Top 20 Best Super Bowl Commercials Ever Created
#20: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2000)
Mountain Dew Let’s be honest. Every time the “Scaramouche, Scaramouche” part of “Bohemian Rhapsody” comes up, there’s a part of us that instinctually thinks, “Mountain Dew, Mountain Dew!” It sounds strange considering how well-known the 1975 song is. However, this parody version gets us so pumped that it feels more like an extension of Queen’s magnum opus than a satire of it. The folks behind the ad clearly wanted to trigger excitement, as reflected through the high-adrenaline imagery. Watching this commercial evokes the same rush we’d get from a rock concert, and no song is worthier of thunderous applause than “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s such an exhilarating commercial that we almost forget about the branding yet still come to associate the song with a soda.
#19: “Baby” (2008)
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E*Trade Initially played by Manolo Gonzalez, the E*Trade Baby made his debut over a decade-and-a-half ago. If that doesn’t make you feel old, the fact that this baby is now a teenager will. Commercials with babies are usually safe bets, but talking babies can veer into creepy territory. Thankfully, the E*Trade Baby was a wise investment. Between comedian Pete Holmes’ voiceover, the imperfect lip-syncing, and Gonzalez’s natural charisma, this ad campaign hit the ground running with a mix of cuteness and surrealism that cleverly got E*Trade’s message across: our service is so simple that even a baby can use it. Beyond E*Trade, these commercials demonstrated the power of YouTube, being among the earlier Super Bowl ads to go viral on the platform.
#18: “Cast Away” (2003)
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FedEx Super Bowl commercials have become increasingly reliant on movie sendups, some better than others. Almost twenty years later, this “Cast Away” parody remains the gold standard. Rather than just reference moments and lines from Robert Zemeckis’ film, the commercial produces an alternate ending sharp enough to be an “SNL” sketch. Having made it off the island, our castaway delivers the package that got him through the past five years. Turns out that he probably could’ve escaped in five days because a satellite phone is just one of the helpful items inside. Considering that the film had such a life-affirming ending, seeing this commercial go in the opposite direction is a hilarious whiplash. The fact that FedEx was involved in both only adds to the comedy.
#17: “Parisian Love” (2009-10)
Google Technology has changed how we interact with the world around us. In some cases, this creates distance, but in others, it can bring people together in unexpected ways. Examining one’s search history, you may find a digital footprint that tells a deeper story. This is the setup for Google’s “Parisian Love” ad, which was released in November 2009 before finding a wider audience through the 2010 Super Bowl. In a triumph of visual storytelling, we focus on a Google search engine inquiring about studying in Paris. Priorities change as a French woman comes into the searcher’s life, making Paris their new home. Without even revealing the person behind the keyboard, the audience is swept off their feet in this love story for the digital age.
#16: “Imported from Detroit” (2011)
Chrysler Any commercial that features “Lose Yourself” is already off to a strong start. Acquiring the rights to a popular song is one thing, but what matters most is how the music is employed. Just as it did in the film “8 Mile,” Eminem’s Oscar-winning song is an ideal match for this gritty yet empowering commercial. Where most Super Bowl ads strive to paint the prettiest portrait possible, this one submerges us in the hard-hitting backdrop of Detroit. It may not be the rosiest locale, but it takes nerves of steel to craft a car with the fortitude of the Chrysler 200. Although ultimately portraying Detroit in a positive light, there’s an honesty to the commercial that leaves us with a newfound respect for the city.
#15: “The Force” (2011)
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Volkswagen A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… people had to wait until the Super Bowl to watch Super Bowl commercials. “The Force” was something of a game-changer. The ad follows a mini Darth Vader attempting to use the Force. After several failed attempts, the Padawan seemingly fires up a Volkswagen when in reality, his father is having a little fun. Volkswagen knew they had a promising ad, but it ran 60 seconds. With a 30-second spot reserved for game day, ad agency Deutsch had an inspired idea: why not post the long version online a few days early? It was unconventional, but by the time kickoff commenced, the ad had gained 17 million views, forever intertwining social media with the Super Bowl.
#14: “When I Grow Up” (1999)
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Monster.com When a Super Bowl commercial is presented in black-and-white with children talking directly into the camera, you expect something unabashedly profound. This commercial surprised viewers with its cynical edge, however. Rather than reach for the stars, these kids reach for middle management at most, listing their less-than-thrilling career aspirations. In place of seasoned child stars, director Bryan Buckley opted to cast amateurs, adding another level of realism to the brutally honest script. In its own way, the commercial does motivate viewers to pursue a better job. Rather than use obvious tactics to inspire us, though, this commercial flips those cliches on their heads. This approach resonated with many, as Monsters.com went from an average of 1.5 unique monthly visitors to 2.5 million.
