Budweiser’s American Icons: How a Super Bowl Ad Turned Into a Heart-Racing Story of Friendship and Resilience
At Super Bowl LX, Budweiser’s “American Icons” commercial stole the spotlight not with flashy effects, but with a deeply stirring tale of unlikely friendship that captured hearts around the world.
The 60-second spot celebrates Budweiser’s 150th anniversary and America’s upcoming 250th birthday, weaving a cinematic story built around two of the nation’s most powerful symbols: the Budweiser Clydesdales and the bald eagle.
The ad opens with a young Clydesdale foal emerging from its stable and discovering a baby eagle that has fallen from its nest. Rather than pass it by, the foal gently stands over the eaglet, shielding it from rain and danger. From that moment on, an extraordinary connection forms between them. Over time, the horse and the bird grow up side-by-side, enduring rain, snow, and the challenges of nature helping each other through every stage of life.
The commercial’s emotional climax comes as the now-grown eagle climbs onto the horse’s back and, with its wings spread wide, takes flight. The iconic image of the eagle soaring, set to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird,” creates a moment that feels almost mythic a symbol of freedom and strength that resonates far beyond the screen.
Filmmaker Henry-Alex Rubin, known for his rich visual storytelling, directed the piece, and the eagle featured was handled with guidance from the American Eagle Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure safety and realism.
The ad concludes with Budweiser’s slogan “Made in America” and the tribute message “For 150 Years, This Bud’s For You,” as a real Budweiser barley farmer watches the horse and eagle thriving together. Viewers see another simple, yet poignant exchange: one man asks his companion, “Are you crying?” The reply: “The sun’s in my eyes.” This moment captures the emotional tone Budweiser aimed for a blend of nostalgia, pride, and heartfelt connection.
Critics and audiences alike responded to American Icons as one of the most moving Super Bowl commercials in recent memory. Its heartfelt narrative, universal themes of friendship and perseverance, and rich symbolism have made it a standout, with many praising its emotional resonance rather than relying on humor or celebrity cameos.
This latest Budweiser ad also continued the brand’s longstanding Super Bowl tradition featuring the Clydesdale horses, who have appeared in many beloved commercial moments over the decades.
Whether you watched it live during the game or saw it online later, Budweiser’s American Icons reminded audiences that a story about genuine connection even between a horse and an eagle — can be one of the most powerful forms of storytelling on one of the world’s biggest stages
