With Super Bowl 50 still a couple of days away, America’s ad makers have already begun bombarding the Internet with their latest, almost entirely celebrity-fueled spots set to air during the big game Sunday night. Among the stars lending their talent to this year’s crop are Seth Rogen and Amy Schumer for Bud Light, Christopher Walken for Kia and Drake, who recreates his “Hotline Bling” dance moves for T-Mobile.
Drake in “Restricted Bling”
Drake’s “Hotline Bling” was one of the most talked-about music videos of 2015 and now it has become what is already one of the funniest Super Bowl ads of 2016. The premise? With restrictions on data, it’s not as easy to call someone on their cell phone. “These changes don’t ruin the song at all,” Drake remarks.
Willem Dafoe in “Marilyn”
Six years ago, Snickers used Super Bowl XLIV to premiere an ad featuring Betty White and the late Abe Vigoda as people who just weren’t themselves when they were hungry. This time, it’s Willem Dafoe recreating Marilyn Monroe’s famous photo shoot above a subway grate.
Jeff Goldblum in “Moving Day”
Jeff Goldblum has been using his quirky charm to shill for Apartments.com for a while now, but for this new ad he’s joined by the one and only Lil’ Wayne as they move on up to the Eastside and finally get a piece of Weezy’s famous pie.
Colgate’s “#EveryDropCounts”
Colgate wants to shame you into not leaving the water running while you brush your teeth. This ad might just save a ton of water.
Christopher Walken in “Walken Closet”
It’s almost as if someone came up with the “Walken Closet” pun with Christopher Walken’s name and then based an entire ad campaign on that premise alone.
Liam Neeson in “Man from the Future”
Liam Neeson has a very specific set of skills: He can make LG’s new, ridiculously thin flat screen TV seem like a really big deal.
Michael Peña, Amy Schumer, Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd in “The Bud Light Party”
Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen headline this new political season-inspired spot for Bud Light, but it is the surprise appearance by Paul Rudd and especially the deadpan delivery of Michael Peña that really stand out: “Hey guys, can you be quiet? Seth and Amy are talking about our country.”
Helen Mirren in “#GiveADamn”
Somehow it just makes sense that while the Bud Light campaign features Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen, Budweiser is trying to class things up with Dame Helen Mirren. Describing herself as a “notoriously frank and uncensored British lady,” Mirren berates anyone who would dare to drive drunk. “If your brain was donated to science, science would return it,” she says. Curiously, we never actually see her take a sip from that ice cold Bud in her hand.
Kevin Hart in “First Date”
In the best of Hyundai’s several Super Bowl ads, Kevin Hart plays the most over-protective dad on the planet.
Mini USA’s “Defy Labels”
What exactly is a “gay car” anyway?
T.J. Miller in “Unfiltered Talk”
Apparently Silicon Valley’s T.J. Miller is now famous enough to play himself in a Super Bowl commercial.
Audi’s “Commander”
David Bowie’s “Starman” was used perfectly in one of this year’s Best Picture nominees, The Martian, but following the singer’s death it takes on even more poignancy in this new ad in which the only thing that can cheer up a former astronaut is driving the ridiculously fast Audi R8.
Steven Tyler in “The Portrait”
Ever wanted to know what Steven Tyler would look like if he were made out of Skittles? This ad has got you covered.
Toyota Prius’s “Heck on Wheels”
Every self-conscious Prius driver (myself included) will be able to relate to this socially-responsible joy ride.
Heinz’s “Weiner Stampede”
If you like dachshunds dressed as hot dogs, then you are going to love this new ad from Heinz, which features a ton of them.
BONUS: Key and Peele in "Real Talk"
If you miss the sketch comedy genius of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, this campaign from Squarespace should help ease the pain.