Florida’s tender-hearted have all been there: You’re relaxing in your living room, watching “The Bachelor” or “Monday Night Football” and all of a sudden, Publix makes you cry.
The Florida-based grocery store chain has not only wiggled its way into our hearts with delicious fried chicken, delectable deli items and fluffy sheet cakes, but with its commercials as well.
Whether it’s a tender moment shared between soulmates, a heart-warming connection between a woman and her step-dad or any of the other Hallmark-worthy moments Publix has shared with us, its advertising team knows how to tug on heartstrings.
Here is a roundup of some of the most emotional Publix ads we’ve seen, ranked from the most tears cried to the least.
What is the new 'Thanks, Chris' Publix commercial about?
If you’ve turned a TV on in Florida within the last three weeks, you’ve probably seen or heard the new Publix commercial that has step daughters across TikTok in tears.
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Publix’s new commercial shows clips of moments between a stepdad and his stepdaughter throughout the years. Each moment shown is marked with a “Thanks, Chris,” until we see her at her wedding.
Her stepdad, Chris, tells her she looks beautiful and she answers him with a “Thanks, Dad.”
Grab some tissues before you watch this one.
'Disfrutemos de una vida llena de celebraciones con Publix'
Continuing with their theme of celebrating life’s milestones and tender moments, this heartwarming commercial released at the same time as the "Thanks, Chris" commercial and takes us through defining moments of a woman’s life.
As she looks at the birthday candles on a Publix sheet cake, we see her life’s memories, marked by Publix goods: cupcakes and pickles at a cookout celebrating her graduation, her husband bringing her a late-night snack as she rubs her pregnant belly, her young family eating lunch on a make-shift table of moving boxes in their new home and her feeding her grandchild.
The commercial ends with us coming back to present-day, the woman looking at her birthday cake and smiling at the memories.
The screen reads “Disfrutemos de una vida llena de celebraciones” or “Enjoy a life full of celebrations.”
Don’t watch unless you want a single tear to roll down your cheek by the end of the commercial.
Publix’s Father’s Day commercial
Although one YouTube comment claims that this Publix commercial “Doesn’t hold a candle to the Mother’s Day ad,” it’s still pretty tender.
Narrated by children, it shows everyday moments between dads and their children.
The message is simple, it’s a thanks to all dads – especially the dads who shop at Publix.
“You taught us how to fly. How to make the impossible possible. To smile when it hurts, and to get back to exploring,” the kids in the ad say over soft piano music. “Yes, you have the jokes but you also have our backs. So to our rocking, guiding light, Happy Father’s Day.”
This one might not leave you sobbing, but it will have you misty-eyed if you’re a dad or just really love yours.
Publix Mother’s Day commercial
This tender commercial shows a moment shared in the kitchen between a pregnant mother and her young daughter.
They’re making pinwheels together and the baby kicks. The mother tells her daughter that she used to sing to her and tell her secrets to calm her down when she used to be in her belly.
Her daughter wonders what kind of secret she could tell her unborn little sister.
“Why don’t you tell her what a great sister you’ll be?” the mother says.
The daughter hugs her mom’s belly and whispers “You’re really going to love mom.”
I’m getting teary-eyed just writing the dialogue, watch at your own risk.
It’s more than just a birthday with Publix
The next tear-jerker first aired seven years ago. It shows the life of a child raised on Publix birthday cakes and trips to the lake. Each time you see him, he’s at the same lakeside cabin and has aged a little more.
Much like this year’s birthday commercial from Publix, it shows moments from childhood to parenthood, all marked by Publix goods.
“We all have a day to remember…” the narrator says over soft, instrumental music. “And every birthday means a little more: The memories. The changes. But, it’ll always be their day. The day they arrived. A day that transformed your life forever. And a day to let them know just how much.”
Parents of grown kids, watch out for this ad. Like Publix ads seem to do, it might leave you reflecting and weeping.
