25 of the Best Star-Studded Super Bowl Commercials of All Time

The Super Bowl isn’t just the pinnacle of American football; it’s also the ultimate stage for advertisers to showcase commercials that become cultural touchstones. Over the years, brands have enlisted celebrities to craft memorable ads that resonate long after the game ends. This article delves into some of the most iconic celebrity-featured Super Bowl commercials, examines the effectiveness of such endorsements, and offers insights into creating impactful video ads.

Celebrities are a surefire way to capture audience attention, and 2025 is no exception. Expect to see Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt team up for a Meta ad featuring cutting-edge Ray-Ban glasses, Post Malone & Shane Gillis for Bud Light, David Beckham & David Beckham for Stella Artois, Drew Barrymore & Orlando Bloom for MSC Cruises, and Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’hara for Michelob ULTRA, and many others!

25 Iconic Celebrity Super Bowl Commercials

Coca-Cola’s “Hey Kid, Catch!” featuring “Mean” Joe Greene (1980) In this heartwarming ad, NFL star “Mean” Joe Greene limps off the field, only to be offered a Coke by a young fan. After drinking it, Greene tosses his jersey to the kid, creating an enduring moment in advertising history. EW.com
Pepsi’s “A New Can” with Cindy Crawford (1992) Supermodel Cindy Crawford stops at a gas station, and as she sips Pepsi from a new can design, two young boys watch in awe. The ad became iconic for its simplicity and star power. Sporting News
McDonald’s Showdown: Michael Jordan vs. Larry Bird (1993) Basketball legends Michael Jordan and Larry Bird engage in an epic trick-shot competition for a Big Mac, blending sportsmanship with humor. EW.com
Nike’s “Hare Jordan” featuring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny (1993) This ad paired NBA superstar Michael Jordan with Bugs Bunny, leading to the creation of the beloved film “Space Jam.” EW.com
Britney Spears and Pepsi (2002) Britney Spears captured the hearts of millions with her energetic Pepsi commercial. The ad featured Spears in various eras, showcasing both her versatility and Pepsi’s timeless appeal.
H&R Block – “Willie Nelson Advice Doll” (2004) Willie Nelson promotes an advice doll that offers questionable tax advice, highlighting the importance of professional tax services.
FedEx – Super Bowl Ad Formula (2005) Burt Reynolds, a dancing animal (a bear), a cute kid, and a groin kick. The ad cleverly incorporates all these elements, with Reynolds as the centerpiece, to parody common advertising tropes.
Diet Pepsi Super Bowl “P. Diddy Hitches a Ride.” (2005) P. Diddy’s car breaks down on the way to an award show, and he arrives in a Diet Pepsi truck, sparking a trend among celebrities.
Diet Pepsi – “Brown and Bubbly” (2006) This ad featured P. Diddy, Jackie Chan, and Jay Mohr, highlighting Diet Pepsi’s appeal with a catchy tune and celebrity endorsements.
Snickers – You’re not you when you’re hungry. (2010) Betty White hilariously takes a hit in a backyard football game, proving you’re ‘not you when you’re hungry’ in this iconic Snickers Super Bowl ad.
Pepsi – “King’s Court” (2012) In this medieval-themed ad, Elton John plays a king who judges musical performances. Melanie Amaro, the winner of The X Factor, impresses him with her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” leading to a humorous twist.
DORITOS & MOUNTAIN DEW Blaze vs. Ice (2018) A rap battle between Peter Dinklage and Morgan Freeman, representing Doritos and Mountain Dew, respectively.
AMAZON – Not Everything Makes the Cut (2019) A humorous look at failed Alexa products, featuring celebrities like Harrison Ford.
NFL – The 100-Year Game (2019) A star-studded NFL ad celebrating its 100th season, with numerous football legends.
Bud Light’s “Inside Posty’s Brain” with Post Malone (2020) In this humorous spot, rapper Post Malone debates internally whether to choose Bud Light or a new seltzer, showcasing his comedic chops and relatability.
POP TARTS Fixed the Pretzel starring Jonathan Van Ness (2020) Jonathan Van Ness promotes Pop-Tarts’ new pretzel flavor in his signature enthusiastic style.
Olay MakeSpaceForWomen (2020) Featuring Busy Philipps, Lilly Singh, and Taraji P. Henson, this ad highlights women in STEM and space exploration.
KLARNA The Four Quarter-Sized Cowboys with Maya Rudolph (2021) Actress Maya Rudolph stars as four miniature cowboys in a whimsical ad for Klarna.
Skechers – “Legalize” (2022): Willie Nelson advocates for the “legalization” of Skechers’ comfortable footwear, playing on his well-known support for marijuana legalization.
Ben Affleck and Dunkin’ (2023) Ben Affleck’s collaboration with Dunkin’ brought humor and authenticity, making it a fan favorite. His genuine love for the brand made the ad both relatable and entertaining.
Squarespace “The Singularity” with Adam Driver (2023) Actor Adam Driver stars in a surreal and thought-provoking ad for Squarespace, exploring the concept of a website making websites.
Paramount+ “Stallone Face” (2023) Sylvester Stallone scales a mountain carved in his likeness, joined by characters from various Paramount+ shows.
Doritos – “Jack’s New Angle” (2023) Rapper Jack Harlow becomes obsessed with playing the triangle, leading to a global craze. At an award ceremony, Harlow anticipates winning “Triangle Player of the Year,” only to be upstaged by Elton John, adding a comedic surprise to the spot.
Uber One “Diddy Don’t Do Jingles” (2023) P. Diddy humorously collaborates with various artists to create a hit song for Uber One.
Skechers – “All Walks of Life” (2023): Snoop Dogg stars alongside Martha Stewart, Howie Long, and Tony Romo in a Skechers commercial promoting their Slip-Ins footwear.

The Impact of Celebrity Endorsements in Super Bowl Ads

Adweek

Celebrity appearances in Super Bowl commercials aren’t just for show; they significantly boost ad effectiveness. Data reveals that in recent years, Super Bowl ads featuring celebrities have performed 25% better than those without, underscoring the power of star appeal.

Moreover, a survey by The Marketing Arm found that 64% of viewers believe people are more likely to purchase a product when endorsed by a celebrity, highlighting the persuasive influence of familiar faces.

Sports Business Journal

Crafting Impactful Video Ads: Lessons from Super Bowl Successes

To create compelling video advertisements, consider the following strategies:

Leverage Star Power: Utilizing celebrities can capture attention and enhance brand recall, as evidenced by the success of star-studded Super Bowl ads.
Tell a Relatable Story: Narratives that resonate emotionally with the audience foster a deeper connection, making the ad more memorable.
Incorporate Humor: Humorous ads, especially those featuring celebrities, are more likely to be discussed and shared, increasing their reach. Click Analytic
Ensure Brand Alignment: The chosen celebrity should align with the brand’s image and values to maintain authenticity and credibility.

Final Thoughts

Celebrity endorsements have proven to be a powerful tool in Super Bowl advertising, enhancing engagement and brand perception. By analyzing past successes and understanding the elements that contribute to an effective ad, brands can craft commercials that not only entertain but also drive consumer action.

For a comprehensive look at more iconic Super Bowl commercials and to see how advertising strategies have evolved, explore our curated collection of memorable ads on SuperBowl-Ads.com.