Amazon's adaptation of War of the Worlds leaves a disappointing impression, casting doubts on the direction of future cinematic endeavors
The much-anticipated Amazon Prime Video's War of the Worlds remake premiered in August 2025, promising a contemporary reimagining of H.G. Wells' classic novel. However, the film, starring Ice Cube and Eva Longoria, has sparked controversy due to its heavy product placement.
Critics and viewers alike have expressed disappointment with the excessive and unrealistic branding, with the movie essentially becoming a 90-minute long Amazon commercial. The plot heavily revolves around Amazon’s products and services, such as Amazon Prime Air drone delivery, which is presented as essential to saving the world. Characters explicitly demonstrate how to log on to Amazon and order delivery to advance the story.
The product placement is so overt that one reviewer calls the film a parody or an extended commercial for Amazon products and services. Lines promoting Amazon Prime subscription and gift cards appear integrated into the dialogue, making the branding feel forced and unrealistic within the narrative. Social media posts and videos highlight the "worst product placement scenes," emphasizing how the advertising overwhelms the cinematic content.
The movie was poorly received critically, with a score of 4% on Rotten Tomatoes and 2 out of 5 on Amazon Prime Video. The unconvincing acting, low-budget visuals, and heavy-handed branded content are among the reasons for the film's poor reception.
Despite the criticism, War of the Worlds (2025) is available on Amazon Prime Video. The movie, a collaboration between Amazon and Universal, takes place almost entirely via webcam, adding to the film's unique appeal.
Online, the movie has been the subject of jokes about Ice Cube's acting and is described as 'content' more than a film, cheap to make, and full of product placement. One online sleuth has even tracked down a crudely edited photo lifted from a real meeting of a Secretary of Defense advisory board, further adding to the film's controversy.
In summary, the product placement in Amazon Prime Video's War of the Worlds remake was not only excessive but also unrealistic, detracting significantly from the movie experience according to critics and viewers. The film's poor reception, combined with its unique webcam-based format and controversial product placement, make it a film that is certainly worth discussing, if not necessarily watching.
[1] Critic Reviews for War of the Worlds (2025) - Rotten Tomatoes [2] War of the Worlds (2025) Review – A 90-Minute Long Amazon Advertisement - The Verge [3] War of the Worlds (2025) Review: A Cringeworthy Exercise in Product Placement - The Guardian [4] The Worst Product Placement Scenes in War of the Worlds (2025) - YouTube [5] The Most Blatant Examples of Product Placement in War of the Worlds (2025) - Twitter
- The much-anticipated 3D remake of War of the Worlds, designed by a creative team, premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2025, causing controversy due to its extensive product placement, transforming the film into a 90-minute long advertisement for Amazon.
- Criticized for its excessive and unrealistic branding, the film's plot heavily revolves around Amazon’s products and services such as Amazon Prime Air drone delivery.
- Characters exhibit how to log on to Amazon and order delivery, intertwining the branding so intimately that it feels forced and unnatural within the narrative.
- The film, a collaboration between Amazon and Universal, boasts a unique layout as it takes place almost entirely via webcam, adding to its appeal.
- Critics have slammed War of the Worlds (2025) for poor acting, low-budget visuals, and heavy-handed advertising, resulting in a score of just 4% on Rotten Tomatoes and 2 out of 5 on Amazon Prime Video.
- Online, the film has been subject to jokes about Ice Cube's acting, described as 'content' more than a film, and labeled as cheaply made, filled with product placement.
- One online sleuth even found a photo lifted from a real meeting of a Secretary of Defense advisory board, adding to the film's controversy.
- Despite its poor reception, the film is available on Amazon Prime Video, offering an interesting discussion topic within entertainment news, general news, and crime and justice, particularly regarding movie-related inspiration and the role of color in UI and logo design.
