Playful advert traces history of McDonald’s in film and TV

What films and TV shows can you think of with a McDonald’s cameo? Whether your answer is Pulp Fiction or Big Daddy, a new advert from the fast food giant will likely pull up some entries you didn’t think of, from old cult classics to a sneak peak into the upcoming Disney+ series Loki.

The campaign marks the launch of As Featured In Meals, a new menu from McDonald’s starring “meal items famously featured in pop culture”, a press release explains. The menu mostly includes famous meals already found at McDonald’s, like the Quarter Pounder or Fillet-O-Fish, but customers can also find items like a limited edition Sweet ‘n Sour dip, in reference to Marvel’s Loki.

The ad features a host of nostalgic scenes that prove the enduring appeal of the Golden Arches. There’s the moment from Clueless where Travis thanks “the wonderful crew at McDonald’s, who spend hours making those egg McMuffins”. The famous McDonald’s rip-off from Coming to America – McDowell’s – is also included, alongside the futuristic drive-through from The Fifth Element.

“It’s not only our real-life fans who have a go-to order, for decades our favourite movie and TV characters have, too,” said Morgan Flatley, global chief marketing officer and head of new business ventures at McDonald’s. “The As Featured In Meals is our biggest Famous Order yet, celebrating the most memorable McDonald’s references across the world of entertainment.”

As Featured In Meals ties into McDonald’s ongoing collaboration with Palace, where a range of signature McDonald’s motifs have been turned into merch and limited edition products. Customers who purchase an As Featured In Meal – available in more than 100 countries from 15 August – can scan a QR code to gain exclusive access to the Palace McDonald’s merch line.