Every year, millions of people eagerly tune in to the Super Bowl to witness the ultimate showdown between the top teams in the league, as they battle it out for victory and the prestigious Lombardi Trophy. Meanwhile, companies engage in fierce competition to secure those highly coveted and expensive moments of airtime during the game’s commercials, all in an effort to promote their brand. With the entire world watching, it’s an opportunity to showcase your product to a massive audience, while also aiming to entertain, leave a lasting impression, or perhaps even provoke some thought amidst the beer-drinking and chicken wing-eating.
Below, we present a selection of the finest advertisements that have graced the Super Bowl’s commercial breaks.
2 / 12
Arguably one of the very first historic “SUPER BOWL ADS,” this iconic ad marked Apple’s arrival and imminent domination in the world of technology. What these ads often share is a simple yet powerful message. Many Super Bowl commercials tend to get lost in their star-studded casts and extravagant production budgets, leaving viewers confused about the message or even the product being advertised. However, “1984” was different. It boldly conveyed Apple’s intention to break free from the mundane and revolutionize the world. And, frustrating as it may be, they more or less succeeded. Now if only they could invent a laptop keyboard that can withstand my determined typing and apparently strong fingers.
3 / 12
The following ads are not ranked in any particular order, but if we were to rate them based on adorableness, this one would undoubtedly take the lead. After all, what child hasn’t fantasized about using the Force to move objects around the house? Frankly, my editors attempt this on a daily basis to persuade me to create more of these damn slideshows. While the importance of a remote starter may be debatable, it certainly brought immense joy to that kid for at least a month. Most parents would probably pay a hefty sum for that kind of happiness.
4 / 12
Once again, simplicity reigns supreme. This Budweiser ad may not reveal much about the brand itself, but what more is there to say about Budweiser? It’s cold, it’s refreshing. Yet, this particular ad managed to leave a lasting impression, which is the ultimate goal of any advertising campaign. It’s one of those rare Super Bowl commercials that spawned a delightful follow-up campaign featuring lizards.
Let it go, Louie, let it go.
5 / 12
“I’m on a horse.” What more can I say? When you have a budget like this, you might as well embrace the absurdity.
6 / 12
For once, either of these guys actually displayed a hint of personality on screen. We can all relate to playing a game of Horse at some point in our lives and coming up with silly tricks. Personally, I once mastered the art of bouncing the ball from the free throw line—an undisputed Horse special. This ad may have had a big budget due to the involvement of these celebrities, but its delivery was refreshingly simple.
7 / 12
There’s a golden rule in the world of advertising: you can never go wrong with unsuspecting individuals getting hilariously blindsided. Super Dave made an entire career out of this principle, and Terry Tate followed suit. Deep down, most people secretly fantasize about decking their oblivious coworkers without warning, and this ad allowed them to live out that fantasy vicariously. I’m sure even my editors have contemplated such tactics.
8 / 12
This is one of those rare instances where Budweiser didn’t rely on their collection of livestock to make a pompous statement about Americana or anything else they borrowed from a Mellencamp music video. It’s never a bad idea to poke fun at your own self-importance from time to time, and this ad did just that. Budweiser remains true to its essence: cold and refreshing.
9 / 12
Once again, simplicity prevails. This ad stands out precisely because of its modest budget, which also serves as a playful jab at the surrounding commercials that likely cost a fortune. You instantly recognize the brand and understand the message they’re conveying about their product. However, I still can’t help but yearn for a chorus line of kangaroos.
10 / 12
An advertisement can still be effective even if it eventually annoys the living daylights out of you due to your friends incessantly quoting it two months later. In fact, it probably fulfilled its purpose quite admirably if your friends are driving you insane with it after all that time.
11 / 12
Some individuals, particularly those in the industry, would argue that this is the greatest advertisement of all time. It perfectly embodies the concept of simplicity, as even a slightly inebriated couch potato in the third quarter can easily follow along and understand what Tabasco is trying to convey. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy seeing a mosquito explode? It’s now hard to imagine eating pizza without dousing it in hot sauce.
12 / 12