The 13 Best Super Bowl Commercial Of All Time
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The Super Bowl is the National Football League Championship of the US which is held in January or February and is hosted by different cities each year. The first game was played in 1970 and was named the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The day when the Super Bowl game is arranged, known as “Super Bowl Sunday,” has been declared an unofficial American holiday.

As a famous game, commercials are common and mandatory viewing for everyone. One watches the Super Bowl as much as the commercials. There are a lot of industries that are built around Super Bowl commercials. There is a ratio where 50-50 people tune in for only the commercials.

You will be amazed that some of them spent $5.5 million to promote their brands for only 30 seconds during Super Bowl LV in 2021, without production or any other type of cost. There are many types of commercials that are the most famous and got everyone’s attention for signing many famous actors, players, and concepts. A list of rankings among the brand commercials is shared here according to their popularity and why they are popular.

1. COCA-COLA (1980)

This full 1-minute Super Bowl commercial starred the great man Joe Green, an American former professional football player who played defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a 12 years old child actor, Tommy Okin. It was aired on January 20, 1980.

In this commercial, the young boy offers Coca-Cola to Joe Green, who is heading to the locker room. Who would have thought that it would get the best Super Bowl commercial of all time? The kid, Tommy Okin, once expressed after years that “The people that wrote it wrote a great commercial.”

In return, the young boy got a jersey of Mean Joe Green and showed Coca-Cola’s popular jingle: “Have a Coke and a Smile.”

Again in 1971, the Coca-Cola Super Bowl commercial was the most expensive and most famous one of that time. The commercial starred a bunch of young artists and was first aired on January 17, 1971.

In this commercial, a bunch of young people gather on a hilltop in Italy and sing, “I’d like to buy the world a Coke,” in perfect harmony. This made this commercial the most famous of that time and the most expensive one, as the budget was $250,000.

The match result was Baltimore Colts beat Dallas Cowboys 16-13, and the venue was Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida.

2. APPLE (1984)

This full Super Bowl commercial was an iconic commercial that aired only once during the third quarter of the 1984 Super Bowl National League. This commercial introduced the first Apple Computer Macintosh (1984). The Super Bowl commercial was first aired on January 22, 1984.

But there is a reason to be iconic. It was based on George Orwell’s novel ‘Nineteen Eighty Four’ (1949). The commercial starring a female jogger (Apple) knocks down Big Brother (IBM) with a sledgehammer and shows the iconic branding line “And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like ‘1984.” It was when the Mac computers were born, and the Super Bowl sales were never the same again. The iconic Super Bowl commercial was directed by Ridley Scott and conceived by Chiat/Day.

The match result was Oakland Raiders beat Washington Redskins 38-9, and the venue was Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

3. SNICKERS (2010)

This popular American Super Bowl commercial starred Betty Marion White, an American actress, comedian, and young football player. The commercial was aired on Feb. 7, 2010.

In this Super Bowl commercial, 88 years old ever golden girl Betty White played a role of a young football player who was hungry. She gets slammed flat on her back in a mud football game and becomes angry. Then a teammate shouts and says, “Mike, you’re playing like Betty White out there!” When the argument begins to start.

At that moment, a friend comes forward and gives him snickers. Then it’s 88 years old actress turned into a young quarterback football player who gets sacked instead. Then the famous branding line of Snickers appears ‘You are not you when you are hungry’. 

As a result, New Orleans Saints beat Indianapolis Colts 31-17, and the location was Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida.

4. BUDWEISER (1995)

Budweiser is an American beer company that sells  American-style pale lager and was first introduced in 1876. The commercial starred 3 Frogs. The Super Bowl Commercial was aired on January 29, 1995.

The three frogs burp “Bud,” “Weis,” and “Er.” Budweiser has given us dogs, lizards, lobsters, Dalmatians, and Clydesdales, but this time, they gave people frogs. The place is famous among the young. But there is a criticism of this Super Bowl commercial as it is related to alcohol. But above the critics, the Budweiser frogs croak for good.

As a result, the San Francisco 49ers beat San Diego Chargers 49-26, and the venue was Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, Florida.

