This year’s Super Bowl commercials captured the attention of audiences far beyond the stadium, with celebrities and brands competing to deliver the most memorable ads. Among the standout spots was the George Clooney Super Bowl Ad, in which the Oscar-winning actor teamed up with director Yorgos Lanthimos to promote Grubhub’s new offering that waives delivery and service fees on orders over $50. As the game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks unfolded on Sunday, February 8, viewers eagerly anticipated the big reveals from numerous brands across various industries.
Celebrity-Driven Commercials Steal the Spotlight
With many sports fans focused on the game itself, others tuned in eagerly for star-studded advertisements teased in the days leading up to Super Bowl 60. Brands including Pepsi, Michelob ULTRA, Nerds, and Pringles used social media to build excitement. Fanatics Sportsbooks’ ad featuring Kendall Jenner quickly became a viral sensation by humorously addressing online rumors about Jenner’s dating life and NBA players’ performance.
In this commercial, Jenner remarks,
“Haven’t you heard? The internet says I’m cursed,”
followed by,
“Any basketball player who dates me kinda hits a rough patch.”
Devin Booker’s subsequent reaction to the ad added to its buzz, underlining the playful nature of the campaign.
Pepsi’s Playful Take on a Classic Rivalry
Pepsi used its Super Bowl ad to cleverly reference its longtime competitor Coca-Cola by featuring a polar bear confused about its preference in soft drinks. Taika Waititi stars as the companion guiding the bear on a journey where it discovers a friend who also favors Pepsi Zero Sugar. The two bears ultimately appear together on a concert Jumbotron with a playful nod to Coldplay, blending humor with creative storytelling.
Pringles Brings Romance to Life with Sabrina Carpenter
Pringles’ commercial introduces fans to Sabrina Carpenter and her quirky love interest, Pringleleo—an animated character made entirely of Pringles crisps. The ad spins a whimsical and offbeat romance, using the playful character to engage viewers in a unique snack-themed narrative.
RITZ Promotes Snack Sharing with a Star-Studded Beach Escape
Bowen Yang, Jon Hamm, and Scarlett Johansson headline RITZ Crackers’ playful commercial set on a vibrant island. The trio enjoys a beach party and lively debates from their treehouse headquarters, showcasing the joy of sharing snacks while highlighting the excitement of the Super Bowl experience.
Nerds Candy News with Andy Cohen
In a colorful commercial for Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters, host Andy Cohen from Watch What Happens Live offers fans an energetic introduction to the candy. Cohen promises “juicy” news, aligning with the bright visuals and the product’s playful vibe.
Fanatics Sportsbook’s Kendall Jenner Campaign
Kendall Jenner’s campaign for Fanatics Sportsbook turns the infamous “Kardashian Kurse” rumor into a clever marketing tool. Selena Kalvaria, chief marketing officer at Fanatics Betting and Gaming, praised the ad’s timely and interactive approach, stating,
“The magic of this campaign is how Kendall Jenner transforms the lore of the Kardashian Kurse into something playful, participatory and [unmistakably] of the moment.”
She went on to explain,
“With Fanatics’ unparalleled cultural influence in sports, ‘Bet on Kendall’ is the perfect way to bring Fanatics Sportsbook into the spotlight with Fanatics Studios and our incredible partners at OBB Media.”
Emma Stone’s Dramatic First Super Bowl Spot for Squarespace
Actress Emma Stone debuts her first Super Bowl ad alongside director Yorgos Lanthimos in a suspenseful narrative emphasizing the importance of securing your digital presence. Stone experiences growing frustration as she attempts to register emmastone.com, only to find it already claimed, highlighting the value of owning a personal domain.
Michelob ULTRA’s Ski Slopes Challenge
Kurt Russell plays a legendary coach who mentors Lewis Pullman in unlocking his competitive edge while enjoying Michelob ULTRA. As Pullman improves on the slopes, he impresses top athletes Chloe Kim and TJ Oshie, blending sportsmanship with brand messaging during the game day atmosphere.
Bud Light’s Wedding Road Trip with Famous Faces
Bud Light’s commercial features Peyton Manning, Post Malone, and Shane Gillis en route to a wedding carrying a keg of beer. Their driver questions the suitability of this gift, and the group also frets over perfecting a wedding speech, creating a humorous and relatable scenario around game day celebrations.
