Skip to main content
Mostly Clear icon
63º

Critics unbox quirky film swag showing awards season’s weird, wacky side

Some studios take promoting movies to another level

The Golden Globes, the Critics Choice Awards, the Oscars and more.

It’s awards season in Hollywood, which means film studios are proving to be very creative in getting critics to notice their films.

It can be a crazy time for critics as they’re inundated with mail from the studios.

Everything from classic DVD screeners to full scripts in book form.

The studio behind “Conclave” sent a vinyl LP of the music soundtrack.

But other studios are really cranking it up a notch.

Universal sent out sweatshirts featuring the fictional Shiz University logo from “Wicked” and the makers of “Civil War,” a film following a group of journalists, offered customized disposable cameras.

Universal sent critics "Shiz University" sweatshirts. (Mark Greczmiel for WJXT)

The aroma of blueberry pie is a plot point in “Heretic,” so the folks at A24 decided special scented candles were just the ticket.

“We Live in Time” prominently features both cooking and the concept of time, so the studio sent out a kitchen timer with star Andrew Garfield’s face on the dial.

Andrew Garfield's face is stamped on a kitchen timer for "We Live in Time." (Mark Greczmiel for WJXT)

And another bizarre item came from the makers of “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.” The stop-motion animated film features a penguin who disguises himself as a chicken.

So the studio sent critics a penguin reusable water bottle -- with a hilarious custom top.

The makers of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl sent a penguin water bottle with an unusual top. (Mark Greczmiel for WJXT)

The studio behind the horror film “I Saw the TV Glow” sent temporary ghost tattoos that look like ones featured in the movie.

And the folks over at Disney-Pixar thought outside the box for “Inside Out 2.”

They sent a gift box featuring different candies and chocolates to represent nine different emotions.

Disney-Pixar shared the sweet feelings behind "Inside Out 2." (Mark Greczmiel for WJXT)

And it was all about drinking glasses for two romances.

The makers of “Challengers” sent a trio of champagne glasses to represent the movie’s three-way romance, and the team behind “Baby Girl” sent cookies and a glass printed with the film’s signature line: “Good Girl.”

The studio behind "Baby Girl" wants critics to enjoy some cookies and milk. (Mark Greczmiel for WJXT)