The Best Super Bowl Commercials in History

The best Super Bowl commercials aren’t just funny or dramatic; they leave a lasting impression, shape brand identity, spark conversation, and often redefine advertising strategy.

This breakdown ranks the all-time best Super Bowl commercials, analyzing why they stood out, how they influenced culture, and what made them milestones in Super Bowl commercial history.

Best Super Bowl Commercials of All Time, Ranked

1. Apple — “1984” (1984)

Apple’s “1984” is widely considered the best Super Bowl commercial ever created. 

Directed by Ridley Scott, the ad introduced the Macintosh computer with a cinematic dystopian message that stood in sharp contrast to the product-driven ads of its time. 

It transformed the Super Bowl into a national advertising stage and set a new standard for brand storytelling.

2. Budweiser — “Puppy Love” (2014)

This deeply emotional ad paired a Clydesdale with a loyal puppy, creating one of the most heartwarming stories ever aired during a Super Bowl. 

Its viral reach and cross-generational appeal solidified it as one of the best Super Bowl commercials ever produced.

3. Coca-Cola — “Hey Kid, Catch!” (1980)

Mean Joe Greene’s tunnel jersey toss became an instant cultural icon. The emotional payoff, simplicity, and feel-good message continue to make it one of the all time best Super Bowl commercials.

4. Old Spice — “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)

Old Spice reinvented its brand with a fast-paced, humorous spot that became a viral sensation. Its one-take style, witty scripting, and meme-friendly energy reshaped modern comedic advertising.

5. Doritos — “Crash the Super Bowl” Winners

For years, Doritos handed creative control to consumers, producing some of the funniest and most memorable ads in Super Bowl history. The campaign proved that creativity beats budget — and established Doritos as a Super Bowl advertising powerhouse.

Best Super Bowl Commercials That Went Viral

Some Super Bowl commercials missed the cut, but still wound up going viral. The one that takes the cake is “The Force” from Volkswagen.

Mini Darth Vader using “the Force” on a Volkswagen Passat became the blueprint for viral advertising. 

The ad exploded online before the game aired, proving that Super Bowl commercials could dominate the digital space days in advance. Nostalgia, humor, and universal appeal solidify it as the best viral Super Bowl commercial ever.

Additional Viral Super Bowl Commercials:

• Always — “Like a Girl”
• Jeep — “Groundhog Day”
• Doritos — “Goat 4 Sale”
• Tide — “It’s a Tide Ad”

Super Bowl Commercials with Best Creativity

There’s one more list of great Super Bowl commercials that maybe didn’t go viral or didn’t crack our top-5, but they didn’t lack creativity. The one that stands out the most comes from Tide.

Tide delivered one of the most creative Super Bowl campaigns ever by parodying the entire commercial landscape. 

Every ad suddenly “looked” like a Tide ad, and viewers questioned each spot throughout the game. It was strategic, clever, and structurally groundbreaking — the pinnacle of Super Bowl commercials best creativity.

Additional Creative Super Bowl Commercials:

• Old Spice — “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”
• Snickers — “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry”
• Google — “Loretta”
• Pepsi — “More Than OK”

Honorable Mentions: Just Missed the Cut

1. Pepsi — “Cindy Crawford” (1992)

This ad became a defining moment of ’90s pop culture. While iconic, it leans more on star power than narrative depth, placing it just outside the top rankings. Its visual impact and brand association remain unforgettable.

2. NFL — “Super Bowl Babies Choir” (2016)

This creative and charming ad blended humor and sentiment with a unique NFL-related mythos. Though memorable, its niche concept and limited emotional reach kept it off the main list.

3. Avocados From Mexico — “First Draft Ever” (2015)

A clever mock sports draft featuring animals being “selected” into ecosystems. While witty and replayable, its cultural footprint is smaller than the top-tier classics.

4. Toyota — “Upstream” (2021)

A beautifully cinematic story about Paralympian Jessica Long. It narrowly missed the list only because similar emotional ads have had broader historic impact.

Relive the Best Super Bowl Commercials of All Time

The best Super Bowl commercials of all time have shaped pop culture, redefined marketing, and delivered unforgettable storytelling on the world’s biggest advertising stage. 

From groundbreaking creativity to emotional resonance and viral impact, these iconic ads continue to influence how brands approach the Super Bowl each year. They are part of what makes the game so entertaining, and you can even wager on commercial props at trusted Super Bowl betting sites.