By Mark Gray
7:00pm PST, Feb 12, 2024
No. 20: Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake in 2004
Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson's 2004 Super Bowl halftime show performance changed everything — and added the term "wardrobe malfunction" to our lexicon. The show was everything it was supposed to be (we think… who actually remembers that show?!). Then, at the end, Justin ripped off part of Janet's bodice and exposed her bare chest, revealing a certain piece of metallic sun-shaped jewelry. Debate raged as to whether it was an accident or intentional. The FCC is still haunted by this moment, as more than half a million people filed complaints about what would later become known as "Nipplegate." The FCC tried to fine Janet, Justin, MTV, CBS and Pepsi, but many of those fines were ultimately thrown out. Does anyone even remember the game that year… any of it… at all?
MORE: The best celeb style from Super Bowl halftime shows
No. 19: Justin Timberlake in 2018
Justin Timberlake returned to the Super Bowl stage in 2018 for a fun if not controversial performance of some of his biggest hits. His set — which went down at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota — included flawless choreography, a tuxedo-clad marching band, a tribute to late Minneapolis native Prince and so much more. But fans were heartbroken that JT didn't use the country's biggest stage as an opportunity to reunite his beloved boy band, *NSYNC. There were also rumblings that the pop star shouldn't have been allowed to return to the Super Bowl after his performance with Janet Jackson back in 2004 — and the "wardrobe malfunction" he caused — nearly derailed her career while he got off scot-free.
MORE: Celebs who turned down the Super Bowl halftime show
No. 18: The Weeknd in 2021
It's one of the most divisive halftime shows in recent memory: The Weeknd fans were thrilled by his performance in 2021, but football fans who weren't familiar with the singer-songwriter — or the character he embodied while promoting his hit "After Hours" album in 2020 and 2021 — were left scratching their heads as he wandered through a maze of golden lights while seemingly bewildered and then strutted his stuff with backup dancers dressed like him but with medical bandages wrapped around their faces.
No. 17: Aerosmith and *NSYNC in 2001
Aerosmith and *NSYNC were both huge names in 2001, but not exactly two acts you'd expect to see on the same stage. The boy band opened the halftime show with "Bye, Bye, Bye" before Aerosmith slowed things down with "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing." The two groups traded hits back and forth before Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly all burst onto the stage to join *NSYNC and Aerosmith in a rousing rendition of the rock band's hit "Walk This Way."
No. 16: Coldplay in 2016
Everyone was pumped when it was announced that Coldplay was bringing along musical guests Beyonce and Bruno Mars to make the band's 2016 halftime show performance even better. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin started off their show with a little help from fans seated in the stadium — they held up blue, yellow and orange cards to form an image of a giant sunset — and launched into the high-energy hit "Viva La Vida." The rest of Coldplay's performance featured a slew of the band's greatest hits and more and more color taking over Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. But things quickly transitioned to Mark Ronson playing DJ as Bruno Mars came out to perform "Uptown Funk." Then, from another part of the field, Beyonce and a slew of backup dancers took the field singing "Formation." Then all three acts merged together to close out the halftime show with a big collaboration — which was awesome to see!
No. 15: Bruno Mars in 2014
It wasn't that Bruno Mars wasn't well-known when he took the Super Bowl halftime show stage in 2014. It's just that he wasn't thought of as a superstar… yet. That all changed by the time he belted out his final note after delivering an energy-packed medley of his biggest hits in a set that included plenty of choreography, a children's choir, a surprise appearance from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and a special shoutout from members of the armed forces serving far from home. By the end of his highly entertaining performance — which was far more interesting than the 43-8 whomping the Seahawks gave the Broncos that year — people were clamoring to see more of him. The day after the game, tickets nearly sold out for a string of concerts he had planned at Las Vegas' Cosmopolitan Hotel.
No. 14: Paul McCartney in 2005
The NFL had been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2004 thanks to the halftime show debacle that year (see: Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake), so it went for a safe — though still amazing — choice in 2005: Paul McCartney. How can you argue with a Beatle?! After rocking through songs from the Beatles and Wings catalogs, Sir Paul capped off his performance by belting out "Hey Jude," which had the 84,000-strong crowd and everyone at home singing along to one of the greatest songs ever written.
No. 13: Prince in 2007
Prince unleashed hit after hit from a stage shaped like his iconic logo during the 2007 halftime show. He powered through cover songs as well as his own tunes, busting out his famous falsetto and shredding on the guitar while backed by Florida A&M University's famous Marching 100 band. By the end, even the most macho of football fans were singing along to The Purple One's set.
No. 12: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in 2009
The Boss never mails it in, does he? In the middle of one of the all-time great Super Bowl games (Pittsburgh beat Arizona with an incredible tip-toe catch in the end zone), Bruce Springsteen, along with the E Street Band, showed the world why he's the boss. Bruce began his performance by looking at the cameras and talking to the at-home audience, telling them, "I want you to step away from the guacamole dip. I want you to put the chicken fingers down." He then rocked through several of his biggest hits while running all over the stage and even slamming his crotch into a camera at one point. (You got that free of charge, America, and you're welcome.) Bruce had been invited to perform several times before, but had always turned them down. He was well worth the wait. Bruuuuuuucce!!!
