The Super Bowl is one of the most watched television broadcasts of the year with sports fans loving the high level of competition between two of the NFL’s best teams. But for the non-sports fans, it’s all about watching the commercials. 

Companies and studios pull out all of the stops to produce high caliber commercials with special effects, cinematic filming techniques, and well known celebrities. Some are humorous or action packed, while others play on emotions with sentimentality. With the game just a few weeks away, we are taking a look back at some of the best and most memorable Super Bowl commercials.

“Cream Your Face” Noxzema (1973)

Shaving becomes mighty flirty in this ad that stars New York Jets great Joe Namath and a pre-Charlie’s Angels Farrah Fawcett. As Namath mugs for the camera, Fawcett rubs shaving cream on his face and sings in a breathy Marilyn Monroe voice. After Broadway Joe is smooth shaven, Fawcett kisses and nozzles him.

“Welcome to Miller Time” Miller High Life (1983)

Beer commercials played during football are typically aimed at male viewers, and this Miller High Life commercial hits many of the high notes. While a catchy jingle plays, fishermen, factory workers, and other manly men clock out and head to the bar for a few beers, games of pool, and flirting with the ladies.

“Where’s the Beef” Wendy’s (1984)

Wendy’s takes a jab at its competition in this commercial by showing three older ladies examining a large hamburger bun with just a tiny patty inside. One lady repeatedly asks, “Where’s the beef?” while the commentator explains how large Wendy’s burgers are compared to others. The commercial’s tagline became a 1980s catchphrase (and recently returned in the ‘80s set It movie).

“The Showdown” McDonald’s (1993)

Two of the biggest names in basketball play a challenging game of Horse for a Big Mac and fries in this McDonald’s commercial. The multi-segment bit sees Michael Jordan and Larry Bird making increasingly more difficult shots, starting with an over the backboard bucket and ending up tossing the ball from outside to make their shots.

“Budweiser Frogs” Budweiser (1995)

In the mid-1990s, Budweiser kept it simple with the iconic Budweiser frogs commercial. Between the excitement of the game, viewers saw this low key ad in which three frogs relaxing on their lily pads start to croak “Bud,” “weis,” “er.” The catchy commercial prompted additional ads, t-shirts, and other promotional materials.

“Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” Reebok (2003)

Reebok tackled comedy in a big way with their Terry Tate commercial. Actor Lester Speight plays a linebacker who tackles office workers that aren’t being productive or following the rules. Terry hilariously slams into people who aren’t following office protocol or get caught playing games on their computers.

“Parisian Love” Google (2010)

Google turns several inquiries on the search engine into a heartwarming little story in “Parisian Love.” The entire commercial plays out entirely in a search window, as a person first looks for options to study abroad in Paris, to an inquiry on impressing a French girl. Eventually landing on the question, “How to assemble a crib?” the ad is sweet and romantic.  

“The Force” Volkswagen (2012)

Volkswagen showed off the remote starter in their new Passat with the cutest little Darth Vader. As the “Imperial March” plays, a child dressed as the Sith Lord tries to use the Force on the family dog, a doll, and breakfast with no success. Little Vader makes one last attempt on the Passat, and dad uses the remote starter, making the pint sized Star Wars fan very excited.

“It’s a Tide Ad” Tide (2018)

Tide made a very clever commercial by making fun of other commercials. David Harbour, whose star was rising courtesy of Stranger Things, appeared in multiple well worn Super Bowl ad clichés. He’s a stylish guy in a fancy car, the popular guy at the bar, a rugged cowboy, an insurance salesman, and a dude getting buff, who repeatedly tells the audience, “it’s a Tide ad.”

“The Mix-Up” T-Mobile (2021)

The seemingly mismatched real life couple of former ska/pop singer Gwen Stefani and country singer Blake Shelton poked fun at their relationship via T-Mobile. Stefani calls fellow Voice coach Adam Levine to ask him to find her a date, but the spotty service interrupts Stefani’s description of what she is actually looking for in a potential partner, leading Levine to set her up with Shelton.

Come back next week as we revisit more iconic Super Bowl commercials.