The Super Bowl turned out to be quite dull, with the Kansas City Chiefs being thoroughly defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles, making the final score misleading. Consequently, the spotlight shifted to the Super Bowl commercials that aimed to entertain the viewers instead.
Fox sold out their ad inventory with each commercial spot fetching around $7 million, setting a record for pricing.
Here are the 10 best commercials from Super Bowl 59 and one that missed the mark:
10. Dunkin’: “DunKings 2” The sequel to last year’s hit “DunKings” took the humor up a notch with a plethora of cameos. This time, the Affleck Brothers, Ben and Casey, are joined by Jeremy Strong, Bill Belichick, Jay and Silent Bob, and Druski. Strong steals the show by emerging from a tank of coffee beans like Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now, poking fun at his method actor persona. While the previous year’s ad had its charm, this year’s offering shines with Strong’s infectious humor, making fans long for just one more season of Succession.
9. NERDS: “What a Wonderful World” Not every Super Bowl commercial needs to be hilarious; some can simply tug at your heartstrings. NERDS leans into nostalgia with Shaboozey enjoying Gummy Clusters while singing a rendition of Louis Armstrong’s classic “What a Wonderful World.” The commercial, filled with vibrant colors, features the artist strolling through New Orleans accompanied by animated characters and a lively jazz band, reminding viewers of simpler, joyful times.
8. Pringles: “The Call of The Mustaches” No food item conjures mustaches quite like Pringles. This whimsical commercial features flying mustaches summoned by blowing into a Pringles can. Nick Offerman, Andy Reid, James Harden, and even Mr. Potato Head (LOL) hilariously lose parts of their facial hair. While Harden is more famous for his beard, the real humor lies in his ridiculous look alongside Offerman, complemented by a fun use of the 1960s Batman TV theme song.
7. RITZ: “RITZ Salty Club” Aubrey Plaza is undeniably talented and funny, but the timing of this ad feels poignant following the passing of her husband, director and screenwriter Jeff Baena, last month. Nevertheless, Plaza’s sharp humor shines as she teams up with Michael Shannon and Bad Bunny. Her best one-liner? “I’m the human version of Monday.” The contrast between Plaza and Shannon’s laid-back style with Bad Bunny’s energy creates a great dynamic.
6. Hellmann’s: “When Sally Met Hellmann’s” It’s unfortunate that Hellmann’s leaked this commercial early, as the surprise of Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan reuniting for a classic scene from the 1989 rom-com When Harry Met Sally could have made more of an impact. While many Super Bowl ads rely on nostalgia, this one felt natural. Seeing Crystal and Ryan together again along with the added charm of Sydney Sweeney offers a funny and refreshing touch to the commercial.
5. Coors Light: “Slow Monday” The only downside is that the Sunday Scaries likely hit hard after watching this one, reinforcing the notion that the Super Bowl should perhaps take place on a Saturday. Featuring sloths, the humor is relatable in a scene where a supermarket clerk is horrified to see groceries crashing at the conveyor belt’s end. The amusing slow-speed chase, highlighted by a chyron stating “Bank Robbery in Progress – Stolen Vehicle Speeding at 2 MPH,” adds to the fun.
4. Stella Artois: “David & Dave: The Other David” This commercial gives a fresh spin to the concept of unknown twins. David Beckham and Matt Damon may not look alike, but the ad humorously underscores their shared affinity for Stella Artois. The comedic proclamation “That’s a shame” aimed at Ben Affleck adds a hilarious touch to the overall charm of the commercial.
3. Michelob ULTRA: “The ULTRA Hustle” Originally conceived as a commercial, Ted Lasso’s essence manifests in this delightful concept featuring Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara as pickleball hustlers. Their antics provide entertainment, particularly when they con younger mixed doubles players, not for money but for beer. O’Hara delivers the best line when asked about their professional athlete status, responding wittily, “What sport?” This undoubtedly calls for a pickleball series featuring Dafoe and O’Hara—please make it happen!
2. GoDaddy Airo: “Act Like You Know” This commercial is packed with humor, making it worthy of a rewatch. Walton Goggins brings the laughs in just 30 seconds, playfully highlighting the absurdities of acting as he navigates a crime scene and accidentally sends a fellow astronaut to potential doom. His antics, including driving a stick-shift car the wrong way during a race, are simply hysterical.
1. Nike: “So Win.” Nike’s recent commercial stands out with its impactful message amid the rising popularity of women’s sports. Featuring stars like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and others, the ad resonates profoundly, countering the negativity often directed at female athletes. The core message promotes authenticity and success, promising to leave a lasting impression for years to come.
The worst
Mountain Dew: “Kiss From A Lime” While not many commercials missed the mark this year, Mountain Dew’s attempt fell flat. Seal appearing as a seal and parodying his iconic song for a soft drink didn’t resonate and felt off-key altogether.
