Grabbing a target audience’s attention in the ever-crowded advertising market can be an uphill battle. Sure, you can bombard them with features and benefits, the classic hard sell, but will they remember your product a week later? Ehhh. Results may vary.
The secret weapon? Humor. After all, if you can make them laugh, you can make them buy.
The funniest adverts don’t just entertain – they make your brand memorable. These commercials become pop culture material, referenced in conversations and shared online through pictures and reactions. They spark stories and conversations, keeping the brand at the forefront of consumers’ minds long after the ad has aired.
Here’s the science behind the smile: humor is inherently attention-grabbing. It jolts us out of autopilot mode, making us take notice of the commercial in the first place. Funny ads often use everyday situations and relatable characters, situations we can easily picture ourselves in. You create a sense of connection with your target audience, making the ad more engaging and memorable.
The impact of ads extends far beyond a momentary chuckle. These memorable commercials not only spark conversations and inspire shares and reactions online, but they also embed themselves in our cultural fabric, keeping the brand relevant long after the ad has aired. With this in mind, we have curated a list of the 13 funniest ads, demonstrating how effective humor can be in making a lasting impression.
Funny Ads with Celebrity Shenanigans
Cheetos + MC Hammer (2020)
This commercial played during Super Bowl LIV and leveraged the nostalgia of the early ’90s icon MC Hammer. The ad features MC Hammer’s 1990 hit song “U Can’t Touch This” and cleverly uses the theme of not being able to touch anything once your fingers are covered in Cheetos dust.
The commercial was part of Cheetos’ “It’s a Cheetos Thing” campaign, aiming to reignite the brand’s fun and mischievous image. This funny commercial is approaching a million views on YouTube!
Snickers + Betty White (2010)
The Snickers commercials featuring Betty White, a beloved actress known for her long career in television and film, perfectly played on that stereotype. But what happens when this sweet grandma hasn’t had her Snickers bar?
These hilarious commercials, part of Snickers’ long-running “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” advertising campaign, showed her yelling at teenagers on a park bench and generally acting grumpy. The humor that comes from seeing the normally calm Betty White turn into a “hangry” monster is both shocking and hilarious.
BMW + Christopher Walken (2024)
Car commercials are usually pretty serious, filled with scenic views and dramatic music. Not the recent 2024 BMW ad featuring Christopher Walken! This ad uses his distinct, slightly creepy voice and unique way of speaking, known from many movies, to rewrite the car ad format completely. His over-the-top delivery, with lines like “Six. Let that number sink in,” as he emphasizes the car’s horsepower, makes the whole thing hysterically funny.
Absurdly Funny Commercials
Old Spice: The Man Your Man Could Smell Like (2010)
Remember all those perfume commercials with beautiful women whispering about romance? Throw that idea out the window! Old Spice took a completely different marketing approach in 2010 with their “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign.
The commercials basically feature a shirtless Isaiah Mustafa, a handsome actor, delivering hilarious monologues directly at the camera. In a humorous yet completely serious tone, he explains why the man in your life needs Old Spice body wash to be truly irresistible.
Dollar Shave Club: Our Blades Are Great (2012)
The world of razors can be pretty serious, right? All that talk about smooth shaves and advanced technology. Dollar Shave Club decided to throw a wrench in that with their very first commercial in 2012. This viral video features the company’s founder, Michael Dubin, walking customers through a warehouse and hilariously boasting to consumers about their service.
The launch video of the Dollar Shave Club was a major success, costing just $4,500 to produce and garnering 12,000 new customers within the first two days of its release—which eventually led to its acquisition by Unilever for $1 billion in 2016.
Volkswagen: Buying a Volkswagen from an Old Lady (2010)
Car commercials often show sleek vehicles driving through scenic landscapes. Not this Volkswagen ad from 2010! This hilarious spot tells the story of a father and son buying a used car from an “old lady” with some questionable driving habits.
As the commercial unfolds, we see flashbacks of the car’s wild past, filled with risky maneuvers and outrageous adventures. While the old lady’s driving skills are definitely suspect, the car itself keeps chugging along without a problem.
Heinz Ketchup: Fart Joke (2014)
Heinz Ketchup’s first Super Bowl ad in 16 years aimed for broad appeal with a healthy dose of humor. Set to the classic “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” families engage in the familiar “ketchup patting” ritual – tapping a glass bottle to coax out the last drops.
