Super Bowl 2023 Commercials Ranked By Star Power
Fans look forward to star-studded Super Bowl commercials every year. More than a few of the often hilarious ads have earned a spot in pop culture history. Volkswagen's 2011 Super Bowl commercial, for example, is often recognized as one of the best ads the NFL has featured. The clip stars a child dressed in a Darth Vader costume. The determined kid tries to use the power of "the force" on various objects around the house (like a washing machine and the family pet) with no luck. Finally, the child successfully uses the force on the family's Volkswagen.
Another notable Super Bowl commercial is Apple's 1984 ad for the Macintosh computer. The clip was directed by Ridley Scott and inspired by the book "1984" by author George Orwell. In the commercial, athlete and model Anya Major throws a sledgehammer at a screen that features an authoritative figure in a dystopian world. This ad was groundbreaking as it was the first of its kind for a technology company.
It's clear that these clips have a lot of power and influence. Add the element of star power, and these Super Bowl commercials become even more iconic. As the Philadelphia Eagles face off against the Kansas City Chiefs, there are a number of clips released in 2023 that are sure to be talked about for years to come. Here are a few Super Bowl 2023 commercials, ranked by star power:
19. Budweiser teamed up with Metro Boomin
Budweiser teamed up with rapper and record producer Metro Boomin for their 2023 Super Bowl commercial. In the ad, a six-pack of Budweiser is shared among six people belonging to different communities. They each pass the beer along to the next person until the audience is left with the last bottle. When the pack is passed to Metro Boomin, we see that he's in the middle of a studio session. Actor Kevin Bacon is also part of the ad.
So, where does Kevin Bacon come into play? The "Footloose" actor — who is somehow connected by varying degrees to most actors — narrates the commercial. "They say all people are six degrees of separation away from each other, but some are just a six-pack away," he says in the ad. "The people who share the same spirit share the same beer." According to Reuters, Budweiser aims to attract a younger audience with the commercial. Kristina Punwani revealed why the company also decided to use its old "This Bud's for you" saying. "The tagline came out in 1979 and showed a Bud was a reward after a hard day's work," she told Reuters. "We realized the tagline was just as relevant today."
Metro Boomin spoke about the aftermath of this career milestone during an interview with Vibe. "Everyone was blowing my phone up," the producer shared. "They were like, 'A Super Bowl commercial?' And I was like, 'Yeah! It still hasn't settled all the way in yet. I'm just as shocked as you all.'"
18. Meghan Trainor got her hand stuck in a Pringles can
"All About That Bass" singer Meghan Trainor stars in a 2023 Super Bowl commercial for Pringles. In the preview for the clip shared to YouTube, the songwriter is seen setting up her phone to film a video as her TikTok viral hit "Made You Look" plays in the background. Trainor breaks into dance, then munches on a Pringle. When she reaches into the can for more, her hand gets stuck. She then looks down and says "uh oh," recognizing she's in trouble.
Pringles may have struck gold in casting Trainor, because the commercial was released as the star became a hot topic. She made headlines in February 2023 after she revealed she was expecting a second baby with her husband, Daryl Sabara. "What a blessing," the "NO" singer told People after sharing the news. "I'm just so grateful I can get pregnant. And I'm like, 'I'm crushing it. This is amazing. This is my dreams.' I'm halfway there — I want four kids!"
Meghan Trainor also shared her son Riley's reaction to becoming a big brother. "We try to tell him, 'There's a baby in the belly,' but then he points to his belly now and is like, 'Baby,'" Trainor told People. "And we're like, 'Oh no, it's not in yours — it's in Mama's belly!'"
17. Downy's new spokesperson: 'Downy' McBride
Back in 2018, Danny McBride appeared alongside Chris Hemsworth in a Super Bowl ad for Tourism Australia that was meant to look like it might be the trailer for a brand-new "Crocodile Dundee" movie. Hemsworth took the "Righteous Gemstones" star on a tour Down Under, showing off kangaroos, wineries, the Sydney Opera House, and more; all the while, McBride cracked wise in that way he does so well.
McBride's particular brand of caustic humor has remained untapped by Super Bowl advertisers for half a decade, but in 2023, Downy brought him back in an ad for their Unstopables line of laundry scent boosters, titled "Call Me Downy McBride." The simple commercial, as you may have guessed, rebrands the "Vice Principals" star as "Downy" McBride, taking him on an ATV ride through the suburbs as he hands out the product until getting clotheslined by a low-hanging tree branch. "Knocked-downy Downy," he quips, "gets back uppy."
