Superbowl ads have always been iconic. They’re a way for brands to reach more consumers than ever, with the estimated 125 million super bowl viewers across different platforms. Different companies have to compete for the limited air space and for the most recent super bowl, brands had to pay upwards of 8 million dollars for one ad space of 60 seconds, so they’re likely willing to spend a little extra money to make their ads unforgettable.
I mean, think about it. What do you remember from when you watch the superbowl? Is it the crazy plays that shocked the fans? The players that scored the most touchdowns? Maybe the impressive performance from one of the teams?
No. It was the brilliant, creative ads that caught your attention. Why else would you even watch the superbowl? Over the years, this has led to the creation of many show-stopping advertisements that have left lasting impacts on pop culture, so let’s talk about the most iconic, memorable ads in all of super bowl history.
Budweiser: “Whassup?”
Maybe the most iconic Super Bowl ad of all time, this Budweiser commercial from Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 shows a few friends talking to each other on the phone while “watching the game and having a bud.” One man says “Whassssssup?” and they all break into dramatically repeating it before the two friends first shown proceed with their call.
The ad was funny, representing the community and friendship created from sports and how people bond over it, while still advertising Budweiser. Not only is it a good ad, it also had a lasting impact on pop culture, becoming something people started saying and even being referenced in The Office.
Apple: “1984”
Called the greatest commercial of all time by multiple outlets and having won awards after its release, this 1984 Apple ad from Super Bowl XVII is undeniably a classic. Directed by acclaimed Science Fiction film maker Ridley Scott, the commercial shows English athlete Anya Major saving the world against “Big Brother.”
It then introduces the new Apple computer, Macintosh, telling viewers that the year 1984 will not be like the movie “1984” that shows a totalitarian, fascist government in a future world.
Snickers: “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry”
This Super Bowl XLIV promotion for Snickers was a part of their “You’re not you when you’re hungry” campaign in 2010 and will forever be one of the best Super Bowl Ads in history. It shows a pickup football game with Betty White as one of the players, and when one of her teammates says “you’re playing like Betty White,” someone stops her and delivers the iconic line, giving her a Snickers bar.
When she eats it, she transforms into a young man who goes on to play infinitely better than before because of the Snickers he ate. It’s genius advertising.
Pepsi: “Two Kids New Can”
In this hilarious ad from the 1984 Super Bowl XVII, Pepsi introduced their new design for the Pepsi soda can.
When Cindy Crawford, a famous model and actress, pulls up to a gas station and gets out of her car, there are two young boys staring in her direction, and at first you think they’re looking at her, until she goes to a Pepsi machine and buys a drink. As she drinks, the boys admire the new look for the cans instead of her, demonstrating how good the new design is.
Wendy’s: “Where’s the Beef”
Super Bowl XVII really was a hit for the commercials. In this commercial for Wendy’s, the fast food chain called out their competitors for having too much bun on their burgers and not enough beef when a woman who gets a burger with a giant bun and tiny patty starts questioning, “where’s the beef?”
They tell viewers that, unlike the Whopper or BigMac that can be bought from their competitors, Wendy’s burgers have the right amount of beef for the bun. Its fame comes from their willingness to be upfront about putting down other food chains.
There have been so many classic super bowl ads over the past 60 years, a surprisingly large amount of them being made in 1984 (seriously, what was in the water back then), and I can’t even begin to tell you about all of them. These are the ones I like the most, and if you want to prove me wrong, you can watch every Super Bowl ad ever created, but until then, these are the best. •