Ranked: Most Expensive Superbowl Commercials of All Time

13. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Trailer, $11.9 million

image source: nbssports.comFor their Superbowl slot, Universal Pictures chose to debut some exciting new visuals from Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, the latest (and final?) Jurassic Park movie in the new franchise. But this trailer came with a price tag of almost 7% of the film's entire budget - a truly eye-watering sum. The film ended up making over $1.3 billion at the box office, though, so it was probably worth it.

12. Bud Light: Up for Whatever, $12 million

image source: YouTubeImagine someone offered you a Bud Light and asked if you were really up for anything - you'd say yes, wouldn't you? That's exactly what happened to lucky Bud Light drinker Ian in this Bud Light ad. The night included twins, llamas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and a limo party - so he certainly won't be forgetting it in a hurry. With so many incredible experiences, though, this ad racked up a hefty bill.

11. Chrysler: Imported from Detroit, $12.4 million

image source: letstalkallthingsdesign.comWith this commercial, Chrysler aimed to twin the luxury of their street cars with the grittiness of Detroit, the home of the automotive company. The simplicity of the ad - Eminem driving a Chrysler through the center of Detroit, with flashes of city scenes - might suggest it was done for cheap, but really this cost over $10 million (we're guessing much of that was to purchase Eminem.)

10. Toyota: The Longest Chase, $14.4 million

image source: YouTubeThe Prius: the eco-conscious LA resident's (and Uber driver's) car of choice. But did you know it's actually fast? And very spacious? And comfortable? That's what this 2016 ad aimed to prove by spoofing a bank robber car chase. It cost over $14 million to make but certainly made for an entertaining watch.

9. Amazon: Alexa Loses Her Voice, $14.9 million

image source: dailymail.co.ukThere are a LOT of big names in this Amazon commercial: Gordon Ramsay, Rebel Wilson, Anthony Hopkins, and Cardi B - which is probably part of the explanation as to why this ad cost so much. The concept is fun, too - imagine trying to find a recipe only to have Ramsey screaming and swearing at you through your Alexa.

8. Samsung: The Next Big Thing (is Already Here), $15.2 million

image source: talkandroid.comAs hipster tech bros stand in line for the next big phone (you can tell it's a spoof on Apple fans), it turns out that the best phone already exists. That's the premise behind Samsung's 2013 advert. The most horrifying thing about this commercial isn't the price tag, though, it's the fact that everyone is going crazy over phones that already look incredibly out of date. How times change.

7. Kia: Give it Everything, $15.6 million

image source: musebycl.ioPeculiar for a big-budget Superbowl commercial, Kia decided to hire no celebrities to act in their 2019 ad. Instead, the advert is about real people living in West Point, Georgia. A long way away from the big lights of Atlanta (where that year's Superbowl was played), West Point is where Kia's cars are made - so it's quite important, after all.

6. Amazon: Not Everything Makes the Cut, $15.9 million

image source: adage.comIt makes sense that multi-billion dollar Amazon would be on this list a few times. This 2019 ad tries to imagine what might have occurred had Alexa been incorporated into other everyday items, including a hot tub, toothbrush, dog collar, and a space station - with mixed results. Hollywood icon Harrison Ford even makes an appearance (so that's where much of the $15.9 million went...)

5. Chrysler: America's Import, $16 million

image source: ultimateclassicrock.comWho thought they'd ever see Bob Dylan in a Superbowl commercial? Not us. But it ended up being genius, a celebration of some of the most American things in life, including motorbikes, diners, Route 66, rodeos, and Bob Dylan himself. And as far as taglines go, "We will build your car" ended up being pretty powerful.

4. Ford: Go Further, $16.2 million

image source: YouTubeThe first part of this commercial will be a nightmare for anyone who's ever gotten stuck somewhere (haven't we all?), be that in a ski lift, a chokehold, a wetsuit, a changing room, or outside our own apartment. But when everyone gets free, it's a great feeling and perhaps justifies the huge amount spent on this commercial.

