The Super Bowl isn’t just known for its thrilling game but also for its innovative and entertaining commercials. In 2025, the showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles wasn’t the only attraction. More than 50 brands took the opportunity to promote their products during the most-watched event of the year, with an expected audience of over 120 million people.
The Competition for Ad Space
This year, the demand for ad space was immense, with all slots selling out by November. A few 30-second spots reportedly sold for a record $8 million each, highlighting the significance of the Super Bowl as the largest advertising showcase in modern media.
Our Favorite Commercials
- Nike Celebrates Female Athletes: Nike made its return to the Super Bowl with a 60-second commercial celebrating the most successful female athletes. The ad featured basketball players Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu, alongside gymnast Jordan Chiles and runner Sha’Carri Richardson.
- Dunkin’s “The Bean Method”: Ben and Casey Affleck starred in this commercial with Jeremy Strong, who emerged from a giant coffee cup saying, “I’m just trying to find the character.” This commercial stood out for its humor and the popularity of the actors.
- Uber Eats “A Century of Cravings”: Matthew McConaughey appeared as a 1960s NFL executive, suggesting that football is a conspiracy to make us hungry. With cameos from Kevin Bacon, Martha Stewart, and Greta Gerwig, this ad was fun and absurd.
Commercials That Missed the Mark
- Hellmann’s “When Sally Met Hellmanns”: This ad tried to recreate the famous restaurant scene from “When Harry Met Sally” but ended up feeling predictable and forced. Despite the efforts of Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the commercial missed the essence of the original scene.
- Stella Artois’ “David & Dave: The Other David”: The idea of Matt Damon being David Beckham’s twin brother fell flat. Although there were some funny moments, the ad didn’t have the impact it aimed for.
Themes and Trends
This year, Super Bowl commercials focused on familiar and safe themes like nostalgia, comedy, and patriotism. Brands largely avoided controversial social messages, opting for humor and absurd situations. In a time of great challenges and uncertainties, these ads aimed to reconnect with the human essence of love, family, and resilience.
Cultural and Commercial Impact
Super Bowl commercials are a powerful tool for companies. From Google Pixel’s Gemini A.I. to Pfizer and Novartis, brands used this platform to put a human face on their technological and pharmaceutical products. Additionally, many ads were released in advance to build anticipation.
Conclusion
The Super Bowl 2025 commercials offered a mix of nostalgia, humor, and memorable moments. While some ads didn’t meet expectations, others successfully captured attention and entertained millions of viewers. The Super Bowl remains the most important advertising event of the year, and we eagerly await what future editions will bring.