Top 20 Best Commercials Featuring Celebrities

Top 20 Best Commercials with Celebrities

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best video advertisements featuring famous faces.


#20: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Alinamin V Energy Drink (1989)
It’s hard to overstate just how big of a star Arnold Schwarzenegger was in the 80s and 90s. But suffice to say, having him endorse your project is a huge boon, especially when he’s as committed as he is here. In this commercial for Alinamin V, an energy drink from Japanese medicine company Takeda, the muscle-bound movie star emerges from one of the bottles, like a sort of genie. Cackling madly as gold coins fly, Ah-nuld is expressive in a way too few modern actors are. And the special effects hold up impressively well. Even if you don’t know enough Japanese to understand what's being said, one thing should be obvious: Arnold Schwarzenegger is one-of-a-kind.




#19: Jerry Seinfeld
American Express (2004)
This credit card ad, from Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson, stars two celebrities: comedian and sitcom star Jerry Seinfeld and…Superman. Except in this case, the Man of Steel is less concerned with crime-fighting, and more concerned with more pressing matters, like the amount of mayonnaise on his sandwich and checking out a Broadway show. This is much to the chagrin of Seinfeld, who ends up getting his DVD player stolen and then destroyed. It’s no wonder these two have fantastic chemistry, considering Superman is voiced by fellow “Seinfeld” alum Patrick Warburton. Running for five minutes, this is as much a comedic short film as it is an ad. And we wouldn’t be surprised if it inspired many people to get an American Express card.




#18: Michael Cera
CeraVe Skincare (2024)
Have you ever looked at a CeraVe product and thought about an actor whose surname is very similar? So have we and undoubtedly plenty of other people. In this hilarious ad, directed by alternative comedy legends Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, actor Michael Cera promotes CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, revealing that it's not just a coincidence, and that he's been behind the skincare brand all along. That’s by no means true, but Cera and Tim & Eric do such a good job of spoofing pretentious ads, it hardly matters. And the final twist, revealing that Cera was actually making an unsuccessful pitch for the ad, is further comedic brilliance.



#17: Zendaya
Squarespace (2022)
Zendaya’s rise from Disney Channel star to A-lister is easy to understand just from viewing her work or watching an interview with her. However, if you want to help someone understand why in the shortest amount of time possible, send them this ad. The Emmy-winning actress plays Sally, a sad seaside seashell seller whose sales surges when she signs up for Squarespace. Seriously! In 36 seconds, Zendaya manages to convey a range of emotions, from despondency to determination to delight. Oh, and who narrates this tongue-twistery tale? None other than André 3000. This commercial is just further evidence that Zendaya can truly do it all.



#16: Charlton Heston
Bud Light (1995)
Charlton Heston was a generation-defining actor, starring in some of the most popular movies of all time across multiple decades. So, he’s not exactly the first you’d appear in a Bud Light ad. Therein lies the genius of this commercial. Part of the “I Love You, Man!” campaign, it features the Oscar winner mingling at a party when a man named Johnny tries to gas him up. But Heston refuses to surrender his beer, responding with the gravitas he brought to countless productions. He even flexes his acting skills even further at the end, making every last inflection count.




#15: Liam Neeson
Clash of Clans (2015)
Speaking of dramatic actors emphasizing their on-screen personas to comedic effect, this mobile game ad sees the star of “Taken” and other intense thrillers playing himself, playing Clash of Clans, and losing to a rival player. Of course, he doesn’t take this lying down. Instead, he launches into a bloodthirsty yet poetic diatribe about how he will get his retribution. This is amusingly contrasted by the reveal that he’s killing time at a coffee shop, and rather meekly correcting a mispronunciation of his name. If there’s ever a “Clash of Clans” feature film, we hope Neeson is involved in some capacity.




#14: Keira Knightley
Coco Mademoiselle (2006)
Keira Knightley has embodied a sort of timeless elegance throughout her career. Therefore, she’s the perfect face of a brand as associated with sophistication as Chanel. In this ad for the French fashion house’s perfume Coco Mademoiselle, the actress gets dressed to the nines, if not tens, to the sound of Joss Stone’s rendition of "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole. It’s directed by Knightley’s frequent collaborator, Joe Wright, who unsurprisingly has her looking absolutely fantastic. And though the ad doesn’t say anything about what the fragrance in question smells like, odds are, if Keira Knightley is endorsing it, it’s worth every penny.



