Super Bowl ads have turned into multimillion-dollar cultural events that define eras of advertising. From dystopian tech reveals to hilarious animal sagas, the best ones linger in memory long after the game ends. Vote for your all-time favorites below.
What counts: Best balances cultural impact, creativity, humor, and estimated viewership. Figures are approximate.
Betty White Snickers▲ Rising
Snickers cast Betty White as a rough football player in 2010, instantly making her a meme. The 'You're not you when you're hungry' line became the campaign's backbone. Its quick physical comedy cut through the game broadcast.
Year: 2010Brand: SnickersViews: 100 MRating: 9/10Cost: 2.8 M$
added by IJR
1984▲ Rising
Apple's Ridley Scott-directed spot aired once during Super Bowl XVIII and introduced the Macintosh by smashing Big Brother imagery. It instantly became the benchmark for cinematic advertising. The ad still tops lists because it proved a product launch could feel like an event.
Year: 1984Brand: AppleViews: 90 MRating: 9.8/10Cost: 0.9 M$
added by IJRin 5 rankings1984
When I Grow Up▲ Rising
Monster.com's deadpan kids listing soul-crushing jobs highlighted the need for better career sites. The 1999 spot struck a nerve during the dot-com boom. Its dry humor still resonates in job-search discussions.
Year: 1999Brand: Monster.comViews: 80 MRating: 8.7/10Cost: 1.8 M$
added by IJRWhen I Grow Up
Apple Mac vs PC▲ Rising
The 'Get a Mac' campaign's first Super Bowl airing in 2006 used Justin Long and John Hodgman to personify the platforms. The calm superiority of Mac landed perfectly. It ran for years and shifted brand perception.
Year: 2006Brand: AppleViews: 88 MRating: 8.3/10Cost: 2.6 M$
added by IJR
GoDaddy Janet Jackson▲ Rising
GoDaddy's 2005 spot with a wardrobe malfunction tease became the most talked-about ad of the year despite controversy. The brand used the moment to establish edginess. It drove massive name recognition.
Year: 2005Brand: GoDaddyViews: 92 MRating: 7.5/10Cost: 2.4 M$
added by IJR
Mean Joe Greene
Coca-Cola's 1979 exchange of a Coke for a jersey from the tired Steelers player created an instant tearjerker. The ad ran for years in various markets. Its simple kindness message still ranks among the most emotional sports spots.
Year: 1979Brand: Coca-ColaViews: 75 MRating: 9.2/10Cost: 0.5 M$
added by IJR
Volkswagen's Darth Vader kid commercial aired during Super Bowl XLV and racked up millions of YouTube views overnight. The reveal of the Passat starting the car delivered perfect family-friendly payoff. It remains the gold standard for emotional storytelling in 30 seconds.
Year: 2011Brand: VolkswagenViews: 120 MRating: 9.5/10Cost: 3 M$
added by IJRThe Force
E*Trade Baby
The diaper-clad baby trading stocks during the 2000 Super Bowl mocked dot-com excess while selling online brokerage. Multiple sequels kept the gag alive for years. Its absurd cuteness made finance approachable.
Year: 2000Brand: E*TradeViews: 95 MRating: 8.4/10Cost: 2 M$
added by IJR
Whassup?▲ Rising
Budweiser turned a casual greeting into a nationwide catchphrase with friends yelling on the phone. The campaign ran for years and won a Grand Prix at Cannes. Its simple repetition made it inescapable during the 2000 Super Bowl.
Year: 2000Brand: BudweiserViews: 110 MRating: 8.9/10Cost: 2.2 M$
added by IJRWhassup?
Doritos Pillow Fight
Two office workers battling with Doritos pillows during the 2007 Super Bowl won the brand's first user-generated contest. The crunchy sound effects sold the product without dialogue. It proved fan-made ads could compete with agency work.
Year: 2007Brand: DoritosViews: 70 MRating: 7.9/10Cost: 0.1 M$
added by IJR
The tiny dog demanding 'Yo quiero Taco Bell' in 1997 became a pop culture staple. The campaign boosted sales dramatically. Its catchphrase still surfaces in nostalgia lists.
Year: 1997Brand: Taco BellViews: 80 MRating: 7.7/10Cost: 1 M$
added by IJRTaco Bell chihuahua
Hulu Huluween
Hulu's 2019 ad featured celebrities in horror tropes promoting the streaming service. The quick cuts and star power cut through the game. It highlighted content variety.
Year: 2019Brand: HuluViews: 68 MRating: 7.6/10Cost: 3.2 M$
added by IJR
Budweiser Frogs▲ Rising
The 1995 Budweiser frogs croaking the brand name became a surprise hit and spawned a long series. Their simple repetition worked during the game. The campaign ran for years.
