Some of us watch the Super Bowl for the actual game, and the rest of us? We’re here for the commercials. And not just any commercials—the ones that make us laugh so hard we nearly drop our snacks. Over the years, brands have pulled out all the stops to create some of the funniest, most ridiculous, and downright unforgettable ads ever aired on live TV.
Let’s go down memory lane and relive some of the most hilarious Super Bowl ads that had everyone talking!
Budweiser’s “Whassup?” (1999)
Credit: Youtube
Ever had a friend call just to say “Hey,” and then it somehow turns into a never-ending inside joke? That’s exactly what happened in Budweiser’s Whassup? ad. A group of friends kept answering the phone with exaggerated “WHASSUUUP?” greetings, turning a simple phrase into a pop culture sensation.
EDS’s “Cat Herders” (2000)
Credit: Youtube
Cowboys are tough. Cowboys are rugged. But cowboys herding cats? That’s next-level chaos. This clever commercial turned a common expression into a ridiculous visual of cowboys wrangling hundreds of fluffy, rebellious felines across the prairie. Watching tough ranchers covered in cat scratches while taking their job way too seriously made this an unforgettable Super Bowl moment.
Snickers’ “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010)
Credit: Youtube
Nothing prepared us for Betty White getting flattened on the field. In this Snickers ad, a hungry player’s performance is so bad that he literally becomes Betty White. After taking a hit that could knock a linebacker out cold, she delivers a zinger that proves she’s the real MVP. This one set the tone for a long-running Snickers campaign, but the original with Betty remains unmatched.
Doritos’ “Crystal Ball” (2009)
Credit: Youtube
If only office life were this exciting. A guy predicts free Doritos by chucking a crystal ball at a vending machine—success! But his coworker’s attempt backfires spectacularly, leaving the boss doubled over in pain. It’s the kind of slapstick humor that never gets old, and frankly, we wouldn’t mind if all workplace visions worked like this.
Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)
Credit: Youtube
Ever wished a commercial made absolutely no sense but was somehow still genius? Enter Old Spice. This ad was a whirlwind of shirtless charm, rapid scene changes, and ridiculous declarations about how a man should smell. “I’m on a horse,” he says. Why? Who knows! But the sheer over-the-top delivery made it a meme-worthy masterpiece.
Volkswagen’s “The Force” (2011)
Credit: Youtube
If you ever tried to use The Force as a kid, you weren’t alone. In this heartwarming yet hilarious ad, a tiny Darth Vader attempts to control objects around the house. Just when all hope seems lost, bam!—Dad secretly uses the car’s remote start, making little Vader believe his powers are real.
Tide’s “It’s a Tide Ad” (2018)
Credit: X
This ad was an adception. Tide played the ultimate prank by making you question every Super Bowl commercial. Clean clothes? Must be a Tide ad. Random action sequence? Tide. A horse on a beach? Definitely Tide. By the time it ended, it had successfully hijacked the entire night. Genius.
Reebok’s “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” (2003)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Some offices have passive-aggressive emails—others have Terry Tate. Reebok’s Office Linebacker tackled bad workplace habits literally. Miss a deadline? BAM. Leave the copier jammed? WHAM. Suddenly, refilling the coffee pot was a survival skill. This ad turned office life into a full-contact sport, and honestly, we could use a Terry Tate in every workplace.
Mountain Dew’s “Puppy Monkey Baby” (2016)
Credit: Youtube
If someone ever asks what true chaos looks like, show them Puppy Monkey Baby. A creature with the head of a pug, the torso of a monkey, and the legs of a baby danced into our nightmare. And somehow, we loved it. It was weird, unsettling, and impossible to forget. Mission accomplished, Mountain Dew.
Kia’s “Melissa McCarthy: Hero’s Journey” (2017)
Credit: Youtube
Melissa McCarthy is on a mission to save the environment—except things keep going horribly wrong. From getting catapulted off a tree to being rammed by a rhino, every attempt ends in pure disaster. Her physical comedy is gold, and watching her get thrown around like a ragdoll never stops being hilarious.
Amazon’s “Alexa Loses Her Voice” (2018)
Credit: Youtube
What happens when Alexa malfunctions and gets replaced by celebrities? Absolute chaos. Instead of helpful responses, users get Gordon Ramsay yelling at their cooking skills and Cardi B refusing to play anything other than her own music. It was the kind of tech fail we all fear—just with way more laughter.
Bud Light’s “Real Men of Genius” (2003)
Credit: Youtube
This series of mock tributes gave dramatic praise to the most random people—like “Mr. Giant Foam Finger Inventor.” With over-the-top vocals and ridiculous backstories, it was like a power ballad dedicated to life’s most unnecessary but somehow crucial creations. We still salute you, giant foam finger guy.
Doritos’ “Goat 4 Sale” (2013)
Credit: Youtube
A man adopts a Dorito-obsessed goat. At first, it’s cute—until the goat demands more chips. When supplies run out, things take a darkly funny turn. The goat turns menacing, and suddenly, it’s not so adorable anymore. Lesson learned: never underestimate an animal with a snack addiction.
Pepsi’s “Cindy Crawford” (1992)
Credit: Reddit
Two young boys stare in awe as Cindy Crawford struts up to a vending machine. But the joke’s on us—it turns out they’re admiring the Pepsi can design, not Cindy herself. It was a perfect mix of humor and nostalgia, proving that sometimes, a can of soda can steal the show.
Budweiser Frogs (1995)
Credit: Youtube
Sometimes, the funniest commercials are the simplest. Three frogs sitting in a swamp, croaking the syllables of “Budweiser,” turned into one of the most bizarre yet beloved Super Bowl ads ever. The repetition, the blank stares, and the eventual realization that this was a beer commercial made it an instant classic.
