The Super Bowl isn’t just the biggest event of the year for football; it’s also the ultimate stage for advertising. Each year, advertisers compete to deliver commercials that leave a lasting impression. However, not all Super Bowl commercials are created equal. We’re taking a look at five of the best and worst ads of Superbowl LIX, in no particular order. Here are our picks for which ads were a touchdown, and which ads fumbled.
Worst: Bosch, “The More You Bosch”
Bosch produced a head scratching ad this year that features Antonio Banderas dancing with Macho Man Randy Savage as they discuss their love of Bosch products. 2025 seemed to be the year of celebrity appearances replacing creativity in Super Bowl advertising. However, what’s truly puzzling about this ad is why Bosch decided to portray a wrestler who died nearly 15 years ago. What does Antonio Banderas have to do with Macho Man? What does Macho Man have to do with Antonio Banderas? And what do they both have to do with power tools and appliances? Banderas’ charisma can only take the commercial so far, especially when trying to make “Antonio BOSCHderas” sound cool. To quote Macho Man, this ad definitely isn’t the cream of the crop. Ooooo yeah!
Best: Michelob ULTRA, “The ULTRA Hustle”
Not all celebrity stacked ads are bad. Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara star as a pair of hustlers that swindle unassuming victims out of their Michelob ULTRAs through pickleball matches. Randy Moss and Sabrina Ionescu appear as marks of the con, saying, “You know we’re professional athletes, right?” O’Hara slyly responds, “What sport?” before easily defeating them and claiming their beer. It’s a hilarious ad that capitalizes on the hype behind pickleball’s sudden popularity. Next time I’m at a bar, I’m sure I’ll find myself quoting Willem Dafoe from the ad: “I smell ULTRAs.”
Worst: Angel Soft, “The Big Game Potty-tunity”
Commercial breaks are often prime time for a quick bathroom visit to avoid missing any action on the field. Angel Soft embraces this idea by offering viewers a “potty-tunity.” An animated baby angel flies into frame, telling the audience to “get off the couch and go to the bathroom.” While it’s a clever idea, the message would be better received if it was coming from a character that looked much less strange. Also, it’s wishful thinking to assume that a 30 second spot is enough time to make it to the toilet and back for the average Super Bowl viewer who’s been consuming pizza, beer, and chicken wings all night.
Best: Lilo & Stitch, “Stitch Runs Loose At The Big Game”
To build hype for the upcoming live action remake of “Lilo and Stitch”, Disney produced an ad that depicts the iconic blue alien running wild on the field. Security staff attempts to capture him, but is unable to prevent him from driving a cart into a goal post and stealing a microphone. What makes this ad stand out is that it is staged as though it is part of the live Super Bowl broadcast, complete with announcers apologizing for the delay and reacting to Stitch’s intrusion. No matter how you feel about the “Lilo and Stitch”, this is a fun ad that utilizes the broadcast to its advantage.
Worst: Mountain Dew, “Kiss From A Lime”
Mountain Dew is no stranger to weird commercials. Super Bowl 50 viewers will remember the infamous Puppy Monkey Baby that sparked a divided reaction. Their latest Super Bowl ad features Seal as a terrifying CGI seal singing a new version of his 30 year old song, “Kiss From a Rose”. It feels lazy and uncreative. After all, how much brainstorming did it take to come up with “what if Seal was a seal?”
Best: Nike, “So Win”
The top stars in women’s sports are featured in this powerful black and white commercial from Nike. Caitlin Clark, Jordan Chiles, Aryna Sabalenka, Sha’Carri Richardson, Sophia Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu all make an appearance, complete with clips of each athlete performing in their respective sports. Hot off her recent Grammy win, Doechii provides narration that is on brand with Nike’s “just do it” slogan. The ad serves as a celebration of the strength, determination, and achievements in women’s sports.
Worst: Instacart, “We’re Here”
Instacart’s commercial takes the formula of lazily throwing celebrities into an ad and replaces them with grocery store mascots. The Pillsbury Doughboy, the Energizer Bunny, Mr. Clean, the Kool Aid Man, and more, race through the city to arrive at an Instacart customer’s home. The ad feels as though Instacart is piggy backing off other brands that have already done the work to create memorable characters. Instead of making their own original ad, they decided to shove as many branding mascots as possible into a 30 second spot. They even dragged Puppy Monkey Baby out of the grave.
Best: Totino’s Pizza Rolls, “Chazmo Finally Goes Home”
Comedy actors/writers Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson team up for a hilarious E.T. parody. The duo play suburban dads who say goodbye to a friendly alien, Chazmo, who has a taste for Pizza Rolls. Unfortunately, in the middle of Chazmo’s goodbye, his spaceship door closes on him, tragically crushing him to death. The ad nails Tim and Sam’s unique style of humor right on the head, which certainly hits the mark for Pizza Rolls customers.
Worst: Dunkin’, “DunKings 2: The Movie”
Dunkin’s sequel to last year’s Super Bowl commercial is the ultimate overstuffed celebrity ad. The Affleck brothers appear alongside Jeremy Strong, Druski, Donnie Wahlberg, Jay and Silent Bob, and more. But the worst addition to the cast is Bill Belichick and his 24 year old girlfriend, Jordan Hudson, who only contribute an occasional quip or two. The ad centers around an event called Java Jam: Battle of the Coffee Brand Bands, but it really just feels like an excuse to show off how many celebrities can be shoved down our throats. If the 60 second ad wasn’t enough for you, you can view an extended seven minute short film that is somehow longer without adding anything.
Best: Tubi, “Cowboy Head”
In 2023, Tubi produced a prank Super Bowl ad that tricked viewers into believing that someone switched the TV from the game to Tubi. Their 2025 commercial is sure to be just as divisive. The ad features a man born with a fleshy cowboy hat on his head struggling to belong in a world where no one likes cowboy movies. While the weirdness may cause some initial confusion, the end product is a surreal, funny ad that promotes a message of fitting in and conformity. The commercial encourages viewers to be who they are and watch what they enjoy through Tubi. It’s weird, it’s kinda creepy, but in a strange way, it works.
Super Bowl LIX once again proved that advertising during the big game is as much a competition as the action on the field. Good and bad commercials alike get people talking. Whether they’re funny, weird, heart-warming, or just plain terrible, Super Bowl ads are as much a part of the tradition as the halftime show. With brands paying nearly $8 million for 30 seconds of time during the big game, it’s one of the few times a year that the general public seems to actually take an interest in commercials. Ultimately, Super Bowl commercials have become a cultural phenomenon, proving that the right ad can be just as memorable as the game itself.
