Bad Bunny is hosting this year’s Super Bowl LX Halftime Show and should put on a great show. This is a look back at some of the best halftime shows in Super Bowl history ahead of this year’s event.
UPDATE – POST-HALFTIME SHOW: Dan Johnson here with a post-halftime-show update. Bad Bunny turned the Super Bowl LX stage into a moving postcard from home, opening in a sugarcane-field set before striding into the stadium like he owned the broadcast. At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara—with the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots waiting in the wings—he ran a hit-heavy sprint that included “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Yo Perreo Sola,” and “EEOO,” all swagger and percussion. The visual language stayed loud and specific: a white football jersey stamped “Ocasio,” a pink house set piece, a pickup-truck moment, and dancers turning the field into a street party. Then the cameos detonated—Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin joining him, with quick flashes from Cardi B and Alix Earle—as the whole thing leaned into Puerto Rican pride at full volume. The headline is the same one the TV camera kept underlining: it played as a historic, fully Spanish-language halftime statement, built for the biggest stage without sanding off any identity.
While I wouldn’t say it belongs within the heralded hall of Blake’s top-ten, I would, myself, put it in as an honorable mention.
Top 10 Super Bowl Halftime Shows
10. 2008, Super Bowl XLII: Tom Petty
Super Bowl XLII was highlighted by David Tyree’s incredible helmet catch that propelled the Giants past the 18-0 Patriots. However, Tom Petty’s halftime performance was also one of the best parts of the night. The rock legend stepped onto the stage and delivered. He didn’t need any props, gimmicks or guest stars. Petty began the show with the all-time classic, “American Girl,” and the crowd was in the palm of his hand the rest of the show. When the performer is this talented and the songs are this beautiful, the music speaks for itself.
9. 2012, Super Bowl XLVI: Madonna
Unlike Tom Petty, Madonna put on the most over-the-top show possible. Fans wouldn’t have wanted it any other way from the Queen of Pop. Madonna had elaborate Egyptian costumes, grand dance numbers and multiple guest stars. M.I.A., CeeLo Green and LMFAO were among the guests who performed alongside Madonna.
8. 2002, Super Bowl XXXVI: U2
U2 put on one of the most beautiful Super Bowl halftime performances in history. In the first Super Bowl following 9/11, U2 made a special tribute to the victims of the attacks while performing their hit, “Where the Streets Have No Name.” Just like they did at the re-opening of the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina, U2 showed how the power of music can bring a community and a country together during the darkest of times.
7. 2015, Super Bowl XLIX: Katy Perry
Katy Perry took full advantage of the Super Bowl halftime show to give audiences across America the full Katy Perry experience. She started the show riding a giant animatronic lion while singing her hit song, “Roar.” Perry brought out the great Lenny Kravitz to perform “I Kissed A Girl,” then came the most iconic part of the show. Perry performed “Teenage Dream” on a beach-inspired set, where the background dancer in a shark costume became the internet legend simply known as “Left Shark.”
6. 2009, Super Bowl XLIII: Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band put on one of the best halftime performances ever. The rock-and-roll legends took advantage of the opportunity to play some of their classic hits and have the time of their lives. Springsteen and his band were clearly having a great time, as evidenced by Springsteen’s knee slide directly into the camera in the above video.
5. 2022, Super Bowl LVI: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent
The Super Bowl LVI halftime show brought hip-hop to the stage for the first time. Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Eminem led the show as three of hip-hop’s greatest legends. The show also featured appearances from Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent. All of these legends found a way to show how special hip-hop music is to the average American watching at home.
4. 1993, Super Bowl XXVII: Michael Jackson
The Super Bowl Halftime Show might not be what it is today without Michael Jackson’s iconic Super Bowl XXVII Halftime Show. The King of Pop used the magic of television to create a show that the Super Bowl had never seen before. Between his dramatic entrance, theatrical costumes and incredible performances, Jackson changed the game when it came to Super Bowl halftime shows. It was the first time in history that viewership for the game spiked during halftime, with Jackson’s show getting more viewers than the first half of the game.
3. 2013, Super Bowl XLVII: Beyoncé
Beyoncé is one of the greatest performers of the 21st century and proved why when she got the chance to headline the Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show. She ran through some of her biggest hits and had some perfectly executed choreography while still performing magnificent vocals. However, the highlight of the show was the incredible reunion of Destiny’s Child on the biggest possible stage.
2. 2017, Super Bowl LI: Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is one of the most elaborate performers of all time. She always surprises with her costume choices, choreography and willingness to push the boundaries. Even with her history, audiences were shocked when she decided to jump off the top of NRG Stadium down to the middle of the field. From there, Gaga rolled through some of her biggest hits, performed some elaborate numbers and also sat down at the piano for a ballad. She proved why she is one of the best performers of the 21st century with this grand performance.
1. 2007, Super Bowl XLI: Prince
There is no topping the performance that Prince put on during Super Bowl XLI. The rock-and-roll legend played an Earth-shattering rendition of “Purple Rain” as rain poured down on stage. The image of Prince shredding his guitar and belting out the classic song as the rain falls behind him is one of the most iconic moments in live music history. In Prince’s legendary career, this performance is one of the lasting memories among fans around the world.
Honorable Mentions
1996, Super Bowl XXX: Diana Ross
Just three years after Michael Jackson changed the game at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Diana Ross continued to push the boundaries of what was possible. As always, she put on a beautiful performance singing some of her greatest hits. However, the lasting memory of the show is Ross getting picked up by a helicopter in the middle of the field and flying away as she continues to perform.
2023, Super Bowl LVII: Rihanna
Rihanna put on an incredible halftime show, made all the more iconic by her revealing her pregnancy with the first shot of the show. It set the internet ablaze, discussing both her pregnancy and her incredible performance, loaded with classic hits.
2005, Super Bowl XXXIX: Paul McCartney
What else can be said about Paul McCartney? McCartney didn’t do anything over the top, bring out any shocking guests or try to revolutionize what could be done on the show. However, when one of the greatest-ever singer-songwriters wants to stand on stage and play some guitar and piano while playing some of the greatest songs ever written, the world wins. McCartney breaking out “Hey Jude” was the highlight of the night.
2006, Super Bowl XL: The Rolling Stones
Just one year after McCartney, The Rolling Stones kept the rock-and-roll run going with their own great halftime performance. Mick Jagger turned back the clock and showed that he can still put on an incredible high-energy performance. Joking that “Satisfaction” could have been played at Super Bowl I, Mick Jagger acknowledged how this music has transcended time and space.
