Commercials have been a powerful tool for brands to reach consumers, but the most memorable ones often have a touch of humor. A funny commercial has the power to entertain, create brand recall, and even go viral. Here are 10 famous funny commercials that left audiences in stitches.
1. Old Spice – “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”
This 2010 Old Spice commercial is one of the most iconic humorous ads of all time. Featuring the charismatic Isaiah Mustafa, the ad opens with him directly addressing women, urging them to get their man to smell like him. As he seamlessly transitions through different settings—from a bathroom to a boat to riding a horse—the over-the-top delivery and rapid scene changes made it a hilarious, unforgettable ad.
2. Budweiser – “Whassup?”
Originally aired in 1999, this Budweiser commercial featured a group of friends repeatedly greeting each other with an exaggerated “Whassup?” The catchphrase became a pop culture sensation and was referenced in movies and TV shows. The ad’s humor lay in its simplicity and relatability, making it one of the most famous beer commercials ever.
3. Doritos – “Crash the Super Bowl” Series
Doritos has consistently produced funny commercials, especially through their “Crash the Super Bowl” campaign, where fans submitted their own humorous ad ideas. One standout was the “Middle Seat” commercial in which a man strategically places a bag of Doritos on an airplane seat to attract an attractive woman—only to be outsmarted by a mom with a baby. The unpredictable twist made it hilarious.
4. Snickers – “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry”
Snickers’ long-running campaign humorously depicts people transforming into grumpy celebrities when they are hungry. One of the most famous versions featured Betty White playing football, taking a hard tackle, and delivering snarky comments. The absurdity of seeing the beloved actress in such a scenario made the commercial an instant classic.
5. Geico – “Hump Day”
Geico is known for its funny commercials, but one of the most beloved is the “Hump Day” ad, featuring a talking camel excitedly reminding office workers that it’s Wednesday. The ridiculous enthusiasm of the camel and the annoyed expressions of the employees created a comedic contrast that made it one of Geico’s most memorable ads.
6. Volkswagen – “The Force”
This 2011 Super Bowl ad featured a little boy dressed as Darth Vader attempting to use the Force to manipulate objects around the house. When he tries it on his dad’s Volkswagen Passat, the car’s lights flash—thanks to the father secretly using the remote key. The combination of childhood imagination and the surprising ending made this a heartwarming yet humorous ad.
7. E*Trade – “Talking Baby”
E*Trade’s talking baby commercials featured a witty, tech-savvy infant discussing stock trading with adult-like confidence. The juxtaposition of a baby with such advanced knowledge, along with funny facial expressions and voiceover delivery, made this campaign highly entertaining and memorable.
8. Terry Tate: Office Linebacker – Reebok
This early 2000s Reebok commercial introduced Terry Tate, an aggressive office linebacker who tackles employees for minor infractions like taking long breaks or not refilling the coffee pot. The sheer absurdity of a football player enforcing office rules with full-body tackles made the ad both shocking and hilarious.
9. Skittles – “Touch”
Skittles is known for its weird and funny ads, but “Touch” was especially strange and humorous. The commercial featured a man with the ability to turn everything he touches into Skittles. While it seems like a fun power at first, his regretful expressions and unfortunate experiences (like ruining his breakfast) added a layer of dark humor that resonated with audiences.
10. M&M’s – “Sexy and I Know It”
This M&M’s Super Bowl ad featured the Red M&M misunderstanding a conversation and thinking he needs to “go naked.” He then strips off his candy shell to the tune of “I’m Sexy and I Know It,” making everyone around him cringe. The combination of misinterpretation and the unexpected dance sequence made this commercial laugh-out-loud funny.
Conclusion
These commercials prove that humor can be a game-changer in advertising. They not only entertain but also create lasting impressions, making brands more relatable and engaging. Whether through clever dialogue, unexpected twists, or sheer absurdity, these ads have cemented their place in advertising history.
