For Super Bowl LV fans who have little interest in the actual game and care more about its commercials, you’ve come to the right place.
After a year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, even the big-game commercials are going to be a little different this year. Legacy advertisers such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Hyundai and Budweiser have opted out of advertising during Sunday’s game, pouring their cash into philanthropic efforts instead of splashy ad campaigns. But that left plenty of airtime for newcomers to the Super Bowl ad blitz.
One thing is certain: The stars are still coming out to play.
Fully represented this year as usual: the celebrity cameos that make the ads conversation starters — or occasionally a questionable move in the star’s career.
Sure, the flashy sales pitches are there too, and maybe a few tentpole movie and TV trailers, with 30-second spots during the game reportedly selling for $5.5 million or higher.
This year several advertisers contended with the unprecedented year we’ve lived through, making light of it or making room for somber PSAs, pandemic-related content and plugs for services that have kept us going. (Still, there’s no dearth of commercials for snack foods, alcohol and delivery services.)
Here’s a look at the 2021 commercials and the big-name talent that companies, listed alphabetically below, have enlisted to peddle their products. Several teasers for the full commercials have been released ahead of the big game, while other advertisers have already debuted the full ad and extended cuts.