Ben Affleck has assembled a cast of prominent sitcom stars from the 1990s in a dramatic new 2026 Super Bowl commercial, spotlighting Dunkin’ Donuts. The Ben Affleck Super Bowl ad cleverly channels the narrative of his 1997 film Good Will Hunting, featuring Affleck as a sharp South Boston youth named Will in an imagined 1995 sitcom pilot that has never aired.
Plot and Cast Highlight a Fictional Iced Coffee Invention at Dunkin’
The commercial’s storyline centers on the accidental creation of iced coffee inside a Dunkin’ store located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It includes a diverse array of well-known actors from beloved TV shows of the era, such as Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc from Friends, Jason Alexander from Seinfeld, Ted Danson of Cheers fame, Alfonso Ribeiro from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jaleel White of Family Matters, and Jasmine Guy of A Different World.
Affleck, reprising a role reminiscent of the self-taught mathematical prodigy played by Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting, sets the tone. Jason Alexander’s character poses the question,
“Hey, Will, did you arrange the Munchkins (mini doughnuts) in the Fibonacci sequence?”
followed by,
“I got a genius working for me.”
Alexander’s remarks underscore the playful blending of intellect and humor within the ad.
Pop Culture Catchphrases and Surprising Cameos Add Layers of Nostalgia
The commercial peppers its script with iconic pop culture nods, including Matt LeBlanc’s signature Friends catchphrase, “How you doin’?” Jennifer Aniston appears toward the end, introducing her new boyfriend, former NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Their exchange involves Aniston’s line, “You like doughnuts?” to which Brady replies simply, “Yeah.”
Jennifer Aniston, in the role of Rachel Green, humorously adds,
“Well, this is my new boyfriend,”
drawing Brady into the scene, then jokes,
“How do you like deez nuts?”
referencing the 1992 Dr. Dre song. This mix of humor and star power amplifies the ad’s appeal to a broad audience.
Dunkin’s Ongoing Collaboration with Affleck and Cultural Significance
This campaign marks Affleck’s fourth time directing a Dunkin’ commercial featured during the Super Bowl, reinforcing a creative partnership that ties nostalgic TV culture to the brand’s identity. Jill Nelson, Dunkin’s chief marketing officer, remarked on the campaign’s cultural resonance, stating,
“The ’90s gave us iconic sitcoms, and Dunkin’ gave the world iced coffee,”
adding,
“Good Will Dunkin’ brings us back in time to imagine the moment those worlds collided. It’s a reminder that Dunkin’ has always been part of everyday culture, and proof that it always will be.”
Super Bowl 2026 Highlights and the Ad’s Place in the Broadcast
The 2026 Super Bowl took place at Levi’s Stadium in California on Sunday night, where the Seattle Seahawks claimed victory over the New England Patriots. The halftime show featured Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny as the headliner, with appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. Amidst this major sporting and entertainment event, Affleck’s Super Bowl ad stood out for creatively merging 1990s television nostalgia with contemporary cultural moments.
