The Super Bowl Half Time show is one of the most watched events every year. Millions of people tune in for the (approximately) 15 minute show. Bad Bunny was announced to be the Half Time performer of Super Bowl 60 and he has promised an “unforgettable show.”
Below, we’ve gathered the best half time shows you forgot about.
Here are 5 of the best Super Bowl half time shows you didn’t know about (watch)
© Aerosmith and Britney Spears (C-R) and *NSYNC performing during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XXXV; Photo: JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images – Getty Images
5. U2 Performs For The First Time After 9/11
GettyImages-82545538 © Bono, lead singer of U2, during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVI; Photo: KMazur/WireImage – Getty Images
In the first Super Bowl following September 11 attacks, Irish rockers paid homage to those who died:
Filling Louisiana’s Superdome with such songs as “Beautiful Day,” “MLK” and “Where the Streets Have No Name,” the band displayed a banner with the names of all the people who lost their lives, and Bono ended the set by proudly opening up his jacket to reveal an American flag.
Although the voter participation-themed show at Houston’s Reliant Stadium included appearances by Jessica Simpson, Diddy, Nelly and Kid Rock, 2004’s halftime show will forever be remembered as the one where Janet Jackson and Timberlake’s finale of “Rock Your Body” spawned the term “wardrobe malfunction.”
Also known as “nipplegate,” the incident during which Timberlake ripped off a piece of Jackson’s bodice — while singing the line “gonna have you naked by the end of this song” — resulted in the Federal Communications Commission fining CBS $550,000. Although Jackson was essentially blacklisted from the Super Bowl afterward, Timberlake would return to headline his own solo set in 2018.
When U2 choked up every American
🎥 Super Bowl after 9/11 pic.twitter.com/mvdTNEiQpE
— Bono’s Bible (@BonosBible) September 11, 2025
4. Prince (2007) Shocks The Crowd
Feb 4, 2007; Miami, FL, USA; Prince performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl XLI between the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts at Dolphins Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 Matthew Emmons
A mix of covers and originals, including “We Will Rock You,” “Baby I’m a Star” and “Proud Mary,” made up Prince’s halftime show. The cherry on top, however, couldn’t have been scripted. With only Prince’s giant backlit silhouette visible, he launched into a rendition of “Purple Rain” as rain started to actually fall from the Miami sky.
Prince – Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show 2007pic.twitter.com/9F8HcGmuMX
— Ladytron Fan Account (@Lady_FanAccount) September 17, 2025
3. Brittney Spears, NSYNC, and Aerosmith
© Aerosmith and Britney Spears (C-R) and *NSYNC performing during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XXXV; Photo: JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images – Getty Images
According to Brad Witter:
Appealing to fans across genres, the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show in Tampa, Florida, starred Aerosmith and *NSYNC. Following a pre-recorded intro that included Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, the bands took turns rocking the stadium with hits like *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me” and Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and “Jaded.”
The grand finale: a peak early 2000s TRL-era rendition of “Walk This Way,” featuring surprise special guests Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly.
This was the first year fans were allowed on the field, giving the feel of a traditional concert — though there was nothing traditional about fireworks literally shooting out of Justin Timberlake’s gloves.
Aero⭐️SYNC 2001 Superbowl Halftime Show in time will be considered one of the best.
Aerosmith, *NSYNC, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Nelly, Mary J. Blige, Ben Stiller.
Ravens 34, Giants 7 in Tampa. pic.twitter.com/YhSmLAD2Rc
— How is the mood striking you now? (@How_is_the_mood) June 5, 2025
2. Michael Jackson In 1993
© Michael Jackson performing at the Super Bowl XXVII halftime show; Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage – Getty Images
During his performance, the late King of Pop drew an astounding 100 million viewers – more than watched the actual football game.
In January 1993, Michael Jackson played a game-changing set at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl after two minutes of silence, followed by a medley of hits, including “Billie Jean” and “Black or White”. He concluded his set with the children’s choir singing “We Are the World” before ending with “Heal the World.”
Michael Jackson’s performance at Super Bowl XXVII on January 31, 1993 was legendary pic.twitter.com/KMKZE0m65o
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) October 3, 2024
1. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar & 50 Cent perform the Pepsi SB LVI Halftime Show.
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Recording artists from left Eminem, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
As Dr. Dre and his collaborators performed at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California in 2022, hip-hop got its moment in the spotlight. Surprise guests 50 Cent (rapping “In Da Club” upside down) and Anderson .Paak played the drums during Slim Shady’s “Lose Yourself,” joining previously announced performers Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem.
Whether Dre played “Still D.R.E.” at the piano, Snoop rapped, Mary Blige’s booty-shaking “Family Affair” or Kendrick’s modern classic “Alright,” it was clear that hip-hop was more than ready to celebrate its moment – and many more to come, we hope. As the Emmys agreed: This was the first Super Bowl halftime show to win an outstanding variety special award (live).
For All NFL And College Football Content:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @mcquadewarnold . Also, do not forget to follow us at On Twitter for even more great football content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the world of Football – especially with all the trade rumors swirling around and free agency new s – college football, and more,click here!