Ever flipped on the TV or scrolled through your phone and caught an ad that made you laugh out loud? That’s the magic of funny ads—they grab your attention when everything else feels like noise. In a world full of serious pitches, a good chuckle can make a brand feel like a friend. If you’re curious about what makes these spots tick, or maybe you’re thinking of spicing up your own marketing, stick around. We’ll chat about classics, fresh 2025 picks, and tips to pull it off without falling flat.

Key Takeaways

• Humor in ads bounced back after tough times, with AI and old-school vibes leading the way in 2025 for more fun campaigns.
• These ads help people remember brands better—up to 90% more than straight-talk ones, based on studies from folks like Oracle and Kantar.
• Think Old Spice: Their wild style shows how silly can sell, but watch out for jokes that might rub folks the wrong way.
• Want to make your own? Test ideas on real people and skip tired gags to keep things fresh and beat that ad-tired feeling.
• Even business-to-business spots are lightening up, since six out of ten buyers say they like a bit of fun in the mix.

What Are Funny Ads?

Funny ads are those commercials that use jokes, weird twists, or clever lines to make you smile while sneaking in a sales pitch. They’ve been around since TV started, but now they’re all over social media and apps too. Picture an ad that feels less like selling and more like sharing a laugh—it sticks because it brightens your day. But here’s the thing: Humor dipped a bit lately, from over half of ads to about a third, as brands played it safe after rough years. Still, when done right, they cut through the clutter.

Types of Funny Ads

• Absurd and surreal: These go over the top, like a guy riding a horse backward to sell soap. They surprise you into paying attention.
• Celebrity-driven: Stars in silly spots, think a famous actor tripping over their lines for laughs. It mixes fame with fun.
• Nostalgic or heartfelt: Blends warm memories with humor, like poking fun at old trends while tugging at heartstrings. Great for connecting on a deeper level.

Benefits of Humor in Ads

Why bother with jokes in ads? Simple—they make brands more likeable. Nearly eight in ten people say they’d pick a fun brand over a boring one, and it bumps up how much folks enjoy the spot by 70%, according to ad experts at WARC. It’s not just fluff; it builds a bond that serious ads often miss. Imagine you’re shopping online—wouldn’t you rather buy from the company that made you grin?

Why Humor Works

• Boosts memory: People recall funny ads 90% better than plain ones. It’s like how you remember a good joke from a party.
• Grows loyalty: Over seven in ten folks lean toward brands that bring smiles, turning one-time buyers into fans.
• Goes viral: Spots like these get shared like crazy, racking up views without extra spend. Think of it as free word-of-mouth.

Top Funny Ads Examples

Let’s get to the good stuff—actual ads that cracked people up. We’ll mix old favorites with new ones from 2025, pulling from Super Bowl buzz and viral clips. These show how a laugh can turn a brand into a household name. And hey, if you’re feeling ad overload, these might remind you why some are worth watching.

Terry Crews Weirdly Funny Old Spice Commercials EVER!

Iconic Classics

• Old Spice: Their body wash ads from way back featured guys like Isaiah Mustafa in absurd scenarios, like riding a horse on a beach. It turned a boring product into something hilarious and memorable.
• Volkswagen: The “The Force” spot had a kid dressed as Darth Vader trying to use the Force on household items, ending with the car. It mixed cute with Star Wars nostalgia for big laughs.

• Super Bowl standouts: This year’s game had gems like the Reese’s ad with wild flavor twists and Nerds’ gummy chaos, both packed with celebrity cameos from folks like Aubrey Plaza and Chris Pratt. They leaned into surreal humor, making viewers rewind for more.
• Viral picks: Waitrose’s Christmas ad with Keira Knightley in a mini romcom was sweet and funny, going viral for its clever nods to old movies. Also, Coca-Cola’s AI-made holiday spot brought Santa to life in goofy ways.

Case Studies

• Dollar Shave Club: Their low-key, chaotic ad with the founder rambling about razors went mega-viral, leading to a huge buyout. It proved that funny can work on a budget.
• Progressive Insurance: Flo’s quirky series keeps evolving with witty takes on everyday hassles, bumping their market share by 15%. It’s all about relatable humor that sticks.

This year, funny ads are getting a fresh spin. After a dip, humor’s back strong, thanks to smarter tech and a craving for lighthearted stuff. Trends point to more weird, positive vibes that fit our fast-scrolling world. If you’re in marketing, these shifts could help your next campaign pop.

AI in Humorous Ads

• AI’s helping craft jokes and visuals, like personalized gags based on what you like. It speeds things up without losing the human touch.
• Take Coca-Cola’s 2025 holiday ad: AI-generated surreal Santa scenes that mixed laughs with festive feels, showing how tech amps up creativity.

Coca-Cola Releases AI-Generated Holiday Ad for Second Year in a Row

Global and Cultural Shifts

• Ads are tweaking humor for different places, like using local slang to avoid mix-ups. It keeps things fun without stepping on toes.
• Gen Z loves “positive weird” stuff—think offbeat, uplifting spots that stand out on TikTok and X.

How to Create Funny Ads

Ready to try your hand at funny ads? It’s not as hard as it seems, but it takes some thought. Start by knowing your crowd, then build from there. This fixes common gripes like ads feeling forced or out of touch. Picture your team brainstorming—keep it loose to spark ideas.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Know your audience: Chat with folks or poll them to see what makes them laugh. Skip assumptions.
2. Brainstorm scripts: Go for surprise elements, but tie them back to your product. Test rough versions early.
3. Produce and tweak: Shoot it, show it around, and fix what flops. Tools like quick surveys help.

Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

• Ditch old jokes like bad puns—fresh is better to fight that “seen it” feeling.
• Mix humor with clear info so folks get the point without confusion.
• Track likes and shares to see what lands, adjusting for next time.

Challenges in Funny Ads

Funny ads aren’t all smooth sailing. With humor down to 20% in some spots, brands worry about risks. It can backfire if it misses the mark, leaving folks annoyed instead of amused. But knowing the hurdles helps you dodge them.

Common Risks

• Missing the mark: Jokes might offend if they’re not thoughtful, especially across cultures.
• Not fitting the product: Silly works for snacks but can muddy messages for serious stuff like insurance.

Solutions and Comparisons

• Compared to straight ads, funny ones shine in buzz but need extra checks for clarity.
• Fix fatigue by keeping spots short and punchy—think 15 seconds of pure fun.

Funny Ads vs. Alternatives

Wondering if humor’s always the way? Let’s stack it against other styles. Funny ads win on shares, but emotional ones might build deeper trust. It depends on your goal and crowd.

Humor vs. Emotional Ads

• Funny pros: Quick laughs and high shares; cons: Might skim over details.
• Emotional spots tug hearts, like charity ads that move you, but they lack the instant grin.

When to Choose Humor

• Go funny for everyday items like food or gadgets—it adds fun to the buy.
• For pro services, blend light jokes with facts; alternatives like info-heavy ads suit complex needs.

Conclusion

Funny ads aren’t just entertaining—they’re one of the smartest marketing tools of 2025. They boost memory, improve loyalty, and cut through the endless content we scroll through every day. With AI giving humor a new twist and audiences craving positivity, brands that embrace fun will always stand out.

Whether you’re a marketer, a content creator, or just someone who enjoys a good laugh, one thing is clear:
Funny ads work—and in 2025, they’re better than ever.