The Top 15 Commercial Ads of All Time

From heartwarming narratives to bold visual statements, the best commercials of all time have expertly combined creativity, emotional resonance, and clever marketing strategies.  

In this article, we’ll explore 15 of the best video commercials we’ve seen and what makes them stand out. 

The 15 Most Successful Commercials Ever

1. Coca-Cola Masterpiece

Industry: Beverage

Why it became famous: Every Coca-Cola ad is a storytelling masterclass, and this one is no different. While the plot is somewhat cliche, VFX, allusion to art history, and interactivity make for a flawless execution. 

Here's why the video stands out: 

• It uses VFX for interactive storytelling between humans and inanimate art pieces that come alive.
• It makes the company’s element (coke bottle) an active participant in the story rather than an observer. 
• It fully commits to the creativity/art awakening theme — from the plot to the video setting and characters. 

Results: The video has amassed more than 3.2 million views. It also won a Silver at the Gerety Awards and a Gold Pencil award at The One Show 2024.  

2. Ed’s Heinz Ad

Industry: Food processing

Why it became famous: How does a 155-year-old company appeal to a modern audience? By leveraging someone relatable. That's precisely what Heinz Ketchup achieved, with Ed Sheeran as this ad's lead actor and narrator. 

Beyond featuring a famous person who captures the audience’s attention, here are other reasons this ad stands out: 

• It combines first-person narration and dialogue for descriptive and fun storytelling. Ed Sheeran’s charm and humor subtly grabs the audience's attention throughout the ad. 
• It also uses VFX for more interactive plot development and storytelling. 
• The company mentions and placements do not distract or take away from the narrative. 
• The point is clear and straightforward. 

Results: This video has amassed nearly 10 million views. It also won the 2020 Music Week Award for the best music and partnership. 

3. All the Best Moments Are With Pepsi

Industry: Beverage

Why it became famous: You don't always need narration or dialogue to make a great ad. With solid transitions, footage sequencing, and interactive media elements, you can create an engaging ad with strong messaging — as Pepsi did here. 

Here are a few things that stand out for us:

• The use of upbeat music engages the audience and sets the ad’s mood and tone. Also, the quick transition between the shots keeps the viewer hooked — never to miss a moment. 
• The ad introduces a new brand video design and elements without distracting the audience from its messaging. 
• It ends with a simple and easy-to-remember tagline — reinforcing its messaging. 

Results: This ad has nearly 5 million views. There are also tons of positive comments on the new logo and style shared in the ad. 

4. Better With Pepsi

Industry: Beverage

Why it became famous: Pepsi and Coke have famously been taking jabs at each other — and this ad is no different. 

This time, the contention was, “Which drink pairs best with your burger?” Rather than lean on sentiments or empty marketing claims, Pepsi set up a blind taste test with a third party to see how burgers from the most famous three US chains matched different drinks. The results? People prefer Pepsi with their burgers over Coke, sparking the #BetterWithPepsi campaign.

Here’s why this ad is a masterclass in marketing: 

• Although there's no dialogue, it uses text-on-screen to pass its messaging effectively. 
• It draws the audience in with authentic storytelling that takes them behind the scenes.  
• The company image placements don't take away from the overall messaging. 

Results: The ad won the 2022 D&D Pencil awards. It also earned more than 3.4 billion impressions and a 29% increase in product consideration in 2021. 

5. E.L.F cosmetics ad

Industry: Cosmetics (Beauty)

Why it became famous: This Judge Judy-style ad featuring the Suits cast (and other celebrities like Meghan Trainor) stands out for its relatability and creativity. The familiar concept and famous cast instantly capture the audience’s attention — making them more likely to pay attention. The tone is also easygoing and light-hearted, adding to the relatability. 

Here are a few things we love about this ad: 

• The storytelling is simple, easy to understand, and effective. 
• It stays true to the concept inspiration — from the setting to dialogue and characters. 
• Despite the familiar setup and characters, the company messaging remains clear and dominant. 

