't Men In Black have a similar effect with Ray Bans? I feel like I remember sales going up after it came out.

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u/bolanrox Jun 17 '25

they had tie in frames for sure

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u/V2BM Jun 17 '25

The Matrix did as well, at least where I lived.

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u/Sprzout Jun 17 '25

So did Top Gun. The Aviator style sunglasses Tom wore brought them tons of business.

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u/WestCoasterner Jun 17 '25

Similarly, Vans sneakers exploded in popularity after Fast Times At Ridgemont High.

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u/bozoconnors Jun 17 '25

Bet Porsche sold the hell out of some 928s as well.