Oh Right, There's A Football Game Also
The Super Bowl is the biggest event of the year in North America. But of the over 100 million people that are going to watch the game on TV—there are no doubt millions who don't really care about the game and are just there for the commercials.
Super Bowl ads have become an industry unto themselves, with companies shelling out huge bucks and huge ideas to get all those eyeballs watching and then buying their products. These are the best and the most memorable Super Bowl commercials of all time.
Apple: 1984 (1984)
Inspired by George Orwell’s novel, 1984—and directed by the legendary Ridley Scott—this ad (introducing the world to the new Macintosh computer is probably the most famous Super Bowl ad of all time (even though it only ever aired one time nationally).
Wendy’s: "Where’s The Beef?" (1984)
Wendy's took this opportunity to lift themselves up while also getting in a good dig at their fast food competitors with the old ladies asking "Where's the beef?" Another all-timer commercial from the 1984 Super Bowl (as opposed to the boring game that saw the Los Angeles Raiders defeat Washington 38-9).
Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, Wendy’s: "Where’s The Beef?" (1984)
Disney: "I'm Going To Disney World" (1987)
It's become as much a part of the big game as the Gatorade bath and the trophy presentation—a player from the winning team appears in a commercial announcing "I'm Going to Disney World". Well, that first one came back in 1987 and featured NY Giants QB Phil Simms.
Walt Disney, Disney: "I'm Going to Disney World" (1987)
Coca-Cola: "Hey Kid, Catch" (1980)
The Pittsburgh Steelers won the 1980 Super Bowl and Pittsburgh Steeler defensive tackle “Mean” Joe Greene won the commercials with his Coca-cola ad that aired during the game. “Mean” Joe Greene became "Sweet" Joe Green when he tossed a kid his jersey after the little guy offered him a Coke to cheer him up after a tough game.
American Eagle, Coca-Cola: "Hey Kid, Catch" (1980)
McDonald’s: The Showdown (1993)
Before there was Dude Perfect, there was Larry Bird and Michael Jordan going trick shot for trick shot in this all-time classic Super Bowl ad from 1993. Nothin' but net!
PBS, McDonald’s: The Showdown (1993)
Old Spice: The Man Your Man Could Smell Like (2010)
The whole series of Old Spice commercials became ingrained in our 2010s pop culture heads—but did you know that the first one, the one that started it all, premiered during the 2010 Super Bowl? "I'm on a horse" is still funny.
Wieden+Kennedy, Old Spice: The Man Your Man Could Smell Like (2010)
Snickers: Betty White (2010)
Snickers did a bunch of commercials featuring the phrase, “You’re not you when you’re hungry”—but none were as good as the one that premiered during the 2010 Super Bowl and starred Betty White as a hangry football player.
BBDO, Snickers: Betty White (2010)
Budweiser: "Wassup!" (2000)
If you were a male of a certain age in the 2000s, you no doubt Wassssssssup!'d your friends at least a few times. The over-the-top greeting even made its way onto The Office (although, only Michael and Dwight still thought it was cool at that point).
DDB Chicago, Budweiser: "Wassup!" (2000)
Google: Parisian Love (2010)
A guy goes to study abroad in Paris where he meets a woman at a cafe. They flirt and date and when it's time for him to leave, he decides to get a job in Paris so that they can stay together. They eventually get married and have a baby. During the 2010 Super Bowl, Google told this entire love story in 50 seconds via nothing more than a google search window—and we loved it.
Google ad team, Google: Parisian Love (2010)
Amazon: Alexa Loses Her Voice (2018)
Oh no, Alexa has lost her voice. But have no fear, Gordon Ramsay, Rebel Wilson, Cardi-B, and Anthony Hopkins are ready to take over (with hilarious results).
Lucky Generals, Amazon: Alexa Loses Her Voice (2018)
Pepsi: Cindy Crawford (1992)
Pepsi brought out a supermodel for the Super Bowl—Cindy Crawford in a pair of daisy dukes drinking a Pepsi. A simple premise that had everyone glued to their seats.
Pytka Productions, Pepsi: Cindy Crawford (1992)
Budweiser: Clydesdales
For some people, a Super Bowl isn't really a Super Bowl without a Budweiser commercial featuring the famous Clydesdales. There have been so many of them over the years that picking one is a tough ask. But, that's why we're here, so we are going to go with...