As slogans go, it could maybe use some work, but McBride is committed to the bit — which is really all you can ask from a low-concept commercial like this.
16. Anna Faris advertised Avocados From Mexico
"Scary Movie" actor Anna Faris portrays Eve as she finds avocados in the Garden of Eden in Avocados From Mexico's Super Bowl commercial. The company shared a teaser of the ad to YouTube. Faris can be seen walking through the garden in long blonde tresses. "There has been one fruit with the ability to change the world," a narrator states in the ad. "One fruit that can alter history with one small bite."
Faris spilled the details of the filming process while speaking to People, and it turns out that things got a bit more intimate on set than you might expect for an avocado commercial. "When I realized that the wardrobe in my trailer was a tiny little thong and these jelly-like bra things, I guess they're just nipple covers, I thought to myself, all right, this is what my beautiful day is going to look like," she told the magazine. "I felt really proud that I'm kind of at this place in life where I could spend a lot of time feeling modest and insecure, or I just embrace it."
She went on to share that she was happy to be covered up with the long blonde hair she wore in the commercial. The "Mom" alum also explained that she is a fan of Avocados From Mexico, so it seems that this collaboration was a match made in heaven, or ... the Garden of Eden.
15. Alicia Silverstone reprised her role as Cher for Rakuten
"Clueless" fans were likely thrilled to find out that Alicia Silverstone reprised her role as Cher Horowitz in Rakuten's 2023 Super Bowl commercial. In a clip of the ad shared to YouTube, Silverstone walks into a classroom dressed in Cher's iconic yellow plaid skirt and blazer. She makes her way to a podium placed in the front of the classroom as she holds two shopping bags. "Don't bug, your girl is back," she quips.
It seems that Silverstone was happy to bring Cher back, seeing that she shared a clip of the commercial to her TikTok account. Many fans had no idea that the actor had collaborated with Rakuten. "Omg. Please tell me there is gonna be a clueless 2," one follower commented. Although a "Clueless" sequel might not be in the works, Silverstone has shared a bit about why she and Rakuten felt Cher meshed well with this commercial. "Rakuten makes it easy to save while you shop, and working with them to revive 'Clueless' for the Super Bowl stage made sense with how much Cher loved shopping — no doubt she would have tons of Cash Back," she told People.
14. Oikos made Deion Sanders' commercial a family affair
Former NFL player and current University of Colorado Boulder football coach Deion Sanders returned to the spotlight with his Super Bowl commercial for Oikos. His family joined him in advertising the yogurt brand in a series of hilarious skits. In one clip shared by Oikos' YouTube channel, Sanders hosts a family reunion where each of his family members takes turns proving their strength through seemingly impossible actions, like hitting a piñata into the sky, crushing a football, and breaking a picnic table in half.
In a separate clip, Sanders faces off against his son Shedeur. They both compete to see who is stronger by completing a series of tasks. Sanders' mother also makes an appearance at the end of the commercial. "Strength? How do you think I gave birth to you and your big head," she jokes. Sanders spoke about his time on the set of the hilarious ad during an interview with People. It turns out that working with family isn't a new experience for the football coach. "We all work together and we all incorporate into one another's lives," he told the magazine. "So it's all centered on sports and everything happens around that."
13. Workday snagged Ozzy Osbourne
Up next is Workday's Super Bowl commercial with Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. The musician announced he's retiring from touring in 2023, so there is a chance that this could be one of his last big projects. Workday's hilarious commercial features Osbourne in a workplace setting as his co-workers ponder whether he's a famous rock star. "Which one of you wants a piercing?" the "Dreamer" singer then asks his colleagues. Maybe the star will take on an office job in real life now that he's no longer touring.
As for Osbourne's tour retirement, he made the announcement several years after he revealed he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, according to NPR. The singer underwent a series of surgeries and treatments in the years following his diagnosis. He shared a lengthy statement to Twitter explaining why he had to cancel his tour. "My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage," the musician penned. "My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak."
12. Sylvester Stallone's face is selling Paramount+
The iconic Paramount logo consists of a number of stars encircling a mountain, so it makes sense that streaming service Paramount+ would lean into that symbolism for its ad campaigns. In their 2023 Super Bowl commercial, characters from properties available to stream on the service — including Dora the Explorer, Beavis and Butthead, and Thomas Lennon as Lieutenant Jim Dangle from "Reno! 911" — are all camped out on a snowy mountain. Examining her map, Dora announces that the mountain has three faces: the Northern Face, the Southern Face, and the Sylvester Stallone Face. Sure enough, in this ad, there's a giant stone carving of "Rocky" himself, jutting out of the side of the mountaintop. What's more, Stallone appears in the ad, climbing his own visage. More specifically, he's dangling from his own nose.
