The 21 Most Memorable Super Bowl Commercials to Rewatch Before the Big Game

Mar. 15, 2025

Beyoncé featured in Verizon’s 2024 Super Bowl commercial.Photo:Verizon/Youtube

Verizon/Youtube

As one of the most-watched televised events each year in the United States, theSuper Bowlisn’t just about football — it’s also a prime stage for brands competing to make the biggest impact between plays.

Year after year, advertisers go the extra mile to craft unforgettable campaigns that capitalize on the millions of viewers glued to their screens. For many companies, these commercials are just as anticipated as the game itself.

Over time, brands haveperfected the art of the Super Bowl ad, incorporating A-list stars, humor and powerful social messages to leave a lasting impression. Some ads have even achieved legendary status, becoming part of pop culture history.

From the buzziest celebrity cameos to the heartstring-tugging commercials that made us cry, here are the Super Bowl ads that have stood the test of time.

Verizon’s “Can’t B Broken” (2024)

You can’t break Verizon’s 5G, butBeyoncésure knows how to break the internet.

Queen Bey proved that in this Super Bowl commercial, where she took on the ultimate challenge — trying to overload Verizon’s network. From dressing up as Bar-Bey, live streaming as Slayoncé and even announcing her run for “Beyoncé of the United States” — she pulled out all the stops in a battle of wits againstVeepstarTony Hale. However, when all else failed, she pulled out the ultimate power move: dropping new music.

Pepsi’s “The Joy of Pepsi” (2001)

Football hasn’t been the same sinceBritney Spearsripped off her Pepsi jumpsuit at the beginning of this iconic ad.

Between “The Joy of Pepsi” and her feature in the halftime performance, Spears clearly won Super Bowl XXXV.

Volkswagen’s “The Force” (2011)

Super Bowl viewers first watched a miniature Darth Vader try to summon “The Force'' in 2011, but its hold on our imaginations has been strong ever since.

Max Page, the boy behind the mask, would remain in the public eye as a pediatric health advocate. Page was born with a congenital heart condition that required several surgical procedures throughout his lifetime.

In 2018, Page spoke to PEOPLE about how he’s turned his experience into a means to help other kids undergoing similar complications and how his Super Bowl XLV ad changed his life forever.

“It was more than I could have ever imagined, especially at 7,” Page said. “I didn’t even know what a Super Bowl commercial meant; I didn’t understand the magnitude it would have. For it to become something of this caliber is just awesome.”

Budweiser’s “Whassup?” (1999)

IIn 1999,Budweiserasked one simple question that can still be heard today: “Whassup?”

The iconic ad features five friends checking in on the phone, prompting each other with the exaggerated greeting that necessitates a floppy tongue and open mouth. Bookending the chorus of “Whassup” are two friends having a simple exchange, both with one hand on the phone and another on their Budweiser beer bottles. Both friends ask each other what’s up, and both answer, “Nothing. Just watching the game, having a Bud.”

The clip originally aired duringMonday Night Footballin December 1999, earning iconic status during the 2000 Super Bowl. The ripple effect of “Whassup?” still shows in today’s pop culture. The commercial — based on the short filmTrue— won the Grand Prix award at the International Advertising Festival in Cannes, a Clio Award and a place in the latter program’s hall of fame.

E*Trade’s “Monkey” (2000)

The ad sees a monkey dancing next to two men in flannel shirts to the simple soundtrack of “La Cucaracha.”

Standing on top of a bucket, the superstar primate flails about in his E*Trade-branded T-shirt until the song finishes and text appears on the screen as a punchline.

“Well, we just wasted $2,000,000. What are you doing with your money?” read the company’s tagline.

Snickers' “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010)

This Snickers ad takes its tagline, “You’re not you when you’re hungry,” to a new level. You’re more than just “not yourself.” You’reBetty White.

Approaching the huddle, the other guys on her team critique her “sloppy” performance; one of them even complains, “You’re playing like Betty White out there,” to which the actress replies, bitingly, “That’s not what your girlfriend says!”

At that point, a woman jogs onto the field to encourage White to “eat a Snickers.” It takes only one bite for White to transform back into Mike, ready to get back into the game.

Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)

In 2010, Old Spice urged viewers to stop settling for men who smell like ordinary soap. Theheartthrob spokesperson,Isaiah Mustafa, encourages viewers to imagine that their own boyfriends could be more like him if only they smelled like him, taking viewers on a romantic journey “with the man your man could smell like,” including tickets to “that thing you love,” a handful of diamonds and a beachside horseback ride. Seems unlikely? “Anything is possible when your man smells like Old Spice.”

E.l.f. Cosmetics' “In e.l.f. We Trust” (2024)

E.l.f. Cosmetics makes its case in this hilarious, over-the-top legal drama for Super Bowl 2024, where the only crime is paying too much for foundation.

Budweiser’s “Respect” (2002)

Clydesdale horses first appeared in Budweiser Super Bowl ads in 1986, and since then, the graceful animals have been making football lovers smile, laugh and cry through game breaks. One of the most moving and memorable Budweiser commercials played nationwide in 2002, and then it never aired again.

Apple’s “1984” (1984)

The world met the Apple Macintosh computer during the third quarter of Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders were on their way to defeating the Washington Redskins (now called theWashington Commanders) in 1984.

