Top 10 Funniest Super Bowl Commercials of All Time
#10: “Desert Island” (2003)
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FedEx After “Cast Away” put FedEx on the map, a commercial alluding to the blockbuster was inevitable. This Super Bowl ad could just as easily function as an alternate ending to Robert Zemeckis’ film. Like Tom Hanks’ character, this commercial’s unshaven castaway chooses against opening a particular FedEx package, delivering it upon escaping from the island. Where the movie leaves the contents of the package ambiguous, the ad reveals what’s inside. It’s hilariously soul-crushing watching the castaway try to keep it together as the owner whips out the survival supplies she ordered for no apparent reason. While the woman isn’t ungrateful, she clearly wasn’t obsessing over the lost package for the past five years, leaving the castaway to dwell on the time and willpower he wasted.
#9: “Monks” (1977)
Xerox Jack Eagle was a popular commercial actor, his most iconic minute onscreen occurring in the 70s. Eagle played Brother Dominic, a monk who pours his sweat, blood, and tears into scribing a document, only to realize he needs to do it 500 more times. Thankfully, Brother Dominic lives in an era of Xerox, duplicating the document miraculously fast. Although there were concerns that the ad could be construed as offensive, it was deemed fit for the Super Bowl after making the Archbishop of New York laugh. Good thing, as “Monks” has been described as the “first viral ad.” It’d inspire several other commercials featuring Brother Dominic and even a 2017 recreation with a digital twist, but the original remains advertising executive Allen Kay’s magnum opus.
#8: “When I Grow Up” (1999)
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Monster.com Bryan Buckley has gained a reputation as the “King of the Super Bowl,” directing hit ads like the aforementioned “Desert Island.” His big break came in 1999 with a Super Bowl ad for Monsters.com. The setup sounds like we’re in store for something inspiring as kids say what they want to be when they grow up. Instead of astronauts, doctors, or the president, these kids have lowered their expectations. While the commercial cleverly commentates on the cruel nature of the workforce, it also encourages viewers young and old to not sell themselves short. Although not an overnight sensation, it proved to have more staying power than the average Super Bowl ad, increasing the website’s business and putting Buckley on the path to commercial royalty.
#7: “Cat Herders” (2000)
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Electronic Data Systems Ross Perot founded EDS in 1962. Ironically, this 2000 EDS Super Bowl commercial wound up being a favorite of Perot’s political rival, Bill Clinton. The funniest big game ads are often the ones that play with expectations. This commercial creates an authentic western atmosphere with stunning mountain backdrops and rugged cowboys, many of whom weren’t actors but the real deal. It could be mistaken for a beef commercial if not for one detail. Instead of cattle, the cowboys heard cats! Around 60s cats were used for the ad with the rest being CGI. The ad’s intention was to paint EDS as a company that solved impossible problems. Whether or not that message got across, the commercial definitely had people talking, laughing, and purring for more.
#6: “Diner” (1995)
Pepsi The 90s were a golden age of Pepsi Super Bowl ads, delivering staples featuring Cindy Crawford and Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” However, no Pepsi ad made us laugh harder than this classic, which also encapsulates the pinnacle of the Cola Wars. Director Joe Pytka creates an inviting environment as two truck drivers, one for Pepsi and the other for Coca-Cola, meet at a warm diner on a chilly night. The two bond at the counter over music, family, and the job. They cap off their new friendship by swapping drinks, although the Coke driver wants more than just a sip of the Pepsi. What starts as a heartwarming ad quickly escalates into a bitter confrontation, building to a hysterical punchline.
#5: “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)
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Old Spice Isaiah Mustafa was a wide receiver before transitioning to acting. While he never played in the Super Bowl, Mustafa did star in this infinitely-quotable ad. Inspiration hit Mustafa on the way to his callback for the Old Spice Man role, deciding to put on a comic-book hero voice that complimented the rapid-fire dialogue. The ad may be fast-paced with settings shifting in the blink of an eye. Yet, the production lasted three days with about 67 takes. When it was finally finished, Procter & Gamble wasn’t satisfied. Although the ad was intended to air during the Super Bowl, they decided to reserve it for after the actual game. Despite this, the commercial not only won a number of Super Bowl ad polls, but also an Emmy.
#4: “Whassup?” (2000)
Budweiser Technically, this commercial debuted in late 1999 during Monday Night Football. Even before then, it derived from Charles Stone III’s short film, “True.” The ad reached another level of popularity when it played during Super Bowl XXXIV, though. For all the over-the-top ads that Budweiser has given us, their funniest is perhaps their most simplistic. The commercial consists of a few guys sitting on couches, drinking beers, and talking over retro phones. At the center of this basic premise is a perennial question that continues to spark thoughtful conversations and heated debates: “Whassup?” The ad sounds silly and admittedly, it is, but the performances, editing, and overall execution perfectly capture bromance during the turn of the century, which still brings a smile to our faces.
#3: “Free Doritos” (2009)
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Doritos You can always rely on Doritos to deliver a side-splitting Super Bowl commercial, “Pug Attack” being an example. The one that cracked us up the most, though, was a fan-made ad for the Crash the Super Bowl contest. Indiana brothers Joe and Dave Herber received a million dollars for this commercial after dominating the 2009 Ad Meter. No crystal ball (or snow globe) could’ve foretold that, but it can predict whether there will be free Doritos at the office. It might wind up being a self-fulfilling prophecy, however. We’re not sure what’s funnier, that everyone acts so casually about an unhinged employee breaking a vending machine or that this winning commercial came from “two nobodies from nowhere,” as Dave described himself and his brother.
#2: “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010)
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Snickers Some were introduced to Betty White through “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” For others, it was “Golden Girls.” If you grew up in the 2010s, this Super Bowl commercial might’ve been your first exposure to the comedy legend. White is ingeniously cast as a young football player who isn’t playing his best game. After his girlfriend gives him a Snickers, he literally becomes another person. In addition to being a highlight of Super Bowl XLIV, the ad ushered in another golden age for White with thousands campaigning on Facebook for her to host “SNL,” which she did! It’s sad to think that White and Abe Vigoda are no longer with us, but this ad will forever be a source of comfort, much like a Snickers. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Magic Fridge” (2006), Bud Light We Bow to This Ad “Just My Shell” (2012), M&M’s The M&M Anatomy Continues to Fascinate Us “Joe Montana Miracle Stain” (2013), Tide Another Gem From Bryan Buckley “Showdown” (1993), McDonald’s You Know, the Big Mac is Gonna Get Cold “Mosquito” (1998), Tabasco An Explosively Funny Commercial
#1: “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” (2003)
Reebok Ray Lewis, Dick Butkus, Terry Tate, what do they have in common? All three are linebackers, although Tate is the only fictional one. Actor Lester Speight is so convincing in the role, however, that you might assume Tate is an actual linebacker. It’s hard to imagine any office hiring him, though, especially when the job involves tackling other employees. Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber of “Dodgeball” fame, “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” is a different kind of underdog story about a football star trying to make it in the white-collar world. The contrast is funny enough, but the hard-hitting physical comedy elevates this commercial to another frontier of hilarity. It’s pain time for Tate’s co-workers, but for us, the only pain is from dying of laughter.
