When it comes to the Super Bowl, the commercials are almost as anticipated as the game itself. Every year, viewers eagerly tune in to see which brands have pulled out all the stops for their big ad campaign. And over the years, there have been some definite stand-outs. Here are ten of the best super bowl commercials of all time.
1. Apple – Macintosh (1984) -Best Super Bowl ad ever
This commercial, which aired during Super Bowl XVIII, introduced the world to Apple’s Macintosh computer. It was set in a dystopian future where everyone was controlled by a giant screen that played propaganda. A lone woman ran through the streets, hurling a hammer at the screen and shattering it. The commercial was a huge success and is considered one of the most influential commercials of all time.
2. Coca-Cola – “Mean Joe” Greene (1980)
This commercial, which aired during Super Bowl XII, featured Pittsburgh Steelers player “Mean Joe” Greene. In it, a young boy offers him a Coke after a game and he graciously accepts. It’s a simple commercial, but it tugged at viewers’ heartstrings and has become one of the most iconic ads in history.
3. McDonald’s – “The Showdown” (1993)
This commercial, which aired during Super Bowl XVIII, featured basketball legends Michael Jordan and Larry Bird playing a game of H-O-R-S-E. It was funny, charming, and perfectly captured the spirit of competition.
4. Budweiser – “Clydesdales”
The Budweiser Clydesdales have been appearing in commercials since 1933, but it wasn’t until 1987 that they became synonymous with the Super Bowl. Their commercial during Super Bowl XXI featured the horses interacting with a little boy and has been hailed as one of the most emotional commercials ever made.
5. Volkswagen – “The Force”
This commercial, which aired during Super Bowl XLV, featured a young boy dressed as Darth Vader trying to use “the force” to start his parents’ car. It was a huge hit.
6. Doritos – “Crash the Super Bowl”
In 2007, Doritos introduced its “Crash the Super Bowl” contest, which invited viewers to submit their own commercials for a chance to have it aired during the big game. The winning commercial, which featured a man being chased by a herd of stampeding cows, aired during Super Bowl XLI and was a huge success.
7. Google – “Parisian Love”
This commercial, which aired during Super Bowl XLIV, told the story of a man searching for love in Paris. It was a touching and heartwarming ad that perfectly captured the spirit of Google.
8. Bud Light – “Real Men of Genius”
This commercial, which aired during Super Bowl XXXIX, featured the “Real Men of Genius” campaign. In it, a man sings an ode to “Mr. Bud Light Beer Drinker” and it is both funny and clever.
9. Pepsi – “Pepsi Stuff”
This commercial, which aired during Super Bowl XXX, featured a number of celebrities, including Britney Spears and Cindy Crawford, hawking Pepsi-branded merchandise. It was a funny and clever ad that perfectly captured the spirit of Pepsi.
10. Nike – “Just Do It”
This commercial, which aired during Super Bowl XXIII, featured a montage of athletes doing their thing, set to the inspirational voice-over of actor Willem Dafoe. It was a motivating and empowering ad that perfectly captured the Nike brand.
Summary of the best Super Bowl commercials
The article discusses the best Super Bowl commercials of all time. It highlights ten memorable ads, including the Apple Macintosh commercial from 1984 and the Budweiser Clydesdales commercial from 1987. These ads were successful for a variety of reasons, ranging from their clever humor to their emotional impact.
