20+ Best Animated Commercials of All Time

Just like any other business in the past, I used to rely on flyers or banner ads to promote my service. But now, as someone who helps businesses make animations for their video ads, I opt for animated commercials too.

I personally think animation is such a powerful tool when it comes to storytelling.

After all, we all want to grab the target audience’s attention and trigger the right emotion that leads to the desired action.

We’re diving more in-depth into:

• What Is an Animated Commercial?
• Why do Companies Use an Animated Commercial?
• How Are Animated Commercials Used in Different Industries?
• How to Use Animated Video Commercials Effectively?
• What Are the Most Popular Animated Commercials?

What Is an Animated Commercial?

Animated commercial videos are a short promotional video that uses animation instead of live-action footage to advertise a product, service, or brand.

The use of animation in commercials is nothing new. It has been a mainstay of advertising since the early ’40s.

In 1941, Botany Lambs, a clothing company is often cited as the first company that used an animated commercial for the first time to introduce their Botany Mills ties collection.

I found these vintage snapshots of it:

Source: cartoon research

After Botany Lambs first pranced across television screens, animated commercials grew in popularity in the decades that followed.

Fueled by the increasing access to the internet, its popularity has exploded until today, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

Simply put, an animated commercial is a short 30-second or more video that conveys information about a product.

It uses enchanting characters with a captivating storyline that can tug at any target audience’s heartstrings.

Animated ads normally start by addressing a problem and quickly move on to the solution.

After they have captivated their potential customers enough in the first few seconds, they go for a powerful call to action for the ending.

Unlike any other video commercials, through that interesting storyline, an animated ad makes it evident that they’re selling a product, and you’d better buy it.

The combination of stand-out characters, an easy-to-digest storyline, captivating background music, or even a polished voice-over is hard to ignore. It can be precisely enticing for you to buy the product.

Why Do Companies Use an Animated Commercial?

One of those reasons why companies use animated commercials is that it is easy to grasp, simplifies complex ideas, and can be easily shared on multiple platforms, as well as its ability to resonate well with any type of audience.

Not to mention the unstoppable growth of the internet and social media, where most people have their phone in sight, makes instant information sharing possible.

Animated commercials make my product stand out compared to those businesses that still use conventional and old-school videos for marketing their products.

I can represent the distinctiveness and exclusivity of my company. It’s a perfect start to creating a positive impression on my potential customers.

It quickly becomes the very type of video content that they love to share with their friends. Isn’t that just the exact scenario you want them to do?

In the bargain, the animated commercial is more cost-effective than the live-action ones.

The costs for the real actors alone could even account for a large percentage of the animation project. It’s definitely a risk-free move to try for businesses of all sizes.

One way or another, it effectively increases brand awareness, sales, and conversion.

How Are Animated Commercials Used in Different Industries?

Animated commercials explain complex ideas about the products concisely to a broad audience.

It’s an incredibly powerful marketing tool for every business, even in different industries.

Starting from the food, beverage, and technology industry, health, financial companies, and even e-commerce incorporate animated videos into their commercial strategy.

Moreover, commercials with animation seamlessly create or reproduce an environment that could not be accessed by a live-action camera crew.

The endless imagination and possibilities make it possible to draw particular objects.

Can you film what‘s inside a human body and make it a commercial? Would you be able to shoot what’s inside a machine precisely?

No, you can’t.

Our animated branding video itself has been helping us showcase how every project is made in-house. Of course, this can be done using live-action video, too.

But wouldn’t it be far more captivating, cost-effective, and easily shareable if it were animated?

Therefore, techy industries like healthcare providers, IT companies, or fintech startups use animated commercials for the rescue.

How to Use Animated Video Commercials Effectively?

Many companies use animated commercials to have a better recall value as they present brief information in a visually engaging manner.

The creativity and dynamic visuals throughout the animated commercials will make a brand stand out and make it easy to be remembered by the audience.

Hence, it engages potential customers more than any other video since it is 100 % tailored to offer a genuinely compelling story that can captivate them.

It makes sense if we say that animated video commercials are entirely sufficient to raise brand awareness and seamlessly let potential customers know what a product can do for them.

So, if you’re planning to market your products using animated commercials, I’ve collected some popular animated commercials to inspire you.

What Are the Most Popular Animated Commercials?

