A Shark-Fighting Astronaut Steals the Spotlight (Image Credits: Cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net)
Super Bowl commercials blending space exploration and science fiction have delivered some of the most memorable moments in advertising history.
A Shark-Fighting Astronaut Steals the Spotlight
A beach rescue took an unexpected turn in one early standout from 2013. The AXE Apollo “Lifeguard” spot during Super Bowl XLVII showed a heroic lifeguard battling a shark to save a swimmer, only for her to rush toward a mysterious figure emerging from a spacesuit on the shore. This clever twist positioned the body spray as irresistibly cosmic.
Aliens craved snacks in the 2025 Doritos “Abduction” ad for Super Bowl LIX. A conspiracy enthusiast fought off a UFO intent on stealing his chips, but the bold flavor proved too much for the extraterrestrials’ ship. Meanwhile, Jeff Goldblum mediated an invasion standoff in Apartments.com’s 2024 “Extraterrentrials” during Super Bowl LVIII, helping bug-like visitors find galactic housing.
Gordon Ramsay cooked for new arrivals from beyond in HexClad’s 2025 “Unidentified Frying Object” for Super Bowl LIX. Equipped with pans derived from alien tech at Area 51, he served up meals with a cameo from Pete Davidson. These ads from positions 10 to 7 highlighted humor and high-stakes otherworldliness.
Empowerment and Epic Cameos Light Up the Gridiron
Brands leveraged inspiration and nostalgia in spots that resonated deeply. Olay’s 2020 “Space Walk” during Super Bowl LIV celebrated women in STEM, featuring Taraji P. Henson, Lilly Singh, Busy Philipps, and astronaut Nicole Stott on an orbital adventure modeled after the first all-female spacewalk. The campaign pledged up to $500,000 to Girls Who Code.
Walmart packed Super Bowl LIV with 2020’s “Famous Visitors,” a frenzy of sci-fi icons. Vehicles from Star Wars, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy, Men in Black, and more zipped in for curbside pickup before blasting off again. Martin Scorsese directed Squarespace’s 2024 “Hello Down There” for Super Bowl LVIII, where distracted humans ignored alien signals until a slick website caught their eye.
The Podium: Heartfelt Tales and Dystopian Drama
A father’s tall tale launched the Kia “Space Babies” ad in 2013 for Super Bowl XLVII. Babies rocketed from Babylandia, parachuting to Earth alongside puppies and pandas in stunning CGI that boosted sales of the Sorrento SUV. Nostalgia powered Audi’s 2016 “Commander” during Super Bowl 50, as a retired Apollo astronaut hit the road in an R8, set to David Bowie’s “Starman.”
The ultimate victor arrived in 1984 with Apple’s legendary Macintosh introduction during Super Bowl XVIII. Ridley Scott directed a Orwellian rebellion where a hammer-wielding athlete smashed Big Brother’s screen, targeting IBM in a one-time airing that sparked lawsuits and eternal fame.
- AXE Apollo “Lifeguard” (2013)
- Doritos “Abduction” (2025)
- Apartments.com “Extraterrentrials” (2024)
- HexClad “Unidentified Frying Object” (2025)
- Olay “Space Walk” (2020)
- Walmart “Famous Visitors” (2020)
- Squarespace “Hello Down There” (2024)
- Kia “Space Babies” (2013)
- Audi R8 “Commander” (2016)
- Apple “1984” (1984)
Key Takeaways
- Space themes unite humor, heart, and high production values to cut through Super Bowl clutter.
- From Apple’s game-changer to recent alien chefs, these ads evolved with pop culture.
- Costs soared to $8 million per slot, yet timeless creativity endures.
These commercials prove that venturing into the stars sells everything from cars to chips. Which one blasts off as your favorite? Share in the comments.[1]