#13: “It’s a Tide Ad” (2018)
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Tide The Super Bowl is known for showcasing the most creative commercials on TV. While some ads live up to that reputation, others blend in with each other. We mean, how many Super Bowl commercials open with a celebrity driving a car? Our guess is in the 50% range. When David Harbour drove onto the scene in 2018, we expected more of the same. Harbour suddenly shifts gears, moving to other familiar settings like a bar and a ranch. What exactly is this ad for? Tide, of course! Harbour proceeds to invade other commercials, demonstrating how any ad can be a Tide ad. By pointing out how formulaic a lot of commercials are, this ad created something truly fresh… much like your clothes after using Tide!
#12: “Just My Shell” (2012)
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M&M’s It’s not what’s on the outside that matters. It’s what’s on the inside. When you’re a chocolate candy, though, it can get a little confusing if your shell matches your interior. This Super Bowl commercial introduced the world to Ms. Brown, the most sophisticated and intellectual M&M. Ms. Brown’s serious demeanor perfectly compliments Red’s childish antics when a misunderstanding arises. Assuming that Brown showed up without her shell, Red decides to reveal it all. Being an M&M, there isn’t much for the censors to crack down on. The commercial manages to be risque without actually showing us anything graphic. It’s an ad that works on multiple levels with kids laughing at the colorful characters while adults ponder, “Can an M&M be sexy?”
#11: “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)
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Old Spice There’s no denying that most of the ads you see during sporting events are directed at men. We’d say that this commercial is for the ladies, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love The Man Your Man Could Smell Like. It isn’t just Isaiah Mustafa’s dashing good looks or the smell of Old Spice that draws us in. It’s the rapid-fire delivery with lines that we’re still quoting over a decade later. This Emmy-winning commercial wasn’t targeted at one gender, but rather, a generation raised on quirky yet clever humor. Despite not airing during the actual game as intended, the ad quickly became a phenomenon, again showing how the internet can drastically extend a Super Bowl commercial’s reach and shelf life.
#10: “Pug Attack” (2011)
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Doritos People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Likewise, people standing behind a glass door shouldn’t tease dogs with Doritos. That last saying isn’t as commonly used, but it gained more prominence thanks to this outrageous commercial. Through their “Crash the Super Bowl” contest, Doritos has allowed consumers to create some of the 21st century’s funniest ads. For some, this commercial from J.R. Burningham and Tess Ortbals will subvert expectations. Others might see the payoff coming. Either way, it’s incredibly satisfying - to not mention hilarious - watching the jerky boyfriend get his comeuppance while the dog gets his deserved treat. We also love that the boyfriend is more concerned about the Doritos than his girlfriend’s damaged property or his potential injuries.
#9: “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” (2003)
Reebok We regret to inform you that Terry Tate isn’t an actual linebacker… or person. He’s a character portrayed by actor Lester Speight. Then again, this might come as a relief. Now we can go into the office on Monday without fear of being tackled. This commercial and the shorts that proceed it foreshadowed much of the humor that director Rawson Marshall Thurber would bring to “DodgeBall.” As preposterous as the setup is, we believe Speight in this role. We also believe the pain that he inflicts upon his co-workers, which is integral to the comedy. Just as funny as the physical comedy bits are the verbal smackdowns that Terry unleashes, as well as everyone’s indifference as long as they’re the ones not being hurled around.
#8: “Monks” (1977)
Xerox By the time “Monks” premiered, the Super Bowl had been an annual event for nearly a decade. Although there had been prominent Super Bowl ads before, the commercial break was still generally seen as an opportunity to use the bathroom. After “Monks,” more people realized that the commercials could be more entertaining than the game. Tasked with devising a Xerox ad, inspiration hit Allen Kay in the middle of the night. Calling his partner Lois Korey around 4:00 AM, Kay had two words: “A monk!” Played by Jack Eagle, Brother Dominic finds that the days of duplicating text by hand are over, turning to a higher power: the Xerox 9200! It’s a brilliant premise, smartly executed, setting a tone for modern Super Bowl commercials.
