Why Grubhub and Squarespace Tapped the Same Director for the Super Bowl

In an exciting twist for the 2026 Super Bowl, award-winning director Yorgos Lanthimos has made his debut by directing ads for both Grubhub and Squarespace. Known for his unique cinematic style, Lanthimos has previously worked with high-profile brands such as Gucci and Jameson, and his involvement in this year’s Big Game is highly anticipated.

The Rise of Yorgos Lanthimos

Yorgos Lanthimos is no stranger to accolades. With four Oscar-nominated films under his belt, including the critically acclaimed Bugonia, which is nominated for Best Picture this year, his artistic vision has garnered him over 32 awards from prestigious institutions like the BAFTAs and the Cannes Film Festival. His distinctive approach to storytelling and visual aesthetics has made him a sought-after director, especially for high-stakes advertising opportunities like the Super Bowl.

Grubhub’s Super Bowl Debut

For Grubhub’s first-ever Super Bowl ad, the company collaborated with the creative agency Anomaly to tackle the often “unappetizing” issue of food-delivery fees. The ad’s central message is that Grubhub will eliminate these fees for orders over $50. Marnie Kain, Vice President of Brand and Creative at Grubhub, explained that Lanthimos was the perfect fit to bring their vision to life.

Kain stated, “We needed something that would buck convention, make the familiar seem strange, be highly watchable and funny, but in a way that really made you stop and think about what you were seeing and hearing.” This creative direction aligns perfectly with Lanthimos’s cinematic style, which often blends humor with thought-provoking themes.

The ad features a lavish dinner scene reminiscent of Lanthimos’s 2018 film The Favourite, showcasing extravagantly dressed guests interrupted by a character referred to as the “voice of reason,” played by none other than George Clooney. Initially, Grubhub’s team did not intend to feature a celebrity, but they ultimately decided that Clooney would add significant gravitas to the campaign.

Squarespace’s Unique Approach

In contrast to Grubhub’s vibrant and comedic approach, Squarespace’s Super Bowl ad takes a more introspective tone. Featuring actress Emma Stone, who is also making her Super Bowl debut, the ad is shot in black-and-white and follows Stone as she attempts to reclaim the domain name of her own name from a deserted island.

This concept was inspired by the fact that Stone does not own her domain name in real life. Mathieu Zarbatany, Group Creative Director at Squarespace, mentioned that once the concept began to take shape with Stone at its center, they realized they were subconsciously envisioning it through Lanthimos’s lens, which influenced many creative choices throughout the campaign.

During the press tour for Bugonia, Stone brought the idea to Lanthimos, leading to creative discussions that shaped the final product. Squarespace was aware of Lanthimos’s simultaneous work with Grubhub but felt confident that the two ads would not overlap creatively. Zarbatany noted, “Yorgos is a true artist, and each project he takes on has its own distinct voice.”

Marketing Strategy and Audience Engagement

Both brands are leveraging Lanthimos’s unique storytelling abilities to engage a broad audience during one of the most-watched events of the year. Grubhub aims to not only capture the attention of viewers during the Super Bowl but also to encourage them to choose Grubhub for their game-day food deliveries. By releasing teasers and the full ad prior to the game, they hope to build anticipation and drive traffic to their platform.

On the other hand, Squarespace’s ad is designed to resonate with individuals interested in starting their own websites, appealing to the entrepreneurial spirit of viewers. The collaboration with Lanthimos and Stone aims to create a memorable experience that encourages viewers to think about their own online presence.

Conclusion

The decision to enlist Yorgos Lanthimos for both Grubhub and Squarespace’s Super Bowl ads highlights the director’s versatility and the brands’ desire to stand out in a crowded advertising landscape. Each ad, while distinct in tone and message, reflects Lanthimos’s unique artistic vision and the brands’ commitment to innovative storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest updates as of February 2026.