The Super Bowl is about more than watching the big game. Let's take a look at the best
Pepsi Super Bowl commercials ranked.
In the late 1980s, the now-iconic music video for Robert Palmer's Grammy-winning song "Simply
Irresistible" became a hit in its own right. Directed by famed British fashion photographer,
Terence Donovan, it featured the world's most famous supermodels surrounding Palmer as he
delivered an energized performance of the track. This trendsetting video would soon
set the standard and style for music videos and parodies that would follow in the years
to come.
Pepsi's 1989 Super Bowl commercial wasn't immune to the trend. Made to resemble the
original music video, Pepsi's commercial features models again. This time, they are surrounding
the singer wearing classic Pepsi colors, and playfully sipping from cans of Pepsi. Perhaps
it's not as innovative as the rest of the commercials on our list, but we think it still
deserves a spot alongside the best. High fashion meets the everyday soda in this video that
further cements Palmer's place in 1980s popular culture.
Few songs define country music quite like Hank Williams' 1953 classic "Your Cheatin'
Heart," released shortly after Williams' death. Pepsi's use of the song in their 1996 Super
Bowl commercial, over four decades later, serves as a testament to its timelessness.
The commercial finds a Coca-Cola delivery guy loading his wares into coolers at a convenience
store. In the ultimate betrayal, he opts to quench his thirst not with a Coca-Cola, but
a rival Pepsi. The cooler of Pepsi comes crashing down on the unsuspecting cheater, catching
him in the ultimate act of disloyalty before a store full of customers. While Pepsi's interpretation
of the song may not be exactly what Williams had intended, we think he'd get a kick out
of this lighthearted and hilarious take on it.
In 2012, Pepsi enlisted the help of legendary NFL quarterback Drew Brees for a competition-themed
Super Bowl commercial. In a bid for the last Pepsi in the fridge, the former Super Bowl
MVP goes head-to-head not with another athlete, but one of the biggest boy bands of the past
decade, One Direction.
After coming to a draw on which of them deserves the Pepsi more, the group finally offers him
a place in their ranks if he'll give Harry the Pepsi. The group welcomes their sixth
member, and they close out the commercial with a dazzling performance, which closes
with an unimpressive solo from Brees while Styles happily chugs his Pepsi.
"And live while we're young."
This one pretty much embodies everything you would want from a memorable commercial: an
elaborate set, show stopping choreography, and even a wind machine. A spectacle in and
of itself, the 2006 Pepsi "Time of Your Life" Super Bowl commercial stars iconic diva Mariah
Carey commanding the spotlight. Carey's vocals shine as a herd of male dancers decked out
in tuxedos perform intricate moves and acrobatics before a giant Pepsi logo. The highlight of
the video is when Carey glides down a slide and onto the back of a motorcycle, then flies
across the screen and over the Pepsi sign as fireworks burst all around her. The over-the-top
production and catchy music hold this one strong in the number 12 spot.
Superstar Shakira is universally known as one of the top-selling musical artists in
the world, and fans can't get enough of her signature dance moves. In 2003, Pepsi enlisted
the pop star for their Super Bowl commercial, "The Joy of Pepsi." In the ad, an unassuming
grocery clerk is dancing through an empty store to Shakira's hit single, "Objection
(Tango)," when suddenly the life-size cardboard cutout of Shakira transforms into the real
performer. The two tango gleefully through the freezer aisles and straight through the
deli counter to the produce section. The clerk is abruptly pulled out of his fantasy when
he realizes he's been dancing in front of a crowd of curious onlookers. The commercial's
high energy and humorous ending helped it stand out as one of Pepsi's more memorable
Super Bowl ads.
British pop girl group The Spice Girls have reigned supreme since their debut in 1994,
taking the music world by storm all across the globe. The members have since gone on
to impressive solo careers in not only the music world but also in modeling and television.
In 1997, Pepsi enlisted the group in their "Generation Next" commercial. Looking fabulous
in Pepsi's signature blue, the group belts out power anthem "Move Over" in a classic
'90s-style music video. Ginger Spice is even wearing a pair of her super-high platform
sneakers complete with the classic Pepsi logo. It is everything we love about the '90s and
big budget music videos all wrapped up in one energetic ad.
Mega star power meets blockbuster-quality cinematics in the next commercial on our list,
which brings together pop superstars Britney Spears, Beyonce, Pink, and Enrique Iglesias.
In 2004, Pepsi went with a Roman theme for their groundbreaking Super Bowl commercial,
which pits the three female stars against each other in gladiatorial-style combat to
entertain Iglesias' ruthless monarch. But instead of watching them fight, the Colosseum's
audience joins in with the iconic stars as they belt out an empowered rendition of the
Queen classic "We Will Rock You." With an over-the-top set and elaborate costumes, this
one feels like its very own music video. The grand finale finds the three songstresses
overthrowing the power-hungry ruler, then chugging Pepsis in celebration. For star power
alone, this one deserves its slot in the top ten.
In the '80s, Michael J. Fox was at the top of his game thanks to his starring role in
the timeless adventure comedy Back to The Future. Pepsi capitalized on Fox's fame when
they snagged the actor to star in the 1987 Super Bowl commercial "New Neighbors." The
commercial finds Fox home alone when suddenly, there's a knock on the door.
"Hi, I just moved in next door and I was wondering, could I borrow a Diet Pepsi?"