Results: The ad was aired during the 2024 Super Bowl and received over 41 million impressions. The campaign drove 66,000 visits to the company’s website. 

6. Apple “1984” ad

Industry: Technology

Why it became famous: Directed by Ridley Scott, this Super Bowl ad introduced the Apple Macintosh computer. It is famous for its dystopian imagery, symbolizing a fight against conformity and referencing George Orwell’s "1984." It has a bold and powerful messaging that helped establish Apple as revolutionary. 

Here’s why it stands out: 

• The ad has very little spoken content, apart from the droning voice of "Big Brother" and the narrator’s concluding point. The story is driven primarily by visual and auditory elements, allowing the powerful imagery and symbolism to take center stage. 
• The ad is bold because it never directly shows the product it advertises — the Macintosh. Instead, it focuses entirely on the feeling of revolution and breaking away from the status quo, leaving viewers intrigued and curious.
• The dystopian visuals, dark tones, and dramatic music create a memorable, almost theatrical atmosphere.

Results: After the 1984 ad aired, Apple sold 72,000 computers in 100 days, 50 percent more than even its most optimistic sales productions. 

7. Dove Reverse Selfie ad

Industry: Cosmetics (Skincare)

Why it became famous: The beauty industry has long been criticized for reinforcing insecurities in women, which is why it's significant when a major corporation like Dove takes a stand.  

This ad brings a sense of genuine empathy, quickly establishing a deep connection with the audience. Most importantly, it doesn’t center Dove in the story. Instead, it focuses on people who beauty stereotypes may have harmed. The subtle scenery, sound, and aesthetics add to the messaging.  

Here’s why it stands out: 

• It leans into visual storytelling and reverse editing to communicate its point. The reversal process starkly illustrates how social media can distort beauty standards, unraveling the edits to reveal a natural and authentic self.
• It uses text-on-screen to drive its point home in a simple, easy-to-understand way. 
• The ad’s soundtrack is subtle yet effective. It uses gentle, emotional music that builds a sense of empathy and understanding as the edited layers peel away. 

Results: The ad has nearly 3 million views. It also led to a 21% and 11% increase in affinity and sales, respectively. 

8. Burger King rebrand video

Industry: Food

Why it became famous: If you’ve worked so hard developing a new identity for your business, why not show it off? That’s precisely what Burger King did in this ad. This ad somewhat serves as an explainer video or introduction to their rebranding campaign. 

Rather than getting sucked into unnecessarily complex storytelling, it brings its elements front and center — from logo variations to font styles and colors. The goal is to drive recognition and leave a lasting impression on the audience. 

While there’s no dialogue or narration, text-on-screen and upbeat music drown out the white noise and engage the audience. 

Here’s why this ad made our list: 

• Great use of animation to showcase the products with interactive elements.
• Shows off the individuals behind Burger King to humanize it. 
• There are smooth, seamless transitions between scenes, which make it feel cohesive and polished. 

Results: Burger King received 1.1 billion impressions in the first five days of the rebrand. Customer visitation intent also increased by nearly 40%. 

9. Nike "Just Do It" ad

Industry: Sporting goods and apparel

Why it became famous: “Just Do It” is widely regarded as one of the greatest taglines. So, it's impressive that the ad that first introduced it truly lived up to those high expectations.

This inspirational ad features an 80-year-old athlete running in Nike Air shoes. Its overall sentiment is that Nike is the perfect partner for anyone who wants to achieve extraordinary goals. It ends with the tagline that's become one of marketing’s greatest hits. 

Here is why this ad made our list: 

• The protagonist (main character) is aspirational — accomplishing an impressive feat. This emphasizes the inspirational theme and messaging. 
• There are no direct mentions. Instead, Nike's role in helping you accomplish your goals is implied. 
• The ad ends with a distinct tagline that is easy for the audience to remember. 

Results: The campaign helped Nike become a leader in the sportswear industry. Sales grew from $877 million to $9.2 billion in only ten years. 

