Super Bowl LXI: A Commercial Championship
The Super Bowl LXI was a massive event not only because of the football championship but because of the commercials. This article dives into the writer’s list of his favorite ten commercials of this year.
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The Super Bowl is arguably the most popular and exhilarating annual American sporting event. As such, companies and corporations take advantage of high viewership levels, spending hefty sums on commercials to popularize their brands. Super Bowl commercials have become one of the most iconic portions of the entire event; even those who are not interested in football still tune in for the commercials. This year, a total of 57 commercials were aired, and while the majority were commendable, 10 distinguished themselves from the rest. Here are the 10 most notable commercials from Super Bowl LIX (2025).
10. OpenAI: The Intelligence Age
Featuring a pointillism-inspired cascade of black and white dots dancing across the screen, OpenAI’s The Intelligence Age displays the evolution of human progress through a series of dynamic animations. Images of early human life—fire and wheels—morph into cornfields, symbolizing the development of agriculture. Ships become lightbulbs, planes become moon landings, and radios, finally, become ChatGPT, fitting naturally into the flow of innovation. Ratatat’s “Neckbrace,” an electric-rock fusion evoking both nostalgia and futurism, plays in the background, underscoring OpenAI’s combination of past and future innovations. Though OpenAI may be a controversial topic in itself, the commercial succeeds in casting OpenAI as a machine of limitless possibilities and transformative potential, earning the commercial tenth place on the list.
9. RAM: Goldilocks and the Three Trucks
At first glance, the commercial appears to be a retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears but instead cuts to Goldilocks Glen—a rugged, woodsy adventurer who, rather than eating porridge and sitting on chairs, is test-driving three Ram trucks. The commercial follows an engaging yet easy-to-follow narrative during which Glen embarks on an extravagant journey that involves slaying and barbecuing a dragon in a Ram 2500. The story ends happily-ever-after, encouraging the audience to purchase a Ram. The ad’s whimsical storytelling and humorous spin on the familiar tale showcase the Ram’s capability in a high-energy, exaggerated adventure, earning it ninth place on this list.
8. Pringles: The Call of The Mustaches
The commercial opens with Adam Brody running out of Pringles at a lively party. In a surreal twist, the Pringles mascot whispers to him an instruction to blow into the can, resulting in a boom that causes mustaches to be mysteriously plucked from other stars such as Nick Offerman, Andy Reid, and James Harden. The mustaches fly to deliver Brody a fresh can of Pringles, only for the can to crash into the window. Disappointed, Brody ultimately resigns himself to heading to the store to purchase Pringles on his own. With its absurd humor and playful execution, the commercial delivers an amusing spectacle, reinforcing Pringles’ signature quirkiness and securing the commercial’s place at number eight.
Entering this list is none other than the hosts of the Super Bowl themselves: the NFL. This commercial opens with an inspirational speech from multiple NFL athletes such as Demario Davis, Arik Armstead, and Adam Thielen—they encourage kids to hone their leadership skills and cooperation. Its core message, “Every kid can be somebody, if they have somebody to show them the way,” resonates deeply with younger audiences. While it may not advertise a specific product, the commercial delivers an emotional impact that extends beyond the screen, earning it the seventh spot on the list.
6. Hellmann’s: When Sally Met Best Foods
Hellmann’s When Sally Met Best Foods commercial begins with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal recreating an iconic scene from When Harry Met Sally. When Ryan bites into her sandwich, she initially finds it lacking—until she adds Hellmann’s mayonnaise. After doing so, she erupts into loud, exaggerated groans of delight, slamming the table in satisfaction. At another table, Sydney Sweeney, intrigued by the display, decides to order the same. By tapping into nostalgia with Ryan and Crystal, the commercial resonates with fans of the original film, while Sweeney’s presence bridges the generational gap to appeal to younger audiences. The commercial is both memorable and entertaining as it emphasizes the standalone flavor of Hellmann’s, which earns it the sixth place on the list.
Doritos’ Abduction embraces simplicity while effectively portraying the addictiveness of Doritos chips. A man dozing off finds himself in a tug of war with an extraterrestrial creature, both vying for the same bag of Doritos. Their struggle culminates in the alien’s UFO exploding after it sucks in the bag. In the end, the two ultimately share a bag and express their mutual love for Doritos. Although the commercial is straightforward, it demonstrates how two people, no matter how different, can bond over something as simple as Doritos. This connection reinforces the brand’s ability to bring individuals together, making the commercial deserving of the fifth spot on the list.
4. Stella Artois: David and Dave
This commercial follows David Beckham as his life is flipped on its head after he discovers he has a long-lost twin, Dave Beckham, living in the United States. When Dave invites David to a backyard cookout, the brothers are caught in a tense conversation, struggling to find common ground. However, they rekindle their sense of brotherhood over a shared drink: Stella Artois. This commercial cleverly showcases the uniting power of the product, highlighting how the drink can create connection even from unexpected places. With its memorable narrative and effective messaging, this commercial earns fourth place on the list.
Budweiser’s First Delivery conveys an emotional narrative of a young horse longing to join the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales on their delivery route. Left behind, the horse watches in sadness as the others set off without him. However, when a keg falls out of the wagon, he seizes the opportunity to prove his owner wrong. Determined, he pushes the keg across various landscapes as the Bellamy Brothers’s “Let Your Love Flow” spreads feel-good melodies in the background. In a playful twist, the horse walks into a bar, spoiling the punchline of a pool player’s “horse walks into a bar” joke. The commercial tugs on the audience’s heartstrings, turning initial sympathy into admiration for the horse’s perseverance. By the time the horse gets to its destination, viewers feel a sense of victory. This commercial is both memorable and one of the most emotionally resonant of the Super Bowl, securing a well-deserved spot at number three.
Google Pixel’s Dream Job tells the story of a father preparing for an interview with the help of Gemini AI on Google Pixel. As he practices his responses, the commercial interweaves heartfelt father-daughter moments, from the daughter’s first day at school and bedtime stories to a farewell hug as she enters adulthood. As the father reminisces over good times with his daughter, wiping away his tears, Gemini reassures him that his responses are strong and that he is ready to start his interview. The commercial carries heavy emotional weight, getting to the viewer’s heart as it lays out a life from childhood to adulthood in a matter of seconds. This raw emotion is what gives this commercial meaning, earning it second place.
As a girl watches her family head to their farm, she dreams of following in their footsteps. When she spots a potato that has dropped from a truck, she decides to plant the crop by herself. Through determination and perseverance—enduring rainy days and thunderstorms and even camping under the stars to watch over her crop—the plant grows from a seedling to a full-grown plant. Her dedication to this journey is rooted deeper than just growing a potato; it symbolizes her admiration for her family and her desire to be like them. This sentiment perfectly encapsulates how every bag of Lay’s is crafted with family tradition, care, and love. The idyllic story, paired with standout cinematography, cements The Little Farmer as the most memorable Super Bowl commercial of the year.