Balloons In Pop Culture: Iconic Balloons In Movies And TV

Balloons are not just a staple party decoration in Singapore; they can also serve as creative props or profound symbols in movies and television shows. As a matter of fact, there are already numerous scenes in pop culture that involve the use of balloons either as simple props or as a symbol of a bigger concept. Most of the time, balloons in pop culture represent escape, adventure, and romance.

That being said, the use of balloons in movies and shows is not limited to any specific genre. You can find them in a children’s show, in a thought-provoking comedy-drama, and even in a horror film. To give you a glimpse of how widely used balloons are in pop culture, here are some of the most iconic balloons featured in movies and television shows.

The Balloon House from Pixar’s Up

It is almost impossible to talk about balloons in pop culture without mentioning the balloon house in Pixar’s 2009 animated film, “Up.” It is basically the story of an old man who ties thousands of helium balloons to his house to fulfill a lifelong dream. This balloon house then takes him into the sky, along with a little boy scout in search of adventure. Due to the popularity of this movie, there have been several discussions online on whether it is indeed possible to fly a house with the use of balloons.

Pennywise’s Red Balloon in It

As mentioned earlier, the use of balloons as movie props is not limited to any genre. In fact, you can find balloons in the most unexpected kinds of movies, such as horror films. One example of such a movie is the 2017 supernatural horror film based on a Stephen King novel, “It.” Along with its antagonist, Pennywise, It was largely promoted with the image of a red balloon. Because the film’s protagonists are children, the red balloon serves as a symbol of a corrupted childhood and a terrifying method of luring.

The Sentient Balloon in The Red Balloon 

One of the most iconic examples of a balloon in film comes in the stunning 1956 film by Albert Lamorisse titled, “The Red Balloon.”  This film follows the story of a young boy who walks through a Parisian neighbourhood with a sentient red balloon. Because the film was made after the Second World War, its cinematography is quite dark, which gives a depressing quality to the overall mood. In contrast, the bright colour of the red balloon acts as a symbol of light and hope within the film.

Balloony from Phineas and Ferb

Movies are not the only ones to use balloons as props or symbols; you can also find these inflatables in many television shows, especially those made for children. One popular balloon character in a television show is Balloony from Disney’s animated series, “Phineas and Ferb.” Balloony is a balloon that the main antagonist, Doofenshmirtz, obtained as a child. Balloony served as Doofenshmirtz’s best friend until it got lost one night after floating away.

Alan Keane from The Amazing Word of Gumball 

Another famous balloon character that a lot of children probably recognise is Alan Keane from the Cartoon Network animated series, “The Amazing World of Gumball.” Alan Keane is a slightly-deflated, teal-coloured rubber balloon whose face is drawn on with black marker ink. He has a high-pitched voice primarily because he is inflated with helium and is portrayed to have good looks and a friendly demeanour. He appeared several times throughout the series’ six seasons.

The Balloon Heads from Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre

If you are a fan of Japanese manga and anime, then you have probably already heard of the creepy balloon heads from the “Balloon Heads” episode of “Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre.” Basically, in this episode, multiple sightings of a popular idol’s giant and grotesque head floating in the sky occur after she dies by what seems to be suicide. According to fan theories, the hanging balloons are intended to be metaphors for suicidal thoughts and ideation.

Conclusion

With their aesthetics and functionality, it comes as no surprise that balloons have already made numerous appearances in movies and television shows. Indeed, these fantastic inflatables are not just useful for decorating parties; they can also serve as effective props and deep symbols in pop culture. And the list of impressive movies and shows mentioned in this article proves exactly this!

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