Super Bowl 2025: The 5 Best And 5 Worst Commercials

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Yearly, the world takes a break to witness two squads fighting for the pinnacle of the National Football League. The Super Bowl remains, and will probably continue to be, must-watch television – from the celebrity-filled halftime performances to the game itself. It’s also that uncommon broadcast that keeps viewers engaged during breaks as advertisers invest millions each year to debut fresh commercials, although they are prohibited from directly mentioning “Super Bowl” in their ads.

For this year, as per tradition, our ads will showcase star-studded reunions, heartwarming tales of success, and daring marketing strategies. Expect to see well-known musicians and actors taking part. There’ll be thought-provoking messages and plenty of lighthearted humor. From movie previews unveiling their first glimpses to popular brands bringing out the heavy hitters to promote everything from drinks to insurance, it promises to be an exhilarating Sunday night for sports enthusiasts and pop culture aficionados across the globe. It’s also customary to reveal some of the commercials ahead of the main event, but which ones stand out as the best and which ones fall flat? Here are our picks for the top 5 and bottom 5 ads that aired during the big game.

Worst: Bud Light Big Men on the Cul-De-Sac

Bud Light is often recognized for its lively advertisements, yet surprisingly, their Super Bowl spot featuring Post Malone and Shane Gillis falls a bit flat. The energy and chaos are still present, but it lacks the impact, failing to either excite or invigorate viewers. It’s ironic because Budweiser’s other commercials this year, like the sloth-themed ad and another appearance of their famous Clydesdales, have been home runs. However, using Post Malone for a third time seems to lack excitement and pizzazz.

In simpler terms, they’re not like Spuds MacKenzie, despite their fun-filled backyard parties with beer and barbecue, and the way Malone and Gillis toss beers across the neighborhood using a T-shirt cannon. However, this scene recalls that carefree era, albeit without the bikini-clad women and surfer guys. It ranks low because we believe Budweiser is capable of more, as are Malone and Gillis, and they certainly will be in the future.

Best: Muppets for Bookings.com

It’s delightful whenever the Muppets reappear, be it for a holiday special or in an advertisement such as this one promoting Booking.com. The commercial features Miss Piggy, Kermit, Statler, Waldorf, and Gonzo looking for ideal vacation homes using the app. Kermit is content on the beach, Gonzo takes off into the sky, while Waldorf and Statler just seem eager to cancel their bookings.

In this advertisement, a handful of human characters make an appearance: a family startled by a reflective ceiling, and a wedding party shocked by the family’s presence. However, the commercial primarily focuses on the Muppets, as expected, creating a charming and lively experience. This ad effectively stirs the desire for a personal getaway and successfully sells the app, which is all that a Super Bowl commercial needs to achieve.

Worst: The Bean Method

Dunkin’ Donuts has repeatedly aced their Super Bowl commercials, with Ben Affleck being one of their popular drive-through endorsers. Now, he’s back in a new campaign alongside fellow Boston natives Jeremy Strong and Casey Affleck. In this instance, the storyline revolves around Strong’s Method acting method, where he is shown immersing himself in a large tub filled with Dunkin’ Donuts coffee beans to gain a deeper understanding of their product. However, the wet and squishy beans don’t resemble coffee as expected. As Strong expresses his affection for the brand, the Afflecks grow increasingly worried about him.

Does the advertisement have a humorous tone? To some extent, yes, because it incorporates Method acting and offers a slight insight into Strong’s character. However, its graphic appearance significantly detracts from its humor, making it less effective in promoting its product to consumers. It’s possible that the extended version of the ad might provide more clarity on its concept, but at this point, it seems like a missed opportunity.

Best: Totino’s Pizza Rolls — Chazmo Goes Home

In a playful twist on conventional advertising, the most memorable Super Bowl commercials surprise viewers by subverting their expectations in an entertaining manner. Take for instance Totino’s clever approach with Chazmo, their adorable mascot, who sets off on an interstellar journey after forming heartfelt bonds with a group of children. However, when the kids bid their emotional farewells, an unexpected turn of events unfolds as two fathers, portrayed by actors Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson, step in to voice their concerns. Not only had Chazmo failed to acknowledge them, but he also crashed on their couch and devoured all their snacks, leaving the disgruntled dads demanding reparations.

Chazmo certainly understands their behavior, and points out that Totino’s aren’t expensive. However, they retaliate by damaging his spaceship, only to uncover a hidden truth about their extraterrestrial companion. This blend of humor is perfectly goofy-innocent, with an amusing nod to “E.T.” enthusiasts. Without a doubt, it’s one of the standout funny commercials showcased here.

Worst: Reese’s Don’t Eat Lava

The portrayal in this advertisement is hard to accept due to the characters acting incredibly unrealistically, such as attempting to jump into a volcano for some mysterious lava that resembles the gooey chocolate and peanut butter filling found inside Reese’s Lava Peanut Butter Cups. This scene seems too far-fetched to be convincing.

The main issue, clearly, is that the scorching, radiant, gleaming lava these individuals are attempting to char themselves with bears little resemblance to the cocoa from those containers. Instead, the solidified black rock on the ground seems more akin to it than the very lava they’re trying to consume. It’s as if the advertisement is meant to be humorous, but it merely portrays the actors as nonsensical rather than genuinely captivated by the product.

