Ranking the Best Super Bowl Commercials of All Time

DraftKings Network's top 5 most impactful and memorable Super Bowl ads

Feb. 6, 2026 at 7:07pm

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With Super Bowl LX just days away, Dan Johnson ranks his top five favorite and most impactful Super Bowl commercials of all time, including iconic ads from Snickers, Volkswagen, Budweiser, and Apple.

Why it matters

Super Bowl commercials have become a cultural phenomenon, with brands spending millions to create memorable ads that captivate audiences and become part of the shared cultural lexicon. These top 5 ads showcase the creative potential of Super Bowl advertising and demonstrate how the best spots can transcend their original purpose to become enduring pop culture touchstones.

The details

The list includes the Snickers 'Betty White' ad from 2010, which launched a successful long-running campaign around the concept of hunger changing people's behavior. The Volkswagen 'The Force' ad from 2011 used a simple premise and charming execution to create a viral sensation. Budweiser's 'Whassup?' from 1999 became an instantly quotable pop culture phenomenon. Coca-Cola's 'Mean Joe Greene' from 1979 delivered an emotional, character-driven story. And Apple's iconic '1984' ad redefined the Super Bowl commercial as a cinematic, world-building experience.

  • Super Bowl LX will take place on February 9, 2026.
  • The '1984' Apple ad aired during Super Bowl XVIII in 1984.

The players

Dan Johnson

A writer for the DraftKings Network who ranked his top 5 favorite and most impactful Super Bowl commercials of all time.

Ridley Scott

The acclaimed director who helmed Apple's iconic '1984' Super Bowl commercial.

Betty White

The legendary actress who starred in the Snickers 'You're Not You When You're Hungry' Super Bowl ad in 2010.

Mean Joe Greene

The NFL Hall of Fame defensive tackle who starred in Coca-Cola's emotional 'Hey Kid, Catch!' Super Bowl ad in 1979.

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What they’re saying

“The humor works because it's physical and verbal at once. The hit in the mud lands with cartoon clarity, but the dialogue keeps it sharp, too.”

— Dan Johnson, Writer

“'The Force' is modern Super Bowl craft at its most elegant: one kid, one costume, one belief that imagination can move the world.”

— Dan Johnson, Writer

“Budweiser didn't overwrite it. It trusted cadence, repetition, and the tiny absurdity of watching a word stretch until it becomes music.”

— Dan Johnson, Writer

What’s next

With Super Bowl LX just days away, DraftKings Network will be covering all the latest news and analysis around the highly anticipated commercials that will air during the big game.

The takeaway

The best Super Bowl commercials transcend their original purpose as advertisements to become enduring pop culture touchstones, sparking shared memories and zeitgeist-defining moments that resonate for years to come. These top 5 ads showcase the creative potential of the Super Bowl ad format and demonstrate how brands can create campaigns that leave a lasting impact on the cultural landscape.