Making a movie is like preparing a multi-course meal. It takes years of careful planning, expert execution, and the right mix of ingredients to serve up something award-worthy. But what do directors do when they’re stuck waiting for the next big project? They make commercials, of course! It's a win-win situation. Audiences get artfully shot ads, brands rake in cash, and directors keep their cameras rolling while waiting for their next Oscar moment. Here are 5 famous ads created by Oscar-winning directors.

1 - ROMAN POLANSKI | PRADA (2012)

Roman Polanski’s Prada commercial, "A Therapy", is a stylish short film that was shown at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. The ad features the distinguished Ben Kingsley as a therapist and Helena Bonham Carter as his patient, creating an unexpected and ironic twist on the term "retail therapy". During the session, Kingsley becomes completely captivated by Bonham Carter’s luxurious purple Prada coat, hilariously sidelining the therapy session to indulge in his newfound fashion obsession.
Polanski described the experience as a refreshing opportunity to combine irony and wit, something he felt Prada embraced wholeheartedly. The ad is a shining example of how luxury brands can blur the lines between art and advertising. 
 

2. MARTIN SCORSESE | SQUARESPACE (2024)

Martin Scorsese, the iconic filmmaker known for cinematic masterpieces like "Goodfellas" and "Taxi Driver", turned his creative lens toward something a bit out of this world: a Squarespace Super Bowl ad titled "Hello Down There". The story follows frustrated Aliens struggling to capture humanity’s attention in a world overwhelmed by digital noise, and their ingenious solution is to create a Squarespace website, because even aliens know that nothing builds trust and visibility like an Expertly designed online platform.
The ad cleverly combines Scorsese’s storytelling finesse with Squarespace's message: "It’s not real unless it’s on the internet". The ad’s sci-fi vibe and comedic undertone perfectly showcase how even Cosmic dreams can come to life with the right tools​. 
 

3. ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ IÑÁRRITU | NIKE (2010)

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the legendary director behind "Birdman" and "The Revenant", brought his cinematic brilliance to Nike’s "Write the Future" commercial for the 2010 World Cup. This three-minute masterpiece played out like a mini-blockbuster, featuring football greats like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Didier Drogba, the ad also features unexpected appearances from icons like Kobe Bryant and even the animated character Homer Simpson.
However, the situation took a turn of bitter irony when many of the players featured in the ad failed to perform as expected during the World Cup, leading fans to joke that Nike should have titled it "How Not to Write the Future".
 

4. DAVID LYNCH | PLAY STATION (2000)

David Lynch, the master of surreal and mysterious movies, took his talents to a completely different domain when he directed a PlayStation 2 commercial, "The Third Place". Imagine a dark, atmospheric world where a man navigates a hauntingly strange space, all in the name of showcasing the gaming experience.
Rather than following typical advertising conventions, the commercial feels more like a short, bizarre film that just happens to promote the PlayStation 2. There's no direct appeal to the product; instead, it offers a strange, hypnotic journey that leaves viewers questioning whether they've accidentally stepped into a Lynch film. 
 

5. KATHRYN BIGELOW | SCHWEPPES (2009)

Kathryn Bigelow, the Oscar-winning director ventured into the world of advertising with a Schweppes commercial. In this, Bigelow brought her signature high-stakes, tension-filled style into a beverage campaign, transforming a simple soft drink into an adrenaline-pumping spectacle.
The commercial, featuring Nicole Kidman and Penélope Cruz, is not just about sparkling water; it's a mini action thriller. So next time you crack open a Schweppes, just remember: you’re not just sipping on soda, you’re experiencing a cinematic thrill ride, thanks to Kathryn Bigelow.