Super Bowl LIX wasn’t just a battle between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles—it was also a high-stakes showdown for brands eager to grab the attention of millions. As expected, artificial intelligence (AI) was a dominant force in this year’s ads, with major tech players showcasing the latest in AI-powered innovation. But if there was one unexpected trend that had everyone talking, it was the sudden airborne epidemic of facial hair. Seriously, what was up with all the flying mustaches and eyebrows this year?
AI Steals the Show, One Emotional Ad at a Time
AI didn’t just appear in commercials—it was the commercial. Tech giants like Google, OpenAI, and Meta took full advantage of the massive viewership to showcase AI-driven products and services. Google’s “Dream Job” ad featured its Gemini AI helping a father prep for an interview, drawing on his parenting experiences to build confidence. The emotional storytelling struck a chord, but it also raised some eyebrows (before they flew away) about the role AI plays in reshaping personal and professional interactions.
Meta pushed its AI-enhanced Ray-Ban smart glasses, while OpenAI emphasized ChatGPT’s ability to generate creative content in ways that felt more human than ever. But for all the innovation, these AI ads also sparked conversations about ethics, privacy, and job displacement—proving that while AI may be useful, it also remains a hot topic of debate.
One of the most effective uses of AI in advertising wasn’t just on-screen—it was behind the scenes. Brands used AI to personalize content, enhance data-driven marketing, and even optimize the timing of their Super Bowl ad releases. AI also played a key role in improving the game-day experience, from real-time player analytics to AI-generated predictions and injury prevention systems.
The Year Facial Hair Took Flight
If there was an unofficial theme to Super Bowl LIX commercials (besides AI taking over the world), it was facial hair suddenly becoming aerodynamic. Two brands leaned into the ridiculousness, and somehow, it worked.
First up was Pringles’ “Call of the Mustaches”—a wild ride in which a mustache-wielding Adam Brody found himself on the receiving end of a full-blown mustache rescue mission. As soon as he blew into an empty Pringles can, a swarm of famous mustaches (including those of Nick Offerman, James Harden, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid) detached from their owners and zoomed through the air to deliver a fresh can of chips. The bizarre premise had social media buzzing, proving once again that a well-executed absurd idea can make for an unforgettable Super Bowl ad.
Not to be outdone, Little Caesars jumped on the trend with “Crazy Puffs,” featuring the legendary Eugene Levy. As he took a bite of the new bacon-flavored pizza snack, his famously bushy eyebrows took off like tiny, furry spaceships. They soared across the screen, eventually landing on a baby’s face as a mustache before being admired by a group of confused caterpillars. It was weird. It was fun. It was perfect.
The facial hair frenzy of 2025 will likely go down as one of the strangest advertising trends in Super Bowl history. But hey, if nothing else, we now know that mustaches and eyebrows apparently have a mind of their own.
The Best of the Rest: Celebrities, Comedy, and Nostalgia
Aside from AI dominance and flying facial hair, other Super Bowl LIX ads followed tried-and-true formulas—star power, humor, and nostalgia.
• Dunkin’ Donuts continued its “DunKings” series, with Ben Affleck working the drive-thru, surprising customers, and recruiting Casey Affleck, Bill Belichick, and Jeremy Strong for an over-the-top Boston reunion.
• RAM Trucks reimagined Goldilocks and the Three Bears, casting Glen Powell in a fantasy adventure filled with dragons, CGI bears, and a very dramatic reading of “Panama” by Van Halen.
• Hellmann’s leaned into 80s rom-com nostalgia, bringing back Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal for a “When Harry Met Sally”–inspired spot, but with mayonnaise.
• Stella Artois gave us an unexpected celebrity duo, pairing David Beckham with Matt Damon as long-lost twins in a hilarious beer-fueled family reunion.
Nostalgia and humor remained the safest bets, while brands largely avoided heavy social messaging this year, leaning instead into entertainment and feel-good storytelling.
Super Bowl Ads in 2025: What’s Next?
This year’s commercials made it clear that AI isn’t just the future—it’s already here. But while AI-powered storytelling had its moment, Super Bowl LIX also proved that brands still thrive on the unpredictable, the absurd, and the downright weird. Whether it was Pringles sending mustaches into battle or Eugene Levy’s eyebrows achieving liftoff, 2025 reminded us that sometimes, the most effective ads are the ones that make us laugh, gasp, and frantically Google, “Did Eugene Levy really lose his eyebrows?”
One thing is certain: if AI keeps advancing at this rate, next year’s Super Bowl might feature self-aware mustaches writing their own commercials. Until then, we’ll be keeping a close eye on our eyebrows… just in case.
Niki Martinov 