Eight Unforgettable and Controversial Super Bowl Commercials

The Super Bowl is not just the grand event for football fans; it’s a critical platform for advertising. Companies pay upwards of $15 million for a minute of airtime, hoping to transform viewer interest into brand loyalty and online engagement. To maximize impact, some brands opt for unconventional approaches, using controversy as a marketing strategy. Certain ads have sparked debate over cultural sensitivity, societal norms, and morality. Here’s a look at eight unforgettable and controversial Super Bowl commercials that have left a lasting impression.

1. Carl’s Jr. “All-Natural” (2015)

This ad showcased model Charlotte McKinney, who was depicted sensually eating a burger while dressed in minimal clothing. Critics labeled it as sexist, arguing it perpetuated negative stereotypes about women. Even a decade later, Carl’s Jr. revisited this concept, featuring a TikTok star in a similar ad, reigniting the controversy.

2. Nationwide “The Boy Who Couldn’t Grow Up” (2015)

Nationwide’s advertisement took a dark turn, focusing on a child who failed to reach key life milestones due to his premature death. This chilling narrative jarred with the event’s generally festive atmosphere, leaving a significant number of viewers feeling uncomfortable and upset.

3. 84 Lumber “The Journey Begins” (2017)

This politically charged commercial depicted a mother and daughter as they attempted to cross a border. It aired shortly after the 2016 presidential election, prompting discussions about immigration at a time of heightened sensitivity. The controversial nature of the ad led to Fox refusing to air the full version.

4. PETA “Last Longer” (2016)

PETA’s ad featured explicit comparisons between vegan and meat-eating couples in a provocative manner. Although some found it humorous, many were outraged by the use of sexual innuendo to market veganism. CBS ultimately denied the ad airtime during the Super Bowl, deeming it too explicit.

5. General Motors “Robot Suicide” (2007)

This ad presented a robot that, after being laid off, jumps from a bridge while a melancholic song played. Intended as dark humor, it drew significant backlash from mental health organizations, which criticized the message as irresponsible and troubling.

6. Tim Tebow “Focus on the Family” (2010)

Tim Tebow’s Super Bowl spot stirred debate about mixing religion and sports. The ad highlighted his mother’s story of rejecting abortion advice, positioning him as a “miracle baby.” This pro-life message polarized audiences and led to protests from various women’s rights groups, yet CBS chose to broadcast it.

7. Groupon “Tibet” (2011)

Groupon’s ad, starring Timothy Hutton, exploited the crisis in Tibet as a joke to promote discounts on dining. The contrast between cultural sensitivity and humor prompted outrage, leaving many to question the ethics of commodifying serious issues.

8. Anthropic “AI vs ChatGPT” (2026)

In a more recent venture, Anthropic used humor to critique OpenAI’s decision to introduce ads in ChatGPT. This ad, featuring a comedic skit about personal training, raised discussions about fair competition in the tech industry. Even OpenAI’s CEO commented, acknowledging the ad’s witty but potentially misleading approach.

These Super Bowl commercials exemplify how brands navigate the thin line between grabbing attention and sparking controversy. Each ad not only showcased their respective products but also ignited discussions that lingered long after the game was over.