The 10 Most Unforgettable Super Bowl Ads Since 2000

For many, the Super Bowl is about more than just football; it’s a cultural event where the commercials are as anticipated as the halftime show. Since 2000, brands have spent millions to capture our attention with humor, emotion, and spectacle. Here’s a look back at ten of the most notable ads that did just that.

A Countdown of Iconic Commercials

Super Bowl ads have the power to enter our daily conversations, create catchphrases, and define moments in pop culture. This list celebrates the commercials that have stuck with us long after the game ended, from the hilarious to the heartwarming.

10. E*Trade: “Baby” (2008)

Kicking off a campaign that would run for years, the 2008 E*Trade commercial was shockingly simple and effective. It featured a talking baby in front of a computer, explaining how easy the online trading platform was to use. The ad’s humor came from the combination of a baby’s voice with adult financial talk, ending with the memorable line, “I just bought a stock.” This spot was so successful that the E*Trade baby became a Super Bowl staple for six years, proving that a clever concept could have incredible staying power.

9. Reebok: “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” (2003)

What happens when you enforce office policy with a professional football player? Reebok answered that question with the wildly funny “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker.” The ad showed an employee, Terry Tate, tackling his coworkers for minor office infractions like finishing the coffee pot or forgetting to put a cover sheet on a TPS report. The over-the-top physical comedy and Terry’s classic lines like “The pain train’s comin’!” made it an instant classic that people quoted for years.

8. Snickers: “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010)

This ad launched one of the most successful and enduring advertising campaigns of the 21st century. The commercial featured a group of guys playing backyard football, with one of them being the legendary actress Betty White. After a poor play, a friend’s girlfriend comes over and says, “Mike, eat a Snickers.” He takes a bite and instantly transforms back into himself. The spot, also featuring Abe Vigoda, perfectly captured the simple idea of being cranky when hungry and made “You’re not you when you’re hungry” a global catchphrase.

7. Amazon: “Alexa Loses Her Voice” (2018)

How do you showcase the personality of a smart assistant? By showing what happens when it’s gone. In this star-studded commercial, Alexa mysteriously loses her voice, and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos panics. The solution is to have celebrity replacements fill in, including Gordon Ramsay yelling at someone asking for a grilled cheese recipe, Cardi B laughing at a question about Mars, and Anthony Hopkins delivering a chillingly creepy response. It was a brilliant, funny, and perfectly executed ad that highlighted Alexa’s importance by imagining a world without her.

6. Budweiser: “Puppy Love” (2014)

Budweiser has a long history of emotional Super Bowl ads featuring their iconic Clydesdale horses, but “Puppy Love” took it to another level. The commercial tells the simple story of an adorable Labrador puppy who keeps escaping from an adoption center to befriend a Clydesdale horse at a neighboring farm. Set to the song “Let Her Go” by Passenger, the ad is a masterclass in storytelling without dialogue. The final scene, where the Clydesdales block the car taking the puppy away to ensure the friends stay together, is pure, heartwarming magic.

5. Google: “Loretta” (2020)

In a sea of loud, funny, and celebrity-filled commercials, Google’s “Loretta” stood out for its quiet, emotional power. The ad is told through a Google search bar, as an elderly man uses Google Assistant to help him remember details about his late wife, Loretta. He asks it to show him photos of their anniversary and to remember details like how she “hated his mustache.” It was a deeply moving and human story that demonstrated the product’s function in a profoundly personal way, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

4. Chrysler: “Imported from Detroit” (2011)

This two-minute epic was more than just a car commercial; it was a powerful statement about the resilience of the American auto industry and the city of Detroit. Featuring rapper Eminem driving a Chrysler 200 through the city, the ad was gritty, cinematic, and defiant. The powerful narration, Eminem’s intense presence, and the final line, “This is the Motor City, and this is what we do,” created a cultural moment that resonated far beyond the automotive world.

3. Budweiser: “Wassup?” (2000)

This ad became a global phenomenon. Based on a short film, the commercial featured a group of friends calling each other and yelling “Wassup?” in a comically drawn-out way. It was simple, relatable, and incredibly catchy. The phrase immediately entered the public lexicon and was parodied and repeated everywhere. It perfectly captured a moment in time and stands as one of the most influential and culturally significant Super Bowl ads ever made.

2. Old Spice: “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)

This ad completely revitalized the Old Spice brand. Featuring actor Isaiah Mustafa speaking directly to the camera in a single, seamless take, the commercial is a whirlwind of surreal and hilarious scenes. He transitions smoothly from a bathroom to a boat to riding a horse, all while delivering a confident and witty monologue. The ad’s fast pace, clever writing, and technical brilliance made it an instant viral sensation and set a new standard for modern advertising.

1. Volkswagen: “The Force” (2011)

Often cited as one of the best Super Bowl commercials of all time, “The Force” was a game-changer. It featured a small child dressed as Darth Vader, hilariously trying to use “the Force” on everything from the family dog to a washing machine. Dejected, the child goes outside to face the family’s Volkswagen Passat. From inside the house, the father uses the remote start, and the car’s lights flash on. The child whips around, shocked by their newfound “power.” The ad was released online before the game, a strategy that was novel at the time, and it went viral, proving the power of charm and great storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Super Bowl ads so expensive? The cost is driven by the massive, live television audience. The Super Bowl is one of the few events where millions of people watch the broadcast at the same time, including the commercials. This provides brands with a unique opportunity to reach a broad and engaged audience that they can’t find anywhere else.

What is considered the first truly famous Super Bowl ad? Many point to Apple’s “1984” commercial, which aired during the 1984 Super Bowl. Directed by Ridley Scott, the cinematic ad introduced the Apple Macintosh computer. Its dystopian theme and high production value were unlike anything seen in advertising before and set the stage for the Super Bowl becoming a showcase for major ad campaigns.

How do you measure if a Super Bowl ad is successful? Success is measured in several ways. In the short term, companies look at social media buzz, press mentions, and increases in website traffic. Long-term success is measured by brand recall, positive changes in public perception, and, most importantly, an increase in sales. Ads like Snickers’ “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” are considered highly successful because they launched campaigns that boosted sales for years.