Coolest Super Bowl Commercials in History: A Countdown of Advertising Greatness
The Super Bowl, a grand spectacle of athletic competition, also serves as the pinnacle of advertising excellence. Each year, brands compete for attention, crafting unforgettable commercials that captivate audiences and leave a lasting cultural imprint.
Some ads become legendary, standing the test of time as masterpieces of storytelling, humor and epic brand genius.
This list counts down from number 10 to the greatest Super Bowl commercial of all time, an ad so legendary that it remains unmatched in sheer entertainment and memorability.
10. Amazon’s "Alexa Loses Her Voice" (2018)
When Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant malfunctions, an array of celebrities step in to take over. Gordon Ramsay, Cardi B, Rebel Wilson, and Sir Anthony Hopkins each put their own chaotic spin on providing "helpful" information. Ramsay insults a poor user asking for a grilled cheese recipe, while Cardi B hilariously refuses to play classical music. The ad showcased Alexa’s ubiquity while delivering a star-studded dose of comedy.
➤ Fun Fact: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos made a rare acting cameo in this commercial, appearing both baffled and horrified at his AI's meltdown.
9. Always’ "#LikeAGirl" (2015)
Breaking from the humor and spectacle of most Super Bowl ads, Always delivered a powerful social message with its #LikeAGirl campaign. The commercial asked people to demonstrate what it meant to "run like a girl" or "throw like a girl"—and the stark contrast between the self-conscious gestures of adults and the confidence of young girls hit home. The message? "Like a girl" should never be an insult.
➤ Fun Fact: The campaign sparked a worldwide movement, with millions sharing their stories and reshaping perceptions about confidence, gender roles, and empowerment.
8. Pepsi’s "The Joy of Pepsi" (2001)
Before social media influencers ruled brand advertising, Britney Spears was the face of pop culture marketing. Pepsi’s "The Joy of Pepsi" commercial, starring Spears at the height of her career, was a high-energy, infectious celebration of the brand. With a catchy jingle, a perfectly choreographed dance sequence, and a factory full of workers energized by Pepsi, this ad solidified the soft drink’s grip on pop culture.
➤ Fun Fact: Pepsi’s partnership with Britney Spears made her one of the highest-paid celebrity endorsers of all time, with a $50 million deal spanning multiple commercials.
7. Budweiser’s "Frogs" (1995)
Sometimes, simplicity makes the most impact. Budweiser’s 1995 commercial featured nothing but three frogs croaking one syllable each—"Bud," "Weis," and "Er"—forming the beer’s iconic name. No actors, no dialogue, just three animated amphibians selling beer. It was weird, unexpected, and instantly legendary.
➤ Fun Fact: The Budweiser Frogs campaign was so popular that it led to several sequels, including one where a group of lizards attempted to sabotage the frogs' success.
6. Snickers’ "Betty White" (2010)
Betty White was 88 years old when she starred in one of the most memorable Snickers ads ever. In the commercial, a backyard football game turns into a disaster when one player, appearing as White, gets tackled hard. The joke? "You're not you when you're hungry." One Snickers bar later, White morphs back into a young athlete, ready to play again.
➤ Fun Fact: This ad revived Betty White’s career, leading to a grassroots movement that got her a hosting gig on "Saturday Night Live" the same year.
5. Volkswagen’s "The Force" (2011)
Volkswagen turned a simple childhood moment into advertising gold. A young boy dressed as Darth Vader spends his day attempting to summon the Force, failing at every attempt—until his father secretly activates the Volkswagen Passat’s remote start, making the kid believe his powers have finally worked.
➤ Fun Fact: This ad became the most-shared Super Bowl commercial online at the time, proving that relatable, feel-good moments drive brand success.
4. Wendy’s "Where’s the Beef?" (1984)
Few commercials spawn a catchphrase that lasts for decades, but Wendy’s 1984 "Where’s the Beef?" commercial achieved exactly that. Featuring Clara Peller, an elderly woman inspecting a competitor’s tiny hamburger patty, the ad humorously called out fast-food chains with oversized buns but minimal meat. The phrase became a national joke—even used in political debates.
➤ Fun Fact: "Where’s the Beef?" was so widely adopted that it became an actual slogan in Walter Mondale’s 1984 presidential campaign against Ronald Reagan.
3. Coca-Cola’s "Hey Kid, Catch!" (1980)
One of the most touching Super Bowl commercials ever, Coca-Cola’s "Hey Kid, Catch!" starred Pittsburgh Steelers' Mean Joe Greene. After a young fan nervously offers his Coke to the injured football star, Greene, known for his intimidating presence, softens and tosses the kid his game-worn jersey in gratitude.
➤ Fun Fact: The commercial was so beloved that it inspired a made-for-TV movie, "The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid", based on the ad’s heartwarming premise.
2. Apple’s "1984" (1984)
No list of Super Bowl commercials is complete without Apple’s game-changing "1984" ad. Directed by Ridley Scott, this ad depicted a dystopian world inspired by George Orwell’s novel, with a lone female runner smashing a screen broadcasting propaganda—signifying the arrival of the Macintosh computer as a tool of rebellion against conformity.
➤ Fun Fact: Apple only aired the ad once, yet it remains one of the most influential commercials in advertising history.
1. Reebok’s "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker" (2003)
Nothing before—or since—has matched the sheer entertainment value of Reebok’s "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker". This brilliant blend of sports, corporate satire, and absurd humor introduced Lester Speight as Terry Tate, a no-nonsense enforcer of workplace efficiency. Employees who dared to slack off—taking long breaks, forgetting to file reports, or ignoring office rules—were swiftly tackled to the ground by Tate.
➤ Fun Fact: Reebok’s ad was so popular that it led to multiple sequel commercials, and Lester Speight’s portrayal of Terry Tate became one of the most recognizable Super Bowl commercial characters of all time.
What Makes a Super Bowl Ad Iconic?
A great Super Bowl commercial is not just about selling a product—it’s about entertaining, surprising, and sticking in the public’s memory long after the game ends. Some, like Apple’s 1984, Coca-Cola’s Mean Joe Greene, and Wendy’s Where’s the Beef?, changed advertising forever.
Others, like Reebok’s Terry Tate, simply gave the world an unforgettable character that transcended the brand itself.
👇Which of these classic Super Bowl ads is your favorite? Drop a comment and let us know!