From less-than-1-minute to 3-minute video ads, here are some well-known animation advertising examples:

1. Nespresso On Ice
2. Erste Group – What would Christmas be without love?
3. Silver Arrow Band
4. Gong Cha Australia
5. Cadbury Dairy Milk
6. McDonald’s Mobile App Launch
7. Haagen-Dazs “Real Relationships”
8. Zomato Animated Commercial
9. Starbucks
10. Oreo: Wonderfilled
11. Android: Be Together, Not The Same
12. Lyft: June, Life is Better When You Share The Ride
13. Google Project Sunroof
14. Dropbox
15. Coca-Cola – Happiness Factory
16. Cadbury Dairy Milk & Oreo – The Perfect Merge
17. American Express “2016 Careers Campaign”
18. Agros: Aliens ‘Mess’
19. British Gas
20. MoneySupermarket: Epic Action Man
21. Shoppingboss
22. New York-Presbyterian: Unmasking a killer
23. John Lewis Christmas Advert 2013 – The Bear and the Hare

1. Nespresso On Ice

Nespresso’s 2D animation 30-second ad was released in 2017 to promote their limited-edition ice blends. I love how the visual effects effortlessly take us to a summer view dream and give us a taste of the refreshment of intense iced coffee.

The summery background music and well-picked sound effects get us to drown in the beautiful animation. It effectively did an excellent job of replacing voice-over.

Create a Refreshing Explainer Video

2. Erste Group – What would Christmas be without love?

I love it when ads tell an actual story and not just for selling. The Erste Christmas Ad 2018, What Would Christmas Be Without Love? is a heartwarming tale that follows a lonely hedgehog struggling to connect with others because of his spiky quills.

Through tender storytelling, vibrant visuals, and a dash of Christmas magic, the ad beautifully captures the spirit of love, acceptance, and togetherness during the holidays, leaving you with a smile– and maybe a tear.

Every detail, from the lifelike 3D movements of the hedgehog to smooth transitions to the rich textures of the environment, showcases a level of craftsmanship that makes the story even more engaging.

3. Silver Arrow Band

This is our own project. Our team at Breadnbeyond explains the whole Silver Arrow Band service in a minimalistic, slick, and clear explainer video.

The video addresses a problem from the get-go. That’s a smart way to grab the viewers’ attention in the first few seconds.

The uplifting background music and detailed sound effects bring the animation to life. Not to mention that the well-toned color makes this animated explainer video even more eye-catching.

4. Gong Cha Australia

I think we should talk more about this underrated animated ad from Gong Cha Australia. There’s something so nostalgic about the handmade feel in claymation. It’s like it brings you back to simpler times.

The characters just feel so alive with all their little quirks and movements. And even though it’s animated, the way they’d show off the drinks would totally make you crave one. You can almost imagine the creamy foam, the chewy pearls, and all those layers of flavor.

5. Cadbury Dairy Milk

Another example of animated marketing videos from Cadbury. To be honest, the catchy dance and background song (and the whole sound design, really) make me linger in this advertising animation in my mind.

The texture and flavor of their milk chocolate are featured in this amusing animated video commercial. We all know the creamy taste of the chocolate is delicious enough to make aliens dance.

To be honest, the catchy dance and background song make me linger in this advertising animation in my mind. Unsurprisingly, this captivating animated commercial earned more than 49,188,090 views on YouTube.

From this Cadbury animated ad, I know that sometimes, we should start taking the blunt approach playfully to win the potential customers’ hearts.

6. McDonald’s Mobile App Launch

McDonald’s animated commercial features a new mobile app with an animated video that uses well-known movie characters.

This simple 35-second animated advertisement precisely informs us that we can easily share a meal with friends, family, or even long-lost loved ones using the McDonald’s mobile app.

Because of these animated commercials, the mobile app successfully reached seven million strong downloads within just two years after it was launched.

7. Häagen-Dazs “Real Relationships”

This ad’s cartoon is based on the 2013 animation advertising campaign, in which Bradley Cooper was eating from a tub of ice cream. It encourages couples to make an effort to spend more time on Valentine’s Day.

It asks us a question so we can directly resonate with the video and grab our attention from the first seconds. Also, the stunning animated kinetic typography convinces us to focus on the video all the way through.

