Fresh off a Grammy win for Album of the Year, Bad Bunny is prepared to put on a Super Bowl performance that can, possibly, establish his name among some all-time greats.
We took a look at the 10 most iconic Super Bowl halftime performances ever, and listed them below.
10. Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi (2019)
The Super Bowl LIII (2019) halftime show was a mixed bag with a bit of everything in it. Looking at the lineup, you truly didn’t know what you would get, and it felt like that when watching it.
However, it was certainly iconic. Maroon 5 performed hits like “This Love” and “Moves Like Jagger,” Big Boi cracked off with “The Way You Move,” and Travis Scott came thru with “Sicko Mode,” which were all expected. But incorporating a half-assed SpongeBob SquarePants reference had the internet heated for days.
9. Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott (2015)
Although this lineup of names for the Super Bowl XLIX might sound random when put side-by-side, the star power was off the charts when they took the stage. All three artists showcased their best attributes, bouncing off of each other in unexpected ways that made 2015’s Super Bowl halftime a sight to behold.
Katy Perry brought a bright, vibrant energy with tracks like “Firework” and “I Kissed A Girl,” accompanied by Lenny Kravitz on guitar. Then Missy Elliott came through and took advantage of the electric crowd, throwing “Get Your Freak On” and “Lose Control” in the mix. One of the most fun shows ever, no question.
8. Rihanna (2023)
Rihanna is one of the busiest women in the creative world, so when she stops what she’s doing for a Super Bowl performance? It’s a big deal. Throw in the fact that she hadn’t done a public performance in years, and she revealed her 2nd pregnancy on television’s biggest stage, and it’s one of the most iconic performances in history.
Everything about Rihanna’s halftime show for Super Bowl LVII was memorable. Donning a stunning red ensemble that debuted her baby bump to the world and belting from a platform 100 feet in the sky, she truly elevated the game. The funniest part was that the entire timeline was afraid to ask if Rihanna was pregnant, posting instead a bunch of “are ya’ll thinking what I’m thinking?” memes.
7. The Weeknd (2021)
The Weeknd was on top of the world when Super Bowl LV (2021) came around, and his performance was reflective of that fact. Performing hits across his entire discography, from the Trilogy era to After Hours, Abel put on a show that won’t be easily forgotten.
On top of the performance, his appearance was entirely in character and spawned various memes and social media trends at the time. One of the biggest moments in his career will certainly be immortalized, in more ways than one.
6. Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Nelly (2004)
The Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004) halftime was just as controversial as it was iconic. With names like Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson involved, of course, people were itching to tune in. Accompanied by Nelly, the performance itself was great, but one brief moment made it a night the music world will never forget.
Justin and Janet hit the stage together to perform their smash hit “Rock Your Body,” and everything was going as planned. However, the very second before the song could come to a close, a revealing wardrobe malfunction would change the trajectory of Janet’s career forever. She later forgave Justin for what happened, but it still impacted her public image for years to come. Looking back, that nip slip probably wouldn’t have caused as many viewers to clutch their pearls today, but the early 2000s were a different time.
5. Dr. Dre & Friends (2022)
The Super Bowl LVI (2022) halftime show marked a turning point. Although hip-hop has always been ingrained in the culture of the NFL—just look at any pre-game song list related to players—it was never celebrated on the Super Bowl stage.
For the first time ever, the halftime show was dedicated to hip-hop, and it did not disappoint. While Dr. Dre was the “headliner,” he had an all-star cast at his side, and they brought the house down. Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Eminem ran through hits from the 2000s. 50 Cent hung upside down, reminding us all why Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was a classic.
Last but not least, Kendrick Lamar gave us a preview of the spectacle that he’d put on a couple of years later. Seeing Snoop Dogg crip walk, alongside a sea of blue dancers, while rapping West Coast anthems on one of America’s most traditional stages was simply iconic.
4. Kendrick Lamar (2025)
Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake was the standout moment of 2024, and 2025’s Super Bowl halftime show ended that saga with a bang. After “Not Like Us” took the world by storm, breaking records and causing lawsuits along the way, everyone questioned whether he would be able to perform it. Of course, Dot answered that in a way only he could.
From “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue” to Serena Williams’ crip-walking, Kendrick showed no mercy. But beyond the rap beef, Kendrick did what he did best—weaving in political commentary and subliminal messaging into a 12-minute show that became the most-viewed halftime show ever (133.5M viewers).
From Samuel L. Jackson’s narration as Uncle Sam and Mustard’s cameo for the well-timed “MUSTAAAAAARD,” to the GNX clown car that defined Kendrick’s latest era, it was a show that’ll go down in Super Bowl and hip-hop history.
3. Michael Jackson (1993)
It’s fair to say that Michael Jackson is the only artist it’s impossible to glaze. He was genuinely as talented, and as popular, as all of the stories we hear about him. And his Super Bowl XXVII appearance solidified that notion. Being able to simply stand there for 2 minutes in total silence as the crowd cheers, screams, and faints is something we might never see again.
As one of the biggest hitmakers of all time, he had a wide selection of songs to choose from. Being able to rattle off “Jam,” “Billie Jean,” and “Black Or White” in any setting is a feat in its own right, but doing it on the Super Bowl stage took it to a whole new level.
2. Beyoncé (2013)
It’s Beyoncé. It’s that simple. The Super Bowl XLVII, also known as the Beyoncé Bowl will always be one of the greatest in history. In 2013, the singer was a controversial choice to some, compared to the “safe” acts of ageing rock bands and pop stars in the years before, but she silenced any doubts as soon as she took the stage.
Emerging from a cloud of smoke, after her silhouette was lit on fire, Beyoncé ran through her solo hits like “Crazy In Love.” Backed by a live band and a crew of backup dancers, she reminded the world why she’s one of the greatest to ever do it. Then came the Destiny’s Child reunion, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams shot out from under the stage, and the entire world collectively lost it. “Single Ladies” and this halftime show were definitive of 2013.
1. Prince (2007)
If there’s one Super Bowl halftime show that stands head and shoulders above the others, it belongs to Prince. While there are some stellar performances in this list, 2007 could be seen as the defining moment in Super Bowl performance history, for various reasons.
Prince’s set list was phenomenal. Rather than just pulling from his own discography, he did renditions of classic tracks like Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and The Foo Fighters’ “Best Of You,” accompanied by marching bands, fireworks, lightning, you name it. He closed it out with “Purple Rain,” in the middle of a literal rainstorm, solidifying his performance as the standout moment in Super Bowl halftime show history.