10. Guinness "Surfer" ad

Industry: Alcoholic beverage

Why it became famous: Launched in 1999, his ad depicts surfers waiting for the perfect wave, with shots of galloping white horses in the waves, paralleling the patience needed for a Guinness to pour. It's visually striking with a dramatic soundtrack. 

It made our list because of its creativity and production quality. Here are other features that stand out: 

• It uses intense narration and suspense to capture the audience’s curiosity and attention. 
• Slow motion is used extensively throughout the ad, adding intensity and emphasizing the struggle and anticipation leading up to the perfect wave. This technique allows the viewer to feel the tension and anticipation that the surfers experience. 
• There’s a stellar use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism to connect the visual story and narration. 

Results: The Guinness Surfer ad is widely renowned as the greatest ad. It won the Gold Pencil Award in 2000. It has also bagged Cannes, Clio, and D&AD awards. 

11. Temu Big Game ad

Industry: E-commerce

Why it became famous: When an ad gets more than 2 billion views, you know you have to dig in to see everything it did right.  

This Temu ad feels like you’re watching a Disney or Pixar musical. It’s lighthearted and colorful, and it uses an upbeat sound that’s hard to forget. While there’s no complex storyline, the plot progresses nicely and evolves around an easy-to-remember tagline. 

Here are a few things that stand out for us: 

• Great use of animation and transitions for storytelling. 
• Music and color that match the ad’s tone and style.
• A simple and easy-to-remember tagline that leaves an impression on the target audience. 

Results: Temu’s ad has surpassed 2.1 billion views, but its impact goes beyond just the numbers. It also delivered impressive business results, boosting searches by over 1,000% and driving 74% of new business.  

12. Pringles “Stuck In” ad

Industry: Food

Why it became famous: Ever had your hand stuck in a Pringles can? It can be mildly annoying. 

However, while Pringles lovers battle this age-long frustration, the company put a creative, positive spin to it in its latest ad. Talk about finding a silver lining in dark clouds. 

The bold and creative approach is what we love best about this ad. But other things equally stand out like: 

• The simple plot and emotional storytelling. Pringles is there throughout the protagonist’s big moments — from the birth of his child to death. 
• The nostalgia. Lionel Richie’s “Stuck on You” is a classic that draws the audience in and creates an air of familiarity. 
• The use of unique humor makes the ad enjoyable to watch and share.

Results: This ad has nearly 23 million views. It also generated lots of conversation online and offline, boosting visibility. 

13. Apple “Privacy on iPhone” ad 

Industry: Technology

Why it became famous: With this ad, Apple takes a direct jab at competitors like Facebook and Google, which often get in the news for privacy issues. 

It does a great job of visualizing what a browsing privacy breach feels like. It’s almost haunting as we see the different characters deal with the anxiety and fear of being watched and tracked. 

In addition, sound and aesthetics are not passive background elements but crucial tools that move the story along, provide insights, and engage the audience deeper in the narrative.

Here are more reasons why this ad made our list: 

• The visual storytelling is superb. There’s no narration or dialogue, but the action progression passes the point across seamlessly. 
• It uses the show, not-tell method to communicate with the audience effectively. 
• Solid product placement doesn't distract the audience from the ad.  

Results: Apple’s privacy ad has nearly 20 million views in only four months. It has also been featured in some of the most renowned advertisement publications like Ad Age. 

14. Mercedes-Benz “Chicken Magic Body Control” TV ad 

Industry: Automotive

Why it became famous: What do cars and chickens have in common? Quite a bit, according to this Mercedes-Benz ad. 

The Mercedes-Benz "Chicken Magic Body Control" TV ad is a well-known and humorous advertisement released in 2013. It highlights the innovative Magic Body Control suspension system available in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

The commercial features a group of chickens being held and gently moved by human hands while their bodies are rotated and tilted in various directions. Despite the movements, the chickens’ heads remain perfectly stable and steady. 

This characteristic is a metaphor to explain how Magic Body Control works. In the ad, the stability of the chickens' heads represents how the Magic Body Control system keeps the car's body stable, even on bumpy or uneven roads. 