He's a savvy spokesperson for the network's big ad, considering he's also the face of "Tulsa King," a flagship show from "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan. The commercial also features appearances from Stallone's daughters, Sophia, Scarlet, and Sistine, who — surprise! — will star alongside their father in a family reality show for the network that spring.
Stallone told USA Today that filming the ad felt like destiny. "The Family Stallone" patriarch joked, "It was just a matter of time before somebody climbed my nose. It's just about as big as Everest. So it was inevitable. Luckily, I didn't have sinuses that day."
11. Crown Royal makes it clear that Dave Grohl is thankful
Foo Fighters founder and frontman Dave Grohl was Crown Royal's celebrity of choice for their 2023 Super Bowl commercial. The company shared a series of teasers for the ad to its YouTube channel. In one clip, Grohl is sitting in a recording studio session. He expresses his gratitude for random objects in the room. "Thank you ice," the musician says in the clip while holding a glass of what appears to be Crown Royal. "Thank you, legendary mixing console, for all the years of music you've given us. Thank you, tiny guitar pick. Thank you, main volume knob. I'm sorry I always have you on 10. Thank you, flannel, for keeping the grunge dream alive." In a separate teaser for the commercial, Grohl reads random objects off of a sheet of paper.
As you can see, the initial clips of the commercial really leave viewers guessing. Crown Royal spokesperson Sophie Kelly gave a statement to Billboard about why the company opted to have Grohl advertise for the whiskey company. "Dave is a Crown Royal superfan and the perfect partner to spread a message of gratitude to the audience that is authentic to the brand," she said. Crown Royal set out to air the full ad during the 2023 Super Bowl's third quarter, per Billboard.
10. Maya Rudolph renamed M&M's
M&M's partnered up with actor Maya Rudolph for their Super Bowl commercial, and the star made major changes to the brand. Rudolph explains that M&M's will have a new name, in a clip that was shared to YouTube before the ad officially aired (along with two other short clips). "Hi again America," the "Saturday Night Live" alum said. "Since we all love M&M's — and let's face it, me — it only makes sense that I am renaming America's favorite chocolate candies Ma&Ya's." That's right, this ad campaign appears to be centered around a temporary rebranding of M&M's that incorporates Maya Rudolph's name.
It turns out that M&M's changes go far beyond their playful Super Bowl Commercial. In January 2023, the company announced that they decided to part ways with their "spokescandies" after receiving backlash for altering the animated M&Ms earlier. The company tweeted in a statement, "In the last year, we've made some changes to our beloved spokescandies. We weren't sure if anyone would even notice. And we definitely didn't think it would break the internet. But now we get it — even a candy's shoes can be polarizing. Which was the last thing M&M's wanted since we're all about bringing people together."
It seems that Rudolph is thrilled to be taking over as the new spokesperson for M&M's; she only had good things to say about the company during an interview for People. Working with M&M's as their "Chief of Fun," Rudolph's job is to focus on the brand's inclusivity.
9. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul reprised their iconic roles for PopCorners
Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul reprised their roles as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman from "Breaking Bad" in their 2023 Super Bowl commercial for PopCorners. In a teaser for the ad uploaded to YouTube, the characters sit in an RV while Walt snacks on a bag of PopCorners, recreating a scene from a Season 2 episode of the show. Cranston also posted a pic of himself dressed as his "Breaking Bad" character holding a bag of white cheddar-flavored Pop Corners.
Although PopCorners definitely scored big with this ad, this wasn't the first time Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul revived their "Breaking Bad" characters. Walter White and Jesse Pinkman were featured in "El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie" and appeared on the hit show's prequel, "Better Call Saul." Unfortunately for "Breaking Bad" fans, the characters' cameos in the PopCorners Super Bowl commercial might be the last time we see them for a while.
Vince Gilligan, who created the show, seems to want to take a break from any additional spin-offs. "Yes, I could do more with this universe. And maybe someday I will, especially if I fail at everything that comes next," he told Rolling Stone. "Then I'll come crawling back. But right now, whether there's more room to grow or not — and there probably is — I feel like it's time to do something new."
