The Greatest Commercials of The 1980s
By Long Live The 1980s
Ah, the 1980s. A glorious era of neon leg warmers, cassette tapes, Saturday morning cartoons, and big hair that defied both logic and gravity. But beyond the fashion and the synth-pop soundtracks, there was another arena where the ‘80s truly shined—television commercials.
Before DVRs, ad blockers, and YouTube “Skip Ads” buttons, we sat cross-legged in front of our bulky Zenith TVs, glued to the screen—yes, even during the commercials. Why? Because in the 1980s, commercials weren’t just advertisements—they were mini masterpieces, part soap opera, part stand-up comedy, and occasionally, part fever dream.
So grab a can of New Coke (or maybe don’t), microwave a Totino’s Party Pizza, and let’s take a nostalgic ride through The Greatest Commercials of The 1980s. Trust me, by the end, you’ll be saying, “I want my MTV!”
1. Wendy’s – “Where’s the Beef?” (1984)
Let’s start with the beef—or lack thereof.
In this iconic ad, three elderly ladies stand around a disappointingly tiny burger, bewildered by the meat-to-bun ratio. Then, the magic line:
“Where’s the beef?!”
Clara Peller’s gravelly delivery made the phrase a national catchphrase, inspiring T-shirts, bumper stickers, and even political campaigns. It was more than a fast food ad—it was a cultural moment. Rumor has it that even Ronald Reagan chuckled.
2. Apple – “1984” (1984)
Talk about a mic drop. This Apple Macintosh ad aired just once during the Super Bowl—and it was enough to change the ad game forever.
Directed by Ridley Scott (yes, that Ridley Scott), it was equal parts dystopian thriller and tech revolution. With a hammer-throwing heroine shattering conformity, Apple declared war on IBM and welcomed us to a new era.
Bold. Strange. Unforgettable. And ironically, now a relic of the very “1984” it hoped to defy.
3. Coca-Cola – “Mean Joe Greene” (technically 1979, but iconic in the '80s)
Okay, okay—it technically debuted in 1979, but this ad dominated the early ‘80s and still hits you right in the feels.
Little boy offers his Coke to a limping, sweaty Mean Joe Greene. He chugs it in one gulp, smiles (yes, smiles!), and tosses the kid his jersey.
“Hey kid... catch.”
Cue the national awwwwwww. Bonus points for being spoofed endlessly in the decades to come—from The Simpsons to modern Super Bowl ads.
4. California Raisins – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1986)
Who knew raisins had such soul?
Thanks to claymation wizard Will Vinton, a bunch of dried-up fruit grooved their way into our hearts with Motown flair. They sang, they danced, and they sold everything from raisins to lunchboxes.
Sure, they were animated raisins... but in the '80s, they were rock stars. You couldn’t swing a fruitcake without hitting California Raisins merch.
5. McDonald’s – “Mac Tonight” (1987)
What do you get when you cross a lounge singer, a crescent moon, and sunglasses at night? Mac Tonight.
With his crooning piano jazz and moon-faced head, Mac Tonight urged late-night diners to skip the drive-thru and join him under the stars. He was smooth, mysterious, and made you crave a Big Mac at 11:30 PM.
Unfortunately, Mac faded into obscurity by the early ‘90s... but those who remember him? They remember him fondly, like a moonlit dream of greasy fries.
6. Pepsi – Michael Jackson Hair Fire (1984)
Wait, you’re thinking—how is a hair fire one of the greatest commercials? Because before the mishap, this Pepsi ad was explosive in all the right ways.
Featuring Michael Jackson at the height of his moonwalking powers, Pepsi’s “New Generation” campaign had kids mimicking his moves, street dancing, and slamming back colas.
Yes, there was a tragic accident during filming—but let’s not forget: this was MJ, in prime form, bringing pop culture into advertising like never before.
7. Energizer Bunny – “Keeps Going and Going…” (1989)
Though it technically launched in 1989, it’s impossible to ignore the cultural momentum the Energizer Bunny would gather rolling into the ‘90s.
A pink bunny. Wearing shades. Beating a drum. Oblivious to chaos. He crashed through commercial after commercial like a fuzzy juggernaut of pure marketing genius.
It wasn’t just a battery ad—it was an endless punchline that refused to... well, stop. I think that Energizer should bring this back for nostalgia's sake for a brief time.
8. Toys “R” Us – “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up”
Raise your hand if you can still sing this entire jingle.
🎶 I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys “R” Us kid… 🎶
This catchy tune united every child of the '80s under one banner: Let’s stay in this toy aisle forever. With Geoffrey the Giraffe leading the way, this ad had a special magic that made growing up seem like a total rip-off.
To this day, many of us still believe: adulting is overrated.
9. Charmin – “Mr. Whipple”
“Please don’t squeeze the Charmin!”
Mr. Whipple, the cranky grocery store manager, was constantly scolding customers for squeezing the toilet paper—while sneaking in a squeeze or two himself.
His uptight demeanor and sly smirks made the commercials weirdly charming (pun intended), and the phrase became a household staple.
Let’s be honest—you squeezed the Charmin. We all did.
10. Lite Beer from Miller – “Tastes Great, Less Filling”
These ads were like a sitcom with beer. Featuring sports legends, comedians, and occasional actors, Miller’s spots revolved around a never-ending debate:
“Tastes great!”
“Less filling!”
Sometimes it got philosophical. Sometimes it broke into full-on brawls. But always, it was hilarious. If you ever wanted to see Bob Uecker argue with Rodney Dangerfield over beer, this was your jam. I fondly remember a moment at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio where we had a Taste Great, Less Filling chant while waiting in line for a roller coaster. Good Times!!!!!
Why These Commercials Mattered
These weren’t just ads. They were cultural landmarks, mini-events that defined prime time. The best of them turned products into personalities, catchphrases into conversation starters, and thirty seconds into unforgettable moments.
The 1980s may have lacked high-definition TVs and TikTok influencers, but it made up for it with heart, creativity, and a little bit of absurdity. From moon-headed mascots to Motown-singing raisins, these ads left a mark on our memories—and our snack choices.
Final Thoughts: Did We Miss Your Favorite?
There are so many gems we didn’t even get to—My Buddy, The Clapper, Smokey Bear, Jordache jeans, Nestlé Crunch, Folgers Coffee’s holiday reunion…
That’s where you come in!
💬 Tell us in the comments:
What was your favorite commercial of the 1980s?
Was there one that made you laugh every time? One that made you cry? One that made you beg your parents for a particular cereal, toy, or snack?
Share your memories below—we’d love to hear them. After all, we’re all Toys “R” Us kids at heart.
Long Live the 1980s!
Let’s never grow up.
P.S. Want more '80s nostalgia? Be sure to check out our blog archive for countdowns, deep dives, and totally tubular throwbacks.
Comments
Post a Comment