Home Stars & Entertainment Celebrities Extraterrestrials, sloths, and humor: Super Bowl commercials deliver entertainment, celebrities, and unexpected moments to engage audiences

Extraterrestrials, sloths, and humor: Super Bowl commercials deliver entertainment, celebrities, and unexpected moments to engage audiences

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Extraterrestrials, sloths, and humor: Super Bowl commercials deliver entertainment, celebrities, and unexpected moments to engage audiences

NEW YORK — The atmosphere is charged as iconic moments from classic films are brought to life in this year’s Super Bowl advertisements. Eugene Levy’s distinctive eyebrows take flight for Little Caesars, while a man’s tongue performs an energetic dance to Shania Twain’s music in a promotion for Nestle’s Coffee Mate Cold Foam. Additionally, fans are treated to the nostalgic reunion of Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal at Katz’s Deli for Hellmann’s, making it clear that the ad season is heating up.

This year, advertisers are pulling out all the stops, employing familiar strategies such as humor, celebrity appearances, and adorable animals to capture the attention of viewers. On the flip side, newcomers to the Super Bowl advertising scene are aiming for boldness and eye-catching stunts to make their mark. Given that over 120 million viewers are expected to tune in for the clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs on Fox, the competition for attention is fierce.

Super Bowl audiences stand out as they approach the commercials with the same enthusiasm as the game itself. Kimberly Whitler, a marketing professor from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, noted that this event serves as a moment for collective enjoyment across the nation, transcending divisions.

With more than 80 advertisements shared among roughly 50 advertisers, crafting a memorable brand message is crucial. Spots are pricier than ever this year, costing around $8 million for just 30 seconds, raising the stakes for brands eager to shine.

Advertisers like Rachel Jaiven, head of marketing for Häagen-Dazs, explain that reaching such an expansive audience makes the investment worthwhile. Jaiven revealed that the brand’s debut in the Super Bowl is aimed at reinforcing their image and encouraging ice cream lovers to stock their freezers — featuring stars from the “Fast & Furious” franchise in their own ad.

In a bid to create buzz, many brands are promoting their commercials ahead of the big game. Noteworthy ads released prior to the event showcase a variety of techniques and approaches this year.

One of the most memorable advertisements comes from Hellmann’s with a heartfelt reunion between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, as the duo shares a sandwich at Katz’s Deli while Sydney Sweeney utters the memorable line, “I’ll have what she’s having.”

Chris Pratt and Chris Hemsworth collaborate for Meta, sporting AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses while they inadvertently turn a priceless artwork into a snack, prompting an appearance from Kris Jenner to intervene.

In a nod to the popularity of pickleball, Michelob Ultra features Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe showcasing their competitive spirit against younger challengers for the prized beverages. Meanwhile, soccer icon David Beckham discovers he has a long-lost twin, played by Matt Damon, in a humorous twist for Stella Artois—both enjoying their drinks despite lacking other commonalities.

Matthew McConaughey spearheads a comedic conspiracy theory about football’s relationship to food for Uber Eats, joined by a star-studded cast including Martha Stewart, Greta Gerwig, and Kevin Bacon.

Humor takes a front seat in several ads. Coors Light relies on the slow-paced antics of cute sloths whose laziness leads to comical blunders reminiscent of typical Monday blues following the Super Bowl. Little Caesars continues the lighthearted theme as Eugene Levy’s eyebrows take flight after he samples their new Crazy Puffs snack.

The playful nature continues with Nestle’s Coffee Mate, as viewers watch a man’s tongue dance and flip enthusiastically to demonstrate the delicious taste of their Cold Foam, and Pringles showcases actors Nick Offerman, Andy Reid, and James Harden as they hilariously lose their mustaches in pursuit of Pringles.

Alongside the comedic sketches, serious messages find a platform in this year’s lineup as well. Dove addresses body confidence issues among young girls in a poignant ad featuring a girl sprinting down the street to H.E.R.’s rendition of “Born to Run.” The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism joins forces with patriot owner Robert Kraft, Snoop Dogg, and Tom Brady to promote messages of unity against hate speech.

New entrants also take the spotlight. Häagen-Dazs features the “Fast & Furious” trio in a leisurely cruise along the coast with their ice cream. Instacart creates a lively ad interspersed with well-known brand characters from past Super Bowl classics to showcase its delivery service, while Totinos Pizza Rolls engages in an alien-themed narrative that adds a quirky twist.

While many brands choose to reveal their ads prior, surprises are still in store for game day. Jeep and Ram have announced their participation but have kept full details under wraps, while Dunkin’ teases a star-studded ad featuring Ben and Casey Affleck alongside Jeremy Strong.

First-time advertiser Liquid Death is set to make an entrance with a unique ad crafted in-house, while Duracell hints at a mysterious “Duracell Scientist” teaser. Marketing specialists speculate that AI-generated ads may not appear this year, given prior negative feedback but an unexpected debut could certainly turn heads.

This year’s Super Bowl advertisements promise a thrilling blend of wittiness, celebrity power, and impactful messages as brands leverage the event’s unique platform to engage a diverse audience.