20 Best Super Bowl Commercials of All Time – Ranked!

The Super Bowl isn’t just about football—it’s a showdown of legendary commercials that make us laugh, cry, and sometimes just say, “What did I just watch?”

  • Sophia Zapanta
  • 7 min read
20 Best Super Bowl Commercials of All Time – Ranked!
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Every year, companies spend millions to grab our attention during the Super Bowl, and some ads become instant classics. From heartwarming stories to absurd humor and unforgettable celebrity cameos, these commercials have left a lasting mark on pop culture. Here’s a list of the 20 greatest Super Bowl ads ever—ranked, celebrated, and still stuck in our heads.

20. Amazon – “Alexa Loses Her Voice”

Amazon.com on Wikimedia Commons Amazon.com on Wikimedia Commons

When Alexa malfunctions, Amazon replaces her with a chaotic lineup of celebrities. Cardi B refuses to play country music, Gordon Ramsay insults a guy’s cooking, and Rebel Wilson makes things awkward. The ad was fast, hilarious, and packed with A-list stars. It proved that even a product malfunction could be funny—if handled right.

19. Chrysler – “Imported from Detroit” (2011)

Mika-photography on Wikimedia Commons Mika-photography on Wikimedia Commons

Eminem driving through the streets of Detroit while “Lose Yourself” plays? Instant chills. This ad wasn’t just about cars—it was about resilience, grit, and the soul of a city. Chrysler positioned itself as more than a brand; it became a symbol of American toughness. It made everyone believe that Detroit was back.

18. E*TRADE – “Talking Baby” (2008)

Collins on Wikimedia Commons Collins on Wikimedia Commons

A baby casually explains stock trading like it’s no big deal. His deadpan delivery, combined with a bit of gross-out humor (hello, spit-up!), made financial investing feel fun. It turned into a long-running campaign that people still remember. Who knew a baby could make Wall Street seem exciting?

17. Reebok – “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” (2003)

Reebok on Wikimedia Commons Reebok on Wikimedia Commons

Ever wish someone would tackle your annoying co-workers? Reebok made that dream a reality with Terry Tate, a linebacker hired to enforce office rules. He crushed procrastinators, body-checked slackers, and screamed motivational one-liners. The connection to sneakers? Practically nonexistent—but no one cared because it was hilarious.

16. Google – “Parisian Love” (2010)

Yann Caradec on Wikimedia Commons Yann Caradec on Wikimedia Commons

This commercial told a love story using only Google searches. “Study abroad in Paris.” “How to impress a French girl.” “Wedding chapel in Paris.” Each search painted a picture of romance without showing a single person on screen. It was subtle, brilliant, and proved that even a search engine could tug at your heartstrings.

15. Coca-Cola – “Mean Joe Greene” (1979)

The Steelers on Wikimedia Commons The Steelers on Wikimedia Commons

A young boy gives his Coke to a grumpy, injured football player. In return, Mean Joe Greene softens, smiles, and tosses the kid his jersey. It was simple, and sweet, and became one of the most beloved commercials of all time. Decades later, people still associate Coke with this heartfelt moment.

14. McDonald’s – “The Showdown” (1993)

Gapvenezia on Wikimedia Commons Gapvenezia on Wikimedia Commons

Michael Jordan and Larry Bird play the most ridiculous game of HORSE ever. The shots get crazier—off the scoreboard, over a building, nothing but net. Their competitive energy was electric, and McDonald’s made itself feel like the ultimate prize. “No dunking” became an inside joke for basketball fans everywhere.

13. Budweiser – “Puppy Love” (2014)

Stefan Bauer on Wikimedia Commons Stefan Bauer on Wikimedia Commons

A golden retriever puppy and a Clydesdale horse form an unlikely friendship, and America collectively melts. There were no jokes, just pure emotion. The heartfelt bond between the animals made this one of the most touching ads ever. If you didn’t cry, you might be a robot.

12. Tide – “It’s a Tide Ad” (2018)

Procter & Gamble on Wikimedia Commons Procter & Gamble on Wikimedia Commons

Tide pulled the ultimate Super Bowl prank by making every commercial look like a Tide ad. A car ad? Nope, it’s a Tide ad. A beer commercial? Also a Tide ad. It was so clever that people started second-guessing every single commercial during the game. No brand hijacked the Super Bowl quite like this.