The one-minute ad opens on the dystopian vision of technology and the future from George Orwell’s 1949 novel1984, showing gray-suited drones walking through a tunnel as an unseen voice lauds the “glorious anniversary of the Information Purification Directives.” As the mindless figures stare at a projection of the person speaking, a woman wearing bright, athletic shorts and a tank emblazoned with an illustration of the Macintosh hurls a sledgehammer into the screen, resulting in a blinding flash that washes over the crowd and presumably undoes the brainwashing.

The legendary commercial — which earned several accolades, including a Clio award — finishes with a narrated message of hope for the trailblazing tech: “On January 24th, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh. And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like1984,” a new voice says.

McDonald’s “The Showdown” (1993)

ThisMcDonald’sad featuring two NBA legends became an instant classic when it first aired during Super Bowl XXVII in 1993.Larry Birdoffers to playMichael Jordanfor the Big Mac and fries Jordan brought for lunch, declaring, “first one to miss watches the winner eat.”

With such high stakes on the line, the duo matches each other’s every shot. Their talents are so well-matched that at one point, Jordan looks into the camera and tells viewers, “I think we’re gonna be here a while. I suggest you go get a Big Mac.”

As the shootout goes on, the players go to further extremes to get the coveted McDonald’s meal — moving from the court to the rafters to outside the stadium to Chicago’s former John Hancock Center, with the challenges getting tougher and tougher.

The ball continues to swish into the basket, and the game is still going even after the McDonald’s jingle plays. As the commercial ends, we see the two standing on the edge of the Hancock Center as Jordan describes the next trick shot: “Off the expressway, over the river, off the billboard, through the window, off the wall, nothin' but net.”

Budweiser’s “Frogs” (1995)

The world first met frogs “Bud,” “Weis” and “Er” during a commercial break for 1995’s Super Bowl XXIX. In the ad, the trio gathers in a swampy setting to croak out their names in succession, eventually stringing them together to say the beer company’s full name. When the camera pans above the rocks and lily pads, a neon Budweiser sign appears and glows over the slimy spokesfrogs.

Lay’s “Golden Memories” (2022)

Longtime costars and friendsSeth RogenandPaul Ruddteamed up to tout Lay’s potato chips in this2022 Super Bowl spot. The tuxedo-clad twosome share a bag of the brand’s classic flavor as they reminisce about some of their favorite memories, including their first road trip and “first heart-to-heart” during extreme plane turbulence. (Between hyperventilating breaths into an empty Lay’s bag, Rudd admits he’s never seen any of Rogen’s movies.)

Interestingly, the ad could have included an homage to 2005’sThe 40-Year-Old Virgin.PerEntertainment Weekly, directorJudd Apatowwas in talks to participate in the ad but declined, feeling that updating the film’s “Wanna know how I know you’re gay?” joke wouldn’t translate well. Despite his absence, the commercial was still a laugh-out-loud success.

Coca-Cola’s “Hey Kid, Catch!” (1980)

What does stop him in his tracks? “Want my Coke?” After some convincing, Greene takes the soda bottle with gratitude as the soundtrack croons: “A Coke and a smile makes me feel good!”

A cheerful Greene calls out to the kid leaving the tunnel: “Hey, kid — catch!” The young fan receives the legendary player’s jersey with a huge grin.

In an action-packed blast from the past, Coca-Colareleased a follow-up adfor its Coke Mini product during the 2016 Super Bowl. It featured Marvel’s Hulk and Ant-Man recreating the memorable jersey moment — with a Coke Mini bottle instead.

Squarespace’s “Sally’s Seashells” (2022)

In this seaside Squarespace spot,Zendaya— or “Sally” as she’s called in the ad — becomes a beachy entrepreneur who takes her seashell business from an unfulfilled dream to a full-fledged empire.

After setting up a website for her inventory, theEuphoriastar became “such a seaside sensation” that she was able to integrate her shells into the worlds of fashion (“swanky seashell accessories”), wellness (“seashell serenity sessions”), food (“savory seaside snacks”) and travel (“seashell excursions of the seashore”).

The tongue-twister-inspired commercial is full of fun and sun. Plus, Squarespace manages to fit fouriconic Zendaya-style momentsinto just 30 seconds of ad space.

Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef” (1984)

The mark of a truly iconic commercial is whether people still use the catchphrase years later — even totally divorced from its original context. This 1984 ad features three elderly women examining a competitor’s burger with a critical eye for its too-big bun and too-paltry meat patty. It ended up capturing the zeitgeist and making a star out of the actress who delivered the line, Clara Peller.

Dunkin’s “Drive-Thru” (2023)

T-Mobile’s “New Neighbor” (2023)

GreasestarJohn TravoltajoinedScrubsalumsZach BraffandDonald Faisonfor a special rendition of “Summer Nights” in thisT-Mobile Super Bowl spot.

The Farmer’s Dog’s “Forever” (2023)

Uber Eats' “Don’t Forget” (2024)

A case of A-list amnesia is going around in Uber Eats' 2024 Super Bowl ad.

Somehow,Jennifer Anistoncompletely forgets whoDavid Schwimmeris — despite working with him for 10 years onFriends.

“Have we met?” she asks, leaving her former costar stunned. Meanwhile,David BeckhamandSpice GirlsmemberVictoria Beckhamstruggle to recall the name of the successful girl group she’s famous for — the Paprika Girls, right? Hilariously enough,Usherdreams of wanting to perform at the halftime show during the big game, probably not realizing he’s set to headline Super Bowl LVIII any moment now.

Uber Eats isn’t just delivering food — it’s dishing up comedy gold, too!

source: people.com