OIKOS Protein’s San Francisco Cable Car Journey
Against the backdrop of San Francisco’s hills, Kathryn Hahn and NFL star Derrick Henry embark on a special cable car tour. Facing unexpected challenges, they discover that OIKOS protein can provide the strength needed to overcome life’s metaphorical uphill battles.
Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Champions Fiber with William Shatner
Kellogg’s Raisin Bran teams up with William Shatner to raise awareness about America’s fiber intake gap. Doug VanDeVelde, Chief Growth Officer for WK Kellogg Co., shared,
“We wanted to talk about a serious health gap in a way that actually felt relevant to people’s lives.”
He added,
“By leaning into some fun wordplay with an absolute legend like William Shatner, we’re making sure the message about fiber is impossible to ignore.”
Serena Williams Highlights Health Benefits in Ro Commercial
Tennis champion Serena Williams discusses her health journey and weight loss of 34 pounds over a year thanks to GLP-1 treatments. She notes improvements in knee joint stress and blood sugar stability, reinforcing Ro’s health-focused messaging during the Super Bowl.
Dunkin’ Donuts Reunites Friends Stars
The Dunkin’ commercial brings together Ben Affleck with Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, and Jason Alexander, known for their roles on Friends. As Affleck seeks candid feedback from the group, viewers anticipate a full reveal of the commercial on game day.
Adrien Brody Reveals TurboTax’s Ease with Expert Janet
Oscar-winner Adrien Brody plays TurboTax expert Janet, tapping into everyone’s usual tax season anxieties before unveiling how TurboTax Experts eliminate the drama. This twist aims to ease tax-related frustrations through humor and relief.
T-Mobile Collaborates with Backstreet Boys
T-Mobile partners with the Backstreet Boys to showcase why consumers should choose their network. The commercial promises surprise appearances when it debuts during the Super Bowl’s second quarter.
Frank’s RedHot and Ludacris Celebrate Game Day Food
Frank’s RedHot launches the “Eat the GOAT” campaign featuring rapper Ludacris to honor game day’s true highlight: unforgettable food. The advertisement celebrates culinary culture alongside the excitement of the biggest sports event of the year.
YouTube TV Asks What Life Would Be Like If Everything Was “Meh”
YouTube TV’s commercial features personalities Jason and Kylie Kelce, Christian McCaffrey, and Gordon Ramsay, asking,
“What would the world look like if everything was ‘meh’?”
The ad uses playful examples such as “meh-gic” tricks and unremarkable athletes to stress the importance of quality entertainment during sports and cultural moments.
George Clooney Headlines Grubhub’s Game-Changing Spot
Grubhub’s new Super Bowl commercial highlights a notable customer benefit: the company will cover delivery and service fees on orders over $50. George Clooney stars alongside director Yorgos Lanthimos in a campaign that blends star power with a consumer-friendly offer. This ad aims to make ordering food during the Super Bowl more appealing by removing common cost barriers.
Melissa McCarthy Brings Humor to e.l.f. Cosmetics
Melissa McCarthy stars in e.l.f. Cosmetics’ telenovela-inspired commercial focused on the brand’s popular Glow Reviver Lip Oil. Her dramatic and comedic presence energizes the ad, contributing to a memorable marketing moment amid the game’s commercial lineup.
Xfinity Imagines Jurassic Park Powered by Its Services
Xfinity’s first national Super Bowl ad rewinds to 1993, imagining what the iconic Jurassic Park might have looked like if powered by Xfinity. Featuring Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Sam Neill, the commercial taps into nostalgia while promoting Xfinity’s connectivity and entertainment capabilities.
Super Bowl Ads Reflect Broader Cultural and Marketing Trends
This year’s Super Bowl commercials exemplify how celebrities, humor, and product innovation merge to captivate millions of viewers. The George Clooney Super Bowl Ad stands out not only for its star presence but also for advancing a valuable user benefit in the food delivery space. Other campaigns blend celebrity appeal with creative storytelling, humor, and emotional resonance to leave lasting impressions.
As brands continue to innovate in their approaches to big-game advertising, these commercials not only boost brand visibility but also shape consumer conversations well beyond the final whistle. The focus on celebrity-driven stories and practical product benefits suggests next year’s ads will aim to be equally compelling and culturally attuned.
