12 Unexplained Commercials from the ’80s and ’90s

TV ads from the ’80s and ’90s weren’t just about selling — they were weird, random, and sometimes downright creepy. Long before viral videos, companies used strange ideas to grab attention, even if they made no sense at all. Many of these commercials confused viewers; today, they’re remembered more for their oddness than their products.

Tricia Quitales
May 1, 2025
4 min read

12 Unexplained Commercials from the ’80s and ’90s — Annette Dawm on Pexels

The ’80s and ’90s were filled with unforgettable commercials, but not all were easy to explain. Some ads were so bizarre that people still talk about them decades later, wondering what the creators were thinking. These 12 strange TV spots either missed the mark or became cult classics because of how weird they were. Whether haunting or hilarious, they remain lasting reminders of a strange time in advertising.

1. Little Baby’s Ice Cream – “This is a Special Time”

DS stories on pexels

Although it aired later in some reruns, this ad’s tone felt straight from the ’90s surreal style. A pale figure made entirely of ice cream stares into the camera while eating itself with a spoon. The product gets almost no explanation — just unsettling visuals and whispery narration.

2. Quiznos Spongmonkeys

Quiznos on Wikimedia

These odd creatures with human eyes and raspy voices sang about subs in a way no one expected. Airing in the early 2000s but rooted in ’90s-style chaos, the commercial baffled people. Quiznos got attention, but many were too weirded out to remember the menu.

3. McDonald’s Moon Man – “Mac Tonight”

McDonald’s on Wikimedia

A man with a crescent moon head played piano and sang in a jazzy voice to promote McDonald’s nighttime menu. It was catchy but made little sense, especially to kids. The ad became a cult hit, though its meaning remained mysterious.

4. Eastern Airlines – “We Have to Earn It”

RDNE Stock project on Pexels

This commercial showed pilots and flight attendants dramatically stating, “We have to earn it,” without much context. The ad had an almost haunting tone for a travel service. Eastern Airlines soon collapsed, making the message even stranger in hindsight.

5. Levi’s “Swimmer” Ad

Amar Preciado on Pexels

A fully dressed man swims through city streets, sidewalks, and even elevators. The ad doesn’t explain why or what it has to do with jeans. People remembered it, but mostly for its odd style over substance.

6. Duracell’s Putterman Family

Duracell, or on behalf of Duracell on Wikimedia

This plastic-looking robot family with rubbery faces appeared in several Duracell commercials. Meant to show that only Duracell keeps going, the effect was more nightmare than sales pitch. Viewers were unsure if it was clever or just creepy.

7. Folgers Coffee – “Peter Comes Home”

JA Folger Co. on Wikimedia

This sentimental ad showed a college kid surprising his family on Christmas morning by making coffee. While sweet, many found it strangely emotional for a coffee brand. Some even joked about the awkward closeness between the siblings.

8. Apple – “Lemmings” (1985)

Rob Janoff on Wikimedia

A dark and dramatic ad showed office workers blindfolded, marching off a cliff to haunting music. It was meant to sell Macintosh computers to businesses but instead confused and upset viewers. The ad flopped and was quickly pulled.

9. Skittles – “Taste the Rainbow” Early Ads

Erik Mclean on Pexels

Before the playful weirdness we know now, Skittles’ early ads were just plain strange. One featured a man growing a Skittles tree on his head, with no real explanation. The brand leaned into oddity, and somehow, it worked.

10. Sony – “Bouncing Balls” (Proto Version)

Yasuo Kuroki, Sony on Wikimedia

Though the polished version came later, early test reels of Sony’s bouncing balls campaign were aired late at night with no narration. Viewers saw thousands of rubber balls rolling down San Francisco streets, wondering what it all meant. It was beautiful, but puzzling.

11. Pepsi – Madonna and the Boycott Ad

™/®PepsiCo, Inc. on Wikimedia

Pepsi aired a Madonna commercial but quickly pulled it after backlash from her music video. People were confused — was it a product ad or a music promo? The whole thing felt like a misstep, and Pepsi tried to quietly move on.

12. Isuzu – “Joe Isuzu” Lies

Subhd Suhail on Pexels

Joe Isuzu was a fictional, over-the-top liar who made wild claims about the cars. The ad was funny but strange, especially for a car company. Some people didn’t realize it was satire, making the commercial even more confusing.