The Most Iconic Super Bowl Commercials and How They Changed the Game (Literally)

by Cait Kerzan

Ah, the Super Bowl—a time for legendary touchdowns, way too much dip, and, let’s be real, some of the most expensive and hyped-up commercials of the year. It’s the one time people willingly sit through ads, and over the years, brands have pulled off some absolute masterpieces (and a few duds, but we’ll focus on the wins).

Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic Super Bowl commercials and how they basically rewrote the marketing playbook.

Apple’s “1984” (1984) – The Ad That Made You Feel Like a Rebel

Before this ad, computers were just beige boxes for nerds. But then Apple came in swinging with a Ridley Scott-directed dystopian epic, portraying their Macintosh as the hero smashing conformity (aka, IBM). It was dramatic. It was cinematic. It probably made people feel like buying a Mac would overthrow the government. And just like that, Apple set the gold standard for Super Bowl advertising: tell a story, make it big, and, most importantly, make people feel like they have to be part of it.

Coca-Cola’s “Mean Joe Greene” (1979) – The Ad That Made Grown Men Cry

Picture this: a tough football legend limping down the tunnel, a kid offers him a Coke, and suddenly, he transforms from an intimidating defensive tackle into your friendly neighborhood uncle. Joe Greene chugs the Coke, tosses the kid his jersey, and boom—Coca-Cola cements itself as the official drink of warm, fuzzy feelings. This commercial is proof that sometimes, simple human connection sells better than any flashy gimmick.

Budweiser’s “Frogs” (1995) – The Ad That Made Zero Sense but Stuck in Your Brain Forever

If you weren’t around for this one, just imagine three frogs croaking “Bud,” “Weis,” and “Er” over and over again. That’s it. That’s the ad. And somehow, it was everywhere. Kids repeated it, adults repeated it, and suddenly, Budweiser was the beer of choice for people who enjoyed animal sound effects. It was weird, it was random, and it proved that sometimes, nonsense is the best way to get people talking.

Snickers’ “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010) – The Ad That Gave Us Hangry Betty White

A bunch of guys are playing football, but instead of one of them, we get Betty White getting tackled into the dirt. Why? Because he’s hungry, and when you’re hungry, you become Betty White. This campaign was so successful that Snickers ran with it for years, swapping in other celebrities for different variations. Lesson learned: humor sells, and everyone loves Betty White.

Volkswagen’s “The Force” (2011) – The Ad That Made Parents Feel Powerful

A tiny Darth Vader marches around his house, dramatically trying to use The Force on various objects. Nothing works—until Dad secretly turns on the car with the key fob, making the kid think he actually has Jedi powers. Cute, clever, and packed with nostalgia, this ad nailed the whole “make people feel something” strategy. Also, it’s a solid reminder that parents will do anything to keep their kids entertained.

Doritos’ “Crash the Super Bowl” (2007-2016) – The Ad That Let Random People Do the Work

Doritos looked at their marketing team and said, “What if we didn’t do anything and just let fans make the ads?” And somehow, it worked. This contest ran for almost a decade, generating some of the funniest, most outrageous Super Bowl commercials ever—proving that sometimes, the best creativity comes from the people who love your product the most. Oh, and it also saved them a ton of money on agency fees. Genius.

What These Ads Teach Us About Marketing

So what’s the takeaway here? Besides the fact that people will never stop talking about Apple’s one good Super Bowl ad from the ‘80s?

1. Tell a story – Nobody remembers generic commercials, but everyone remembers the ones with a narrative that hooks them.

2. Make people feel something – Nostalgia, humor, heartwarming moments—these are what make an ad stick.

3. Simplicity works – A frog saying "Budweiser" should not be a cultural phenomenon, but here we are.

4. Let the audience join in – Doritos figured out that letting people create their own content builds insane engagement.

At the end of the day, Super Bowl commercials aren’t just about selling a product; they’re about making an impression. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that the weirder, funnier, and more emotionally manipulative the ad, the better.

So, who’s ready to see what ridiculousness brands come up with this year? My money’s on another nostalgia-fueled celebrity cameo. Or maybe… just maybe… a talking animal.