11. Volkswagen – “The Force” (2011)

Jakub Hałun on Wikimedia Commons Jakub Hałun on Wikimedia Commons

A tiny Darth Vader tries to use the Force on everyday objects, failing over and over. Just when he’s about to give up, his dad secretly starts the car with a remote, making him believe his powers finally worked. The adorable kid in full costume made this one unforgettable. Even non-Star Wars fans loved it.

10. Snickers – “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010)

Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons

Betty White gets tackled in a backyard football game, and everyone gasps—until the punchline lands. Turns out, it’s just a hungry guy who transforms back into himself after eating a Snickers. This ad kicked off a wildly successful campaign with different celebrities. It made hunger-induced grumpiness feel hilarious.

9. Doritos – “Crash the Super Bowl” (2007-2016)

Larry D. Moore on Wikimedia Commons Larry D. Moore on Wikimedia Commons

For nearly a decade, Doritos let regular people submit homemade Super Bowl ads. Some were genius, others were just bizarre, but all of them felt fresh. Fans loved that they could actually influence what aired during the game. No other brand let its audience take over like this.

8. Pepsi – “Cindy Crawford” (1992)

Georges Biard on Wikimedia Commons Georges Biard on Wikimedia Commons

Cindy Crawford steps out of a Lamborghini, drinks a Pepsi, and instantly makes soda look glamorous. The slow-motion, the music, and her effortless coolness made this ad unforgettable. Two little boys watch in awe—not at Cindy, but at the new Pepsi can design. Even 30 years later, this commercial still gets recreated and referenced.

7. Budweiser – “Whassup?” (2000)

Maksim on Wikimedia Commons Maksim on Wikimedia Commons

A group of friends answers the phone with an exaggerated “Whassup?”—and somehow, it becomes a worldwide catchphrase. The ad was so simple, yet it exploded into pop culture. Everyone from late-night hosts to random strangers on the street started saying it. Two decades later, people still remember where it came from.

6. Old Spice – “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)

 Old Spice on Wikimedia Commons Old Spice on Wikimedia Commons

A towel-clad Isaiah Mustafa delivered pure advertising perfection. He spoke directly to women, moved through impossible scenes, and ended up on a horse—all in one take. The humor was so weird and fast that people watched it over and over. It wasn’t just a commercial—it was a meme factory.

5. Budweiser – “Frogs” (1995)

Richard Bartz on Wikimedia Commons Richard Bartz on Wikimedia Commons

Three frogs croak “Bud,” “Weis,” and “Er” in the most unexpected yet hypnotic way. That’s it—that’s the whole ad. It was so simple that it became instantly iconic. The fact that people still remember a commercial about frogs just saying “Budweiser” proves how effective it was.

4. Michael Jordan & Bugs Bunny – “Hare Jordan” (1992)

Joshua Massel on Wikimedia Commons Joshua Massel on Wikimedia Commons

Before Space Jam, there was this genius Nike ad. Michael Jordan teams up with Bugs Bunny to defeat some goons in a high-energy basketball showdown. The animation blended perfectly with live-action, and the humor was spot-on. It was so good that it led to a movie.

3. Wendy’s – “Where’s the Beef?” (1984)

Nheyob on Wikimedia Commons Nheyob on Wikimedia Commons

An old lady stares at a tiny hamburger patty and demands, “Where’s the beef?” America collectively loses it. The phrase became an instant catchphrase, showing up on t-shirts, TV shows, and even presidential debates. Wendy’s took a simple joke and turned it into marketing gold.

2. Apple – “1984” (1984)

Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons

A woman sprints through a dystopian world and smashes a giant screen, symbolizing Apple breaking free from IBM’s control. It aired only once, but it changed advertising forever. Directed by Ridley Scott, it felt more like a Hollywood film than a commercial. This wasn’t just about computers—it was a revolution.

1. Pepsi – “Britney Spears – Joy of Pepsi” (2001)

 Rhys Adams on Wikimedia Commons Rhys Adams on Wikimedia Commons

Britney Spears at the height of her fame, danced and sang in a high-energy, infectious Pepsi ad. It was flashy, fun, and had a jingle that got stuck in everyone’s head. No Super Bowl commercial captured early 2000s pop culture quite like this. Pepsi didn’t just sell soda—they sold a moment in history.

Written by: Sophia Zapanta

Sophia is a digital PR writer and editor who specializes in crafting content that boosts brand visibility online. A lifelong storyteller and curious observer of human behavior, she’s written on everything from online dating to tech’s impact on daily life. When she’s not writing, Sophia dives into social media trends, binges on K-dramas, or devours self-help books like The Mountain is You, which inspired her to tackle life’s challenges head-on.

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