But a funny twist awaits: an unsuspecting grandma tries the patting technique on a brand new plastic bottle, resulting in an unexpected (and silent) “fart noise.” This relatable scenario with a touch of bathroom humor connects with a wide audience, linking Heinz to warm family memories
Catchphrases + Pop Culture References = Guaranteed Funny Ad
Geico: Hump Day (1999)
The “Hump Day” campaign perfectly illustrates the point of how a simple concept delivered with humor can become a cultural phenomenon. Geico tapped into the universal joy of reaching Wednesday in 1999 with their “Hump Day” tagline.
The catchy phrase and relatable feeling resonated with viewers, making “Hump Day” a part of popular culture. People use it to express their joy and excitement about getting over the “hump” of the week and the promise of the weekend ahead.
Grey Poupon: Pardon Me (1981)
This 1981 Grey Poupon Dijon mustard commercial is an example of a masterclass in creating a catchphrase. The commercial features two distinguished gentlemen in Rolls Royce stopped at a light. One politely asks the other, “Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?” The other, equally distinguished, replies, “But of course!”
The humor comes from the unexpectedness of requesting fancy mustard in such a fancy setting. The now-iconic phrase, “Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?” became instantly recognizable, and the commercial helped elevate Grey Poupon’s image as a luxurious condiment.
John West Salmon: Bear Fight (2000)
Remember those nature documentaries narrated by the soothing voice of David Attenborough? John West Salmon took that familiar format and injected some serious silliness. The ad starts out all serious business, following bears fishing for salmon.
But then, things turn hilarious as the bears erupt in a full-blown brawl over a single can of John West. The unexpected absurdity and comedy of the situation—a nature documentary gone wacky—make this commercial a classic.
Bud Light: Dilly Dilly (2017)
Forget jousting; Bud Light’s Dilly Dilly ads were all about medieval thirst. A wacky king showered loyal subjects with frosty cans, but reaching for lesser brands meant exile to the dreaded Pit of Misery! Knights and jesters cheered the nonsensical “Dilly Dilly!” which became a viral catchphrase.
With their over-the-top loyalty test, these hilarious ads transcended TV screens, turning “Dilly Dilly!” into an inside joke and the commercials into a cultural phenomenon. Bud Light proved humor sells, even in a kingdom far, far away.
Tech's Funniest Commercials
Google: Home Alone, Again (2018)
In 2018, Google released a clever ad titled “Home Alone Again” that plays on nostalgia. The ad features Macaulay Culkin reprising his role as Kevin McCallister, who is all grown up. This time, Kevin uses Google Assistant to navigate his day, ordering aftershave, getting pizza delivered, and even (of course) outsmarting some bumbling burglars.
The ad cleverly integrates Google Assistant features with iconic scenes from the movie, creating a fun and memorable viewing experience.
Amazon: Alexa Loses Her Voice (2018)
We rely on our virtual assistants for so much nowadays. But what happens when that voice goes silent? Amazon’s 2018 Super Bowl ad hilariously tackled this question. The ad opens with a scene of a woman using Alexa for a weather update, only to have the virtual assistant lose its voice!
The news quickly spreads, and we see a worried Jeff Bezos scrambling for fill-ins: a star-studded cast of celebrities. We see Gordon Ramsay hilariously berating someone asking for grilled cheese instructions, Rebel Wilson offering bubble bath advice for a romantic dinner, and even Cardi B questioning why someone would want to give money to go to Mars. The ad’s humor comes from the absurdity of these celebrities taking over mundane tasks, all while highlighting the importance of our everyday tech.
Why These Ads Work
Because funny sells! These ads go beyond promoting products. Laughter creates a positive link with the brand, making it memorable.
Here’s the secret sauce:
- Surprise! Breakdancing MC Hammer with Cheetos? A “hangry” Betty White? The unexpected = laughter.
- Embrace the Absurd! Over-the-top is key. Think Old Spice’s deadpan shirtless guy or a foul-mouthed warehouse tour. Ridiculous = unforgettable.
- Catchy Phrases! A clever turn of phrase goes viral. “Hump Day” and “Grey Poupon?” stick in our heads, keeping the brand top-of-mind.
Ready to tap into the power of humor to connect with your target audience? Let’s chat! Jungle Communications can help you with hilarious commercials that get results. Contact us today and see how we can make your brand the next viral sensation.