No. 11: Madonna in 2012
Less than two months before she released her "MDNA" album in 2012, Madonna slayed on the football field with a 12-minute extravaganza featuring guest stars and a visual and audio feast. Madge hit the gridiron carried by muscled, shirtless Roman soldiers. While perched on a gilded chair, she belted out "Vogue" — and sounded like the Madonna of old. While performing the dance-friendly "Music," she was joined by LMFAO for a "Party Rock Anthem"/"Sexy And I Know It" mashup. And just when you thought it was over, rappers M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj joined her — dressed as cheerleaders. M.I.A. even snuck a middle finger past the censors. Madge finished off with "Like A Prayer," aided by Cee Lo Green. Pretty, pretty awesome.
No. 10: The Rolling Stones in 2006
The Rolling Stones proved why they still rock during the 2006 halftime show, which kicked off with their hit "Start Me Up." Performing from a stage shaped like their iconic Hot Lips logo, the rock gods didn't need any special guests or backup dancers to bring the house down. Frontman Mick Jagger may have been in his 60s at the time, but that didn't stop him from bringing the energy to the big game.
No. 9: Rihanna in 2023
Finally! Years after the NFL started courting the superstar, Rihanna finally headlined, performing at the Super Bowl LVII halftime show on Feb. 12, 2023… and she brought a plus one! After keeping details of her 13-minute performance under wraps, the pop star — who delivered her biggest hits atop flying platforms while surrounded by an army of dancers — took the field in a monochromatic red ensemble that showed off a growing baby bump. She soon confirmed she was pregnant with her second child with partner A$AP Rocky (their son, Riot, was born in August 2023).
No. 8: Jennifer Lopez and Shakira in 2020
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's 2020 halftime show — which served as a celebration of Latino culture — was quite the extravaganza. The most viral moment came when J.Lo's then-11-year-old child, Emme, joined her on stage to belt out the chorus to "Born in the U.S.A." as her mom danced in a feathered cape featuring the Puerto Rican flag. The show also featured a pole-dancing J.Lo, a crowd-surfing Shakira and a special appearance from Bad Bunny. At an afterparty following the game, the superstar bragged, "Some people said it was the best halftime performance ever."
No. 7: Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Dr. Dre in 2022
It was a major moment for hip-hop: The 2022 Super Bowl halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, provided a delightful blast from the past! Instead of centering around one star, five superstars — Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Dr. Dre — all performed a medley of their biggest hits during a riveting halftime show.
No. 6: Diana Ross in 1996
Diana Ross brought the house down when she performed during Super Bowl XXX in Arizona in 1996. The Motown star descended from the roof on a sparkling platform before performing some of her biggest hits including "Baby Love" and "Stop in the Name of Love." Diana impressively changed her outfit for every single song and rocked a giant gold cape that eventually enveloped the entire stage as she rose in the air singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." In true diva fashion, Diana finished her performance, waved goodbye to the crowd and flew off in a helicopter that had landed in the middle of the field minutes before.
No. 5: U2 in 2002
America was still hurting when U2 took the stage in 2002, just four months after the 9/11 terror attacks. The rockers performed several of their biggest hits from a heart-shaped stage during what's arguably the most emotional halftime show of all time. There wasn't a dry eye as they played "Where the Streets Have No Name" as a scrolling backdrop featured the names of victims who died in the terror attacks. Bono — who's from Ireland, mind you — then opened his jacket to reveal America's stars and stripes in the lining. It still makes us emotional to this day.
No. 4: Lady Gaga in 2017
With acrobatics, a drone show, killer keytar playing and pyrotechnics galore, Lady Gaga delivered one of the most high-energy and spectacular Super Bowl halftime show performances in recent years when she took the stage in 2017. The Mother Monster kicked off her performance from the top of the stadium and then seemingly jumped from the roof, repelling down to the stage from the sky. The real crux of the performance came at the end when Gaga crooned "Bad Romance" with fireworks shooting off over the stadium. Plus, props always go to Lady Gaga for her creative costumes!
No. 3: Katy Perry in 2015
It was the halftime performance that made us ask, "Which one was better — right shark or left shark?" During her Super Bowl halftime show spectacle in 2015, Katy Perry brought her own brand of quirky sexiness to viewers worldwide. She came in riding a giant — and we do mean giant — metallic lion as she busted out "Roar." Lenny Kravitz later joined her on stage for a rock-infused performance of "I Kissed a Girl." Next thing you know, there's Katy in a beach ball bustier, joined by two people dressed in shark costumes, dancing their hearts out. (We always liked left shark better.) Missy Elliott also joined the pop star on the field to crush a quick medley of some of her biggest hits. The performance concluded with Katy belting out "Firework" as she flew across the stadium while perched upon a shooting star trailing sparks.
No. 2: Beyonce in 2013
People had been dreaming of this moment for years. The 2013 Super Bowl halftime show started with a silhouette of Beyonce on fire — and then Queen Bey emerged. She ran through hit after hit until the moment of truth: a long-rumored Destiny's Child reunion. Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland burst onto the stage to join Bey, leaving fans in awe as they launched into "Bootylicious," "Independent Women" and "Single Ladies." There were dancers, a crazy horn section and stunning costumes too — but what else would you expect from Beyonce, except the very best?
No. 1: Michael Jackson in 1993
It was the late Michael Jackson who changed the way we see Super Bowl halftime shows. Up until 1993, the NFL hadn't put a lot of thought into the midway point of its biggest game, and people often tuned out during the lull. Eager to keep eyes on the screen, the NFL snagged MJ, billing it as the Biggest Freaking Halftime Show Ever. As expected, the King of Pop delivered, as he furiously sang a medley of his hits. Then, in the defining moment of the performance, "We Are The World" played and the crowd turned over cards revealing drawings made by children. MJ ended with "Heal the World" as thousands of kids and a blow-up globe surrounded him.
