Some groups have made claims that subliminal messages can be found in various forms of popular entertainment, such as the supposed use of "backward messages" in rock and roll songs. Conservative activist Donald Wildmon has claimed that The Walt Disney Company inserted the word "SEX" into the clouds in a scene in the animated film, The Lion King. According to Disney, however, the frame in question actually reads "SFX", a common abbreviation for "special effects", and was a signature by the effects animation team for their work. The lettering is ambiguous, but apparently supports Disney's claim.

In the Led Zeppelin song "Stairway to Heaven", when played backwards, there are supposedly subliminal Satanic messages. At the "If there's a bustle in your hedgerow..." part, the singer says "here's to my sweet Satan", "he'll give you 666", and includes references to "a path of sadness" that the writer of the song, Robert Plant, has had to endure.

In Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust", when the chorus is singled out and played backwards, they can be heard saying "It's fun to smoke marijuana" (originally "Another one bites the dust").

In Wario Ware Touched, if one plays Ashley's song quickly, it seems to say "I have granted kids to hell." However, this is simply a coincidence.

In the field of Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), as a form of subliminal messages the concept of "embedded commands" are used to mark out statements for participants and subjects unconscious minds. Ross Jeffries teaches this technique within the context of subliminal seduction.

While their ultimate efficacy is somewhat controversial, subliminal messages have a long history in television shows, movies, and novels.

As a joke, the creators of Beavis and Butt-Head inserted an obvious subliminal message with the twosome headbanging to the words "Nachos Rule", in flashing light.

The movie Josie and the Pussycats described a long lasting plot whereby the US government was controlling trends by inserting subliminal messages in popular music. Furthermore, towards the end of the film, a government agent shuts down the operation, saying that subliminal advertising works better in films. The words "Josie and the Pussycats is the best movie ever" are then spoken rapidly in voice-over and displayed quickly onscreen. Also, there are literally hundreds of product placement shots throughout the film, also related to that joke.

The plot of the movie They Live revolves around a man accidentally acquiring a pair of sunglasses which allow the wearer to see subliminal messages in billboards, magazines, and even money.

An episode of the The Simpsons involved Bart and his friends joining a boy band, the Party Posse. While watching a video for the Party Posse, Lisa notices the phrase "Yvan Eht Nioj" being repeated continuously by belly-dancers. She plays the video in reverse and finds that it means "Join the Navy". Also, an Uncle Sam "I Want You" poster can be seen in the video frame by frame. The joke was that the United States sends subliminal messages in order to recruit people. In addition, the art of "superliminal messages" was demonstrated to Lisa; a Navy representative leans out a window, picks a random passerby, and hollars "Hey you! Join the Navy!"

In Father Ted, in the episode where the title character is accused of being a racist, and invites ethnic members to a presentation, slides saying FATHER TED CRILLY, NOT A RACIST can be seen quite deliberatly flashing up.

In an episode of Babylon 5, during a scene which represents a public service announcement for Psi Corps, the words "TRUST THE CORPS" and "THE CORPS IS YOUR FRIEND" appear on screen for four frames, double the length of what the FCC designated as subliminal.

I thought there was a law against the use of subliminal messages on TV. Have I just had the wrong impression? Are we receiving subliminal messages in commercials? I feel silly for asking, but I assumed it was outlawed a long time ago. Does anyone know for certain?

JUST THINK OF THE MCDONALDS SAYING "I'M LOVING IT"........ OR RALLYS "YOU GOTTA EAT" .....
THESE ARE VERY CATCHY ....AND TEND TO BE ONE OF THOSE SONGS THAT -`GET STUCK IN YOUR HEAD`-.....
LOOK AT HOW MANY AMERICANS EAT THAT UNHEALTHY STUFF EVERY DAY........ ARE THEY LOVING WHAT IT'S DOING TO THEIR HEALTH AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.......... MCDONALS " I'M LOVIN IT" HA....THAT WAS PRETTY GUINEIOUS......... OR RALLYS "YOU GOTTA EAT"...... I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD HEAR THEM SAY SOMETHING LIKE "EAT TO LIVE"..