Best Super Bowl 2025 Ads: Top Commercials & Marketing Insights
$8+ million for 30 seconds. That’s what companies shelled out this year for a shot at advertising their products in the Super Bowl. But sending that much doesn’t guarantee brand recall for the next big game.
The difference between a great ad and a “never again” flop is creativity, timing and execution. And this year’s Super Bowl produced some genuine marketing moments worth dissecting.
We saw brands aim for the artistic and take some big creative steps—Michelob ULTRA unveiled a surprise comedy bit with Willem Dafoe. Pringles turned the Batman theme into a mustache anthem. Some of these swings and steps paid off big time. Others? Well, let’s just say there’s always next year.
Let’s break down the advertisements that really mattered—those that got people talking, got sharing, and remembering the brands behind them. Here is a look at which Super Bowl commercial made it to the shortlist of effective Super Bowl marketing.
The Best Super Bowl 2025 Ads
Pringles: The Call of The Mustaches
Pringles conquers the night by striking perfectly at several cultural touchpoints. Nick Offerman’s deadpan delivery, combined with Andy Reid’s legendary mustache, created instant meme material. The 1966 Batman TV show theme remixed as “mustache” was brilliant—adding that extra layer of pop culture recognition that gets social media a-buzzing.
What makes this ad work is the balance between humor and brand relevance. After all, the Pringles mascot also sports a sweet ‘stache.
Mountain Dew: Kiss From a Lime
The clever nostalgia marketing of Mountain Dew is no less than brilliant. Taking Seal’s already iconic “Kiss from a Rose,” the soda company transformed it into “Kiss from a Lime,” replete with Seal dressed as a seal. And let’s not forget the clever 90s callback of using the Batman Forever connection.
By showcasing the song and the lime flavor, Mountain Dew nailed one of Super Bowl 2025’s best musical ads.
Stella Artois: David & Dave
Simplicity is often best. This ad showcasing David Schwimmer and David Harbour sharing Stellas strikes all the correct chords. The casual back-and-forth feels natural, and the “That’s a shame” bit lands perfectly—especially if you’re a Friends fan. It’s masterclass celebrity casting that feels additive and not at all distracting.
Reese’s: Don’t Eat Lava
Who would have thought that a grandma on a scooter could make off with the Super Bowl? Reese’s turned a wacky idea—people trying to eat molten lava, unable to resist a Reese’s—into comedy gold. The spot works because it reveals a universal truth—that Reese’s are irresistible—through ridiculous humor.
That’s not easy to do. They did it and got a laugh and a “wow” instead of a “huh…?”
GoDaddy: Act Like You Know
Bringing his typical intensity to the pitch for… domain names, is Walton Goggins. The Uranus joke is, at best, grade-school humor. But GoDaddy knows its audience. The ad doesn’t take itself too seriously while still getting across the main point about building a website.
Coors Light: Slow Mondays
Coors Light tapped sloth appeal, and honestly, who can resist? The ad perfectly captures that “case of the Mondays” feeling we all know. While they missed an obvious Zootopia reference, the execution still works.
Hellmann’s: When Sally Met Hellmann’s
This was a risky move that turned out well. Remaking iconic romantic comedy moments using mayonnaise could have been odd, but the total commitment to the premise makes it work. The commercial achieves that “hold up, what’s happening here?” effect, maintaining viewer interest through multiple scenes.
Totino’s Pizza Rolls: Chazmo Goes Home
E.T. meets pizza rolls—but with a twist. This ad takes the “ignored parents” angle, which is both funny and relatable. Typically, Totino’s targets a younger consumer base, but they nailed this spot to hit both their usual demographic and give parents something to snicker about, too.
Michelob ULTRA: The ULTRA Hustle
Comedy is always gold when Willem Dafoe is involved, and when you add Randy Moss, it takes humor to another level. The ad works because it subverts our expectations. We’re used to seeing Dafoe play very serious and intense roles. Using him in a significantly lighter role grabs our attention and makes the brand message stand out.
SToK Cold Brew Coffee: Hollywood Magic
At times, an advertisement needs only to induce laughter, and this one does just that. The “trying not to break character” routine is funny on a very broad level. Some might say it connects more with specific groups of people, but it’s a surefire laugh across the board.
Why These Ads Worked
When examining the top advertisements, there were some clear patterns:
- 1. They used celebrity talent strategically, not just for star power.
- 2. They incorporated nostalgia without overdoing it.
- 3. They balanced humor with clear brand messaging.
- 4. They created memorable moments that sparked social media conversation.
- 5. They remained true to brand identity while pushing creative boundaries.
Conclusion
For marketing agencies like GeistM, these ads prove that Super Bowl spending doesn’t always guarantee success. They also reinforce a simple truth: when it comes to concepts, clever beats dull every time.
At their core, the most effective ads served as engaging brand placeholders—an entirely different challenge when competing for half the nation’s attention. That’s why successful marketing requires more than a big-budget 30-second spot; it demands a full-funnel strategy that attracts and converts consumers.
