The 5 Most Iconic Super Bowl Halftime Shows (Ranked)

Football fans wait all year for Super Bowl Sunday, but there is more than just football to look forward to. The big game will also draw the eyes of people from around the world who are eager to see the latest edition of the global spectacle that is the Super Bowl halftime show. Each year, the halftime show turns the Super Bowl into a global pop-culture moment, but which performance stands out above the rest?

Want to make sure you don’t miss the halftime show (or the commercials)? Use our Super Bowl watch guide to confirm the TV channel and streaming options.

Top 5 Best Super Bowl Halftime Performances

#5. Shakira and Jennifer Lopez (2020)

If you’re after energy, look no further than 2020, when a 50-year-old Jennifer Lopez and 43-year-old Shakira turned the energy dial all the way up. This incredible performance was a sublime concoction of impressive dance moves and musical talent, with the Latina duo constantly on the move. Shakira played three different instruments throughout, J-Lo did some family-friendly pole dancing, and they both showed off their stamina within some dazzling choreography.

#4. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar (2022)

When the Super Bowl went to Cali, it had to be Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, and friends taking over. This huge collaboration of rap and hip-hop gave the genre its well-deserved moment in the sun. Before 2022, there had never been a sole hip-hop performer at a Super Bowl, and these guys absolutely tried to balance the books by featuring Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson Paak. on the drums. And, it worked. The performance was electrifying, with great stage designs and a good mix of music from them all.

#3. U2 (2002)

U2 earned their spot on this list for offering up more than just a musical masterclass. With their show being so soon after the tragic 9/11 attacks, this show was powerful in more ways than one. U2 delivered an uplifting rendition of songs, set against a backdrop of a scrolling list of names of victims from the tragedy. When Bono then showed off the American flag under his jacket, you can’t help but get goosebumps. Without a doubt, this deserves to be celebrated as one of the top halftime performances.

#2. Beyoncé (2013)

Of course, Beyoncé had to feature on this list. She has made her way onto the Super Bowl stage a couple of times, but her solo performance in 2013 gets the top spot for her appearances. Her sensational combination of singing and dancing, matched with outrageously impressive visuals, gives fans an experience they will never forget. Beyonce has her fair share of major hits, and fans were treated to plenty in this intense and high-energy performance, which even included a Destiny’s Child reunion.

#1. Prince (2007)

The Super Bowl halftime show has seen some pretty big names over its time, but none bigger than Prince, who treated fans to a wide range of classic bangers. With his iconic Purple guitar, iconic voice, and iconic style, this halftime show oozed quality, and the fact that Prince delivered ‘Purple Rain’ in a literal downpour made it all the more special.