#13: Daniel Craig
Belvedere Vodka (2022)
Daniel Craig might not be everyone’s very favorite James Bond. But it’s hard to argue that he’s not the one with the most range. In this commercial for Polish vodka brand Belvedere Vodka, the English actor runs through a variety of looks, from dapper to bad boy to buff, and showing off some sick moves along the way. Directed by Taika Waititi, this ad is a visual treat, particularly in its use of color. But it wouldn’t be anywhere near as special without a star as talented - and as dedicated - as Craig at the center.



#12: Randy Savage
Slim Jim (1993)
Even for the non-wrestling fans among us, “Macho Man” Randy Savage was a 90s icon. Everything about him, from his wardrobe to his voice, screamed “Look at me” in the best way possible. And this was put to expert use in these commercials for meat snack Slim Jim.
There are too many ads for us to summarize all of them, but the best ones can be summed up as “everything is boring, and then Randy Savage enters, and it’s not.” And the formula never grows old, , thanks to the changing scenarios and the performer putting forth every last bit of energy. Though Savage may be gone, wildly entertaining ads like this make us feel like he’s still with us.

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#11: Terry Crews
Old Spice (2012)
We’ve all come to love Old Spice commercials, but this one smells the best. Released in 2012, this ad features football player turned actor Terry Crews – actually, you may as well just place “celebrity endorser” right there at the top of his résumé. Midway through an ad for Bounce, Crews crashes his way in via jet ski to sell the latest, and evidently most powerful fragrance in the line of Old Spice body sprays. Sporting tight yellow shorts, and flexing his pecs as only he can, there’s no stopping Crews from endorsing the Old Spice brand – even at the expense of another advertisement. An ad inside another ad… Is that called “Ad-ception” or something? P-p-p-powerful!

#10: Robin Williams
“The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” (2011)
“The Legend of Zelda” gets endorsed by a legend of the acting world. One of a string of promotions Robin Williams did for Nintendo; this commercial takes us through a legendary origin story, narrated by Williams himself. Known for his immense fandom of the property, Williams went so far as to name his daughter Zelda – who we actually meet in another Nintendo ad. Williams’ voice convinces us all to run out to buy a Wii, so that we too can wield the “Skyward Sword.” Though this is just one of many in a series of Williams-led Nintendo commercials, everyone loves a good origin story.



#9: Drake
Apple Music (2016)
What do you get when you cross a multi-billion dollar company, and one of the most popular names in hip-hop? Marketing genius. Much like Taylor Swift’s 2016 Apple Music commercial, where she sweats it out to Drake’s hit song “Jumpman,” the Degrassi star turned rap icon responds, choosing Swift’s “Bad Blood” as the anthem for his workout regimen. Drake proves that music gets the blood pumping - even if you can’t exactly hit all the right notes. Building an unexpected relationship between Swift and Drake, Apple Music extends its reach, proving that music has no boundaries. Trust us, there’s no Bad Blood here; this ad is just distractingly good.



#8: Matthew McConaughey
Lincoln MKC (2014)
As part of Lincoln’s “Live in Your Moment” campaign, Matthew McConaughey stars alongside a very powerful, 1800-pound adversary. Facing off against a bull he calls Cyrus, McConaughey contemplates life, ultimately taking the long way home because he thinks the bull is telling him to live in the moment. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, the director behind the movie “Drive,” this ad has a decidedly cinematic feel, accented by McConaughey’s patented facial expressions and husky voice. Ellen actually parodied this ad on her show, adding herself and some special brownies into the mix. But we don’t know if that was necessary; cause on its own this ad’s alright alright alright.