"Diet Pepsi? Sure."
Of course, granting her request proves easier said than done. Upon realizing he's all out
of Diet Pepsi, Fox goes to great lengths to win over his new neighbor. Capturing the boyish
charm that so endeared Michael J. Fox to '80s audiences, the Pepsi commercial featured a
simple story line executed perfectly.
Debuting during the 2001 Super Bowl, "The Joy of Pepsi" starred Britney Spears performing
energetic choreography alongside a cohort of dancers, calling back to many of the star's
own music videos. The ad begins in a Pepsi factory, where Spears dons an employee's Pepsi
jumpsuit and hat. But once the music kicks in, the clothing comes off and the party starts.
The dance troupe makes their way through the factory as Spears sings and dances about the
joy of Pepsi. It ends with Spears and the other factory workers enthusiastically dancing
in front of a sparkling Pepsi sign, making drinking Pepsi seem like the height of fun
and glamour.
In 1984, Michael Jackson was at the top of his game and celebrating the one-year anniversary
of the release of "Thriller." Wishing to make the most of his success, Pepsi tapped the
star and his brothers to partner with their brand, with arguably their best collaboration
being the 1984 Super Bowl commercial, "Pepsi Generation."
The scene opens on an All-American street as a young Michael Jackson fan mimics the
pop star's iconic look and dance moves. Other kids get in on the action while "You're the
Pepsi Generation" is sung to the melody of "Billie Jean." The commercial takes things
up a notch when the child moonwalks straight into Jackson himself. Jackson's brothers then
appear drinking Pepsi, and join in on an impromptu, Pepsi-inspired dance with the kids. It may
not be a particularly big-budget or elaborate commercial, but the simplicity works in its
favor.
The reign of Britney Spears continues in 2002's "Now and Then" commercial. The ad is a celebration
of memorable Pepsi campaigns since the 1950s. It begins in black and white and finds Spears
in a series of scenes reimagining the ads of each decade, including Spears standing
in for Robert Palmer in his memorable "Simply Irresistible" 1989 commercial. The video ends
with all the different versions of Spears joining together in a massive dance routine
that ties together all of the different decades, making it one of Pepsi's most fun and elaborate
commercials.
As the most popular supermodel of the late 20th century, it's no surprise that Pepsi
enlisted Cindy Crawford to star in their 1992 Super Bowl commercial. The ad finds Crawford
pulling up to an old-fashioned gas station in a red Lamborghini. She takes a swig out
of a can of Pepsi much to the awe of two young boys, but they aren't staring at Crawford
— they are captivated by the newly redesigned Pepsi can.
The commercial's simplicity and surprising twist has made it one of the most memorable
of all time, and has been revisited and parodied many times in the decades since. While not
earth-shattering compared to some others on this list, there's no denying that this ad
stood the test of time.
In 2018, Pepsi chose to celebrate some of its greatest hits with a look back at a number
of its most iconic commercials. Narrated by late night host Jimmy Fallon, the ad helped
kick off the company's retrospective Pepsi Generations ad campaign.
Titled "This is the Pepsi," the commercial quickly runs through the decades, looking
back on the ever-evolving branding and soda can design. We see appearances by Cindy Crawford
and clips from past commercial stars Jeff Gordon, Britney Spears, and Michael Jackson,
along with a Back to the Future themed nod to Michael J. Fox. Celebrating the lasting
impact Pepsi's commercials have had on popular culture, the star-studded greatest hits ad
is an obvious choice for one of the best Pepsi Super Bowl commercials ever.
In the early 1990s, musical icon Ray Charles was one of Pepsi's go-to spokespeople, starring
in several campaigns for the soda company. He even had his own recognizable catch phrase:
"You've got the right one, baby."
"Uh-huh"
The campaigns were so popular Pepsi even used one of his commercials for their first-ever
television ad in the Soviet Republic, and his "Uh-huh" catchphrase even eventually made
it onto packaging labels.
In 1990, Pepsi's Super Bowl commercial played with Charles' popularity by turning his catchphrase
on its head. The ad finds Charles behind his piano, before taking a break to take a sip
of his Diet Pepsi. Only It's not Diet Pepsi, it's rival Diet Coke. Charles takes a sip,
but instantly realizes that he's actually got the wrong one, baby. He's then given a
Diet Pepsi, and laughs about the "wise guy" who pulled the prank. The commercial is an
instant classic, and the simple storyline is effective and allows the legendary Charles
to shine.
In 1987, Pepsi sought to captivate audiences with a truly bizarre take on a Super Bowl
ad, made all the more memorable by bringing in iconic performers David Bowie and Tina
Turner for the commercial, titled "Creation." The fantastical ad, which we honestly wish
was made into a full-length film, finds Bowie playing a mad scientist, complete with a lab
coat and bowtie. In his wacky lab, viewers watch Bowie working hard as he frantically
moves around his lab. Eventually, it becomes clear that he's pulling a Dr. Frankenstein,
and trying to create a person.
Distracted, Bowie takes a sip of his Pepsi and accidentally knocks the soft drink over
on his computer, causing fire and smoke to erupt from the electronic mechanisms. As the
smoke clears, a stunning Tina Turner emerges from his invention. The two then move to an
outdoor set and begin to dance. It's strange, unexpected, and we just can't look away. The
unusual pairing of two superstars in such a weird and entertaining story earns this
commercial a place of honor at the top of our rankings.
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