Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 Super Bowl halftime performance is getting its own documentary, with Hulu and ESPN announcing a new film exploring the making and lasting impact of one of the most influential live performances in television history.
Titled Spectacle: Michael Jackson at the Super Bowl, the feature-length documentary is scheduled to premiere in February 2027. The film will revisit Jackson’s landmark appearance at Super Bowl XXVII, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the King of Pop helped transform the halftime show into a major entertainment event.
The documentary will feature never-before-seen footage of Jackson and his team, tracing the preparations behind the performance and examining its influence on the Super Bowl’s entertainment legacy.
How Michael Jackson Changed the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Before Jackson took the stage at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on January 31, 1993, the Super Bowl halftime show was largely associated with marching bands and themed musical productions.
Jackson’s appearance changed that approach by placing a global pop superstar at the centre of the event. His performance attracted significant attention, and television viewership increased during the second half of the game — a milestone that helped demonstrate the halftime show’s potential as a major audience attraction.
The performance opened with Jackson appearing on stage after being launched through a trapdoor, before delivering a set that combined his signature choreography with a large-scale production.
His setlist included songs such as “Jam,” “Billie Jean,” “Black or White,” “We Are the World” and “Heal the World.” The performance blended his biggest hits with a message of unity, closing with a large group of children joining him on stage for “Heal the World.”
What to Expect From
Spectacle: Michael Jackson at the Super Bowl
The documentary will explore the planning and production behind Jackson’s performance, including the journey leading up to the event and the show’s impact on sports broadcasting and live entertainment.
It is directed and produced by Bao Nguyen, whose previous work includes The Greatest Night in Pop, the documentary about the making of the charity single “We Are the World.”
The film is a Skydance Sports production made in association with Optimum Productions and NFL Films. Producers include Jesse Sisgold, Jon Weinbach and Lauren Gaffney for Skydance Sports, alongside John Branca for Optimum Productions and Amit Dey for Into the Deep End Films.
The newly announced project will also draw attention to the people and decisions behind a performance that helped establish the template for future halftime shows, which have since featured global stars including Prince, Beyoncé and Rihanna.
A Lasting Legacy for the King of Pop
More than three decades later, Jackson’s 1993 performance remains a defining moment in both his career and Super Bowl history. Its scale, choreography and production helped establish the halftime show as a cultural event capable of attracting audiences beyond football fans.
The upcoming documentary offers an opportunity to revisit that moment through archival footage and a closer look at the work behind the spectacle.
Spectacle: Michael Jackson at the Super Bowl is set to arrive on Hulu and ESPN in February 2027, ahead of the next Super Bowl. International availability may vary by territory, with Disney+ serving as the platform for some markets.