DDB Chicago, Budweiser: Clydesdales (2013)
Budweiser: Puppy Love (2014)
In 2014, Bud didn't just give us the beautiful horses—they threw in a ridiculously cute puppy too. The powerful friendship between puppy and horse, the bond that can't be broken, "Let Her Go" by Passenger... It all adds up to one heartwarming and unforgettable commercial.
RSA Films, Budweiser: Puppy Love (2014)
Nike: Hare Jordan (1993)
After Bugs Bunny (in his Hare Jordans) and Michael Jordan (in his Air Jordans) easily defeat everyone else on the court, Bugs says to Michael, "This could be the beginning of a beauty-ful friendship!" Turns out it was. Or, at least, it was the commercial that spawned Space Jam.
Pytka Productions, Nike: Hare Jordan (1993)
Tide: It’s A Tide Ad (2018)
Since every Super Bowl ad features people wearing stain-free clothes—does that make every Super Bowl ad a Tide ad? That's the question Stranger Things actor David Harbour hilariously asks in this 2018 ad for the popular detergent.
Saatchi & Saatchi, Tide: It’s A Tide Ad (2018)
Master Lock: Tough Under Fire (1974)
A man blows a hole through a Master Lock with a rifle and the lock stays locked.
Weber, McNutt & Co., Master Lock: Tough Under Fire (1974)
Budweiser: Budweiser Frogs (1995)
Three frogs sitting on lily pads croaking out "Bud", "Weis", and "Er" in and out of sequence. Simple...yet very effective.
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Budweiser: Budweiser Frogs (1995)
EDS: "Cat Herding" (2000)
We'll be honest: We totally remember this very funny commercial about "cowboy" cat herders, but we had no memory of what company the commercial was for. Turns out it was Electronic Data Systems (EDS)—a now defunct brand that was part of Hewlett-Packard and rebranded in 2009.
Still...great commercial.
CBS, EDS: "Cat Herding" (2000)
Volkswagen: The Force (2011)
A kid dressed up as Darth Vader spends his day trying to use the force of the dark side on everything from a doll to the laundry machines to the family dog—to no avail. Then, when dad comes home, he makes a final attempt on the Volkswagen and...it works! (With a little help from dad's remote starter). Love it!
Park Pictures, Volkswagen: The Force (2011)
Reebok: Terry Tate: Office Linebacker (2003)
Imagine how productivity would go up in your office if there was a linebacker working there who tackled anyone doing anything they weren't supposed to be doing. That was the basic idea behind this super funny Super Bowl ad from Reebok.
Industry Entertainment, Reebok: Terry Tate: Office Linebacker (2003)
Mountain Dew: "Puppy Monkey Baby" (2016)
What is a puppy monkey baby you ask? Well, we guess you never saw the totally absurd Mountain Dew Super Bowl ad featuring a thing with the head of a pug, the body of a monkey, and the legs of a human baby—who just keeps repeating "Puppy Monkey Baby". We don't know why we loved it, but we did.
Smith and Jones Films, Mountain Dew: Puppy Monkey Baby' (2016)
Coinbase: QR Code (2022)
You know the expression "less is more"? Well, Coinbase took that to the extreme with their 60-second ad during the 2022 Super Bowl that was nothing more than a QR code slowly bouncing around the screen. Yup, that was literally the entire minute.
Now, if you scanned this QR code, you were taken to Coinbase’s promotional website, where they were offering a limited-time promotion. And it must've worked because when this commercial aired, it was so popular, Coinbase's app crashed.
VaynerMedia, Coinbase: QR Code (2022)
T-Mobile: Scrubs Duet (2022)
Ever since Scrubs went off the air back in 2010, fans had been hoping to see JD and Turk reunited on TV again. And while what we really wanted was a Scrubs reboot—at least we got this "I Feel Pretty" parody sing-along duet for T-Mobile.
And talking about bringing back beloved TV characters...
Publicis Seattle, T-Mobile: Scrubs Duet (2022)
Esurance: Sorta Pharmacy (2015)
Esurance brought back Breaking Bad's Walter White as "Sorta Greg" in this quick and funny "Sorta Pharmacy" ad in 2015. More than just sorta memorable—especially for all the Breaking Bad fans out there.