#7: “Cat Herders” (2000)
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Electronic Data Systems When a Super Bowl commercial features cute cats, the work is practically half done. This commercial goes the extra mile, however. The cats might be the hook, but the ad wouldn’t be nearly as memorable without the breathtaking Western backdrops or the straight-faced cowboys. Making the ad even funnier, actual cowboys were enlisted to discuss how serious cat herding is without a hint of sarcasm. While most of the cats were computer-generated, roughly 60 were real with trainers on-site. Everything about the commercial’s production, from the cinematography to the seamless effects, astounds us. The fact that such craft went into a ridiculous idea is what propels “Cat Herders” into the all-timer club. EDS went defunct in 2009, but cat herding remains an eternal pastime.
#6: “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010)
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Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” evolved into one of Snickers’ most successful ad campaigns, although it’s hard to top the commercial that kicked things off. Part of that’s because we went in with no expectations. Seeing Betty White get slammed down into the mud, we were intrigued, yet confused. We were even more perplexed when one of the players referred to the “Golden Girls” star as “Mike.” Everything falls into place when Mike’s girlfriend hands him a Snickers, supplying the boost needed to revert back to his usual self. During the final stages of Betty White’s illustrious career, this commercial provided a career highlight that only gained her more fans. The same goes for Abe Vigoda. Alas, Snickers couldn’t get him off the hook.
#5: “The Showdown” (1993)
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McDonald’s A year after helping Bugs Bunny on the court, Michael Jordan went up against Larry Bird with the ultimate prize on the line: A Big Mac. The two square off in a game of H-O-R-S-E, no dunking - a line that Bird himself contributed. Jordan and Bird keep finding new ways to up the ante, but neither appears capable of missing. By the time they start shooting from a skyscraper, there’s seemingly nowhere else to go. Turns out there is, as this commercial received a sequel that took them to space with Charles Barkley. We guess you could call this a tie, but Bird eventually got his Big Mac at the expense of LeBron James and Dwight Howard. It comes full circle like a net.
#4: “Cindy Crawford” (1992)
Pepsi From Michael J. Fox to Britney Spears, Pepsi always brings out the A-listers and their A-game when it comes to the Super Bowl. Yet, it doesn’t get more iconic than Cindy Crawford drinking a Pepsi. Sporting a white tank top and jean shorts so recognizable that the outfit could be a Halloween costume, Crawford arrives at a soda machine. Two boys appear enamored by the thirsty supermodel, although they truly have eyes for the sleek new Pepsi can. While Crawford brings a sex-positive allure to the ad, it also possesses an innocent nativity that’s sure to leave a smirk on your face. The commercial has been recreated numerous times, including by Crawford herself, but the original belongs to every generation.
#3: “Frogs” (1995)
Budweiser You never know what direction Budweiser is going to take come game day. (xref) Will they bring us something silly like “Whassup?” or will they lift our spirits as they did with the “Clydesdale Respect” ad following 9/11? If we had to single out the ad that left the greatest impact in pop culture, the credit must go to three frogs named Bud, Weise, and Er. The ad simply consists of the frog trio croaking their names, which spells out Budweiser when uttered in succession. It’s hard to explain why this commercial works, but the inspired mix of puppetry, sound effects, and quirky humor resulted in an unforgettable Super Bowl moment. It also established director Gore Verbinski’s reputation for turning strange concepts into treasure.
#2: “Hey Kid, Catch!” (1979-80)
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Coca-Cola For all the memorable commercials that the Super Bowl has given us, only a handful of them involve football. This ad reminds us what the event is all about. “Mean” Joe Greene is looking more like “Sad” Joe Greene following a game. A young fan attempts to boost his confidence, but Mr. Greene remains blue. The kid makes one last attempt to reach his idol by offering him a Coke. Chugging down the whole bottle, Greene’s woes wash away, returning the favor by granting the kid his jersey. Although the ad had aired a few times prior, Super Bowl XIV would turn it into a certified classic that continues to touch our hearts. We can’t help but smile every time we see it.
#1: “1984” (1984)
Apple Super Bowl commercials have seen various turning points over the decades, although none elevated the art form like this masterpiece from director Ridley Scott. Before “1984,” commercials were seen as… well, commercials. Rarely did anybody stop to analyze their craft or deeper meaning. As Anya Major charged down the halls of a dystopian society, hurling a sledgehammer at the giant screen that’s enslaved humanity, advertising was never the same. This wasn’t a commercial. It was an experience cinematic enough to be a short film. Drawing inspiration from George Orwell’s novel and films like “Metropolis,” this ad correctly foretold that Apple would be the future. It also changed how we all look at Super Bowl commercials, inspiring us to think different in more ways than one. Which Super Bowl commercial do you think best hit its target? Let us know in the comments!
