In the early days of the NFL, halftime was a time for bathroom breaks and marching bands. That all changed in 1993 when a certain King of Pop stood motionless on a stage for 90 seconds, proving that the mid-game break could attract more viewers than the game itself. Since then, the Super Bowl halftime show has become a cultural litmus test—a high-stakes, high-budget spectacle where legends are cemented and memes are born.
With Kendrick Lamar’s historic, politically charged 2025 performance still ringing in our ears and Bad Bunny preparing to take the stage for Super Bowl LX next week (Sunday February 8th), there’s never been a better time to rank the 15 best shows in history.
The Top 15: A Legacy of Spectacle
Prince (2007)
It is the gold standard of live performance. When a tropical storm hit Miami during Super Bowl XLI, Prince didn’t just play through it; he used it. Shredding a guitar shaped like his “Love Symbol” while a literal downpour turned into “Purple Rain,” he delivered a masterclass in showmanship. It was a spiritual experience that proved no amount of technology can replace pure, raw talent.
Kendrick Lamar (2025)
The most recent addition to the pantheon, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX show in New Orleans was a cinematic triumph. Opening with “Not Like Us” and featuring guests like SZA, the performance utilized a stage designed like a PlayStation controller and satirical commentary from Samuel L. Jackson. It was a biting, brilliant commentary on the American cultural divide that broke viewership records with 133.5 million viewers.
Michael Jackson (1993)
The “Big Bang” of modern halftime shows. MJ didn’t just perform; he appeared through stage-lift pyrotechnics and stood in silence, commanding the stadium before playing a single note. By the time he led a choir of 3,500 children for “Heal the World,” the halftime show was officially changed from a footnote to a headliner event.
U2 (2002)
Just months after the tragedies of 9/11, U2 provided a moment of collective national healing. As the names of the victims scrolled behind them on a massive screen during “Where the Streets Have No Name,” Bono opened his jacket to reveal the American flag lining. It was a rare moment where a sports spectacle felt genuinely profound.
Beyoncé (2013)
Beyoncé’s solo headline debut was so high-energy it literally blew the power out in the Superdome. Featuring a silhouette-heavy stage design and a long-awaited Destiny’s Child reunion, it was a display of athletic vocal and dance precision that cemented her status as the premier performer of her generation.
Lady Gaga (2017)
Gaga began her show by leaping off the roof of the stadium into a constellation of 300 drones. What followed was a powerhouse set of hits that balanced her “weird” art-pop roots with stadium-ready anthems. It remains one of the most physically demanding and technically flawless performances in the show’s history.
Bruno Mars (2014)
Many were skeptical when a relatively new Bruno Mars was announced, but he silenced critics with an incredible drum solo and James Brown-esque footwork. He brought a retro soul energy that appealed to every generation in the room.
Katy Perry (2015)
The “Left Shark” may have stolen the internet, but Perry’s show was a visual marvel. Between riding a giant mechanical lion, performing with Missy Elliott, and flying through the air on a “shooting star,” it remains the most-watched halftime show of the 2010s.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (2009)
“Put the chicken wings down and turn the television up!” The Boss brought pure, blue-collar rock energy to Tampa Bay. It was a high-octane, no-frills set that proved you don’t need a dozen guest stars if you have the E Street Band behind you.
Aerosmith, ‘N Sync, Britney Spears & Mary J. Blige (2001)
The ultimate “pop-timist” fever dream. Seeing the biggest boy band, the biggest rock band, and the Princess of Pop trade verses on “Walk This Way” was a chaotic, wonderful representation of the early 2000s music landscape.
Paul McCartney (2005)
After the controversy of the previous year (the “wardrobe malfunction”), the NFL went for a safe, legendary bet. Sir Paul delivered a masterclass in the singalong, ending with a stadium-wide “Hey Jude” that felt like a giant hug for the audience.
Madonna (2012)
The Material Girl entered like a Roman Empress and proceeded to turn the field into a high-fashion runway. With guests like Nicki Minaj and CeeLo Green, it was a campy, theatrical spectacle that bridged her classic 80s hits with the EDM trends of the time.
The Rolling Stones (2006)
Performing on a stage shaped like their iconic tongue logo, Mick Jagger and the boys proved that age is just a number. It was a gritty, loud, and quintessentially “Rock ‘n’ Roll” halftime that showed why they’ve lasted for 60 years.
Diana Ross (1996)
If you’re going to leave the Super Bowl, leave in a helicopter. Diana Ross’s performance was a glamour-filled celebration of her career, capped off by her literally flying out of the stadium while waving to the crowd. It was diva-dom at its finest.
The Weeknd (2021)
In the midst of social distancing, The Weeknd spent $7 million of his own money to turn the stadium into a cinematic, neon-lit labyrinth. The “hall of mirrors” sequence remains one of the most unique and dizzying visual moments in halftime history.