8. Zomato Animated Commercial

Zomato’s cartoon advertisement video campaign features an app for online ordering and table reservations to enable restaurants to connect with customers online. In this short 25-second commercial, we know that we can order any food anywhere with the Zomato app.

9. Starbucks

In this animated video, Starbucks featured the red cups that they use during the Christmas season.

The jingles, background music, and snowy animation make us crave Starbucks Christmas drinks to feel the Christmas spirit even more.

I always think that Starbucks perfectly captures the essence of the holiday season with their campaigns and animated commercials.

What we can learn from this is that we should consider what type of energy we want to create and deliver to our potential customers and select the elements that can precisely support it.

10. Oreo: Wonderfilled

This commercial ad brings so many memories. The catchy tunes (I’m sure some of us even remember the lyrics!) and seamless yet simple motion make this ad memorable.

Of course, the sharks and seals are so adorable, making the ad even more interesting to watch.

The message is that sharing the cookies can transform even the most feared beast into friends. That’s why this animated advertising video undoubtedly deserves a spot on my list.

11. Android: Be Together, Not The Same

This fascinating minute-long commercial is a take on a classic game: from rock, paper, scissors. Android offers you a breathtaking storyline that makes you watch the commercial with your eyes wide open.

The commercial also introduces us to a campaign for anti-bullying. It ends with the Android slogan “Be Together, Not the Same.”

In this inspiring commercial, Android uses uplifting and sentimental background music to engage the audience and keep them watching the commercial all the way through.

It’s a risky move for Android not to use a phone to demonstrate its features. Instead, it tells us an inspiring and heart-warming story we can learn from. The eye-catching yet straightforward animation, combined with a concise script and voice-over, makes the step-by-step guide easy to digest, so the risk was well worth the reward.

12. Lyft: June, Life is Better When You Share The Ride

With this tear-jerker and heartwarming story, Lyft introduces itself as a ride-sharing company.

The fine-tuned colors, seamless animation style, sentimental storyline, music, and heartfelt characters give most of us a warm, cozy feeling.

For a second, we forget that we’re watching a commercial because it’s superb. This heartwarming animated commercial is enough to show Lyft’s friendliness as a ride-sharing company.

13. Google Project Sunroof

The Google Project Sunroof is about Google’s initiative on solar power. Within just 90 seconds, Google is able to explain how much sunlight falls on every roof with a stunning animated video.

The compelling narratives, uplifting music, and astounding animation make it easier for us to understand the undoubtedly complex project.

14. Dropbox

Within 90 seconds, Dropbox introduces its new features in the most captivating way. The eye-catching yet straightforward animation, combined with a concise script and voice-over, makes the step-by-step guide easy to digest.

Dropbox successfully shows how the app works for users in such an engaging way. From this stunning animated commercial, we know that a tremendous animated commercial doesn’t have to be complicated.

15. Coca-Cola – Happiness Factory

This one is an oldie but a goodie. Coca-Cola created this iconic animated ad back in 2006. It takes us on a journey through a Coca-Cola vending machine into a magical world full of wondrous characters that work to bottle and chill the Coke before it is delivered to the outside.

Besides the intriguing cinematic music and fantasy storyline, the main point of this ad is the incredible execution of the 3D animation and the details. It’s a work of art.

16. Cadbury Dairy Milk & Oreo – The Perfect Merge

I really enjoy how Pixar-like 3D animation works in ads, and Cadbury Dairy Milk & Oreo – The Perfect Merge is a great example.

The animation is clean and smooth, making the chocolate and Oreo come to life in a way that’s both appealing and fun. You get a clear sense of how the two treats blend together, and the details in the textures just make everything look so satisfying.

It’s a simple yet effective way to show off the product and make you crave that perfect combination.

17. American Express “2016 Careers Campaign”

American Express uses a 45-second video to introduce the 2016 American Express Careers Campaign. These stunning 2D corporate videos persuade potential career seekers to explore their potential by joining the company.

With a polished voice-over, a fine-tuned script, and a simple yet compelling animation, these commercials are well-crafted for a career opportunities campaign.

I really appreciate how they effectively convey the message of professional growth and opportunity here.

If you’re in a company that is looking for candidates, consider producing animation ads like American Express. It might be just what you need to engage the best candidates.

