The 21 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows: Revisiting the Big Game’s Most Controversial and Memorable Performances (From Janet Jackson to Left Shark!)

Super Bowl LVIII: Usher, Alicia Keys, Lil Jon and Ludacris

Usher set the Super Bowl stage ablaze in 2024, delivering a high-energy halftime show packed with his biggest hits and signature dance moves. Performing at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the R&B icon opened with "Caught Up" before gliding through classics like "Yeah!," "My Boo" and "U Got It Bad."

The show featured electrifying choreography, a surprise roller-skating sequence and star-studded guest appearances — with Alicia Keys joining him for a sultry duet of "My Boo" and Lil Jon and Ludacris bringing the A-Town energy for "Yeah!"

Proving his dominance as one of music's greatest showmen, Usher's halftime performance surpassed Rihanna's 2023 Super Bowl halftime show as the most-viewed halftime performance ever, drawing 123.4 million viewers, according to Billboard.

Super Bowl LVII: Rihanna

In her highly anticipated 2023 Super Bowl halftime show, Rihanna delivered a performance to remember. Not only did she perform a medley of her hits from atop a floating stage, but she also silently confirmed she was pregnant with baby No. 2!

The star took the stage in Phoenix dressed head-to-toe in bright red, revealing a baby bump, becoming the first pregnant woman to headline the halftime show.

The Grammy winner and her boyfriend, rapper A$AP Rocky, welcomed their first child, RZA Athelston Mayers, in May 2022. Their second son, Riot Rose, arrived in August 2023.

Super Bowl LVI: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent

Hip-hop took center stage at the 2022 Super Bowl in Los Angeles, which brought together some of the genre's biggest icons like Dr. Dre, Lamar, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg with a medley of their hits — plus a surprise cameo from previously unannounced 50 Cent. The crew also paid tribute to another L.A. legend, the late Tupac Shakur, performing his Dr. Dre-assisted 1995 hit single, "California Love."

Super Bowl LV: The Weeknd

For the 2021 Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — which saw a limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic — The Weeknd built a stage in the stands and performed solo, taking fans through a string of his biggest hits. He inspired a wave of memes while running through a gold maze with a camera in his face during "Can't Feel My Face" (and tweets about his semi-creepy backup dancers) but ended the show with fireworks and a strong reception.

Super Bowl LIV: Jennifer Lopez and Shakira

"Let's show the world what two little Latin girls can do," Jennifer Lopez captioned a since-deleted photo of the pair on Instagram just before her exhilarating performance with Shakira — and they did just that.

The women delivered their high-energy 2020 set in Miami, showing off their amazing dance moves and musical talents — including a special cameo from Lopez's daughter, Emme Maribel, who was 11 at the time.

"Yes! Halftime was JOY!!!!!!!!! Yes!!!!! @shakira @JLo everything that's yes," Pink wrote in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), with endless celebs following suit in congratulatory posts on social media.

"It's a perfect moment in my life, honestly," Lopez told Vanity Fair shortly before the show. "But it's also a great time for Latina women to take the stage at the biggest all-American event, with everything that's going on in the country right now."

Super Bowl LIII: Maroon 5, Big Boi and Sleepy Brown

For their 2019 halftime show in Atlanta, Adam Levine and his Maroon 5 bandmates performed a medley of their hits. They also brought out Atlanta hip-hop icons like Big Boi and Sleepy Brown, as well as Travis Scott and the Georgia State University Panther Band.

Following the show, Levine wrote on Instagram at the time: "We thank the universe for this historic opportunity to play on the world's biggest stage. We thank our fans for making our dreams possible. And we thank our critics for always pushing us to do better. One Love."

Super Bowl LII: Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake's 2018 Super Bowl performance in Minneapolis at U.S. Bank Stadium went off without a hitch, helping to distance him from the infamous 2004 wardrobe malfunction moment with Janet Jackson further into the past. The pop star performed his greatest hits and paid homage to "Purple Rain" singer Prince (and former Super Bowl headliner) in the late artist's hometown.

Super Bowl LI: Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga's 2017 Super Bowl performance in Houston at NRG Stadium wowed fans across the country as she worked the crowd, belting hits like "Just Dance," "Born This Way" and "Million Reasons." She even pulled off a viral moment when she appeared to leap into the stadium to kick off the show.

Super Bowl 50: Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars

The star-studded 2016 halftime show — featuring headliners Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars — will go down as one of the most epic performances in Super Bowl history. Fans at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., erupted as the trio delivered a medley of their hits, and Beyoncé and Mars faced off in an epic dance battle for the Super Bowl's landmark 50th game.

Super Bowl XLIX: Katy Perry, Missy Elliott and Lenny Kravitz

Katy Perry arrived at the 2015 Super Bowl halftime stage at University of Phoenix Stadium (now State Farm Stadium) in Glendale, Ariz., riding atop a giant metallic lion. Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott joined the pop star during her highly acclaimed set, while Perry seamlessly transitioned through several elaborate and colorful wardrobe changes.

