The 8 Super Bowl commercials everyone is talking about this year

What a game the other night! In a thrilling Super Bowl LII, the high-scoring game came down to the wire. In the end, however, the underdogs managed to beat the reigning champs, and the Philadelphia Eagles hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy high.

If this is all news to you, perhaps you were focused on another aspect of the game: the ads.

From heartwarming appeals to goofy stunts, advertisers brought their A-games in an attempt to keep everyone glued to their screens during commercial breaks. And like the Super Bowl champs, they succeeded, with many unexpected companies winning us over last night.

1. The NFL

The NFL surprisingly created one of the funniest ads. This “behind-the-scenes” look at Eli Manning and Odell Beckham, Jr. is just what we needed in our lives.

2. Tourism Australia

While we’re disappointed we’re not getting a new installment of “Crocodile Dundee,” Australia’s ad made us all want to take a trip down under. What was set up like a movie trailer seamlessly turned into an especially effective ad.

3. Tide

Meanwhile, Tide encouraged everyone to clean up their act. Beginning like a car commercial, it mocked its way through the stereotypical Super Bowl ads. “Stranger Things” actor David Harbour starred.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doP7xKdGOKs

4. Amazon

For Amazon’s commercial, the company recruited serious star power. Rapper Cardi B, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and actors Rebel Wilson and Anthony Hopkins took turns doing voice-overs for Alexa when she “loses her voice.”

https://youtu.be/J6-8DQALGt4

5. PepsiCo

Then, PepsiCo took lip-syncing to the next level with ads for Doritos Blaze and Mountain Dew Ice. Morgan Freeman lip-syncing Missy Elliot and Busta Rhymes’s voice coming out of Peter Dinklage are pure genius.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eKYR_iL5eU&list=PLUsVLVjia8w52DPYwC0d2oU2hBTMAjoSF&index=3

6. T-Mobile

The mobile phone company took a more serious tone with their Super Bowl ad. While praising diversity with a lineup of adorable babies, it encouraged open-mindedness and equality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-rumHvmqCA

7. Budweiser

Similarly, Budweiser aired a moving spot about its various emergency relief efforts. In fact, the company has donated 79 million cans of drinking water over the last 30 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxGUmtRLm5g

8. Toyota

Paralympian Lauren Woolstencroft’s story tugged on our heartstrings. Even without a single car, Toyota’s ad inspired others to pursue their passions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=sefscV3GvWM

Which commercial was your favorite?