In contrast to last year’s slightly somber Super Bowl commercials, this year’s advertisers took a more positive and lighthearted approach. We saw stories of comebacks, nostalgia, and plenty of celebrity appearances. We also saw crypto – a lot of crypto. Catch up on any ads you might have missed from our list of must-see commercials, and let us know if we missed your favorite of the night.
Best Celebrity Use
In its first-ever Super Bowl commercial, Planet Fitness employed former child star Lindsay Lohan in a snarky, strategic spot. In the ad, we see Lohan, who has a famously messy past, working out at a Planet Fitness, winning Jeopardy, depriving paparazzi of any drama, and generally living her best life. The commercial works on several levels – it’s funny to see Lohan poking fun at her past image, and the overarching message of redemption and wellness is perfect for the fitness brand. The narration from William Shatner is just the cherry on top.
Most Out-There
Irish Spring’s big game debut was different, to say the least. The commercial begins with a sweaty, unkempt man floating along a river as he comes across a cult-like group chanting “Cast thy smell away!” The group captures the man, and after some execution-like preparations, he emerges clean, clothed in cable knit, and dancing a jig. It was memorable but bizarre, and it made bathing seem rather frightening, which isn’t usually the goal for a soap company.
Best Car Commercial
We marked this commercial from Nissan as one to watch from its teaser last week, and it lived up to the hype. Eugene Levy stars in this mini-action movie, complete with car chases, explosions, and appearances from stars like Brie Larson and Catherine O’Hara. The ad features both a slick sports car and new electric vehicle, essentially hitting nearly all the members of the Super Bowl audience in one fell swoop. Plus, who could not love a long-haired Eugene Levy?
Best Crypto
Cryptocurrency exchange platform boasted perhaps the most-talked-about commercial of the night. The 60-second ad was extremely simple yet captivating with its nostalgic reference to the iconic DVD bouncing logo screen. In their version, the logo was replaced by a QR code that led to a landing page offering $15 of free Bitcoin with signup. It was a controversial spot, with some calling it gimmicky or boring, but seeing as the brand’s app actually crashed due to high traffic, I’d say it was certainly successful.
Most Stereotypical Super Bowl Ad
Comedian. Nostalgic montage. A brand that advertises during the big game every year. Sound familiar? This year’s Super Bowl commercial from Lay’s stars Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen looking back on their best memories with the chip brand on Rogen’s wedding day. It hits all the marks of a classic Super Bowl commercial. That’s not to say it isn’t funny – the formula is a classic for a reason. This commercial is full of entertaining moments and dark humor, and the spot comes full circle when Rogen marries the zombie bride we met earlier in the ad.
Most Unexpected
Digital project management tool Clickup may not be the typical Super Bowl commercial heavy hitter, but its first big game ad was still clever and memorable. The commercial depicts the signing of the Declaration of Independence, except the Founding Fathers can’t find the most recent copy of the document. As they scramble to find the correct version to sign, Thomas Jefferson swoops in with a laptop open to a Clickup task displaying the updated text. It’s amusing, unique, and just ridiculous enough to be entertaining.
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