The night also introduced an unexpected viral sensation: Left Shark, whose offbeat, impromptu dance moves stole the show.

Super Bowl XLVIII: Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers

In 2014, Mars brought Super Bowl fans to their feet at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., kicking off with his hit "Billionaire" alongside Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy. The star sang, danced and played the drums, captivating the audience with his undeniable stage presence. The Red Hot Chili Peppers then joined the 15-time Grammy winner to perform "Give It Away."

The unforgettable set brought in a record high of 115.3 million viewers, the largest audience in Super Bowl history at the time, Billboard reported.

Super Bowl XLVII: Beyoncé with Destiny's Child

Beyoncé pulled out all the stops for her 2013 halftime performance at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. It was entertainment at its finest as the star performed hit after hit before bringing out former group members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams for a long-awaited Destiny's Child reunion the world was waiting for.

"There haven't been that many women that have done Super Bowl halftime shows — I had to hold it down for the ladies," she told CBS, per Billboard.

The performance was so epic that the stadium's power temporarily went out afterward — though officials said the two events were not related, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Super Bowl Super Bowl XLVI: Madonna, Nicki Minaj and MIA

Pop icon Madonna took the stage at the 2012 Super Bowl at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, performing a string of hits, including "Vogue" and "Like a Prayer." She was later joined by LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, MIA and CeeLo Green.

While fans and celebrities praised the performance, controversy erupted after MIA flashed her middle finger on camera, sparking backlash that somewhat overshadowed the night — and costing the NFL a reported $16.6 million in damages, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Super Bowl Super Bowl XLV: Black Eyed Peas, Usher and Slash

The Black Eyed Peas' 2011 halftime show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, received lukewarm reviews, largely due to the various technical difficulties. At one point, Fergie's mic cut out, and lighting issues plagued parts of the performance. However, the crowd's mood and energy shifted when Slash and Usher helped revive the crowd with surprise appearances.

Super Bowl XLIV: The Who

Like other halftime show performers, The Who also faced technical difficulties at the 2010 Super Bowl, which was held at Sun Life Stadium (now Hard Rock Stadium) in Miami Gardens, Fla. Despite a sound delay between the broadcast and visuals, fans were still amazed as the legendary rockers managed to shred out classics like "Pinball Wizard" and "Baba O'Riley" — all while proving they could command the stage well into their 60s.

Super Bowl XLIII: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Bruce Springsteen had turned down previous offers to perform at the Super Bowl, but in 2009, The Boss finally bit the bullet to perform at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. — and he did not disappoint. Springsteen and the E Street Band spent their 12-minute set ripping through hits like "Born to Run" and "Glory Days," making for an unforgettable night.

Super Bowl XLII: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

The beloved singer-songwriter Tom Petty — who died in 2017 — put on a rock-solid performance at the 2008 Super Bowl halftime show at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. His setlist included "American Girl," "I Won't Back Down," "Free Fallin'" and "Runnin' Down a Dream."

Super Bowl XLI: Prince

Leave it to Prince to perform one of the most legendary Super Bowl halftime performances ever.

During the 2007 Super Bowl at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., the "When Doves Cry" singer delivered a jaw-dropping set that consisted of hits like "Let's Go Crazy" and "Baby I'm a Star" featuring Florida A&M University's Marching 100 Band.

Then, in a moment of pure magic, Prince sang "Purple Rain" just as it began to drizzle, making the halftime show all the more unforgettable and poignant since the singer died at 57 in 2016.

Super Bowl XL: The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones had to censor their 2006 halftime show at Ford Field in Detroit at the request of the NFL, Ultimate Classic Rock reported. Mick Jagger was asked to tone it down during "Start Me Up" and "Rough Justice" due to their explicit lyrics, but the band still managed to put on an electrifying set.

Super Bowl XXXIX: Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney had fans singing along throughout his grand one-man band set at the 2005 Super Bowl, which was held at the Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. After the music legend performed classics like "Live and Let Die" and "Hey Jude," The Beatles legend concluded his iconic set by lighting up the night sky with fireworks.

Super Bowl XXXVIII: Janet Jackson, Kid Rock, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Nelly and Justin Timberlake

Jackson's 2004 Super Bowl halftime show remains one of the most infamous performances in history — and not for the guest appearances by Kid Rock, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Nelly.

All anyone could talk about that year was the now-infamous "wardrobe malfunction" between Timberlake and Jackson that spurred #Nipplegate. The shocking moment happened the second Timberlake accidentally pulled off part of the singer's outfit, exposing her right breast to the entire stadium and the 140 million viewers who had tuned in for the big show.

While Timberlake went on to headline the event in 2018, the blowback from the incident led Jackson to be effectively blacklisted from future halftime shows. The *NSYNC alum later issued a public apology to Jackson in 2021.

Fortunately, the two are on good terms. In the 2022 Lifetime and A&E documentary Janet, Jackson said she and Timberlake are "very good friends."