3. 84 Lumber: The Journey Begins, $16.2 million

image source: wsj.comRather than comedy or thrills, this commercial went for pure human drama. The gut-wrenching story of a Mexican family trying to make their way to the USA is about tenacity, disappointment, and hope - but we won't spoil the story for you. You can see why 84 Lumber splashed the cash on this one - even if some of it was deemed too controversial to actually show at the Superbowl.

2. Google: Loretta, $16.8 million

image source: YouTubeFrom one heartbreaking commercial to another. Google spent the most money (well, tied) on their 2020 tear-jerker, which told the story of a man trying to remember everything he could about his late wife, Loretta. A simple production, it's now a favorite among Superbowl ads, and it's easy to see why. We challenge you not to shed a tear at the end.

1. Amazon: Before Alexa, $16.8 million

image source: the-dots.comYep, Amazon has tied with Google for the most expensive Superbowl ad of all time. Their 2020 comedy ad, Before Alexa, cost almost $17 million to make, which makes sense given the elaborate settings, costumes, and the presence of a CGI dragon. It's also one of the best-received ads in recent years, though it's not as heart wrenching as Google's Loretta.

Now Here Are The Most Iconic Superbowl Adverts Of All Time…1. Cindy Crawford for Pepsi (1992)

image source: themidult.comWhether you saw this in the 90s, the early 00s, or just last week, it's certainly one that sticks in the mind. Supermodel and actress Cindy Crawford practically invented the white swimsuit, and denim shorts look, and the commercial is now a cultural centerpiece. Knowing it was such an iconic film, Cindi recreated the ad in 2021 to raise money for charity.

2. Old Spice, The Man Your Man Could Smell Like (2010)

image source: bettermarketing.pubIt's the ad that turned Old Spice into a must-buy brand. The "look at your man, now back to me" is incredibly forward and yet absolutely genius, while the little "I'm on a horse" at the end is the cherry on top. A little weird, very memorable, and incredibly funny. We bet it made you want to buy Old Spice again, didn't it?

3. Apple, 1984 (1984)

image source: phaidon.comIf you've never read the classic George Orwell novel 1984, then the homage to it in this Apple ad might go over your head a little. In essence, English athlete Anya Major plays a heroine who seeks to destroy the 'Big Brother' character with a big hammer. It was a neat tie-in with the actual year, but did get Apple a cease and desist notice after George Orwell's estate said it was a copyright infringement - oops!

4. Nike, Hare Jordan (1992)

image source: complex.comBefore Space Jam, there was Hare Jordan. This legendary commercial introduced Bugs Bunny to Michael Jordan for the very first time and was so well-received it spawned the 1996 movie Space Jam. It also made the 'Hare' Air Jordan VIIs a bonafide cult classic. But the entire ad was simply born out of creator Jim Riswold's desire to meet Bugs Bunny.

5. Betty White for Snickers (2010)

image source: adweek.comYou're no Betty White fan if you've never seen this iconic advert. Go ahead - look it up on YouTube right now and pay homage to one of the greatest American actresses of all time. This is definitely one of the funniest Superbowl commercials of all time, and though it tends to get overshadowed by some of the flashier ones, it's a classic.

6. Coca-Cola, Hilltop (1972)

image source: YouTubeWe've gone way back to the 1970s for this iconic Superbowl advert. Probably the only advert that's survived for so long in the mainstream imagination, once you've heard "I'd like to buy the world a Coke..." you'll never get it out of your head. It was also a stroke of genius from Coca-Cola, who channeled the hippy/cult vibes of the 1960s with the iconic fashion and sing-song style of the jingle.

7. Budweiser, Budweiser Frogs (1995)

image source: Fast Company This Budweiser ad should go down in history as one of the few Superbowl adverts that literally includes no words in English. Three frogs sitting on lily pads, each belching out a different croak - Bud, Wei, Ser. The genius comes in the satisfaction you feel when the frogs finally get their croaks in order, and you realize they're just trying to read the sign above the local bar.

8. Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Pink for Pepsi (2004)

image source: ELLEIs there a commercial more 00s than this one? Three pop behemoths join together in a Roman gladiator arena to sing 'We Will Rock You' to the thousands of spectators. From the iconic outfits to the incredible voices of these superstars, this is definitely one of the most memorable Superbowl commercials. Enrique Iglesias also cameos as the grumpy Emperor.

9. Google, Parisian Love (2009)

image source: YouTubeGoogle definitely takes the award for most minimalist commercials. We've already seen how their Google Assistant story Loretta was one of the most expensive ever made, but this minimal Google search story is just as powerful. Telling the story of a study abroad student who meets a French girl in Paris, it's a tear-jerker love story that'll have you smiling for days - just wait for the plot twist at the end.

10. Lil Nas X and Sam Eliot for Doritos (2020)

image source: admeter.usatoday.comWestern veteran Sam Eliot joined up with hip-hop superstar Lil Nas X for this Western-themed Doritos ad in 2020 based at the 'Cool Ranch'. You'll never expect that when Sam Eliot says, 'make your move, cowboy', the two will descend into an iconic dance-off. Lil Nas X's collaborator on 'Old Town Road', Billy Ray Cyrus, even makes a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo at the end.

11. eTrade, eTrade Baby (2008)

image source: insider.comOkay, this one wins the prize for the creepiest Superbowl commercial. But once you've seen it, you'll understand why it's a classic. The weird low-res footage of a baby at a computer, chatting about financial investments, is an odd idea for an ad, but it's definitely memorable.

12. Budweiser, Respect (2002)

image source: nbcnews.comBudweiser played a more somber note in 2002 with their commercial Respect. In this film, the iconic Budweiser Clydesdale horses take a journey to New York City to literally pay their respects to all those who lost their lives during the attacks on September 11th, 2001. It's an important advert, and today is one of the most remembered for its important message.

13. Larry Bird and Michael Jordan for McDonald's (1993)

image source: YouTubeMichael Jordan hasn't just collaborated with Nike for Superbowl commercials but also with McDonald's. For this iconic ad, McDonald's grabbed another major NBA star - Larry Bird - and had the experienced basketball legend compete against the younger icon. The two do successively more ridiculous trick shots, all to compete for Jordan's Big Mac meal.

14. Volkswagen, The Force (2011)

image source: eu.usatoday.comVolkswagen took one of cinema's most iconic characters and played a hilarious twist on the tale, as little Darth Vader tries to use the force to move things around the house. It looks like his efforts have failed until he gives it another go with his dad's new Volkswagen - but we won't spoil it for you.

15. Coca-Cola, Hey Kid, Catch! (1979)

image source: admeter.usatoday.comOne of the earliest examples of a viral Superbowl commercial, Hey Kid, Catch, gave 'Mean' Joe Greene, defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a starring role. Greene later talked about how it was impossible to get the tag line of the ad out in reality, as he kept burping from all the Coke he was drinking.

16. Budweiser, Puppy Love (2014)

image source: inc.comIt's impossible not to be charmed by Budweiser's adorable doggy advert. A little golden labrador puppy makes friends with a Clydesdale horse, only to be cruelly separated from his best friend at every meeting by the horse's owner. Don't worry, though - there's a happy ending in more ways than one (if you believe there are two love stories at play.)

17. Timothee Chalamet for Cadillac (2021)

image source: vanityfair.comOur final iconic Superbowl advert of this list is a pretty recent one, but an ad that has made an imprint on people. Of course, anything with Timothee Chalamet is sure to be a hit, but it was the attention to detail in the ode to Tim Burton's classic film Edward Scissorhands that really grabbed the audience's attention. It even sparked an online campaign to get Timothee Chalamet in a Tim Burton film.