Best: Budweiser First Delivery

Year after year, Budweiser delivers heartwarming and subtly amusing Clydesdale commercials that never fail to impress, and they certainly did not disappoint in 2025 with their latest masterpiece.

As a gamer, I can’t help but draw parallels with my favorite adventure games as I watch this heartwarming ad. The young colt, much like an underage hero in a quest, is left behind by his owner, seemingly destined for boredom on the ranch. But fate steps in when one of the kegs tumbles off the truck and onto the dusty road, setting the stage for our equine protagonist’s journey.

The soundtrack swells with “Let Your Love Flow,” as the colt embarks on a treacherous path filled with obstacles that would make even the bravest of adventurers pause. Yet, this young stallion perseveres, showing an unyielding spirit and determination that rivals any gaming hero I’ve ever known.

Finally, our brave colt overcomes the odds, reunites with his team, and delivers his precious cargo. This simple yet powerful ad tells a story of growth, resilience, and camaraderie – qualities that I’ve come to cherish in both gaming adventures and this heartwarming tale of an equine coming-of-age. It stands tall among the pantheon of pony-themed ads, a true testament to the power of perseverance and the indomitable spirit of our four-legged friends.

Worst: Antonio Banderas and Macho Man for Bosch

This advertisement presents a twofold problem: although it’s just a preview, it fails to clearly communicate what product is being advertised (in this case, a refrigerator by Bosch). Additionally, the inclusion of Randy Savage, who has been revived, seems out of place alongside Antonio Banderas, leaving viewers puzzled about their role as pitchmen. If you’re not already aware that Bosch sells appliances, your focus will likely be on Banderas effortlessly opening a pickle jar rather than the refrigerator in the background. Viewers could easily confuse this for an advertisement for pickles instead of kitchenware.

It has been more than a decade since Randy Savage passed away, so it’s quite strange to see him resurrected in this manner with an actor who doesn’t sound or look like him. While it’s clear that the character is meant to be him, the way the commercial presents these elements fails to generate excitement about watching it during the game. Instead, it leaves viewers puzzled and questioning what they’re actually seeing. The ad may improve in its entirety, but for now, it seems like a poor use of the audience’s time.

Best: HexClad Unidentified Frying Object

Instead of Gordon Ramsay, Pete Davidson, and All-Clad cooking pans coming together to create an unexpectedly entertaining advertisement, this year’s Super Bowl offers a surprising amount of amusement from their out-of-this-world advertising campaign.

In this ad, I find myself getting whisked away to Area 51, and lo and behold, I’m being asked to whip up some galactic grub for extraterrestrial guests! It turns out that the pans from HexClad are crafted from materials straight outta spaceships. Just as I’m getting settled, it’s time to meet the alien ambassador – who, unbelievably, is none other than Pete Davidson! With a cool, casual demeanor, he drops the bomb that he’s an extraterrestrial, leaving me utterly astonished.

In a bold statement, Davidson claims that all extremely renowned individuals are extraterrestrials. However, when Ramsey denies being one, Davidson quickly rephrases: “I guess I meant ultra-famous people.” The resulting conversation is both amusing and swift, leaving you questioning the fuss about the pans’ quality. With his wit and flair, Ramsey excels as an actor. Could “My Big Fat Hell’s Kitchen” be just around the corner?

Worst: Google AI Workspace with Gemini

One might not associate sprawling wheat fields, local stores, and family healthcare facilities with AI, but Google seeks to alter this perception through its Super Bowl advertisement. The ad showcases their Gemini engine as a valuable tool for small enterprises and residents of remote, rural areas. However, the commercial overlooks a crucial issue: AI could potentially become costlier for these small businesses, and inadvertently hurts other independent sectors like web design companies, commercial artists, translators, and translation services that would have been utilized if the engine didn’t exist.

Google appears to acknowledge that people have concerns about AI and its potential implications, including what Google’s involvement might entail globally. However, wrapping the entire process in a patriotic, small-town Americana veneer overlooks significant flaws, making the project seem overly simplistic.

Best: When Sally Met Hellmann’s

In a different light, some people might see it as diluting the legacy, but the Super Bowl commercial managed to bring “When Harry Met Sally…” onto Paramount+. Sometimes, such ads can be quite beneficial. This particular Hellmann’s ad transports us back to the deli where Sally had her iconic moment in the 1980s, with Billy Crystal reprising his role as Harry Burns and Meg Ryan as Sally Albright. Harry is surprised they allow them back into the place. When Sally complains about a poor sandwich, Hellmann’s mayonnaise sparks another round of excitement – so much that Harry jokes, “I’m up against a condiment.” Sydney Sweeney ends the ad with a delightful reference to the movie: “I’ll have what she’s having.

As a gamer, I can’t help but chuckle at this rapid burst of nostalgia during the Super Bowl. It’s so hilarious that even sandwich spread seems irresistible! No doubt, it was the finest commercial of the night – something truly worthy of a groan or two!

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2025-02-10 04:31