Bill Murray’s Beloved ‘Groundhog Day’ Jeep Ad Is Making the Rounds Again

‘Groundhog Day’ is one of the most rewatched comedies ever made. Released in 1993, it starred Bill Murray as weatherman Phil Connors, who finds himself living the same day in Punxsutawney over and over.

Years later, Murray returned to the role in a way few fans expected. In 2020, he played Phil again in a Jeep commercial that became one of the most celebrated ads of that year’s Super Bowl.

Now the ad has found a new audience online. Several X accounts recently shared footage of Murray reprising his ‘Groundhog Day’ role for Jeep, calling it wonderful, and fans quickly began spreading it again. The clip isn’t new, though. The 60-second spot first aired during Super Bowl LIV on February 2, 2020, which also happened to be Groundhog Day.

The commercial recreates the film’s famous opening. At 6:00 a.m., the alarm clock goes off to the same song from the movie, and Phil sits up in bed, realizing he’s stuck in Punxsutawney again 27 years later.

This time, though, he has a new plan. Phil takes the groundhog and makes his escape in a 2020 Jeep Gladiator, which turns his repeating days into something far more fun. Jeep worked with Sony Pictures to keep the spot faithful to the original film. It also licensed Sonny & Cher’s “I’ve Got You Babe” from Warner Music to recreate the iconic wake-up scene.

This is awesome. Bill Murray reprising his role in Groundhog Day, in a Jeep commercial. You need a smile on election day. https://t.co/dzA40Sxzmm

— Santa Monica Observer Newspaper. (@SMObserved) November 3, 2026

Murray wasn’t the only original cast member to return. Stephen Tobolowsky came back as Ned Ryerson, and Brian Doyle-Murray reprised his role as Buster Green. The ad was filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, the same town used for the 1993 film. It features familiar locations from the movie, including the bed-and-breakfast, the town square, and the restaurant where Phil toasts to world peace.

The groundhog was played by Poppy, a 10-month-old groundhog who was rescued as a baby and went on to serve as a wildlife educational ambassador. The spot was a rare move for Murray. According to Jeep, it was the first national broadcast commercial he had ever appeared in.

“This is my first commercial. I’m glad I did it with you,” Murray said, as quoted in Jeep’s announcement. He also reportedly joked that it would be his last. Olivier François, chief marketing officer at Jeep’s parent company FCA at the time, described the partnership as magic. He called Murray a free spirit who seeks adventure, much like the Jeep brand.

The ad was a huge success. By February 10, 2020, it had earned more than 104 million views across Jeep’s YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels, making it the most-viewed commercial of that year’s game on social media.

It also took the No. 1 spot on the USA Today Ad Meter among the 62 eligible commercials. People named it the best commercial of the game, and Adweek called it the top Super Bowl ad of the year.

The ad’s return shows how much affection fans still have for the film and for Murray’s performance. It’s a clever take on the movie’s premise, and its focus on breaking out of a rut remains easy to relate to.

For those who missed it the first time, it’s a fun reminder of why Phil Connors is still one of Murray’s most beloved characters. Longtime fans are clearly happy to relive it all over again.

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