This is the top 10 Super Bowl ads of all time, what made each one iconic, and the creative patterns marketers can learn from today.
Why the Best Super Bowl Commercials Stick With Us
Super Bowl ads are not just commercials, they are cultural moments. Some brands are back year after year to chase the glory and some are newcomers in the Super Bowl scene. However, one thing remains the same, the best ones do more than entertain. They create shared memories people quote at work, reference in group chats, and rewatch years later. That level of recall comes from clear storytelling, emotional payoff, and a brand message that feels natural instead of forced.
Not every Super Bowl commercial earns that status. Some are loud, expensive, and instantly forgotten. The Best Super Bowl Commercials usually take the opposite approach, they focus on one big idea that is easy to explain and even easier to remember.
What Qualifies as “Best” for Super Bowl Commercials
Everyone has opinions on which ads deserve the top spots, so it helps to define what “best” means here. These commercials are remembered beyond game night, generate conversation, feel rewatchable, and connect the brand to a clear emotion or moment. Whether funny, heartfelt, or surprising, each one can be summed up in a sentence that instantly brings the ad back to mind.
Top 10 Best Super Bowl Commercials of All Time
1. Apple, “1984” (1984)
A rebel athlete races through a dystopian world and smashes a giant screen to announce the Macintosh.
Why it works: it proved Super Bowl commercials could feel cinematic and bold, not just promotional.
2. Coca-Cola, “Hey Kid, Catch!” featuring “Mean” Joe Greene (1980)
A kid shares his Coke with an exhausted football legend and gets a game jersey in return.
Why it works: pure human connection with a simple emotional payoff.
3. McDonald’s, “The Showdown” (1993)
Michael Jordan and Larry Bird compete in trick shots for a Big Mac and fries.
Why it works: friendly rivalry, star power that supports the story, and a concept anyone can repeat.
4. Budweiser, “Frogs” (1995)
Three frogs croak “Bud. Weis. Er.” in a strangely catchy rhythm.
Why it works: minimal dialogue, maximum memorability.
5. Budweiser, “Wassup?” (late 1990s campaign)
Friends answer the phone with an exaggerated “Wassup?” that spreads from couch to couch.
Why it works: it became a catchphrase that escaped advertising and entered everyday life.
6. Reebok, “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” (2003)
A fictional linebacker tackles coworkers who break office rules.
Why it works: it plays like a comedy sketch with a clear character and strong repeat value.
7. Volkswagen, “The Force” (2011)
A child dressed as Darth Vader tries to use the Force and accidentally starts a car thanks to a parent’s remote.
Why it works: nostalgia, humor, and a warm family moment rolled into one.
8. Snickers, “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” featuring Betty White (2010)
Betty White gets tackled in a muddy football game before transforming after eating a Snickers.
Why it works: one clear joke and a campaign line built to last.
9. Budweiser, “Puppy Love” (2014)
A puppy repeatedly escapes to visit a Clydesdale, proving friendship wins in the end.
Why it works: emotional storytelling that is easy to follow even if you look up halfway through.
10. Tide, “It’s a Tide Ad” (2018)
The commercial keeps changing styles before revealing that every clean-clothes scene is actually a Tide ad.
Why it works: a smart twist that plays with expectations in real time.
The patterns that show up in the Best Super Bowl Commercials
Watch enough winning Super Bowl ads and you start seeing repeatable structures. There is usually one simple story with a fast setup and clean payoff. Some use a twist ending. Others rely on nostalgia to grab attention quickly. These patterns matter because they are teachable, even without a Super Bowl-sized budget.
Funny vs emotional, why both work
Comedy spreads fast. Emotional ads build long-term goodwill. Both show up on every “Best Super Bowl Commercials” list for a reason. Humor gives people something to quote, while emotional spots create connection. The strongest ads often blend the two, making viewers laugh first, then feel something real.
The celebrity factor, when it helps and when it hurts
Celebrities appear in countless Super Bowl commercials, but fame alone does not make an ad great. The best uses feel intentional. Either the celebrity is part of the joke, or they help establish a personality the brand wants to borrow. When stars replace the idea instead of supporting it, the ad usually fades fast.
What marketers can learn from these classics
You do not need a Super Bowl budget to apply these lessons. Start with one idea you can explain in a sentence. Build your story around it. Remove anything that does not serve the core message. If your concept needs a paragraph to understand, it will struggle in thirty seconds. If it lands in five, you are on the right track.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Best Super Bowl Commercials of all time?
The Best Super Bowl Commercials of all time are the ads that remain memorable years later, spark real conversation, and connect the brand to a clear emotion or story.
What makes a Super Bowl commercial one of the best?
A commercial is made one of the best when it comes down to one big idea, a simple story, and a strong payoff that people can easily describe and remember.
Are funny or emotional Super Bowl commercials better?
Both funny and emotional Super Bowls can become classics. Funny ads tend to spread quickly, while emotional ads often create deeper brand loyalty. The strongest commercials depend on what fits the brand.
Do celebrities help create the Best Super Bowl Commercials?
Celebrities help create the best Super Bowl commercials only when they support the concept. Celebrities work best when they move the story forward instead of replacing it.
Where can I watch the Best Super Bowl Commercials?
If you want to watch the best Super Bowl commercials, many brands publish their Super Bowl ads on official channels, Youtube, and major media outlets regularly curate “best of all time” collections.
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