Outstanding Super Bowl Halftime Shows

When the Super Bowl began replacing small-time acts like local marching bands with major concert type performances as its halftime show in 1976, it took the popularity of the game to a new level. Each year, popular headline performers were brought out in attempt to outshine the previous year’s performance. From country and classic rock to hip-hop and pop, The Super Bowl Halftime Show became must-see television for millions and would sometimes overshadow the game itself. Below are the top 5 best performances of the last 25 years.

#5 Usher – Super Bowl LVIII – 2024

Showcasing a mix of his hits from the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Usher captured the energy and emotion that originally made him a star and made Super Bowl LVIII one to remember for old fans and new fans alike. With assistance from special guests like Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, and will.i.am, the show went a full 15 minutes (2 minutes longer than normal) and showed why Usher is one of music’s greatest showmen. In addition to all the dancers and flashing lights, Usher made it a performance to remember by roller skating around the stage and welcoming special guests to perform beside him.

#4 Rihanna – Super Bowl LVII – 2023

At the Super Bowl LVII Halftime show, Rihanna knocked our umbrellas off during her first performance since the 2018 Grammy Awards. She came out with a bang, dressed in all red with red lipstick and flying over the stage. For an accomplished artist like Rihanna, fitting 14 #1 songs into a 13 minute concert was challenging but the electric lights, choreography, and music were nothing short of amazing. If that were not enough to put this iconic performance on the list, it became even more memorable when Rihanna announced to fans that she was also expecting her second child.

#3 Katy Perry with Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott – Super Bowl XLIX – 2015

Katy Perry came roaring into Super Bowl XLIX on a mechanical golden lion that set the stage for an amazing visual performance. Katy’s wild imagination also brought out visual effects such as a 3D chessboard and a costume that came to be known as the “Dress of Fire.” During her songs “Teenage Dream” and “California Gurls,” dancers dressed as sharks, palm trees, and smiling beach balls filled the field. Duets with singer Lenny Kravitz and rapper Missy Elliott helped the show interest fans of other music styles but Katy Perry’s energy and live singing (not lip syncing) blew the crowd away. The finale featured Perry taking off on a rising platform above the crowd for her song “Firework.” The show reached over 118 million viewers and won 2 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

#2 The Weeknd – Super Bowl LV – 2021

The Weeknd blinded us by the lights with an electrifying performance at Super Bowl LV. Even though the show received average reviews from critics, I really liked that he was the sole performer. The world was still dealing with Covid-19 and the show’s simplicity was a perfect match for that time period.

#1 Coldplay with Bruno Mars and Beyoncé – Super Bowl L – 2016

This paradise collection of artists was the perfect way to celebrate the 50th Super Bowl. It was a vibrant show in all respects with Coldplay’s trademark display of bright flowers and lights, Bruno Mars’ hit songs “Uptown Funk” and “24k Gold,” and Beyoncé’s burst of energy with her song “Formation.” As great a collection of talent as this show was, the inclusion of memories from past Super Bowls (including a special appearance by the University of California Marching Band as a hat tip to the early days of Super Bowl halftime shows) makes this performance hit different. Widely regarded as one of the best halftime shows to date, Taylor Swift also loved it mentioning that she felt like she had dreamed the performance. For me, that’s enough to make this show #1 too.