SBPS
Ranking The Best Super Bowl Commercials of All Time
Ah, the Super Bowl. A perfect intersection of sports, entertainment, and marketing genius. It's the one day a year where commercials are just as anticipated as the game itself. As we break open the cheese dip and ponder the art of advertising, let's take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of the most iconic Super Bowl commercials that not only captured our attention but also our hearts.
Coca‑Cola “Mean Joe Greene” (1979)
Agency: McCann Erickson
Widely regarded as one of the most iconic Super Bowl ads of all time, this heartwarming commercial tells the story of an unlikely bond between NFL star Mean Joe Greene and a young fan. The ad’s simple yet emotional narrative sees the young boy offering his Coca‑Cola to the weary athlete, who in turn tosses the boy his game jersey in a moment brimming with sentimentality. Its success was monumental, leading to international remakes, a slew of awards, and even a made-for-TV movie. Beyond its cultural appeal, the ad showcased the power of storytelling in advertising, cementing Coca‑Cola as more than just a soda—symbolizing human connection.
Budweiser “Whassup?” (1999)
Agency: DDB Chicago
A true pop culture phenomenon, this ad captured the zeitgeist of the late '90s with its infectious humor. Featuring a group of friends greeting each other with the now-famous "Whassup?" catchphrase in over-the-top voices, the commercial resonated with audiences around the globe. It quickly went viral (before "viral" was even a term) and inspired countless parodies across movies, TV shows, and other advertisements. This ad highlighted how a simple idea, when executed well, can enter the public lexicon and extend a brand’s reach far beyond its original purpose. Budweiser achieved what every brand dreams of—becoming part of everyday conversation.
Apple “1984” (1984)
Agency: Chiat/Day (Directed by Ridley Scott)
Often hailed as the gold standard of Super Bowl advertising, Apple’s “1984” commercial broke all conventions of the time. Directed by Ridley Scott—best known for his mastery of cinematic storytelling—the dystopian ad portrayed Apple as a revolutionary force determined to challenge the oppressive status quo of “Big Brother” (a thinly veiled metaphor for industry giant IBM). Though aired only once during the Super Bowl, its impact reverberated throughout the advertising and tech worlds. By announcing the arrival of the Macintosh computer with this bold and artistic statement, Apple redefined how brands could use advertising as a tool for creating cultural and emotional resonance.
Volkswagen “The Force” (2011)
Agency: Deutsch LA
This adorable ad featuring a young Darth Vader attempting to use the Force on everyday objects—and a Volkswagen Passat—became one of the most shared Super Bowl commercials of all time. Combining humor, nostalgia, and a touch of whimsy, it captured the attention of audiences worldwide. Its ability to create an emotional connection while showcasing the product’s features demonstrated the power of witty and relatable storytelling in advertising.
Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)
Agency: Wieden+Kennedy
A game-changer in digital marketing, this commercial starred Isaiah Mustafa delivering a rapid-fire, absurdly charming monologue in increasingly surreal situations. The ad not only revitalized the Old Spice brand but also spawned a highly successful viral campaign with personalized video responses for fans and celebrities alike. It set a new benchmark for engaging directly with audiences in unique, interactive ways.
Snickers “You're Not You When You're Hungry” (2010)
Agency: BBDO New York
This hilarious ad launched one of Snickers’ most iconic campaigns, featuring Betty White in a backyard football game that portrayed the effects of hunger. The tagline, "You're Not You When You're Hungry," resonated deeply and became a cultural touchpoint—leading to multiple follow-ups with various celebrities.
Google “Parisian Love” (2010)
Agency: Google Creative Lab (In-house)
Unlike typical flashy Super Bowl ads, Google’s “Parisian Love” took a minimalist approach to deliver maximum emotional impact. Narrated entirely through a series of Google search queries, it told a heartfelt love story that proved compelling storytelling doesn’t require special effects.
Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” Series (2007–2016)
Agency: User-generated contest
Doritos made advertising history by putting creativity in the hands of fans. Instead of hiring an agency, they launched a crowdsourced contest where participants submitted their own commercials—energizing consumer engagement and proving that user-generated content can rival professional production.
Pepsi “Cindy Crawford” (1992)
Agency: BBDO New York
This iconic ad showcased supermodel Cindy Crawford in a simple yet elegant scene at a Pepsi vending machine. Set against an open highway, its minimalist approach and star power made it unforgettable—highlighting the buzz that celebrity endorsements can create.
