Is it really possible that it’s only now, 25 years after the first Bad Boys movie dropped, that one can actually buy Bad Boys’ merch?
Apparently so, and shoppers have only the week before Christmas to get their hands on the Will Smith/Martin Lawrence-themed clothing line at an online pop-up shop, the badboysmoviestore.com.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the first Bad Boys flick, the action-comedy franchise released a clothing capsule just in time for the holidays. The nine-piece collection includes T-shirts, pullover hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts, and a couple of accessories, most of which are presented in monochromatic colors.
The imagery in the collection reflects the original 1995 film as well as the 2003 and 2020 sequels. You’ll see screen-printed quotes and photos of the film’s two main protagonists—Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett—played by Smith and Lawrence, and the collection is anchored on the franchises’ catch line, “We ride together, we die together.” Apparently, we also now market together.
The first movie was one of Michael Bay’s early successes, and the most recent installment Bad Boys For Life was among the highest grossing films of 2020 … though to be fair, it has been a grim year for box office receipts. Nevertheless, actor Will Smith recently told the Hollywood Reporter that Bad Boys is the film that most often prompts fans to ask for a new sequel.
“Of the movies I’ve done where people walk up on the street and say, ‘Hey, man, when are you going to do another one?’ Bad Boys is the one,” Smith said. “Nobody is asking for Pursuit of Happiness 2.”
The Bad Boys Merch is also very much a limited time offer, as the website makes it clear.
“This store features official gear from the Bad Boys team and will be open for 10 days, and 10 days only,” the site warns. “Get it here, or get it from some kid on an app for triple the price next week. Repeat: once these products drop, they will be live for 10 days and 10 days only. All products will be produced and printed once the 10 day drop ends.”