20 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ranked from Iconic to Forgettable
Here's the list of performers that made the Super Bowl even more anticipated.
- Cyra Sanchez
- 6 min read
Super Bowl halftime shows can be stunning displays or duds. Legendary acts such as Prince and Beyoncé raised the bar, while others struggled to make a dent. This ranking features the most memorable (and forgettable) shows, chronicling the evolution of entertainment on football’s biggest stage.
1. Michael Jackson (1993)
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The King of Pop single-handedly turned the Super Bowl halftime show into an event. He executed a jaw-dropping performance with a shimmering array of his greatest hits “Billie Jean” “Black or White”. His stage presence, moonwalk, and humanitarian message created the gold standard for all halftime shows that came after.
2. Prince (2007)
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During “Purple Rain,” there was a literal downpour that made Prince’s performance transcendental. He shredded his guitar with electrifying passion over a set list that included “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Baby I’m a Star.” This was the greatest halftime show ever because of the celestial confluence of musicianship and meteorology.
3. Beyoncé (2013)
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Queen Bey did what she does best: took us to church with a high-energy, pitch-perfect show. She performed “Crazy in Love” and “Single Ladies” with military precision and even reunited with Destiny’s Child. Her unmatched stage presence, vocal ability, and choreography made this a halftime show one for the history books.
4. U2 (2002)
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U2 delivered one of the most emotional halftime shows in history in the aftermath of 9/11. The names of victims scrolled behind the stage in a poignant tribute as they played “Where the Streets Have No Name.” It was a profound reminder of music’s power to comfort and bring together a nation in mourning.
5. Katy Perry (2015)
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Arriving at the stadium on a giant golden mechanical lion, Katy Perry certainly knew how to make an entrance. With a medley of her biggest songs, from “Roar” to “Firework” and the now-infamous “Left Shark,” the performance was a fun incarnate. Its overhyped spectacle and memorable moments made it one of the most memorable shows.
6. Madonna (2012)
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The Queen of Pop brought her trademark theatricality to the Super Bowl stage. Featuring dizzying choreography, Roman-themed visual effects, and guests Nicki Minaj and LMFAO, her set list included “Like a Prayer” and “Vogue.” Her ability to command the stage as a 53-year-old revealed why she remains one of music’s all-time entertainers.
7. Bruno Mars & Red Hot Chili Peppers (2014)
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Bruno Mars wasn’t the biggest name around back then, but he quickly established in the Super Bowl spotlight that he belonged there. He was terrific, featuring a mix of old-school showmanship, smoking live vocals (shoutout to Yonce), and fiery shared playlists, proving once again that live TV is the best TV. He was charismatic, a compelling drummer, and had a kind of James Brown-inspired energy, so it turned out to be a surprisingly great show.
8. Lady Gaga (2017)
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Lady Gaga took the Super Bowl halftime show to literal new heights, by leaping off the stadium roof. Her high-energy, hit-stuffed performance included “Poker Face” and “Bad Romance” combined with acrobatics and precision vocal work. The mixture of spectacle and raw talent made it one of the best halftime shows of the modern era.
9. Shakira & Jennifer Lopez (2020)
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This Latin power couple set fire to the stage with a high-intensity performance that honored their backgrounds. Between Shakira’s trademark hip-shaking and J.Lo’s pole-dance prowess, the performance offered a parade of hits and awe-inspiring elements. The concert was a colorful demonstration of diversity and showed that music has no borders.
10. Justin Timberlake (2018)
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Timberlake’s Super Bowl return fell on the “meh” side of greatness. He mourned Prince in his home city of Minneapolis and plowed through his biggest hits, though there were no major surprises. While it was technically well executed, it lacked the “wow” factor of some previous halftime shows.
11. The Weeknd (2021)
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Against the backdrop of a pandemic, The Weeknd put together a visually thrilling halftime show. With amazing lights, masked dancers, and songs like “Blinding Lights,” it was a creative departure from the typical halftime routine. Though creative, it didn’t have the energy of a live audience, and it didn’t feel electrifying like the shows of past.
12. Coldplay, Beyoncé & Bruno Mars (2016)
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Coldplay may have headlined, but Beyoncé and Bruno Mars stole the show. The duo’s dance-off and Beyoncé’s politically charged “Formation” performance made international headlines. The stripped-down Coldplay opening act morphed into a high-octane tribute to former halftime legends.
13. Aerosmith, NSYNC & Britney Spears (2001)
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This Super Bowl halftime show united generations with rock and pop. Aerosmith tore through “Walk This Way,” joined by *NSYNC and Britney Spears for an iconic close. The jarring combination of styles ended up meshing surprisingly well, notwithstanding the hammy performance a high-energy nostalgia trip delivered.
14. Diana Ross (1996)
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The diva gave one of the glitziest halftime shows of all time. Performing a medley of her biggest hits, she ended her performance by literally flying away in a helicopter. It was outrageous and fabulous and a moment they can drop the mic.
15. Janet Jackson & Justin Timberlake (2004)
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No halftime show is more infamous than the “wardrobe malfunction” that echoed around the world. The real performance (which included songs like “Rhythm Nation” and “Rock Your Body”) was high-energy and well-executed. The controversy, however, overshadowed what could have been a great show.
16. The Rolling Stones (2006)
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The iconic rock band served a down-and-dirty, guitar-driven halftime performance. They performed hits like “Start Me Up” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” on a massive tongue-shaped stage. Musically, it was solid but did not have the extravagant spectacle of modern halftime shows.
17. Bono & The Edge (2024)
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U2’s Bono and The Edge returned for a less bombastic halftime experience. The performance was about minimalistic renditions of U2 hits, heavy on themes of unity and peace. While emotional, it hit the high-energy spectacle Super Bowl fans expect.
18. The Who (2010)
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This went over well with classic rock fans but bored the younger viewers. It was an energetic but predictable set by The Who, who played hits including “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” Their legacy is undeniable, but the performance seemed an odd fit for the Super Bowl’s ever-evolving audience.
19. Black Eyed Peas (2011)
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High expectations were surpassed with a messy, over-the-top performance. The show felt jarring with clunky vocals, strange LED outfits, and an appearance from Slash that nobody asked for. It was not cohesive and was remembered as one of the lesser halftime shows on the scale.
20. Maroon 5 (2019)
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It was a halftime show that could have been amazing but went out with a fizzle. Adam Levine took off his shirt, Travis Scott and Big Boi showed up for no good reason, and nothing truly connected. It was a safe-in-the-ava-lane-performed performance and safe to the point of numbly forgettable.