The 18 Most Memorable Super Bowl Halftime Shows
Left Shark forever.
The Super Bowl may be TV's biggest day of the year, but the Halftime Show is the true main event. Since stars like Michael Jackson and Britney Spears ushered in the era of megastar performances, the Super Bowl Halftime Show has been truly can't-miss television, where music's biggest stars deliver a one-of-a-kind, sensational performance of their biggest hits.
This year, all eyes are on Kendrick Lamar, as he plays the big show just one week after taking home Record and Song of the Year at the 2025 Grammys. Will any other guest stars join him alongside confirmed guest SZA. Will he perform "Not Like Us" several times? How many clips of Taylor Swift dancing along will make it onto TikTok by the end of the performance? (Ms. Swift is expected to be on hand to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans.)
As we count down the hours until Lamar takes the stage, let's look back at all the excellent performances that have come before him. Below are 18 of the most memorable Super Bowl halftime shows of all time.
New Kids on the Block, 1991
NKOTB plus some Disney characters, because why not?
Michael Jackson, 1993
Anyone who can stand for around 70 seconds completely silent and still have people cheering for them is only the stuff of legend. Jackson's performance is said to have been watched by 133.4 million viewers, with more people tuning in to watch it than the actual first quarter of the game. It's what people look to as the start of star-studded NFL halftime shows.
Diana Ross, 1996
I have yet to see a more dramatic exit than Ms. Ross exiting in a helicopter to her song, "Take Me Higher." It's just so iconic. The show had four costume changes, dancers spelling out her name, and just everything you would want from a Super Bowl performance from the '90s.
The Blues Brothers, 1997
Because the '90s were a magical time when fictional bands could play the biggest televised concert of the year.
Gloria Estefan, 1999
Gloria Estefan is a Cuban Queen who owns every performance. When Stevie Wonder joined her, she made everybody want to party Miami-style.
*NSYNC, Aerosmith, and Britney Spears, 2001
Nothing has ever screamed, "2001, more than this lineup but it is also why it's one of the most memorable Super Bowl performances. From the leather pants of *NSYNC to Steven Tyler's highlighted bangs, I want what this performance has. Plus, it closes with Britney Spears in an outfit that would put all Instagram models to shame. Unforgettable.
Shania Twain, No Doubt, and Sting, 2003
This performance left us feeling "hella good." Gwen Stefani also gave us some arm workout inspo for life. Also, Shania Twain made everyone really go wild.
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, 2004
No list of halftime shows can exist without mentioning this performance. Justin Timberlake turned his words into actions when he sang, "I'm gonna have you naked by the end of this song," and then proceeded to pull off a part of Janet Jackson's costume, exposing her right breast. Though she was partially covered, it remains one of the most talked-about performances of all time. (It even inspired the creation of YouTube.)
Prince, 2007
It started pouring as soon as Prince sang "Purple Rain"—which should immediately bring on the tears. (And if you don't immediately sob, watch it again!) It's said that when the Purple One was told it might rain during his performance, he replied, "Can you make it rain harder?"
Madonna, 2012
This performance was an event, with the halftime show racking up almost 3 million more viewers than the game itself. As 114 million people watched Madonna get down in custom looks from Givenchy, you couldn't help but admire how she still had the moves years later.
Beyoncé and Destiny's Child, 2013
We got Destiny's Child back together for a couple of minutes from this performance, and it was pure bliss. I will never forget where I was when I heard Queen B utter the words, "Kelly, Michelle, you want to help me sing this one?" as the beginning chords of "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" started to play.
Bruno Mars, 2014
Bruno Mars was made to perform at Super Bowls. His energy was so high, it made the game look like it was happening in slow motion.
Katy Perry, 2015
Maybe all you think about when you recall Katy Perry's performance is a dancing shark that stole the show during "Teenage Dream." I'll admit that comes to mind too, but I will never forget that all four of her outfits were accompanied by a matching microphone. Cute!
Left Shark, 2015
We all know who the real hero here is.
Beyoncé, 2016
Coldplay might have been the headliner this year, but when Beyoncé and her dancers rolled out in formation, it was obvious that was the only thing we'd be talking about the next day/week/month.
Lady Gaga, 2017
Lady Gaga shut it down at the 2017 Super Bowl—performing an epic halftime show when the Falcons and Patriots faced off last year. She made a bold political statement with a powerful mashup of her biggest songs—from "Born This Way" to "Bad Romance" to "Million Reasons."
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, 2020
Amid a turbulent election year, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez made a bold political statement during their Super Bowl performance. Their spectacular set contained allusions to family separation policies and Puerto Rico, as well as a remix of Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The USA." It was powerful, potent, and compelling.
Rihanna, 2023
The Navy spent years hoping Rihanna would return to the stage following the release of 2016's Anti, and Ms. Fenty fully delivered on all that anticipation. Her jaw-dropping performance, in which she touched on her entire discography in an incredible Loewe jumpsuit before revealing her second pregnancy, is the 2nd most-watched halftime show of all time.
Usher, 2024
Shockingly, it took until 2024 for Usher to get his Super Bowl headliner moment, which is now the most-watched halftime show ever. Mr. Entertainment turned his set into a celebration of Black culture, filled with collaborators over his 30-year career—Alicia Keys! H.E.R.! Lil Jon and Ludacris!—and Las Vegas flair, fit with Cirque du Soleil acrobatics and roller skates, following his residency.
