10 Memorable TV Commercials from the 90s—You Still Know the Words!

Step back in time to a decade where television commercials were more like mini-events you’d chat about at school the next day. The ’90s were a golden era when creative ads made us laugh, think, and even sing along. They introduced characters and slogans that have made a lasting impression. Whether prompting smiles or cravings for favorite snacks, these commercials were small slices of pop culture that remain fresh in our memories years later.

#10: Budweiser Frogs

The ’90s kicked off with some inventive ad making, especially from the beer industry, and Budweiser was no stranger to this trend. Imagine sitting by a quiet pond on a warm night and hearing frogs. But these are not ordinary frogs. One croaks “Bud,” another “weis,” and the last one “er.” They are sitting beneath a neon sign, puzzling us initially with their noises until we grasp their playful game and the message comes through clear. It was simple, creative, and humorous, making us associate a relaxing night out with Budweiser.

#9: Doublemint Twins

The Doublemint brand became a household name partly due to the commercials that starred not one, but two people who looked exactly alike. The ’90s advertisements took advantage of the twin motif, doubling everything to align with their “Doublemint” theme. The ads are etched in our minds, even featuring famous twin actresses like Tia and Tamera Mowry. “Double your pleasure, double your fun” with Doublemint wasn’t just a catchy phrase—it was a scene of twins skateboarding, cycling, and just enjoying life that lingered in the minds of many.

#8: Mortal Monday

Remember the excitement surrounding arcade games? Well, when “Mortal Kombat” conquered arcades, everyone was rushing to unleash their inner warrior. The home console version promised to bring the thrill of the game into living rooms, and the “Mortal Monday” campaign captured this perfectly. We saw teenagers and gaming fans all chanting the game’s title, while screens flashed with the intense in-game action. The commercial wasn’t just memorable; it reflected the fever-pitch excitement of the era’s gaming culture.

#7: Bagel Bites Jingle

Jingles are the stealthy tunes that enter our brains and never leave. Bagel Bites leveraged this by creating a jingle so catchy it might have made the concept of pizza for breakfast feel completely reasonable. The line “Pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening, pizza at supper time” echoed through living rooms and had kids dragging their parents to the frozen section to stock up. Their jingle lived rent-free in our heads, and we all secretly loved that it did.

#6: There’s No Wrong Way to Eat a Reese’s

Reese’s turned the act of enjoying a peanut butter cup into an art form with no rules. Ads introduced us to a joyous world where there truly was no wrong way to savor the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. People could be seen nibbling, dunking, or combination those cups with other snacks. These simple yet clever commercials made snack time look like a fun activity open to personal innovation. This was thoughtful marketing that made Reese’s a star of candy aisles everywhere.

#5: Miss Cleo

The mysterious and intriguing figure of Miss Cleo, with her compelling television ads, offered a glimpse into the future through her tarot card readings. Youree Dell Harris brought the character to life, making Miss Cleo a household name in the process. While she was known for her catchphrase “Call me now”, Miss Cleo became a lasting figure of ’90s pop culture, even after her psychic hotline was revealed to be less than genuine.

#4: Taco Bell Chihuahua

At the decline of the ’90s, a small dog with a big attitude came into our lives through Taco Bell’s ad campaign. The “Taco Bell Chihuahua”, voiced by actor Carlos Alazraqui, delivered memorable phrases like “Drop the Chalupa” and “¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!”. While the campaign ended due to concerns over its depiction of cultural stereotypes, this little dog had already made a mark, creating a wide fan base that still remembers him with a smile.

#3: Think Different

Apple at one time was just another tech company trying to make a dent in the universe. The late ’90s were tough for them, but they aimed to shake things up with their “Think Different” campaign. The commercials presented a montage of influential figures and invoked a spirit of innovation and change that Apple hoped to embody. It was more than an ad; it was a statement, helping to realign the company with the path of creativity and success.

#2: Wassup?

Who would’ve guessed that a simple greeting between friends would become an iconic piece of ’90s culture? But that’s what happened with Budweiser’s “Wassup?” commercial. It was a simple scene: friends greeting each other over the phone, but the exaggerated and infectious way they said “Wassup?” turned it into a phenomenon. This phrase transcended advertising, popping up everywhere, from parodies to everyday greetings on the street. It’s a snippet of the ’90s that, remarkably, is still relevant today.

#1: Cindy Crawford Super Bowl Ad

The early ’90s delivered a Pepsi commercial during the Super Bowl that is still talked about today. A red Lamborghini pulls up, and supermodel Cindy Crawford steps out, looking glamorous as ever. As two young boys watch, captivated, it’s revealed they’re actually ogling the new Pepsi design. It was a mix of sophistication and boyhood innocence that managed to be both stylish and humorous. Redefining what it meant to be a stylish ad, this commercial left a long-lasting impression on viewers and marketing alike.