16 ’90s Commercials We All Remember
The ’90s brought us some unforgettable TV commercials that still pop into our heads. From catchy jingles to quirky mascots, these ads have a lasting impact. Let’s look back at 16 iconic commercials from the ’90s.
1. The Budweiser Frogs
Three frogs. One word. “Bud…Wei…Ser.” This simple yet genius commercial featuring animated frogs became an instant hit. It was as if someone took every beer commercial’s essence and boiled it down to its most basic form: talking amphibians. Even if you weren’t into beer, the Budweiser frogs became a conversation starter, hopping their way into pop culture forever.
2. “Got Milk?”
The phrase “Got Milk?” became an instant catchphrase thanks to a series of commercials featuring people in dire need of the white stuff. From a guy missing out on answering a $10,000 trivia question because he had peanut butter stuck in his mouth to everyday folks just needing a glass, these ads made milk cool (and essential) again. It was a simple idea that stuck with you—literally, like peanut butter on the roof of your mouth.
3. Mentos: The Freshmaker
If you were in a sticky situation in the 90s, Mentos had your back. These commercials showed people solving life’s little dilemmas with the help of fresh, chewy Mentos. Whether it was getting around a wet paint bench or cutting in line with a smile, Mentos taught us that there’s nothing a candy and some questionable logic can’t fix. “Mentos! The Freshmaker!” was burned into our brains with every jingle.
4. Tootsie Pop’s “How Many Licks?”
A question for the ages: “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?” The wise old owl from this commercial never gave us a definitive answer, but he sure made us think. The cartoonish and slightly impatient owl’s answer was a swift “three,” before he just bit into the candy. Decades later, we’re still trying to resist the temptation to chomp down after just a few licks.
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5. “Yo Quiero Taco Bell”
Who knew that a tiny, sassy Chihuahua would make everyone crave tacos? The Taco Bell commercials featuring the little dog who said “Yo quiero Taco Bell” were iconic. With his small stature and big attitude, this pup made a run for the border sound like the best idea ever. His catchphrase became a staple of 90s slang, proving that sometimes, a fast-food chain just needs a tiny dog with a Spanish flair to get everyone talking.
6. Gushers: The Fruit Snack That Blew Your Mind
Gushers commercials were as wild as the product itself. Kids would pop one of these fruity snacks into their mouths, and their heads would transform into giant versions of the flavor they were eating. The special effects were cheesy, but that was part of the charm. It was all about the extreme, in-your-face fun, and these ads made Gushers a must-have in every kid’s lunchbox.
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7. “Wazzup?” by Budweiser
“Wazzup?”—a greeting that swept the nation, thanks to Budweiser. A group of friends shouting this phrase at each other over the phone became an instant hit, turning a simple hello into a cultural phenomenon. It was the perfect blend of absurdity and relatability, and soon, everyone was answering their phones with a drawn-out “Waaaaazzzzuuupppp?” It was the kind of commercial that turned a beer ad into a way of life.
8. Toys “R” Us Kid
“I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid!” If this jingle didn’t get stuck in your head, were you even a 90s kid? This commercial captured the dream of every child who walked into the magical aisles of Toys “R” Us. With its catchy tune and images of endless toys, it made growing up seem like the worst idea ever. The ad promised that no matter how old you got, there was always a place to let your inner child run wild.
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9. “Yo, Yoplait”
Yoplait tried to make yogurt fun with their “Yo, Yoplait” commercials. These ads featured people doing everyday things but in a more “yo” kind of way, usually with a spoonful of Yoplait yogurt. It was an attempt to make yogurt feel cool and trendy long before the Greek yogurt craze hit. While it may not have had the longevity of other campaigns, it made you think twice about yogurt as a boring breakfast option.
10. The Slim Jim “Snap Into It!”
Nothing said extreme, quite like a Slim Jim commercial. The ads usually featured macho man Randy Savage screaming at someone to “Snap into a Slim Jim!” It was loud, over-the-top, and perfectly captured the 90s love for all things intense. Even if you weren’t sure what exactly was in a Slim Jim, these commercials made tearing into one seem like the most hardcore thing you could do.
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11. Crossfire: “You’ll Get Caught Up in the…”
Crossfire was a board game that looked like an action movie in commercial form. The ad featured kids battling it out with futuristic guns, shooting little metal balls at each other’s targets while the epic jingle blared, “You’ll get caught up in the Crossfire!” It was the kind of commercial that made every kid immediately want to add the game to their Christmas list. The high stakes and intense soundtrack turned a simple game into a gladiatorial battle.
12. 1-800-COLLECT with Carrot Top
Before Carrot Top was known for his Vegas comedy shows, he was the face of 1-800-COLLECT commercials. These ads showed the red-headed comedian helping people save money on collect calls with his over-the-top antics. The idea was simple: make a collect call and save some cash. But it was Carrot Top’s goofy style that made these ads memorable, turning what could have been a boring service announcement into something you couldn’t help but watch.
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13. The Sega Scream
In the 90s, video game commercials were all about attitude, and Sega nailed it with their “Sega Scream” ads. The commercials usually featured someone playing a Sega game, only to scream “SEGA!” at the top of their lungs, often to the surprise or horror of anyone nearby. It was loud, chaotic, and perfectly captured the rebellious spirit of 90s gaming culture. The scream became synonymous with the brand, echoing in the minds of gamers everywhere.
14. Nestlé Wonder Ball
“What’s in the Wonder Ball?” This was the question posed by Nestlé’s Wonder Ball commercials, which featured kids shaking a chocolate ball to see what kind of candy surprise was inside. The jingle was catchy, and the mystery of what was inside made the Wonder Ball irresistible. It was like a kinder, gentler version of the Kinder Egg, with a focus on the fun and surprise rather than the risk of swallowing a toy.
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15. JG Wentworth: “877-CASH-NOW”
JG Wentworth’s opera-style commercials became a 90s phenomenon. The ads featured people singing, often in ridiculous scenarios, about their need for cash now. “877-CASH-NOW” became a jingle that was impossible to forget, even if you had no idea what a structured settlement was. The ads were silly, over-the-top, and bizarrely effective at lodging themselves in your brain.
16. Energizer Bunny: “Keeps Going and Going…”
The Energizer Bunny was the mascot that could. The commercials featured the pink, drum-beating bunny interrupting other ads just to remind everyone that the Energizer battery outlasted all the others. The phrase “Keeps going and going…” became synonymous with endurance and persistence. This bunny wasn’t just selling batteries; he was becoming a symbol of unstoppable energy.
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