The 10 Greatest Super Bowl Halftime Shows of All Time, Ranked

Playing "Purple Rain" in an actual purple rainstorm. Transcendent. Universally regarded as the greatest performance in halftime show history.

The show that invented the modern halftime show. Jackson stood motionless for 90 seconds and held 100 million people captive. Ratings surpassed the game itself.

Hip-hop took over the Super Bowl with 50 Cent hanging upside down and Eminem kneeling at the end. The most technically impressive show ever staged.

She literally caused a power outage. Her dancing, vocal precision, and reunion with Destiny's Child made this one of the most emotional performances ever.

A politically charged, creatively daring set in New Orleans. Kendrick proved he is the defining voice of his generation on the world's biggest stage.

Just five months after 9/11, U2's performance with victims' names scrolling on a screen was an act of collective healing. Bono opening his jacket to reveal an American flag was one of the most powerful moments in Super Bowl history.

A celebration of Latin culture that was visually spectacular and culturally significant. J.Lo's pole dancing and Shakira's tongue-waggling generated the most memes of any show.

Left Shark became the most talked-about halftime show moment in years. Perry's production was massive and joyful.

Gaga jumped off the stadium roof. The opening national anthem medley was goosebump-inducing.

A celebration of R&B and hip-hop history with a string of surprise guests in Las Vegas.