The Athletic has live coverage of the Super Bowl LX halftime show featuring Bad Bunny.
In the aftermath of every Super Bowl, we talk about the game and the halftime show, but we’re also eager to discuss the commercials. Even if some people just love to hate them — because nothing compares to the commercials from “back in my day” — we’ll relive all the hits and misses.
While we went through a rough stretch of Super Bowl commercials in the late 2010s, the past few years have seen a rebound. There have been some truly memorable and funny ones, and 2026 includes a few new spots worth talking about at the water cooler even before the big game.
Jump into the comments below to talk about your favorite, most-hated, or where I’m way wrong.
A couple of quick notes:
- I skip most of the (non-funny) car commercials, banking, and such.
- The same goes for movie trailers, since they’re a world of their own.
- This column will be updated throughout Sunday night, as more commercials are aired.
And now, the … Best 2026 Super Bowl commercials … and worst
Best Super Bowl Commercials 2026
1. DoorDash: Beef 101 with 50 Cent
Oh man, kudos to DoorDash and 50 Cent for killing it … and the jokes. “They sell ‘combs,’ what a coincidence?”
2. Novartis: Relax Your Tight End
Not the first, and surprisingly, not the last butt-related commercial this year. Love the word play. It’s not just humorous, it’s genuinely helpful. The men are going to be truly happy to see this commercial … regardless of the NFL tight ends.
3. Raisin Bran: Will Shat
Everyone — with a sense of humor — laughs at poop and fart jokes, even William Shatner… sorry, Will Shat. The puns drop in (intended) aplenty.
4. Hellmann’s: Sweet Sandwich Time
Maybe it’s because the wife and I are rewatching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or maybe it’s just the song and fun of this one, but I’ll remember the Hellmann’s commercial for quite a few sweet sandwich times.
5. Instacart: For Papa! Instacart
It’s not just the throwback picture quality of this that makes it great. It’s Ben Stiller absolutely killing it … and nearly himself. For Papa!
6. Jeep: Billy Bass Goes to the River
As mentioned, I don’t normally include car commercials, but this was pretty dang funny … especially as someone who can’t stand Billy Bass and wants them destroyed.
7. Bud Light: Keg
Always amusing to see people falling downhill while racing each other, but the real-life cheese-roll race has real stakes.
8. Xfinity: Jurassic Park … Works
It’s 2026, and while this is a fun callback with some chuckles, it’s crazy that CGI de-aging is still so uncanny valley.
9. Michelob UTLRA: The ULTRA Instructor
“Eye of the Tiger” with Kurt Russell chopping trees with a ski. Will be memorable at least.
10. Alexa: Scary Good
Kinda funny because it’s legitimately our fears with AI … so, maybe not so funny?
Just Missed
T-Mobile: Tell Me Why
Funnier as it went along, the song is now stuck in our heads, and MGK stinger was a good laugh.
Skittles: Deliver the Rainbow
Who is Elijah Wood? Apparently, a Skittles-producing woodland creature who is summoned by blowing his stolen rainbow horn.
Frank’s RedHot: Eat the GOAT
This commercial felt like an ADHD nightmare waiting and waiting, and still waiting, for the song to get going. It did make me chuckle, though.
Uber Eats: Jogging
Uber Eats is going quantity over quality, but at least this one made me laugh a bit, unlike the others here, here and here! Relax, Uber Eats.
Other Fun Commercials
Ramp: Multiply What’s Possible
Come Monday, everyone will say, “Did you see the Kevin Malone commercial?” followed by, “I still don’t know what it was for!”
Kinder Bueno: Yes, Bueno
Fanatics: Bet on Kendall
I mean, it’s not untrue that betting against Kendall’s love life might be more predictable than sports in general.
YouTube TV: Don’t Settle for Meh
Christian MEH-Caffrey is what fantasy football managers are hoping doesn’t return in 2026.
Rippling: Tim Robinson
I enjoy some of his work, but I might be missing the joke here.
State Farm: Stop Livin’ on a Prayer
Maybe the Super Bowl version will be better, but this was grin-inducing, but also felt like it was trying too hard.
eos: Is It Pistachio
It’s funny because Mikey Day might commit murder?
Bosch: Just a … Guy
The dog is the only thing worth it here.
Artlist: AI Toolkit
AI is taking over.
Claude
AI again, but promising better answers and no ads … ironic.
Pepsi: The Choice
Eh, I thought the Andy Byron/Coldplay memes and jokes were done … since they’re well past their shelf life.
Spruce: If Dogs Could Choose
Mentioning because I have dogs, and “Who Let the Dogs Out?”
NERDS: Juicy Gummy Clusters
Don’t love these like the originals, but like the commercial even less.
Inspirational/Feel Good/Warm and Fuzzy
Universal Orlando: Lil’ Bro
LAY’S: Last Harvest
Google Gemini: New Home
He Gets Us
Blue Square Alliance Against Hate: Sticky Note
Dove: The Game is Ours
Ring: Search Party
Budweiser: American Icons
Liquid I.V.: EJAE Against All Odds
Rocket and Redfin: Lady Gaga Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Worst Super Bowl Commercials
RITZ: Island
That’s a lot of money spent on celebrities (and a Super Bowl ad) for zero laughs.
Dave’s Hot Chicken: Something’s Got a Hold On Me
If there is anything worse than Yelp! it’s the influencers and their food videos. We don’t need more of it!
TurboTax: The Expert
The joke is supposed to be that TurboTax makes taxes not bad … but they were correct from the start … they’re worse than death.
e.l.f.: Melisa
Kept waiting for it to be funny. Still waiting.
Manscaped: Hair Ballad
Singing balls of hair. Gross.
OIKOS: The Big Hill
Is it supposed to be funny? Is it tongue-in-cheek suggesting OIKOS makes you stronger?
Squarespace: Unavailable
Only thing worse than this commercial trying to repeat the joke was having to watch it multiple times too.
Hims and Hers: Rich People Live Longer
Sure, it’s great to get health supplements without an exorbitant cost, but I don’t think this landed.
SKECHERS: Kick Off
Meh.
Grubhub: The Feest
Kudos to Grubhub, but George Clooney didn’t add anything, and we all know “no fees” probably means it’s just built into the price markups.
Tree Hut: Uncontain Yourself
What in the what?