Before the kickoff, the anticipation leading up to the Super Bowl is the hottest ticket, except for maybe the NFL itself. While some of the more serious football fans will watch their favorite teams throughout the season, long before Super Bowl time comes around, there is no shortage of music fans just simply waiting to tick off their attendance at the next greatest Super Bowl halftime show.

What should be on the list of the greatest halftime shows you might ask? Certainly not Super Bowl 38, featuring the likes of Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, and Janet Jackson’s breast. Or, maybe…

Super Bowl XXXVIII – Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Kid Rock

Let’s set aside all the controversy surrounding the halftime show in 2004 featuring the talents of Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Kid Rock. Well… okay, let’s not. Sure, it may have cost CBS $550,000 once all the fines had been signed, sealed, and delivered, but we were reminded about what a true ‘surprise ending’ could be. Perhaps only second to the infamous quote, “Here, hold my beer,” came this little jewel from Justin Timberlake’s stylist at the time as he was chatting with USA Today, “Okay, watch the halftime show… There’s going to be a surprise at the end.”

Super Bowl 50 – Bruno Mars, Coldplay, and Beyonce

One of our ‘all-time’ favorite Superbowl halftime shows would have to be with Bruno Mars, Coldplay, and Beyonce. The coordinated riffs between the two performers’ music were truly brilliant, not to mention how the marching band drums fit chimed in with uncompromised perfection. This is how a half-time show is done.

Super Bowl LV – The WeekND

We remember the good old days when a performer could coast through the crowd while gently lullabying the audience with their lyrical genius. During the heights of COVID those days had come to an end, but the Weeknd still put on one hell of a show that deserves more credit than it received. And that is exactly why we have included it second on this list.

Super Bowl XLI – Prince

Amidst a downpour that called on some to build the next arc, Prince tasked himself to put on the most amazing halftime show that had ever been seen since 2007. Prince’s vision through this 12-minute set was to blend generations, genre, and everything that had inspired his (and our) life. And despite the diabolical intentions of the rain, Prince prevailed.

Super Bowl XXXV – Aerosmith, Britney Spears, N’Sync, Nelly, and Mary J Blige

The NFL brought up the idea of a show with a rock band, or maybe a boy band, and then they wondered about maybe an R&B queen or perhaps a rapper. Then, just as they were in discussions with a mainstream pop star, they decided just to throw them all out on the stage and create a complete musical time capsule for 2001… and we’re glad that they did.

Super Bowl XXVII – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson has been the discussion of many greatest moments in US history, but when discussing halftime shows, his performance at XXVII is worldwide accepted as one of the most critically acclaimed shows that the Superbowl has been lucky (and proud) to deliver. It took three negotiations to woo Michael’s management to the gig in 1993, including demands of upwards of $1 million for the NFL to pay for the privilege of hosting such an event. A third time proved the charm, Michael was signed, and the rest is best seen in the video below.

Honorable Halftime Show Mentions

There is no shame in being an honorable mention among some of the greatest performances of all time, so we thus now present…

Super Bowl XXXV – Britney Spears, Aerosmith, and NSYNC

XL Super Bowl – Rolling Stones

Super Bowl XLVI – Madonna

Super Bowl XLV – Black Eyed Peas

Super Bowl XLIII – Bruce Springsteen