Best Branded AR Filters in April | AR Marketing Selection April

As always, Augmented Reality was embraced by both brands and social media users, creating new engagement opportunities for audiences seeking brands that offer campaigns rooted in entertainment and direct interaction. These experiences invite users to share, comment, and take part in the initiative, blending creativity with participation.

In April, we were flooded with TV and movie premieres—from long-awaited shows like You and Black Mirror to movies like Until Dawn. The film and entertainment industries continue to provide a wide range of opportunities for AR campaigns, whether it’s by letting users become main characters, turning their surroundings into scenes from the movie with digital overlays, or creating interactive AR games that challenge users to face show-themed difficulties.

And while TV shows and movies dominated April’s AR campaigns, there’s more: beauty, music, FMCG, and more sectors also contributed to a wave of new, engaging experiences that captivated social media users across the globe.

🎥 AR Movie Promotions

Horror fans were treated to something special this month with the premieres of two major movies: Until Dawn, based on the beloved video game of the same name, and The Sinners. Both marketing strategies took a similar approach—creating buzz around the films on TikTok and Snapchat by transforming users into characters through Augmented Reality. The 20th Century Studios also promotes The Amateur Movie through futuristic animations, transforming each user into a CIA Agent.

These experiences allowed users to activate digital transformations, changing their appearances to match the eerie vibe of the movies. As a result, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, and the 20th Century Studios generated significant social media buzz, offering easily accessible and interactive experiences that encouraged users to participate in the promotion and share their content organically.

👾 Bitmojis Taking Over AR Campaigns

In April, several brands across different industries chose to add a layer of personalization to their campaigns by incorporating Bitmojis. This allowed users not only to activate the experience but also to customize it, increasing engagement.

For example, Dior introduced the B35 NXXT sneakers through a Bitmoji-powered Snapchat Lens with a virtual try-on feature—transforming a high-fashion luxury brand into an accessible and interactive retailer for modern consumers. Nike created a shared AR experience where Snapchat users could play as their Bitmojis, collect points, and enjoy a youthful aesthetic infused with Gen Z slang, directly appealing to a younger audience.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola focused on building community. Their campaign allowed users to send personalized messages through Coke cans accompanied by Bitmojis, making the experience heartfelt and more shareable.

🌸 Jean Paul Gaultier AR Promotion

To promote its luxury perfume collection, Jean Paul Gaultier launched a dual-platform AR campaign: one on Snapchat and the other on TikTok.

The Snapchat Lens blended the brand’s signature elegance with modern technology by overlaying real-world surroundings with stylish digital elements. These visuals reflected the fragrance’s ingredients, creating a matching ambiance around the user.

On TikTok, the brand embraced the audio-reactive AR trend, offering a playful experience based on users’ voices. The challenge? Pronounce the product names or brand-related elements correctly as difficulty increases. The campaign promoted Elixir Absolu, making the luxury fragrance more relatable and entertaining for everyday users.

Like Dior, Gaultier’s AR-powered campaign made high-end branding more accessible and appealing to younger audiences.

📺 April TV Premieres Through AR Lenses

Not sure what to watch first? No wonder—this April brought a lot of options. Major shows like Black Mirror, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Last of Us, and You just returned with new seasons, exciting fans across the globe.

And with the premieres came themed AR experiences that kept the hype alive. Streaming platforms launched AR filters on Snapchat and TikTok, encouraging fans to transform into their favorite characters, play themed AR games to “survive” the story, or explore familiar show locations through digital overlays.

A lot happened in the new episodes—and one thing is certain: these shows will be talked about for a long time. The AR campaigns helped extend the conversation, offering fans new ways to immerse themselves in their favorite series beyond just binge-watching.

April showed us, once again, that AR is a dynamic tool for storytelling and engagement. From horror movie promos and TV show launches to luxury beauty experiences and Bitmoji-fueled personalization, AR campaigns continue to evolve—capturing attention, driving interaction, and creating unforgettable moments across platforms.

May, you’ve got big shoes to fill.