Iconic Moments for Iconic Candy
Candy isn’t just a sweet treat – it’s woven into the fabric of our pop culture, from music videos and movies to viral ads and games. Whether it’s making a scene more memorable or adding a touch of sugary fun, candy has had its fair share of iconic moments. Let’s dive into some of the most unforgettable candy moments in pop culture, where these sweet treats stole the spotlight!
1. Katy Perry’s California Gurls Music Video
Let’s kick things off with one of the most colourful, candy-coated music videos ever made: California Gurls by Katy Perry. Released as part of her Teenage Dream era in 2010, this video is a sugary explosion of colour, fantasy, and whimsy. Perry walks through a world made entirely of candy – from lollipop trees and candy cane fields to cupcake bras and gummy bears.
This video is more than just a visual treat – it’s a pop culture icon that encapsulates the fun, carefree vibe of Perry’s music. It was almost like someone took a candy store and exploded it onto our screens, and it became a visual representation of indulgence and fun. The video made candy look irresistible, playful, and a symbol of carefree summers.
The imagery of Perry prancing through a candy dreamland is unforgettable. It shows just how powerful candy can be in symbolizing fantasy and fun, and it’s a visual that immediately takes us back to the early 2010s.
2. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Is there anything more iconic in the world of candy than Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory? The 1971 film, based on Roald Dahl’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, took viewers on the most delicious journey imaginable. A chocolate river, everlasting gobstoppers, and edible flowers – the Wonka factory was the stuff of candy dreams.
This movie not only made us all crave a golden ticket to Wonka’s chocolate factory, but it also embedded candy in the fabric of pop culture. Every child who watched it fantasized about stepping into Wonka’s world. Whether it was Gene Wilder’s eccentric portrayal of Willy Wonka or the visual feast of sweets in every scene, the film made candy feel magical.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory turned candy into more than just a treat – it became a source of fantasy, wonder, and adventure. Even today, phrases like “golden ticket” and “everlasting gobstopper” are synonymous with luck and endless joy, thanks to this classic.
3. Candy Crush
When Candy Crush hit our smartphones in 2012, it was like the world collectively got addicted to a sugar rush. The simple, yet highly addictive match-three puzzle game had everyone swiping their screens to line up candy pieces. With each level, players unlocked new challenges, all while being rewarded with the satisfaction of watching candy explode in vibrant bursts of colour.
Candy Crush was a cultural phenomenon. It became so popular that it quickly infiltrated daily life – from subway rides to waiting rooms, you couldn’t escape people trying to beat their high scores.
Candy Crush took the irresistible appeal of candy and gamified it, making it the ultimate distraction. The bright candy colours, simple mechanics, and the near-universal obsession with the game made it a candy moment in pop culture.
4. Snickers’ “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” Campaign
Sometimes, all you need to get through a tough day is a candy bar, and Snickers made this the core of one of the most iconic ad campaigns ever. The “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” campaign, which debuted in 2010, showed people transforming into cranky, out-of-character versions of themselves when they were hungry – and the only cure was a Snickers bar.
One of the most memorable ads from this campaign featured the legendary diva Aretha Franklin in a car full of friends. She’s cranky, complains about everything, and when offered a Snickers, she turns back into her regular self. The genius of this campaign was how relatable it was – we’ve all been there. The tagline became so iconic, it’s now synonymous with the Snickers brand.
Snickers managed to make candy feel like the ultimate quick fix for bad moods and hunger, tapping into a universal experience. The ads were funny, relatable, and turned Snickers into more than just a candy bar – it became a personality booster.
5. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
In one of the most iconic product placements in movie history, Reese’s Pieces played a pivotal role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film became a global sensation, and Reese’s Pieces skyrocketed to fame thanks to the sweet little alien’s love for the peanut butter candy. The scene where Elliott lures E.T. out of hiding with a trail of Reese’s Pieces is now legendary.
This was a game-changer for product placement in films. Reese’s Pieces sales reportedly skyrocketed by 65% after the movie’s release, and it’s still one of the most memorable uses of candy in a movie.
E.T. helped put Reese’s Pieces on the map in a big way. This moment proved that candy could have a starring role in a film and showed just how powerful the right product placement can be.
Did we miss any iconic candy moments in pop culture? Let us know!
Candy has a magical ability to capture our imaginations, whether it’s through a fantastical movie scene, a game we can’t put down, or a memorable commercial that makes us laugh. These iconic moments remind us that candy is more than just a treat – it’s a symbol of fun, indulgence, and a little bit of nostalgia.