5. PEPSI (1990)

Diet Pepsi’s popular Super Bowl commercial, Pepsi, starred Ray Charle who was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. The Super Bowl commercial was aired on January 28, 1990.

In this Super Bowl commercial, after Ray Charles sings praises about his favorite soda, he pauses for a moment. Except that stagehands have placed another brand in front of him. Ray Charles, the wise guy, maybe blind but not dumb. When the guy understands that and gives Ray the Diet Pepsi, Ray laughs and says, “Now that’s the right one, baby!” Ray Charles called this campaign 1993.

As a result, the San Francisco 49ers beat Denver Broncos 55-10, and the venue was Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Again in 1996, Pepsi’s Super Bowl commercial starred a guy from the security camera of a super shop. The commercial was first aired on January 28, 1996. In this Super Bowl commercial, a Coke guy who was cheating secretly pulled a can of Pepsi from the fridge next to it.

Then suddenly, a bunch of cans fell out of the fridge across the floor. But this won’t make a scene. This makes a scene when the cheating guy leaves the place silently. At that moment, “You’re Cheatin’ Heart” by Hank Williams Jr. plays in the background, and at the end, the famous branding line of Pepsi appears “Nothing else is a Pepsi.”

As a result, the Dallas Cowboys beat Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17, and the location was Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona.

In 2004, another Pepsi Super Bowl commercial introduced an 11-year-old boy named Jimi Hendrix who is an American guitarist. He gets a choice between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The commercial was aired on February 1, 2004.

In this commercial, Jimi was walking at a crossroads on his way to stardom. Then he sees two vending machines of Pepsi and Coca-Cola. Which one will he choose? Of course, Pepsi. But there is a counter from Coca-Cola. They made a commercial where Frankie Yankovic buys a Pepsi and then dies while playing the “Too Fat Polka” on a ukulele for a drug overdose.

The result of the match was New England Patriots beat Carolina Panthers 32-29, and the venue was Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas.

Again two more years, in 1992 and 2018, a Super Bowl commercial starring Cindy Crawford, an American model, actress, and television personality, introduced the new can of Pepsi. The commercial was first aired on January 26, 1992 / February 4, 2018.

In this commercial, Cindy Crawford appears in a white tank top and a red Lamborghini on a very hot day. Crawford makes a Pepsi stop by a country roadside while two young boys come in and say, “The new style can? Uhhh-huh”. Then the famous Pepsi logo appears.

More interesting is that after 26 years, Crawford recreates her iconic drink pose only with her 18-year-old son-model Presley this time.

The result of the match was Washington Redskins beat Buffalo Bills 37-24/Philadelphia Eagles beat New England Patriots 41-33, and the venue was Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota/U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

6. McDonald’s (1975)

The Super Bowl commercial starred a bunch of kids, grown-ups, and seniors who wanted their burgers according to their taste. The commercial was first aired on January 12, 1975.

In the commercial, McDonald’s introduces the Big Mac though the burger was first introduced in 1968, seven years earlier. But after the Super Bowl commercial appeared, it became a famous addiction for Americans.

The result of the match was Pittsburgh Steelers beat Minnesota Vikings 16-6, and the venue was Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Again in 1993, a Super Bowl TV commercial by McDonald’s starred Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, the two best NBA basketball players of all time. This Super Bowl commercial was first aired on January 31, 1993.

In this commercial, the NBA fantasy basketball card is introduced to the NBA players. NBA all-timers Larry Bird and Michael Jordan play for a Big Mac and fries. At the end of the commercial, the famous branding line of McDonald’s appears “What you want is what you get.”

The result of the match was that the Dallas Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills 52-17, and the location was Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California.

7. REEBOK (2003)

The Super Bowl commercial starred Terry Tate, a commercial series that was played by Lester Speight, an actor, wrestler, and American football player. The commercial was first aired on January 23, 2003.

In this commercial, Terry shakes a fist at a co-worker who quivers on the floor and says, “You know you need a cover sheet on your TPS report, Richard! That ain’t new, baby!” It was unfortunate that Tate wasn’t signed by the Raiders prior to the game. Interestingly, in the third quarter, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a 34-3 lead and the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

The match result was Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Oakland Raiders 48-21, and the venue was Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California.

