People love the Super Bowl halftime show because it combines the excitement of live music, high-energy performances, and jaw-dropping visuals in a spectacle unmatched by other televised events. As a cultural moment, it brings together some of the biggest names in entertainment, offering fans a chance to see iconic artists showcase their talent on one of the world’s largest stages.
The show often blends nostalgia with innovation, featuring medleys of timeless hits alongside creative choreography and cutting-edge production. Its ability to unite diverse audiences, spark conversations, and create unforgettable moments—both musical and visual—makes it a highlight of Super Bowl Sunday.
An overrated halftime show is one that generates disproportionate praise or attention despite falling short in innovation, execution, or emotional impact. These performances may initially impress due to their scale or the artist’s fame but often fail to stand the test of time when viewed critically. Many factors attributing to this include overhyped expectations, mediocre execution, flash over substance, safe/formulaic performances, and relying heavily on nostalgia.
Five overrated and five underrated Super Bowl halftime performances
An underrated halftime show delivers quality, innovation, or significance but doesn’t receive the acclaim it deserves, often because it doesn’t align with the immediate expectations or cultural trends of the time. These performances often grow in appreciation as audiences revisit them with fresh perspectives. Factors include unfair comparisons to others, quiet cultural significance, lack of immediate cultural impact, misaligned expectations, and overlooked excellence.
Let's take a look at five of the most overrated and five of the most underrated performances in Super Bowl halftime show history.
Overrated: Black Eyed Peas (2011)
This performance promised energy and spectacle but delivered an over-reliance on flashy visuals and technical effects. The group struggled with poor sound quality and off-pitch vocals, which distracted from hits like "I Gotta Feeling." Despite guest appearances by Usher and Slash, the performance lacked cohesion and energy, making it one of the most criticized halftime shows.
Underrated: Shakira & Jennifer Lopez (2020)
This performance celebrated Latin culture with unmatched energy, precision choreography, and iconic hits from both stars. Though it received strong praise, some argued it didn’t get enough recognition for its cultural impact and high production quality. Highlights included Shakira’s viral tongue trill and J.Lo’s pole-dancing routine.
Overrated: Maroon 5 (2019)
Despite a setlist full of hits like "Girls Like You" and "Sugar," Maroon 5's performance felt uninspired and underwhelming. Adam Levine’s shirtless moment became more memorable than the music, and the lackluster production didn’t help. Fans were also disappointed by a short and anticlimactic SpongeBob "Sweet Victory" tribute, which fell flat compared to expectations.
Underrated: U2 (2002)
Often overshadowed by flashier shows, U2’s post-9/11 tribute halftime performance remains one of the most heartfelt and emotional in Super Bowl history. As they performed "Where the Streets Have No Name," the names of 9/11 victims were projected, creating a powerful moment of reflection.
Overrated: Coldplay (2016)
While Coldplay’s show featured colorful visuals and optimistic energy, many felt they were overshadowed by guest performers Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. The band's softer, mellow style didn’t translate well to a high-energy stadium setting, leaving some viewers underwhelmed.
Underrated: Diana Ross (1996)
Diana Ross delivered pure spectacle with a medley of hits, multiple costume changes, and a dramatic helicopter exit. Often overlooked, this performance exemplified entertainment and glamour, making it one of the most theatrical shows of its time.
Overrated: Justin Timberlake (2018)
Timberlake’s return to the Super Bowl halftime stage was met with mixed reactions. While the medley of his hits was nostalgic, the show lacked standout moments and felt safe. The controversial Prince tribute drew criticism, with fans finding it inappropriate for Timberlake to include a projection of Prince after their publicized feud.
Underrated: Aerosmith, Britney Spears, NSYNC, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly (2001)
This chaotic mix of rock, pop, and hip-hop is often forgotten, but it was a fun and genre-spanning collaboration that gave something for everyone. The energetic medley ended with a memorable group performance of "Walk This Way."
Overrated: The Weeknd (2021)
The Weeknd’s performance featured striking visuals, including the now-iconic "maze of mirrors" sequence, but it struggled to connect with the massive stadium crowd. Despite investing $7 million of his own money into the production, the show lacked the large-scale energy and dynamic shifts typically expected of a halftime performance.
Underrated: Prince (2007...now considered one of the best)
While Prince’s performance is now regarded as one of the best, it wasn’t initially celebrated to the same extent. Performing in pouring rain, Prince embraced the moment, delivering a flawless rendition of "Purple Rain" that felt almost divine in its timing.
His setlist, which included covers like "Proud Mary" and "All Along the Watchtower," showcased his ability to reinterpret music with his own flair. Despite being perfect in execution, it didn’t receive the immediate universal acclaim it deserved, making it underrated at the time.
Super Bowl halftime performances are the most talked about because they combine the global spotlight of one of the year’s biggest televised events with superstar artists, elaborate productions, and the potential for memorable moments—whether dazzling successes or headline-grabbing missteps.