E‑Trade “Talking Baby” (2008)
Agency: Grey New York
E‑Trade turned heads with its clever animated baby discussing the complexities of online trading in a humorous, relatable tone. Its absurd yet engaging concept struck a chord, leading to a long-running campaign that combined humor with tech-savvy messaging.
Budweiser “Puppy Love” (2014)
Agency: Anomaly
This heartwarming commercial told the story of a special friendship between a Labrador puppy and a Budweiser Clydesdale. Its touching narrative and simple visuals captivated viewers and generated lasting emotional connections with the brand.
McDonald’s “The Showdown” (1993)
Agency: Leo Burnett
Starring NBA legends Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, this memorable commercial featured the two athletes competing in extreme trick shots for a Big Mac. With humor, competitive energy, and star power, “The Showdown” set a benchmark for sports-themed Super Bowl ads and remains a cultural touchstone.
Jeep “Groundhog Day” (2020)
Agency: Highdive
This ad brought back Bill Murray to reprise his role from Groundhog Day with a twist—embracing the time loop thanks to the adventure-ready Jeep Gladiator. It skillfully tied nostalgia to the brand's adventurous spirit, making it one of the most talked-about ads of its year.
Amazon “Alexa Loses Her Voice” (2018)
Agency: Lucky Generals & Amazon Creative
This clever and comedic ad explored the chaos when Alexa unexpectedly “loses her voice.” With celebrity stand-ins like Cardi B, Gordon Ramsay, Rebel Wilson, and Sir Anthony Hopkins taking over, the commercial highlighted the voice assistant’s versatility while delivering laugh-out-loud moments.
FedEx “Cast Away” (2003)
Agency: BBDO New York
This ad provided a humorous twist on the movie Cast Away, answering the question of what was inside the unopened FedEx package that Tom Hanks’ character clung to throughout the film. The punchline revealed a package of mundane survival tools he desperately needed all along, reinforcing FedEx's reliability and creativity with a pop culture reference.
Reebok “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” (2003)
Agency: Arnell Group
This bold and hilarious commercial combined workplace humor with sports action, introducing Terry Tate—an over-the-top “office linebacker” tackling employees who weren’t productive. Its outrageous premise and energetic production made it a cult favorite, even inspiring a web series.
Chrysler “Imported from Detroit” (2011)
Agency: Wieden+Kennedy
This ad, featuring Eminem and a gritty portrayal of Detroit, masterfully rebranded Chrysler as a symbol of American resilience and pride. The tagline “Imported from Detroit” emphasized the brand’s connection to the city’s hardworking spirit and made a powerful, cinematic statement.
Pepsi “We Will Rock You” (2004)
Agency: BBDO New York
This epic commercial assembled a star-studded cast—Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Pink—as gladiators in a Roman coliseum, singing Queen’s "We Will Rock You." Their defiant performance, coupled with dazzling production and celebrity power, made it one of the most memorable Super Bowl ads.
Tide “It’s a Tide Ad” (2018)
Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi
This clever, self-aware campaign—led by Stranger Things star David Harbour—imitated classic Super Bowl ads while emphasizing cleanliness with the tagline “If it’s clean, it’s a Tide ad.” Its playful parody and humorous unpredictability turned the ad into a cultural talking point.
Bud Light “Dilly Dilly” (2017)
Agency: Wieden+Kennedy
Dilly Dilly! With its medieval setting and whimsical humor, this Bud Light campaign introduced the catchphrase “Dilly Dilly” and quickly became a viral cultural phenomenon. Its quirky, lighthearted tone transformed a simple beer ad into a memorable moment in Super Bowl history.
Your Rankings
- Coca‑Cola “Mean Joe Greene” (1979)
- Budweiser “Whassup?” (1999)
- Apple “1984” (1984)
- Volkswagen “The Force” (2011)
- Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)
- Snickers “You're Not You When You're Hungry” (2010)
- Google “Parisian Love” (2010)
- Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” Series (2007–2016)
- Pepsi “Cindy Crawford” (1992)
- E‑Trade “Talking Baby” (2008)
- Budweiser “Puppy Love” (2014)
- McDonald’s “The Showdown” (1993)
- Jeep “Groundhog Day” (2020)
- Amazon “Alexa Loses Her Voice” (2018)
- FedEx “Cast Away” (2003)
- Reebok “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” (2003)
- Chrysler “Imported from Detroit” (2011)
- Pepsi “We Will Rock You” (2004)
- Tide “It’s a Tide Ad” (2018)
- Bud Light “Dilly Dilly” (2017)