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The 15 Best Food Commercials of All Time

How many of these iconic ads do you remember?

Headshot of Rheanna O'Neil BellomoBy Rheanna O'Neil Bellomo
Lip, Cheek, Product, Hairstyle, Skin, Chin, Forehead, Eyebrow, Photograph, Organ,
youtube / pepsi

Spotting a retro commercial can be even more nostalgic than watching an old movie because you likely haven't seen it over and over in the years that followed. So, to give you a good dose of Throwback Thursday material, we've found the best food and drink commercials of all time—from Pepsi's 1950s classic to Klondike's unforgettable question. Time to kick back and relive your misspent childhood or travel back to your parents' era and thank good ol' television for the memories.

1

Michael Jackson's Pepsi Generation (1980s)

Super fashionable kids hit the city streets to the tune of "Billy Jean" with boom boxes and some killer dance moves before literally bumping into Michael Jackson himself. It's 1980s bliss.

2

We'll Never Forget (2002)

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Budweiser paid tribute to those who'd fallen with this spot it only aired once, in which the brand's iconic Clydesdale horses travel from the countryside to New York to pay their respects.

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3

Anything You Can Do (1999)

Gatorade knows there's nothing more badass than two iconic pro athletes going head-to-head in various sports showdowns, especially when one is as strong a woman as Mia Hamm. We guess Michael Jordan is pretty cool, too. 😉

4

There's No Wrong Way to Eat a Reese's (1990s)

In which a child domino-building protegé creates the coolest way to eat a Reese's ... and then you spent hours trying to recreate it. That's some solid marketing right there.

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5

You're Not You When You're Hungry (2010)

Betty White shines—even while completely caked in mud—in this commercial that originally aired during the Super Bowl. With quick quips about fellow players' girlfriends and even taking a hard tackle, she totally put this Snickers spot on the map.

6

How Many Licks Does It Take? (1960s)

We're pretty sure the world still doesn't know the answer to Tootsie Pop's query—because we're all either too bored to count or too impatient to resist biting into its chewy tootsie center. No matter the reason, this commercial will always be relevant.

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7

I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke (1971)

Universally accepted as one of the best commercials of all time, this number made its way into the finale of Matthew Weiner's award-winning period drama, Mad Men. So thank you, Don Draper.

8

Silly Rabbit, Trix Are For Kids (1970s)

The saying still stands in General Mill's modern cereal commercials today, but this original spot might be the best because the kids put the brand's mischievous mascot back where he belongs—on the box.

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9

Oh Yeah, Kool-Aid! (1980s)

Because who wouldn't want a giant pitcher of Kool-Aid crashing through a fence or the wall of your house. This commercial has become both beloved and hilariously criticized by Dane Cook in one of his stand-up routines and even an episode of Family Guy.

10

What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar? (1983)

We bet you still can't eat this chocolate-covered frozen treat without singing its legendary tagline.

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11

McDonald's Showdown (1993)

In one of McDonald's most memorable advertisements, Larry Bird challenges Michael Jordan to a game of H-O-R-S-E, but stipulates that there can't be any dunking. Too bad we'll never know who won.

12

Oscar Meyer, The First Name in Bologna (1973)

"My bologna has a first name...." This iconic ad was iterated over and over throughout the years because, well, kids just can't stop singing it. (Good luck trying to get the jingle out of your head now.)

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13

Where's the Beef?! (1984)

Before anyone else thought to, Wendy's harnessed the hilarity of silly grandmas and their reactions to food. This spot follows one as she erratically drives to find a bigger burger than the competitors' Whopper and Big Mac.

14

Mentos, The Freshmaker (1990s)

Who could resist this insane midi-file tune and long-haired hunk in the '90s—especially when he so quick-on-his-feet to think of pin-striping his suit with wet paint? Hah.

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15

Pepsi, For Those Who Think Young (1954)

This quintessentially '50s commercial, which Britney Spears later covered in 2002, that takes place at a soda fountain—complete with neon lights and the original Pepsi-Cola logo.

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