20 Commercials from the ’90s You Can Still Recite Word for Word

TV commercials in the ’90s had a unique style that made them stick in people’s minds. From catchy taglines to unusual visuals, they became part of everyday conversation. These ads were repeated so often that they became easy to remember, even decades later.

1. Mentos – The Freshmaker

Dewet on Wikimedia Commons

The Mentos commercials showed people solving small problems by popping a mint and smiling confidently. Each ad ended with the same song and the line “Mentos, the Freshmaker.” The visuals were simple, often showing someone outsmarting a situation. The jingle was played enough times that many still know it by heart.

2. McDonald’s – “Did Somebody Say McDonald’s?”

Valerie Everett on Wikimedia Commons

This slogan was used in a series of commercials during the late ’90s. It was usually spoken with excitement after someone mentioned food or had an idea involving McDonald’s. The ads focused on quick moments and reactions. It was designed to make the brand feel spontaneous and fun.  

3. Gushers – Your Head Turns Into the Fruit

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These ads showed kids eating a Gusher and then their heads turning into oversized fruit. The visual effect was meant to show the flavor “bursting” in a dramatic way. The fruit heads were often exaggerated and strange. The concept was unusual but stuck in viewers’ minds.

4. Kool-Aid Man – “Oh Yeah!”

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Kool-Aid Man would burst through walls during moments when kids needed a drink. He always said “Oh yeah!” in a loud voice. This was part of a long-running campaign that started earlier but was still used in the ’90s. The character and his entrance became widely recognized.

5. Tootsie Pop – “How Many Licks?”

Fvanhoof on Wikimedia Commons

This ad featured a cartoon boy asking animals how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. The owl bites the candy after only three licks. The line “The world may never know” ended the ad. It was simple and became one of the most quoted candy ads.

6. Toys “R” Us – “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up”

Timothy Holdiness on Wikimedia Commons

The jingle had the line “I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid.” It showed children playing with different toys in the store. The commercial made the store feel like a place only for kids. The song became closely tied to the brand.

7. Taco Bell – “Yo Quiero Taco Bell”

Medelam on Wikimedia Commons

In several commercials, a small animated chihuahua said the line “Yo quiero Taco Bell.” The dog became the main focus of the campaign in the late ’90s. The phrase means “I want Taco Bell” in Spanish. It was short and easy to repeat.

8. Ring Pop – Wearable Candy

Famartin on Wikimedia Commons

The Ring Pop commercials showed kids wearing and eating the ring-shaped candy. The ad focused on how the candy looked like jewelry. It was often shown in playful or school settings. The idea was to make candy fun to wear and eat.

9. Capri Sun – Liquid Metal Kids

N509FZ on Wikimedia Commons

The kids in these ads would drink Capri Sun and then turn into a silver liquid. They would fly or slide through spaces and reform into their bodies again. It was done using early computer graphics. The idea was to make the drink seem futuristic and energetic.

10. Crossfire – “You’ll Get Caught Up in the…”

Radio-Keith-Orpheum Corp on Wikimedia Commons

Crossfire commercials were shot like action scenes. Two kids played the game in a dramatic setting with fast music. The tagline “You’ll get caught up in the Crossfire” was shouted at the end. The energy of the ad was higher than the game itself.

11. Nike – “Just Do It”

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This campaign started in the late ’80s and continued into the ’90s. The ads often featured athletes pushing themselves to reach goals. “Just Do It” was used as encouragement, not just a slogan. It became a defining part of Nike’s brand.

12. Folgers – “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up”

Jo Naylor on Wikimedia Commons

This commercial showed families waking up to the smell of coffee. The line “The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup” played in a calm jingle. It focused on morning routines and comfort. The message was steady and familiar.

13. SunnyD – The Fridge Search

Roxane17 on Wikimedia Commons

A group of kids looked through the fridge and named drinks like soda, purple stuff, and Sunny Delight. One of them would pick the SunnyD with enthusiasm. The ad was meant to show the drink as the better option. The phrase “purple stuff” became a lasting detail.

14. Pizza Bagels – “Pizza in the Morning…”

Carl Lender on Wikimedia Commons

Bagel Bites ran a commercial with the song “Pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening, pizza at supper time.” It showed kids eating the snack at different times of day. The product was shown as convenient and fun. The jingle repeated the idea of eating pizza whenever you want.

15. Rice Krispies – Snap! Crackle! Pop!

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The three mascots represented the sounds the cereal made when milk was added. The ads showed close-ups of the cereal and used the slogan as the main idea. The campaign focused on sound, not just taste. The names became more famous than the cereal itself.

16. Doublemint Gum – Double Your Pleasure

Hephaestos on Wikimedia Commons

These ads always featured sets of twins doing the same thing together. The gum was shown as fresh and long-lasting. The slogan “Double your pleasure, double your fun” was tied to the idea of twins. The commercials were clean and repetitive.

17. Skip-It – “The Very Best Thing of All…”

Saskatoon Public Library on Wikimedia Commons

This toy was accompanied by a song that explained how it worked. The lyric read, “The very best thing of all, there’s a counter on this ball.” Kids swung the toy around one ankle and jumped over it with the other leg. The counter didn’t always work well, but it was a big part of the ad.

18. Herbal Essences – The Shower Scream

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These shampoo ads featured people enjoying the scent and experience in a very loud and exaggerated way. The commercials were shot in bathrooms and made the product seem intense. It used humor and surprise to stand out. The style was different from other shampoo brands.

19. Got Milk? – The Milk Mustache

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Famous people were photographed with milk mustaches in a wide campaign. The ads were print-based but also appeared on TV. The slogan “Got Milk?” was short and widely recognized. The goal was to make milk more appealing.

20. Sega Genesis – “Segaaaaa!”

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Every Sega ad ended with a loud voice saying “Sega!” The sound played over a black screen. It became a signature sound for the brand. People who played Sega games often remember that specific ending.

• Tags:
• 90s
• Advertising
• television
• Marketing
• brands