Year: 1995Brand: BudweiserViews: 85 MRating: 7.8/10Cost: 1.5 M$
added by IJRBudweiser Frogs
Bud Light Puppy Love
A golden retriever puppy and Clydesdale formed an unlikely friendship in the 2014 Bud Light spot. The snowy rescue moment delivered maximum heart. It topped USA Today's Ad Meter that year.
Year: 2014Brand: Bud LightViews: 105 MRating: 8.5/10Cost: 3.5 M$
added by IJR
Doritos Time Machine
The 2011 Doritos ad showed a time-traveling machine powered by chips and delivered clean visual gags. It won the brand's annual contest again. Viewers loved the escalating absurdity.
Year: 2011Brand: DoritosViews: 78 MRating: 8.2/10Cost: 0.05 M$
added by IJR
Audi 'Green Police'
Audi's 2010 spot mocked overzealous environmental enforcers in a humorous dystopia. The twist ending with an A3 diesel won laughs. It stood out for clever satire.
Year: 2010Brand: AudiViews: 70 MRating: 8.1/10Cost: 2.3 M$
added by IJR
Pepsi Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's 1984 Pepsi spot featured the iconic jacket and dance moves during the game. The brand aligned with pop's biggest star at his peak. It set the template for celebrity Super Bowl ads.
Year: 1984Brand: PepsiViews: 100 MRating: 8.1/10Cost: 1.2 M$
added by IJR
Clydesdales Touchdown
Budweiser's horses reenacted a Super Bowl play in the snow and became an annual tradition. The 2002 version cemented the brand's emotional connection to the game itself. Viewers still request the horses every February.
Year: 2002Brand: BudweiserViews: 95 MRating: 8.6/10Cost: 2.5 M$
added by IJR
FedEx Castaway
The 2003 FedEx spot parodied Cast Away with a Wilson volleyball and perfect delivery joke. The reveal landed with sports fans. It showcased the brand's reliability with humor.
Year: 2003Brand: FedExViews: 72 MRating: 8.4/10Cost: 2.1 M$
added by IJR
Wendy's 'Where's the Beef?'▼ Falling
Clara Peller's 1984 catchphrase questioned bigger burger claims and became a national slogan. Wendy's sales spiked immediately. The line still echoes in political and advertising discourse.
Year: 1984Brand: Wendy'sViews: 82 MRating: 8/10Cost: 0.8 M$
added by IJR
The Man Your Man Could Smell Like
Old Spice's rapid-fire Isaiah Mustafa monologue during the 2010 game launched a thousand parodies. The absurd escalation from boat to diamonds kept viewers glued. It redefined how brands could own social conversation overnight.
Year: 2010Brand: Old SpiceViews: 85 MRating: 8.8/10Cost: 1.5 M$
added by IJRThe Man Your Man Could Smell Like
Chrysler Imported from Detroit
Eminem's 2011 spot for Chrysler rebranded Detroit as resilient and cool. The gritty city shots and Eminem narration created instant pride. It won USA Today's Ad Meter.
Year: 2011Brand: ChryslerViews: 115 MRating: 8.7/10Cost: 4 M$
added by IJR
Amazon Alexa Super Bowl▼ Falling
Amazon's 2016 ad showed celebrities losing patience with Alexa in humorous ways. The rapid-fire complaints highlighted the device's presence. It boosted awareness during peak adoption.
Year: 2016Brand: AmazonViews: 82 MRating: 7.8/10Cost: 3.8 M$
added by IJR
Kia 'Space Babies'
Kia's 2013 ad featured babies rapping about the Optima in space. The surreal humor and catchy beat made it memorable. It won Ad Meter that year.
Year: 2013Brand: KiaViews: 75 MRating: 7.9/10Cost: 3.1 M$
added by IJR
Nissan GT-R 'Skyline'▼ Falling
Nissan's 2007 Super Bowl ad used the GT-R's launch to showcase Japanese engineering with dramatic driving. The car’s reveal created buzz among enthusiasts. It marked a performance comeback.
Year: 2007Brand: NissanViews: 65 MRating: 7.9/10Cost: 2.7 M$
added by IJR
McDonald's Larry Bird vs Jordan
The 1993 McDonald's spot showed Larry Bird and Michael Jordan betting on shots for a Big Mac. The escalating trick shots became legendary. It captured the era's basketball hype.
Year: 1993Brand: McDonald'sViews: 90 MRating: 8.9/10Cost: 1.8 M$
added by IJR
Pepsi Refresh▼ Falling
Pepsi's 2010 campaign invited viewers to vote on charitable ideas during the game. The interactive element was new for Super Bowl ads. It shifted the brand toward social good.
Year: 2010Brand: PepsiViews: 88 MRating: 7.4/10Cost: 2 M$
added by IJR
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1984 at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.
Came for the argument, stayed for the comparison grid. The numbers settle half the fights here.
Missing a few names that belong in the top ten, but the top three is basically right.