12 Best ’90s Commercials You Totally Forgot About
The ’90s gave us some of the most unforgettable commercials—some hilarious, some bizarre, but all packed with nostalgia.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Television in the ’90s was filled with catchy jingles, quirky mascots, and over-the-top commercials that stuck in our heads. While some ads became pop culture legends, others quietly faded into memory, waiting to be rediscovered. Here are 12 of the best ’90s commercials you probably forgot about—but will remember the moment you see them.
1. Mentos – “The Freshmaker”
Lucas Santos on Unsplash
Mentos commercials in the ’90s were pure cheese. They featured people solving everyday problems with a single mint. The upbeat jingle and exaggerated acting made them strangely iconic.
2. Crossfire – “You’ll Get Caught Up in the…”
cottonbro studio on Pexels
This board game commercial felt more like a high-stakes action movie. Two kids battled with spinning metal shooters while dramatic music and fiery explosions filled the screen.
3. Orbit Gum – “Dirty Mouth?”
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
Long before viral ads were a thing, Orbit Gum gave us a series of clean-but-sassy commercials. The proper British spokeswoman would cheekily call out people for their “dirty mouths” before offering a stick of gum.
4. Taco Bell – “Yo Quiero Taco Bell”
U.S. Consulate General Perth on Wikimedia Commons
A tiny Chihuahua stole America’s heart by demanding, “Yo quiero Taco Bell.” The talking dog, voiced with a cool, laid-back accent, became a fast-food icon overnight.
5. Coca-Cola – “Mean Joe Greene” (Re-Air)
Olena Bohovyk on Pexels
Originally from the late ’70s, this Coca-Cola ad had a second life in the ’90s. The heartwarming moment when a young fan gave Mean Joe Greene a Coke in exchange for his jersey remained just as powerful decades later.
6. Sunny Delight – “Purple Stuff vs. Sunny D”
Mike Mozart on Flickr
In this commercial, a group of kids rummaging through the fridge always found “purple stuff” before reaching for Sunny Delight. The ad made the citrus drink seem like the ultimate cool-kid beverage.
7. Gushers – “Fruit Heads”
Mike Mozart on Flickr
Gushers ads were as weird as they were memorable. The moment a kid bit into the candy, their head would transform into a giant piece of fruit.
8. McDonald’s – “Nothing But Net”
Kira Nerys on Wikimedia Commons
This legendary commercial featured Michael Jordan and Larry Bird in an epic game of trick-shot HORSE. What is at stake? A Big Mac.
9. Tootsie Pop – “How Many Licks?”
Gilabrand on Wikimedia Commons
Even though this commercial first aired in the ’70s, it was a ’90s staple on Saturday morning cartoons. The wise old owl’s “One… two… three… CRUNCH” answer to the age-old question still sticks with anyone who grew up during the era.
10. Sprite – “Obey Your Thirst”
Alex Haney on Unsplash
Sprite took a different approach by ditching celebrity endorsements in favor of humor and self-awareness. Their commercials poked fun at traditional advertising while making Sprite look irresistibly refreshing.
11. Little Caesars – “Pizza! Pizza!”
Mr. Satterly on Wikimedia Commons
Little Caesars’ commercials were fast, funny, and totally absurd. The tiny Roman mascot repeating “Pizza! Pizza!” while showing off ridiculous deals became instantly recognizable.
12. Nintendo 64 – “Get N or Get Out”
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Nintendo made sure the N64 launch felt like a revolution. The intense, fast-paced commercials showed kids completely losing their minds over the console’s 3D graphics.