Best Super Bowl Ads
The Super Bowl is not just the biggest night in footballit’s the grand stage for some of the most creative, heartfelt, and downright hilarious commercials of the year. With millions of viewers glued to their screens, brands spare no expense to craft ads that capture attention, spark conversations, and sometimes even steal the show entirely. Super Bowl LIX delivered once again, with a mix of nostalgia, celebrity cameos, and unexpected twists. Some commercials had us laughing out loud, while others tugged at our heartstrings. The best ones? Well, they did both. Here are the top five Super Bowl LIX commercials that stood out from the pack.
5. Kia – “The 10-Hour Drive”
Kia struck gold with this beautifully cinematic ad centered around a father and daughter embarking on a 10-hour road trip. While Super Bowl ads often lean on humor or star power, Kia went a completely different route, opting for an emotional storytelling approach that left many viewers teary-eyed. The ad followed a father driving his daughter to college, with long stretches of highway punctuated by quiet momentsglances in the rearview mirror, a shared snack, and an emotional goodbye at the dormitory steps. What made this commercial stand out wasn’t just the heartwarming story but the subtle message of reliability, adventure, and family bonding tied to Kia’s EV9 electric SUV. By the time the screen faded to black, the ad had done its job: reminding us all of those important journeys in life, both on the road and beyond.
4. Bud Light – “Vacation Mode”
It wouldn’t be a Super Bowl without a memorable Bud Light commercial, and this year’s entry did not disappoint. Starring none other than NFL superstar Peyton Manning and comedic powerhouse Aubrey Plaza, “Vacation Mode” leaned into humor in the best way possible. The ad showcased Manning and Plaza navigating through increasingly absurd scenarios, all while maintaining a deadpan “vacation mode” demeanor. From getting caught in an airport delay to skydiving into a beachside party, the message was clearwhen you’ve got a Bud Light in hand, every moment can feel like a vacation. With infectious energy, sharp comedic timing, and the kind of effortless cool that makes Bud Light commercials iconic, this one earned its rightful place on the list.
3. Doritos – “Triangle Tracker”
Doritos never fails to bring the heatboth in their snacks and their Super Bowl ads. This year, they dialed up the fun with “Triangle Tracker,” an over-the-top, fast-paced adventure featuring Jenna Ortega. The premise? A secret society obsessed with triangles (because, of course, Doritos are triangular) is thrown into chaos when Ortega sets out to track down the most elusive, legendary Dorito of all time. Think National Treasure meets a snack commercial, complete with high-speed chases, eccentric characters, and Ortega delivering the ultimate punchline at the end. Doritos has perfected the art of making their commercials feel like mini-blockbusters, and this one had the perfect balance of humor, action, and brand awareness. Plus, who doesn’t love a good conspiracy theory… about chips?
2. Uber Eats – “Forgotten Items”
Uber Eats took a refreshingly clever approach this year with “Forgotten Items,” an ad built around the idea that in order to remember to order food, sometimes you have to… forget other things. Enter Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer, making a long-awaited reunion. The running joke? Aniston clearly forgetting she ever worked with Schwimmer on “Friends.” The ad packed in laugh-out-loud moments, a bit of self-aware nostalgia, and some truly unexpected cameosincluding a hilariously dry delivery from Jelly Roll questioning why he was involved in the ad at all. It worked because it was witty, fast-paced, and played with audience expectations. Uber Eats has been trying to carve out a unique identity in the noisy food delivery market, and this ad may have just done the trick.
1. CeraVe – “Michael CeraVe”
The unofficial winner of Super Bowl LIX’s ad wars? CeraVe and Michael Cera in the unexpected genius that was “Michael CeraVe.” Playing on the uncanny connection between the actor’s name and the skincare brand, the ad positioned Cera as the self-proclaimed creator of CeraVe. The comedic gold came in the form of dermatologist reactions, confused by Cera’s sudden involvement, while the actor himself doubled down on his bizarre claim. The brilliance of this ad lay in its simplicity. It didn’t need explosions or elaborate storylinesjust Michael Cera being awkward, self-aware, and completely committed to the bit. The internet took the bait, fueling online debates over whether Cera actually had anything to do with the brand’s name. At a time when Super Bowl ads fight for viral moments, CeraVe delivered something effortlessly memeable, instantly shareable, and, most importantly, unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
Super Bowl commercials have mastered the art of selling while entertaining, and this year gave us an impressive lineup of hilarious, heartfelt, and high-energy spots. Whether they leaned into nostalgia like Uber Eats, cinematic storytelling like Kia, or pure absurdity like CeraVe, each of these ads left viewers talking long after the final whistle. Which one was your favorite? With another Super Bowl in the books, one thing’s for surenext year’s contenders have a tough act to follow.
