George Clooney is making his first appearance in a Super Bowl commercial as he leads Grubhub’s inaugural Big Game advertising campaign, which will air during Super Bowl 2026 on February 8. This 30-second spot, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, embraces the director’s distinctively unconventional style to highlight a key new offer from Grubhub.
The actor, known for his role as Jay Kelly, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Lanthimos.
“When I heard Yorgos Lanthimos was directing his first Super Bowl spot for Grubhub, and they called and asked me to be a part of it, I was thrilled,”
Clooney said.
“He’s one of my favorite directors.”
Inside the Commercial’s Unique Setting and Message
The advertisement takes place within an extravagant castle, featuring a group of elegantly dressed guests attending a lavish dinner party filled with various takeout dishes. As the evening progresses, the dramatic mood shifts when the final course arrives—delivery and service fees. Clooney’s character interrupts the scene to deliver Grubhub’s primary promise: the company will cover all fees on restaurant orders exceeding $50.
This offer represents a significant change aimed at easing one of the most persistent frustrations for delivery customers. Grubhub notes that fees on orders above $50 often average around $13 across different delivery platforms.
George Clooney emphasized the importance of the message, explaining,
“It’s a great way to tell people that they agree the fees are annoying.”
Despite working on a commercial for the first time with Lanthimos, Clooney found the process similar to filming one of the director’s movies. “Honestly, nothing changed,” he added.
“He treats a 30-second spot the same way he treats a film. We’re in this incredible castle with these terrific actors. He uses his same cameraman that he shoots every film with. He has a very clear point of view, and that carried all the way through.”
Campaign Details and Wider Marketing Strategy
Clooney described the final commercial as
“a very short, two-minute Yorgos Lanthimos film,”
condensed into a Super Bowl spectacle. The ad is scheduled to debut during the third quarter of Super Bowl 2026 and will serve as the launchpad for a broader Grubhub campaign.
This initiative will include out-of-home advertisements, digital campaigns, and special limited-time restaurant promotions throughout Big Game week and continuing afterward. According to the company, the new pricing approach reflects a fundamental change in delivery service fees.
Grubhub CEO Howard Migdal highlighted the intent behind the campaign, noting,
“For too long, ordering delivery has come with sticker shock.”
He added that Grubhub wants to return
“hundreds of millions of dollars back into customers’ pockets.”
The Impact and Future Outlook for Delivery Pricing
This campaign marks a notable shift in the food delivery industry’s approach to service fees, focusing on reducing hidden costs that have long frustrated consumers. By promising to absorb fees on larger orders, Grubhub hopes to attract more customers seeking transparent and affordable delivery options, potentially influencing competitors to follow suit.
After reflecting on the campaign, Clooney kept his expectations simple about what viewers might take away once the festivities conclude: a reliable and enjoyable meal delivered right to their door.
