The biggest sporting event of the year requires top-of-the line performance both on and off the field.

On the biggest stage, companies must bring out their A-game to draw as much attention as possible to their products and their brand. Hundreds of ads are aired every year for the big game, so I am taking it upon myself to rank the 10 best Super Bowl commercials of all-time. Now is the perfect time to rank them, because Super Bowl LVII just aired.                                  

10. Hyundai: Smart Park (2020)

Notable Boston celebrities John Krasinski, Chris Evans, and Rachel Dratch team up in this ad to showcase the self-parking capabilities of the new Sonata model. The trio showcases their Boston accents and relies on the new Hyundai Sonata to help them “pahk the cah”. Watch the ad here.

9. Walmart: Famous Cars (2019)

Walmart uses childhood nostalgia to help promote their curbside pickup. You’ll recognize notable cars from Ghostbusters, Scooby-Doo, Batman, and more! Click here to watch.

8. State Farm: Drake from ST Farm (2021)

State Farm is known for the very popular “Jake from State Farm” series. In this ad, Drake, the rapper, stars as the stand-in for Jake. This ad also stars actor Paul Rudd and well-known athletes Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. Check out this humorous ad here.

7. McDonalds: The Showdown (1993)

This game of HORSE between two great basketball players shows Michael Jordan and Larry Bird facing off for a Big Mac. The commercial shows ridiculous shot after ridiculous shot being made as neither of the players want to lose the Big Mac. Be sure to check it out here.

6. Volkswagen: The Force (2012)

Volkswagen goes full-on dark side mode as they set the scene of a child in a Darth Vader costume trying to use the force on objects around the house. He finally ignites the car with “the force” as Volkswagen showcases the capabilities of the new Passat model. Check it out here.

5. Snickers: Betty White (2010)

The phrase “You’re not you when you’re hungry” gets its meaning as this commercial shows Betty White hobbling through a pickup football game and getting tackled into a patch of mud. She is handed a Snickers bar after the big hit and instantly turns back into a fit, young man. Watch here.

4. Coca-Cola: Mean Joe Greene (1979)

One of the most iconic Super Bowl commercials of all time goes back to the 70’s, when Coke shows “Mean” Joe Greene hobbling into the locker room after a hard-fought game. A young fan gives Greene his Coke, and the player returns the favor with a jersey and a smile. Click here to watch.

3. Amazon: Alexa loses her voice (2018)

One of my favorite commercials from the past 5 years starts off when the most important assistant in the world, Alexa, loses her voice. Gordan Ramsey, Rebel Wilson, and other stars step in to help as customers ask for simple things such as a grilled cheese recipe, a music playlist, and even how long the distance is to Mars. Check it out here.

2. E-trade: Baby (2008)

This is one of the simpler ads on this list, but I think that is what makes it one of the best. E-Trade shows a baby at a computer talking to the camera while buying stocks. The humor mixes perfectly with the call-to-action as the baby explains that investing on E-Trade is so easy that even a baby can do it. Watch the ad here.

1. MTN DEW: Puppy Monkey Baby (2016)

By far my favorite Super Bowl commercial of all time is the trifecta of the puppy-monkey-baby. This commercial is so goofy that all it needed to go viral was a unique character and a catchy jingle. The only connection to Mountain Dew is that both the product and the puppy-monkey-baby are “Three awesome things combined.” Check out the best Super Bowl ad here.

Let me know on @AuburnCampusRec what I left off this list!

Be Well, Auburn