Patch Picks: 7 Best Super Bowl Commercials

Super Bowl 50 generated the third-largest Super Bowl viewership in the history of American television at 111.9 million viewers, falling in line behind Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013 at 112.2 million and Super Bowl XLIX in 2014 at 115.2 million.

Super Bowl LI promises to top charts, with a halftime performance by Lady Gaga, as football fans throughout the nation prepare for a face-off between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots at Houston's NRG Stadium. But there is one more star of the 51st NFL championship game: the commercials, 30-second time slots that are said to run $5 million per advert this year.

Patch has curated a list of favorites, from mini Darth Vader to tackling Betty White, in honor of the upcoming event on Sunday, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. EST.

Snickers: "You're Not You When You're Hungry" (2010)

Face full of mud and stomach running on empty, "Golden Girls" alumna Betty White finds it difficult to focus during a game of touch football.

Volkswagen: "Darth Vader" (2011)

A pint-sized Darth Vader gets a little help from Dad when attempting to awaken the force.

Chrysler: "Half-Time in America" (2012)

Clint Eastwood reminds Americans that, in a time of discord, division and blame, what is most important is to rally — together — behind what is right.

Samsung: "Next Big Thing" (2013)

It's a battle of the quips when actors Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen bump into each other while awaiting the unveiling of electronics conglomerate Samsung's "next big thing," but things don't quite go according to plan.

Doritos: "Time Machine" (2014)

Mr. Smith might have had initial doubts about the idea of time travel, but a time-traveling machine that runs on Doritos? What can go wrong?

Budweiser: "Lost Dog" (2015)

How much is that doggy in the hay bale? Scottish band The Proclaimers sets the heart-warming tone of one very good (and very lost) boy's reunion with his owner.

Mountain Dew: "Puppy Monkey Baby" (2016)

The selling point of Mountain Dew's commercial for Super Bowl 50 might have been its Kickstart drink, but the star of the ad will be remembered in three simple words.

Need some help with your Super Bowl Party menu? We got you covered.

Photo credit: YouTube screen grab