The Super Bowl had a plethora of memorable commercials, but one of the most memorable was a little Pepsi commercial that responded to a classic Coca-Cola icon. Almost every Christmas, Coca-Cola will put out ads that feature adorable polar bears enjoying some Coke in the snow. After all, who doesn’t want an ice-cold soda when it’s below freezing? Well, what if one of the bears took a blindfolded taste test? Would he still prefer his beloved Coke? Maybe not.
The Super Bowl Pepsi Commercial
The commercial, which aired during the 2026 Super Bowl and was directed by Taika Waititi, begins with a cute polar bear taking a blindfolded taste test with Pepsi on one side and Coke on the other. The bear automatically brings to mind Coca-Cola’s famous holiday ad campaigns where polar bears joyously drink Coke to celebrate Christmas.
However, when the polar bear removes the blindfold, he finds that he actually chose Pepsi instead of Coke – and he picks Pepsi Zero Sugar at that. What is he going to do? He’s betrayed the soft drink he loves so much. Well, he goes to therapy to see what he’s going to do with his life now. The therapist tells the bear that he’s “not the only one,” and that it “can be heavy,” before the polar bear demonstrates literal heaviness by breaking the therapy couch.
Set to the background music of Queen’s “I Want to Break Free,” the polar bear goes out into the world in search of a new purpose for his life, now that his reality has fallen apart. He observes people enjoying pizza and Pepsi at a restaurant, laughing and having a good time. Could he be part of that Pepsi fellowship? While he’s pondering his new existence, who should show up but another polar bear offering him a Pepsi.
The commercial has a happy ending, with the polar bear breaking free of his Coke-entrapped life. He and his new girlfriend end up on the Jumbotron during a concert, all happy with their newfound love and their cans of Pepsi Zero Sugar. It’s a truly heartwarming moment where you can feel happy for the bears.
Such an Adorable Ad!
This is one of the best ads that aired during the 2026 Super Bowl. There were a few Super Bowl commercials that were duds, such as one with singing toilets and another that practically advertised that AI was taking people’s jobs. This one, however, is gold. The polar bear is super sweet and easy to root for, and it’s hilarious to see him prefer Pepsi to Coke.
Pepsi also scored a win in many people’s eyes for another reason. The comments on the YouTube post of this ad largely praise how the ad doesn’t use AI and instead uses human-rendered CGI to animate the bears. Last Christmas, Coca-Cola was heavily criticized for using AI in its holiday ads. Given that the Super Bowl had a lot of commercials that either advertised AI or used AI, it’s refreshing to see an AI-free commercial, especially when the polar bear is so darn cute.
Who Else Feels like Pepsi Now?
Will this commercial boost Pepsi sales? It wouldn’t be surprising if it did. After Coca-Cola’s controversial AI Christmas ads, this ad is gaining positive feedback. It’s memorable, funny, and heartwarming, just like so many of the best Super Bowl commercials are. It also makes you wonder how many die-hard Coke lovers would choose Pepsi in a blindfolded taste test. Would they perhaps suffer an identity crisis like the poor polar bear? Well, this commercial can let them know that they aren’t alone.
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