8. Rob Gronkowski attempts to kick a 25-yard field goal live for FanDuel
Retired NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski was asked to kick a 25-yard field goal in a Super Bowl commercial for FanDuel. This ad is attention-grabbing not only because it features a football legend, but also because the final product is aired live. According to Sports Illustrated, FanDuel bettors are in on the action, winning $10 million to split in free bets if Gronkowski is successful. A teaser for the innovative commercial was uploaded to YouTube. The scripted clip shows Gronkowski answering a phone call about the possibility of filming the commercial. He nervously agrees to move forward with the high-stakes gig.
Luckily for FanDuel bettors, Gronkowski made sure to prep for the big day. "I'm not at the top of my game right now, but I actually have two training sessions coming up this week," the retired athlete told the Associated Press in January 2023. "I believe if you put your mind to anything, you can do anything. And I don't want to disappoint America. ... I'm going to have to train, but I feel like I'm going to be able to pull it off." The star was actually looking forward to the pressure of the moment.
7. T-Mobile mashed up Scrubs with Grease
Over the past few years, T-Mobile has enlisted "Scrubs" stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison for a series of commercials where they play neighbors singing the praises of the mobile carrier. In a 2022 Super Bowl commercial, for example, Braff and Faison turn "I Feel Pretty" from "West Side Story" into an ode to switching cell phone plans. In 2023, to follow up the success of that ad campaign, there's a new musical star on the block: John Travolta.
The 2023 Super Bowl commercial — titled "New Year. New Neighbor." — finds the three actors dancing around a suburban neighborhood. This time around, they're singing a version of "Summer Nights" from "Grease" that has had its lyrics changed to be about T-Mobile's home internet options. For example, instead of, "He got friendly, holding my hand / Well, she got friendly down in the sand," Travolta and his co-stars sing, "Can't believe it, it's just fifty bucks / Why pay more? Paying more sucks." The song's iconic refrain of "Tell me more / Tell me more" is kept intact ... the better to invite the commercial to list off the brand's selling points!
The ad is especially notable because it finds Travolta returning to a movie that made him famous, mere months after the tragic passing of his co-star and "Summer Nights" duet partner, Olivia Newton John. Upon the news of her death, Travolta wrote in an Instagram tribute, "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better."
6. Uber One tried to get Diddy to make them a ditty
It seems that Uber's Uber One plan — a subscription tier that unlocks savings on Uber and Uber Eats — was looking for a viral Super Bowl moment in 2023. Their "One Hit for Uber One" commercial sees executives pitching Sean "Diddy" Combs on crafting a hit song for them, not a jingle. The phrase that sticks out to him, however, is "one hit." Accordingly, he enlists the help of a quick succession of one-hit wonders, asking acts like Kelis to remake hits like "Milkshake" with new, Uber One-centric lyrics. Meanwhile, Ylvis sing a version of "What Does the Fox Say," Montell Jordan reimagines "This Is How We Do It," and Donna Lewis pops in for a new version of "I Love You Always Forever." ("Okay, Donna!" Diddy compliments her, bopping along).
Georgie Jeffries, the head of marketing for Uber Eats, told Forbes that the company was hoping to tap into viewers' nostalgia to help sell their brand. "These particular songs were massive hits when they were released and they've transcended generations in popularity," she explained. "Our goal was to bring joy and humor to the audience, and we think we accomplished that."
That being said, the megawatt star power in the ad belongs to Diddy. "He's synonymous with hit songs," Jeffries said. As of this writing, it remains to be seen whether the ad will make the super-producer synonymous with Uber One.
5. Melissa McCarthy's Booking.com musical number
Melissa McCarthy is no stranger to Super Bowl advertisements. In 2017, she appeared in a campaign for Kia, playing an environmental activist who tries to save the whales, hug some trees, protect the ice caps, and join in rhino conservation, only to find herself tossed through the air, thrown off a cliff, plummeting through a glacier, and getting hooked on a charging rhino's horn. After all, she's known for her physical comedy.
In 2023, McCarthy returns to the Super Bowl airwaves in an ad for Booking.com. There are no dangerous (CGI) stunts this time; instead, it's a full-blown musical number! The "Life of the Party" star has duetted with Barbra Streisand and will sing as Ursula in the upcoming live-action version of "The Little Mermaid," so it's no surprise that she shows off some killer pipes in the ad for the travel website. She also sports a series of wigs — and we have to say, red is her color. For fans of McCarthy's oeuvre, there's also a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo from her husband (and frequent creative partner), Ben Falcone.
Booking.com evidently felt that their 30-second ad buy during the Super Bowl wasn't enough. To really show off McCarthy's range, they released a full version of the ad on YouTube ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, giving fans a glimpse at extra looks and additional verses.
