Dunkin' Donuts/Twitter
- The Super Bowl's ads are nearly as famous as the game itself, with millions guaranteed to tune in.
- This game continued the tradition of including dozens of celebrities to make cameos in the ads.
- Some of the early standouts include Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Serena Williams, and more.
One of the main themes in Super Bowl LVII's commercials was the serious star power that brands recruited for the world famous advertising parade that is the Super Bowl.
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts staked an early claim, surprising viewers with a Super Bowl ad featuring Ben Affleck in a brief stint as a Dunkin' employee. He sparked questions last month when he was spotted filming at the donut shop.
Affleck, using an exaggerated Boston accent, seems to struggle serving several customers until he is surprised by his wife, movie star Jennifer Lopez, pulling up to the drive thru, questioning what he's doing working in the coffee shop.
—Dunkin' (@dunkindonuts) February 12, 2023
Michelob Ultra
The Michelob Ultra ad that aired during the first half featured one of the largest ensembles of the night, as tennis legend Serena Williams, "Succession" lead Brian Cox, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, and several other athletes and entertainers starred in a "Caddyshack" parody.
The group reenacted scenes from the 1980 comedy classic to the tune of "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins, one of the songs that featured prominently in the movie. The ad included scenes from the film, all with Michelob Ultra added in.
—Michelob ULTRA (@MichelobULTRA) February 9, 2023
T-Mobile
T-Mobile opted for a more low-key approach, recruiting movie star Bradley Cooper and his mother to pitch viewers on the benefits of the mobile carrier. At least, that's what the plan was when Cooper was signed to do the commercial, the ad says.
As Cooper and his mother, Gloria Campano, tried to read the lines to advertise T-Mobile's 5G network and the awards the company has won, neither could finish without breaking into laughter. The commercial was a clever pivot — assuming the plan wasn't to make a commercial out of the duo's blooper reel all along.
—T-Mobile (@TMobile) February 13, 2023
Pepsi
Pepsi was one of the brands that aired multiple commercials, along with Netflix and Michelob Ultra (one in partnership with each other), and also incorporated a hashtag encouraging viewers to join in on the trend started by actors Ben Stiller and Steve Martin.
Stiller and Martin act in various scenes, explaining that the art of acting lies in making the audience believe what they're seeing is real. Each ad ends with the comedian drinking a Pepsi, and approving of new Pepsi Zero Sugar's taste.
But the catch, as each turns to the camera, is their praise of the beverage real, or were they acting? They say there is only one way to find out, encouraging viewers to try for themselves as the hashtag #RealOrActing appears on screen.
—Pepsi (@pepsi) February 13, 2023
Doritos
Doritos has become one of the most notable Super Bowl advertisers in recent years, and the chip brand continued its run, calling on music star Jack Harlow for most of its triangle-themed ad.
In the ad, Harlow decides he is going to quit rapping in order to pursue his new passion: the triangle. The interest in the metallic instrument is ignited when he sees someone's Dorito, in a perfect triangle shape, while looking for inspiration.
The commercial is a montage of Harlow and his new triangle-themed ventures, from teaching the instrument to a triangle-shaped cologne, only to see him lose a "triangle player of the year" award to music icon Elton John.
—Doritos (@Doritos) February 13, 2023
Popcorners
In one of the many ads made public in the days leading up to the Super Bowl, Popcorners adapted a few scenes from the hit drama Breaking Bad, with stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston appearing alongside Raymond Cruz, who played drug dealer Tuco Salamanca in the show.
The trio appear as their characters from the show, only Cranston is now the mad scientist behind a chip, conveniently packaged in a blue bag, instead of the blue methamphetamine the show centers around.
—PopCorners (@popcorners) February 12, 2023