Of Course e.l.f. Cosmetics Has The Funniest Super Bowl Commercial Of The Year

Every major live event says this, but in the case of the Super Bowl, anything can happen. Viewers have watched once-in-a-lifetime musical performances, ad spots that instantly became part of our cultural cannon, and soul-affirming underdog victories — it is, after all, a sporting event. This year’s game is bigger and better than ever before, with a career-spanning Halftime show starring Usher. But there’s another fan-favorite popping up, and it’s making a serious splash. The 2024 e.l.f. Super Bowl commercial might go down in history as one of the best-executed of all time, and it once again taps some serious talent for a bit of mid-game fun.

The 30-second commercial is directed by Zach Woods, who you already know from his fantastically deadpan delivery on The Office and HBO’s Silicon Valley. The primary product featured is e.l.f.’s best-selling Halo Glow Liquid Filter, a mega-viral complexion product that took over TikTok — and this writer’s makeup bag — last year. Meanwhile, though, the human stars of the commercial are next-level and include Judge Judy, Sarah Rafferty, Meghan Trainor, Gina Torres, Benito Skinner, and drag superstar Heidi N. Closet. The plot revolves around the legendary Judy, presiding over her glamorous courtroom as Judge Beauty, while the cast of Suits present their case to her and the star-studded juror box.

The company really set the bar high with last year’s spot, written by White Lotus (and School Of Rock, the greatest film ever made) creator Mike White and starring Jennifer Coolidge. That commercial centered around the truly remarkable sticking power of the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer, almost instantly becoming a breakout moment of the entire Super Bowl. In the ad, she plays up the tacky texture of the primer, accidentally getting nearly every product on her overflowing vanity stuck to her dewy face.

Super Bowl LVIII sees the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the San Francisco 49ers for the Lombardi Trophy (which, fun fact, is sterling silver and made by Tiffany & Co.), but everyone knows the commercials are always one the best parts of the entire show. With this spot, e.l.f. cinches another hilarious advertising win.