8. CHRYSLER (2012)

This Super Bowl commercial introduces Chrysler, an automobile manufacturer in North America. It starred Clint Eastwood, the golden oldie of America. The commercial was first aired on February 5, 2012. It was the first ad that required 90 seconds to exceed permission from the NFL as the longest commercial of all time.

In this commercial, attention was given to “It’s Halftime in America,” the pep talk, and it turned out to be the most successful branding. As for the past political history, the government bailed out the automobile industry. The commercial gives a passionate massage to the country.

The result of the match was that the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17 and the venue was Lucas Oil Stadium,  Indianapolis, Indianapolis.

9. WENDY’S (1984)

This Super Bowl commercial is a very special one for Americans. It was based on a hamburger and starred 3 old ladies. The commercial was aired on 22 January 1984. Who knew this Super Bowl commercial would make a great American culture?

In this commercial, three old ladies get amazed by looking at a great-sized size hamburger. But when one of them removes the upper bun, one white-haired woman says the magical words, “Where’s the beef?”. Like it was Washington Redskins against the Oakland Raiders on the field. Later this line was quoted by a politician, Walter Mondale, a few months later.

The result of the match was that the Oakland Raiders beat the Washington Redskins 38-9, and the venue was Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida.

10. NOXZEMA (1973)

Noxzema is an American shaving cream company. This Super Bowl commercial starred Joe Namath, an American quarterback footballer, and Farrah Fawcett, an American actress who was nominated for the Golden Globe Winner four 4 times. This commercial was first aired on January 14, 1973.

In this commercial, Joe Namath gets straight 30-second shaving foam on his mouth from Farrah Fawcett. At the end of the commercial, Joe Namath, the great quarterback footballer, says to Farrah Fawcett, “You’ve got a great pair of hands.”

The result of the match was Miami Dolphins beat Washington Redskins 14-7, and the venue was Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California.

11. E-TRADE (2013)

E-Trade is an American financial services company. This Super Bowl commercial starred a talking e-trade baby.  The commercial was first aired on February 3, 2013, and was a successful Super Bowl commercial of all time for E-Trade.

In this commercial, the cutie-talking baby warns the investors to save their millions of dollars on hidden files and feels sorry by saying, “This is just tragic, man.” Then he suggests better ways for their money. Then he approaches the audience by saying, “Or just go to E-Trade and save it — boom!”

After the commercial, the company never turned back for their successful Super Bowl commercial as so many new accounts were opened.

The match result was Baltimore Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31, and the venue was the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana.

12. FedEx (1999)

FedEx is an American courier company. The Super Bowl commercial featured the wrong delivery concept for the courier services. The commercial was first aired on January 31, 1999.

In this commercial, it begins with a rival courier company who mistakenly ships the Holy Grail of hockey to rural Bolivia of all places. And on the other hand, at the Cup in Detroit, real Red Wings players and fans are outraged to find a bag of donkey feed. Then the famous line of the company appears “Next time send it FedEx and be absolutely sure.”

The result of the match was Denver Broncos beat Atlanta Falcons 34-19, and the venue was Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida.

13. DORITOS (1998)

Doritos is an American chips company. The Super Bowl commercial starred Ali Landry, the beauty queen and an American actress, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss USA 1996, and two young artists. This commercial introduces the first 3D-shaped chips, Doritos. It was aired on January 25, 1998.

In this commercial, the queen becomes a Doritos-laundry girl. The two young wannabes attempt some sleight-of-mouth to score points with Landry, only to take a smarter attempt. But it turns out that Landry has more amazing flips than the boys. As a former dancer gymnast, Landry performed the stunts herself.

The match result was Denver Broncos beat Green Bay Packers 31-24, and the venue was Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California.

The American Super Bowl is a famous game throughout the world, and industries are growing more and more. The article was about to show a glimpse of some previous decades of all-time best Super Bowl commercials. In the end, it has to be kept in mind that the status of the commercials changes with the times.

Golam Muktadir is a passionate sports fan and a dedicated movie buff. He has been writing about both topics for over a decade and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with his readers. Muktadir has a degree in journalism and has written for several well-known publications, including Surprise Sports.