Let’s move on from the technicalities to why this ad made our list:

• The visuals are unique and memorable. Seriously, who's likely to forget a chicken dancing to Diana Ross? Not us. 
• The ad has a singular, focused messaging: to demonstrate the smooth ride enabled by Magic Body Control. There’s no distracting information or overloading of features. 
• It successfully aligns Mercedes-Benz’s image of luxury and high-tech innovation with a sense of fun and approachability.  

Results: This ad has nearly 30 million views. It also won the Auto Express Best Car Ad of the Year award in 2014 — and remains one of the best references for great marketing and advertising. 

15. Always “LikeAGirl" ad

Industry: Feminine care

Why it became famous: Always aims to change the phrase “like a girl” from shameful to empowering. 

This ad challenges stereotypes about what it means to do something "like a girl." It highlights confidence issues faced by young girls and how language impacts self-esteem, but it also ends with inspiring messaging as they bring out young girls who empower themselves to counter the stereotype.

Here are a few things that stand out for us: 

• Authentic storytelling provides real-life examples of the “like a girl” stereotype.
• The video uses a documentary-style format, featuring real people rather than actors. This authenticity makes the campaign feel genuine and relatable. 
• The ad uses soft, even lighting to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This keeps the tone neutral and focused, avoiding any harsh shadows or overly dramatic lighting that might detract from the authenticity.

Results: The Always “Like a Girl” ad has over 70 million views. It also led to more than four billion media impressions. 

What are the qualities of a great commercial ad? 

Want to create great commercials like the ones on our list? Here are a few tips to help you get started. 

1. Have a clear message 

Make sure to properly define what you want the ad to communicate. 

The best way to do this is to think about the one thing you want your audience to remember from the ad — then write that down in simple terms. 

For example, if you're creating an introduction ad, you can include the following: At the end of this ad, we want the audience to remember that we've changed our logo and for them to be able to recognize it anywhere. 

2. Write a good story 

Make sure your story doesn’t distract the audience from the core of your messaging. Sure, it should be engaging — but not to the extent that it overshadows or convolutes what the ad is trying to convey. 

Here are some tips to help you craft a good story:

• Keep it simple and straightforward. Avoid overloading the narrative with details or background information that distracts the viewer. 
• Ensure the story has a clear beginning, middle, and end and follows a logical progression. 
• Use simple metaphors and symbols that are easy to understand. Don’t make it difficult for viewers to follow what you’re trying to convey.

3. Pay attention to the technicalities 

A great ad isn’t just about a compelling or engaging story; it's also about executing that story with precision. You might have a great story, but if the lighting or picture quality is poor, your audience will have a harder time paying attention to it. 

So, as you focus on telling a great story, also: 

• Use high-quality images, animation, and other visual elements. 
• Have clear and professional audio. 
• Pace cuts, transitions, and scenes with precision so that nothing feels rushed. 

You don’t need to break the bank to create great ads. 

You might be thinking, “I need a lot of money to make ads like this!” But that’s hardly the case. 

While it definitely helps to have a generous budget, you can still create magic with the right video creation software like PlayPlay. This is even better if you’re not a video pro or have a small team but still want to produce high-quality commercials. 

Whether it be for a Facebook video ad or a TV one, PlayPlay provides customizable templates for different types of videos. You can add elements (like logos, colors, and typography) for a consistent visual presentation. You also get access to royalty-free images, videos (or use your own, of course!), and music to improve your video’s aesthetic appeal. 

Need more convincing? Here’s what one of our customers said about using PlayPlay for video creation. 

“My favorite thing about PlayPlay is how quickly I can pull together a dynamic and visually pleasing video in our brand style with one of many templates. The quality is immediately apparent. Then you add in things like AI assistant, script writing, and captioning, and half the work is done for you. I've gotten my money's worth at least 5x over. The customer support team reaches out often to offer ideas and share product updates, which is nice for me to stay informed.”

Want to test things for yourself? Try PlayPlay for free for seven days!