18. Agros: Aliens ‘Mess’

Agro’s commercials are known for their famous animated characters– the alien family mascot, which has appeared on television since 2011.

In this 30-second commercial, Agros continued the popular story of the blue alien family with all the members so busy cooking and making a mess in the kitchen. Then, it segues into essential kitchen appliances that you can shop for online in Agros.

The unique characters, astonishing animation style using CGI and live-action, and captivating storyline tempt the broad audience to watch it all the way through and even expect to see the next Agro commercial.

19. British Gas

This short 3D animated commercial tells us about quick service and the keen desire of British Gas to solve their customers’ problems.

Within only 30 seconds, we already understand that British Gas provides courteous and friendly service. The fine-tuned script with an alluring penguin and human characters concisely explains what British Gas can do for their customers.

20. MoneySupermarket: Epic Action Man

Moneysupermarket introduces its company with this minute-long classic Action Man commercial.

A delightful piece of stop-motion animation, quirky character designs, catchy background music, and ’80s elaborate dance moves make the commercial hilarious and entertaining. It’s worth watching all the way through!

Its brilliant use of comedy makes it hard for the audience to forget the commercial anytime soon. That’s why well-played humor in an animated commercial helps the brand message embed in the audience’s mind.

21. Shoppingboss

Shoppingboss is an online e-commerce platform in the US. It has over 250 merchant partners. These simple animation ads effortlessly explain what you can get from Shoppingboss.

It smoothly convinces you that shopping through Shoppingboss is easy and will enable you to get cashback and pay for a digital gift card.

22. New York-Presbyterian: Unmasking a killer

NewYork-Presbyterian is a non-profit university hospital that launched an animated video campaign to explain cancer and immunotherapy issues. The commercial was aired during Super Bowl 50 to let the audience know what NYP can do to cure cancer.

The impressive animation style, combined with an easy-listening voice-over, makes the information easy to digest. And the best part about this animated ad is that it shows the power of animation to precisely draw scenes that would be impossible to film with live videos.

23. John Lewis Christmas Advert 2013 – The Bear and the Hare

A masterclass in hand-drawn, beautiful visuals blended with 3D techniques, The Bear and the Hare stands out as one of the most beloved animated commercials of all time.

Set in a serene, snow-covered forest, the ad tells a touching story of a bear who has never experienced Christmas because he always hibernates through the winter, until his friend, the hare, gives him the gift of an alarm clock.

The 2D aniamtion style is a beautiful fusion of traditional illustration and stop-motion-like movement, giving the woodland creatures a nostalgic storybook charm. The muted, earthy color palette enhances the wintry mood, while the rich detail in the characters’ expressions adds emotional depth.

Another thing that makes this advert particularly powerful is its visual metaphors in this entire video—the bear’s hibernation representing emotional withdrawal, and the alarm clock symbolizing the gift of connection and presence.

Combined with Lily Allen’s gentle cover of Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know,” the advert captures the magic and sentimentality of the holiday season, making it a timeless favorite.

Animated Video Commercials Are Popular and Entertaining

You know, looking at those popular animated ad examples, what stands out to me, beside the creative visuals, is the storytelling.

Investing in animation in advertisements is a good choice. And the storytelling and characters or mascots in the commercials are illustrative and easily remembered.

The characters in animated commercials are timeless, even the typography animations– the simplest form ones.

They’re also endearing and relatable, appealing to people of all ages. Some brands are lucky to have their iconic mascots that have stood the test of time.

Apart from those characters in the videos above, I’m sure you also know the M&M’s, The Pillsbury Doughboy, Julius Pringles, Kool-Aid Pitcher Man, and the list goes on.

At Breadnbeyond, Mr. Clunkington and Puffy Fury are our company mascots. We incorporate them in our marketing materials to build top-in-mind awareness.

Most companies use an animated commercial, not because it’s popular. But it’s hugely effective in running their successful advertising campaign.

The enhancement of a fine-tuned script and clear visual component of animated video ads appeals more to the audience and provides them with an easy way to connect with a product.

Not to mention, the combination of compelling storytelling and the immediacy of visual media brings companies and potential customers closer.

Inspired? Make your commercial more engaging, captivating, and entertaining through an animated explainer video! Check out our packages or use our video production calculator to get a quick estimate of your next video project: