Super Bowls are not just about football; they are one of the biggest advertising nights of the year. As millions tune in to watch the game this year in New Orleans, brands compete just as fiercely as the teams on the field, using humor, nostalgia, and star power to grab our attention. With the cost of a 30-second Super Bowl ad reaching an estimated $7-8 million this year, brands are pulling out all the stops to make their ads count.
At BPR, we love dissecting Super Bowl commercials just as much as the game itself. From bold brand messaging to unforgettable celebrity cameos, this year’s lineup did not disappoint. Here’s a breakdown of our favorite Super Bowl LIX commercials that had us talking long after the game’s final whistle.
The Ultra Hustle – Michelob Ultra
Nothing grabs an audience’s attention like a well-executed comedic ad, and this year’s ads didn’t disappoint. One standout was the hilarious pickleball-themed commercial featuring Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara.
This unlikely duo brought impeccable comedic timing and charisma to the court, making for a brilliantly entertaining spot. Their witty banter made the ad a standout, reinforcing Michelob Ultra’s brand as a go-to beer for active, fun-loving consumers. By blending humor with star power, the brand successfully commanded attention and left a lasting impression.
Pringles
Every year, some Super Bowl ads take a turn for the bizarre, and this ad was one of the most delightfully strange commercials of the night. Adam Brody runs out of Pringles, only to summon Pringles logo-style mustaches that detach from people’s faces and fly to his aid, attempting to deliver more of the snack. The surreal nature of the ad, combined with its oddball humor, immediately turned heads and had viewers questioning what they just watched in the best way possible.
This is exactly what makes Super Bowl ads so fun. The randomness of this Pringles ad ensured that people paid attention and kept talking about it long after the game.
When Sally Met Hellmann’s – Hellmann’s
Some of the best Super Bowl ads tap into nostalgia while giving it a fresh, modern twist, and Hellmann’s “When Sally Met Hellmann’s” ad did exactly that. Inspired by the iconic diner scene from “When Harry Met Sally,” the ad featured Sydney Sweeney alongside the film’s original stars, Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, in a clever nod to the rom-com classic.
The famous line, “I’ll have what she’s having,” was reimagined to mean one thing: pass the mayonnaise. This witty reinterpretation paid homage to a beloved pop culture moment and seamlessly incorporated Hellmann’s into the joke. By blending nostalgia with modern star power, the ad engaged multiple generations of viewers and ensured that the brand remained top of mind.
The DunKings Are Back – Dunkin
Ben Affleck’s latest Dunkin’ Super Bowl ad is a masterclass in humor, self-awareness, and pure entertainment. This time, Affleck teams up with fellow Bostonian Jeremy Strong and former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Decked out in signature DunKings tracksuits, they go against the “Baristas Buds” in a clear spoof of Starbucks and its baristas during the Java Jam Battle of the Coffee Brand Bands. The ad perfectly blends Dunkin’s brand voice and humor with Boston pride, delivering a clever, laugh-out-loud moment that keeps the brand front and center as one of the night’s standout commercials.
Matthew McConaughey – Uber Eats
Uber Eats delivered a comedy-packed, star-studded spectacle with Matthew McConaughey spearheading an outlandish conspiracy theory: football was invented to sell food.
As McConaughey passionately broke down his theory, he was joined by an impressive lineup including Kevin Bacon, Greta Gerwig, Martha Stewart, and Charli XCX. From linking “pigskin” to bacon (perfectly timed with Bacon’s cameo) to suggesting that the Buffalo Bills were named after buffalo wings, the ad kept audiences entertained from start to finish. The blend of humor, celebrity power, and fast-paced storytelling made this one of the game’s most memorable spots.
Lilo & Stitch
One of the most unexpected and delightful moments of Super Bowl LIX came when Stitch, the mischievous blue alien from “Lilo & Stitch,” interrupted the game by running across the field. The CGI-animated character dodged security, causing chaos while riding a cart onto the field. This clever integration of nostalgia and humor hyped up the upcoming “Lilo & Stitch” live-action movie, making it one of the night’s most talked-about promotions.
Baja Blast Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew took an undeniably strange approach with their advertisement, featuring none other than Seal, whose face was superimposed onto the body of a CGI seal.
Reimagining his iconic “Kiss from a Rose” as an ode to Baja Blast, the ad fully embraced its bizarre premise. Adding to the oddity, Becky G made an appearance, bluntly calling it “the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.” The sheer unpredictability of the spot made it a talking point long after the game ended, proving that sometimes, the best way to capture an audience is by leaning into weird.
Cul-De-Sac Party – Bud Light
Bud Light brings the backyard vibes to Super Bowl LIX with Cul-De-Sac Party, a hilarious ad starring comedian Shane Gillis, singer Post Malone, and two-time Super Bowl champ Peyton Manning. The trio helps their neighbor Ted take his lackluster Super Bowl party to the next level. Armed with leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and an all-purpose smoker-beer cooler, the crew embraces full-on suburban dad mode, with Manning rocking jorts and a fanny pack. The commercial is perfect for blending nostalgia, absurdity, and Bud Light’s signature humor into one of the night’s most unforgettable ads.
Angel Ultra Soft
Sometimes, simplicity is key. Angel Ultra Soft delivered a brilliantly practical Super Bowl ad by acknowledging a universal truth: people need bathroom breaks during the game. Featuring a countdown timer to help viewers run to the restroom, the ad was both funny and refreshingly straightforward. This kind of clever, real-world relatability is pure marketing genius for a toilet paper brand.
This year’s Super Bowl commercials were a perfect mix of humor, nostalgia, and unexpected creativity. From surreal moments like “Kiss from a Lime” to the heartfelt throwback of “When Sally Met Hellmann’s,” brands found innovative ways to engage millions of viewers. As always, the ads were as much a part of the experience as the game itself. These commercials spark conversations, debates, and plenty of laughs.