Leo Burnett Chicago, Esurance: Sorta Pharmacy (2015)
FedEx: "Cast Away" (2006)
You know in Cast Away when Tom Hanks holds onto that one unopened package for his entire duration on the island until finally delivering it upon his return to safety all those years later? Well, imagine that in that unopened package there was a satellite phone, a GPS locator, seeds, fishing wire, and a water purifier.
BBDO New York, FedEx: "Cast Away" (2006)
BMW: Zeus And Hera Retire (2022)
Arnold Schwarzenegger (as Zeus) and Salma Hayek (as Hera) have retired to Palm Springs in this great ad for BMW's all electric car. Zeus isn't really enjoying retirement life (walking Pegasus, playing golf, and recharging the neighbor's power tools with his electric bolt finger).
But Hera knows what will get him out of his doldrums...the all new, all electric BMW.
Goodby Silverstein and Partners, BMW: Zeus and Hera Retire (2022)
E*Trade: Talking Babies (2008)
1989's Look Who's Talking taught us many things. But maybe its most important lesson was: people love babies that talk like grown-ups. Well, 20 years later, E*Trade took that lesson and put it to great use with their "talking babies" commercial during the 2008 Super Bowl. It was such a hit, there were a whole bunch more ads and talking babies that followed.
And while we're on the subject of ads inspired by 80s movies...
Grey New York, E*Trade: Talking Babies (2008)
Taco Bell: Viva Young (2013)
We don't know if this 2013 Taco Bell Super Bowl ad is actually inspired by Ron Howard's 1985 film Cocoon, but it's the first thing we thought of when we saw it. A bunch of spry and energetic senior citizens sneak out of the retirement home for a night of drinking, dancing, debauchery and, of course, Taco Bell.
Deutsch LA, Taco Bell: Viva Young (2013)
Fabletics: Kevin Hart (2023)
On one half of the screen, you have amazing Fabletics deals. On the other half, you have Kevin Hart being really really funny. Put those two halves together and you got one great commercial.
Hartbeat, Fabletics: Kevin Hart (2023)
Pluto TV: Couch Potato Farms (2024)
Pluto TV made a splash with their first Super Bowl ad in 2024, celebrating the couch potato. The commercial takes you to a farm where they grow couch potatoes—nourishing them with all the free TV content on Pluto TV.
Imperial Woodpecker, Pluto TV: Couch Potato Farms (2024)
Bubly: Michael Bublé Vs Bubly (2019)
We don't know if the Bubly company named their product knowing Michael Bublé was going to be their spokesman, or if they just got really lucky when he agreed to do it—but either way, it was a genius move that paid off in a series of funny commercials, including the 2019 Super Bowl ad in which he pronounces the drink's name as he does his own last name.
Moxie Pictures, Bubly: Michael Bublé vs. Bubly (2019)
T-Mobile: The Mix-Up (2021)
The fact that Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton were down for poking fun at their opposites-attract relationship made this T-Mobile Super Bowl ad a hit back in 2021.
Panay Films, T-Mobile: The Mix-Up (2021)
Booking.com: Book Whoever You Want To Be (2024)
Glenn Close and Jane Krakowski both portray different Tina Feys in this Super Bowl ad in which all of the booking choices means Tina Fey (and you) can be whatever version of yourself you want to be.
MJZ, Booking.com: Book whoever you want to be (2024)
UberEats: The Beckhams (2024)
Those who had watched the Beckhams' reality show on Netflix got all of the references in their 2024 UberEats ad. Those that hadn't seen the show just thought it was a funny ad with David and Victoria. Either way it's a win.
And while we're talking about David Beckham...
Special Group USA, Uber Eats: The Beckhams (2024)
Stella Artois: David And Dave: The Other David (2025)
When David Beckham finds out he has a brother named Dave who lives in the United States, he goes to meet him. Matt Damon plays the brother and the ad just gets funnier and funnier—it even throws in a little dig at Damon's bestie Ben Affleck in the end (or is it a dig at Damon?).
Artists Equity, Stella Artois: David and Dave: The Other David (2025)
FTX: "Don't Miss Out" (2022)
Putting aside the fact that the company defrauded people, went bankrupt, and its founder Sam Bankman-Fried is in prison—this is a really, really funny commercial. In the ad, Larry David plays a guy who thinks every great invention is a bad idea. Turns out he was actually right about FTX.
Partizan, TX: "Don't Miss Out" (2022)
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