#7: Charlize Theron
J’Adore by Dior (2014)
Charlize Theron takes us on a journey as she sells us Dior’s eau de parfum, J’adore. Located in a stunning ballroom setting and featuring a dazzling Theron in a sparkling gold dress, the commercial feels more like a scene from a blockbuster movie than a perfume ad, with London Grammar’s captivating tune “Hey Now” providing the soundtrack. Theron braces us for the new world, noting that while the past and memories can be beautiful, they are no place to live. The heroine is breaking free from the constraints of the old world, and we want to follow her – or at least buy some perfume. The new world smells sweet, and the future is definitely gold.






#6: Justin Long
Apple Inc. (2006)
If you grew up in the 2000s, you’ve heard the famous opening lines from this series of commercials. Starting in 2006, Justin Long became the voice of a generation of tech users. Long stars as the hip, cool, trendy Apple product, while John Hodgman plays the comparatively bland, boring and outdated PC. In one of the many advertisements in the North American “Get a Mac” campaign, Mac and PC discuss which tasks which computer handles better – and we bet you can guess which one comes out on top. This odd couple pairing of tech spokesmen became beloved, setting the stage for numerous memorable Mac vs. PC ads to come and helping to make nerdy cool.





#5: John Cena
Gillette Fusion ProGlide (2010)
If there’s one thing WWE superstars are good at, it’s intimidation. John Cena goes into full rampage mode, sparing the lives of no garbage can, folding chair or bathroom stall in order to promote the Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor. The commercial adopts the hidden camera technique – perhaps in a subtle reference to Cena’s catchphrase “You can’t see me – " and shows the muscleman invading some very personal space to force a few unsuspecting everymen to accept the “ProGlide Challenge.” Two things are made certain in this ad: Cena can definitely be seen, and when he tells you to shave, you shave.






#4: Joe Greene
Coca-Cola (1979)
The superstar defensive tackle Joe Greene shines in our most heartfelt ad, showcasing the true beauty of sports. With Greene limping his way off the field after a tough game, he’s given a Coke by a young fan, whom he later rewards with a game-worn jersey. Though the ad is simple in nature, it became instrumental in bridging the gap between athletes and their fans, while also showcasing the fact that sports are more than just entertainment. Thanks to this commercial, Greene’s reputation as “Mean” Joe changed, making him a more approachable athlete. A classic ad that’s been labeled by many as one of the best ever, this commercial and its message have transcended generations, and will continue to do so.





#3: Rowan Atkinson
Snickers (2014)
Snickers’ ads are famous for featuring celebrities in place of everyday people, whose hunger is making them not act like themselves. They’ve featured Betty White, Robin Williams and even the Brady Bunch over the years, but who better to showcase the mantra “you’re not you when you’re hungry” than Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean? Sporting his tweed jacket and signature skinny red tie, Bean ventures into Ancient China to conduct a secret mission. However, he cannot remember his formal Kung Fu training. Well, until he gets a bite of Snickers, of course. The ad features a beautiful Chinese landscape, and some pretty stellar visuals. Just another day in the life of Mr. Bean.



#2: Michael Jordan & Larry Bird
McDonald’s (1993)
Getting just one of these NBA stars in your commercial is huge. Getting both? Now that’s a slam dunk. In this two-part ad for the fast food giant, the two basketball legends square off in a shooting contest for the rights to Jordan’s Big Mac. And it’s nothing but net, with both Jordan and Bird making increasingly elaborate shots. It gets so ridiculous and with no clear resolution, but we could still believe either Jordan or Bird could land a basket while atop a skyscraper. After all, they were both part of the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team.”



#1: Michael Jackson
Pepsi (1984)
The King of Pop shines in this Pepsi ad, bringing a whole new generation together. The commercial features a reworked version of Jackson’s hit “Billie Jean” as the jingle, with MJ flashing his iconic dance moves to the surrounding community. But it gets better: there’s even a guest appearance from a young Alfonso “Carlton” Ribeiro, who may just give Jackson a run for his money. With Michael’s brothers there as backup, this iconic piece of marketing proved to be a record-breaker when it comes to celebrity endorsements – what with the $5 million price tag and all. Because of this ad campaign, MJ and Pepsi were inextricably linked during the ‘80s. Shuh-mon!