4. Paul Rudd brings Ant-Man back for Heineken
Paul Rudd brought his version of Ant-Man back for Heineken's 2023 Super Bowl commercial. Marvel fanatics might agree that this ad should be placed pretty high on the list. A YouTube video of the clip reveals that it advertises Heineken 0.0, the company's non-alcoholic beer. Of course, the commercial also promotes the hotly-anticipated film "Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania." Rudd, in character, tells a concerned ant, "Oh, don't judge me, Anton. Alcohol-free."
This wasn't the first time Rudd appeared in a Super Bowl commercial. He also starred alongside Seth Rogen in a hilarious ad for Lays in 2022. In the video, the duo reminisces on past memories while they enjoy a bag of Lays potato chips. Rogen shared how they came up with the idea while on "Good Morning America" with Rudd. "We instantly felt like, 'how can we make this stranger, and maybe just more unexpected and more surprising,'" Rogen said. "We were just kind of making ourselves laugh..." Rudd added that he enjoys working with Rogen, which is great considering the Lays ad is only one of the many projects they've starred in together.
3. Hellman's mayo is Pete Davidson's condiment of choice
Comedian Pete Davidson stars alongside actors Brie Larson and Jon Hamm in Hellmann's 2023 Super Bowl commercial. The mayonnaise brand gets creative with its advertising by using Brie Larson and Jon Hamm's names as the butt of a joke. In a clip of the commercial, shrunken versions of the two actors are seen standing in a refrigerator next to a container of Hellmann's mayo. "So we're Brie and..." Larson states as she gestures toward Hamm. "Brie and Hamm," the actor chimes in "Ham and brie, I get it. And Hellmann's!"
Hamm then mentions that all of the leftovers in the refrigerator can be revamped using Hellman's. Next, Pete Davidson makes his grand entrance by opening the refrigerator. "I'm gonna eat you guys," he says. The comedian then whips up a ham, brie, and Hellman's mayo sandwich in a separate scene. He eats it in front of Larson and Hamm, who thankfully are now life-sized in the ad. Although this commercial may seem odd, there's a method to Hellman's madness. The ad "encourages viewers to get creative in the kitchen with ingredients found in their fridges and 'Make Taste, Not Waste," according to a release obtained by People.
2. Missy Elliott and Jack Harlow's Doritos love triangle
Missy Elliott and Jack Harlow's Doritos Super Bowl commercial is actually quite the saga. The company shared a series of clips of the ad to its YouTube channel. The first video, titled "The Love Triangle," shows Harlow walking past crowds of fans to get to his car. Once inside, he begins snacking on a bag of Doritos. A paparazzi then asks, "Is it true about the love triangle?," to which Harlow responds, "Maybe."
After that puzzling cliffhanger, viewers get a bit more context in the second clip. It starts out with Elliott answering the phone and agreeing to collaborate with Harlow. However, when he asks her about a love triangle she responds, "I don't know about that." The next clip suggests that something put a pause on Harlow and Elliot's collab. The "First Class" rapper is seen exiting the recording studio as Elliot tries to persuade him to return. "I gotta do me, Missy," he responds. We can't help but think that this Super Bowl commercial might be hinting at a real-life collaboration between these talented rappers.
1. Serena Williams parodies Caddyshack for Michelob Ultra
Serena Williams traded her tennis racket in for a golf club in Michelob Ultra's 2023 Super Bowl commercial. She and a number of other stars parodied the 1980 sports comedy movie "Caddyshack" in the ad. Williams was joined by former NFL quarterback Tony Romo, NBA star Jimmy Butler, "Succession" actor Brian Cox, soccer star Alex Morgan, and WNBA athlete Nneka Ogwumike — so it's safe to say that this Super Bowl commercial contains a massive amount of star power.
Williams spoke about the ad during an interview with USA Today. She revealed that it wasn't the first time she played golf. "My dad did have myself and my sister [Venus] play golf when we were younger," the tennis player told the outlet. "We used to go to the driving range, [but] I never really got the golf bug until after this commercial." The athlete went on to share why she decided to work with Michelob Ultra. "They really champion gender equity. Besides loving the product, it's also super-fun to go with a company that walks the walk and talks the talk," she said.
Cox spoke to USA Today about his inspiration for his performance in Michelob Ultra's Super Bowl commercial. "I've always been a huge admirer of Ted Knight, really from 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,'" Cox said. "He's wonderful in ['Caddyshack']. He is the energy that makes that whole end of the film work."