Top 20 Greatest Lip Sync Performances of All Time

Lip Sync Battle (2015-19)

The first season of this Spike TV show gave us some seriously iconic lip syncs. Krasinski delivered a sassy and sequin-filled rendition of Tina Turners Proud Mary, which he punctuated with stunning moves. But Anna Kendricks fabulous showcase blew him out of the water. She made Jennifer Lopezs hit Booty come alive, even bringing the singer on stage in a surprise cameo. You know you did a good job when J. Lo says youre killing it. Honestly, Kendrick could probably do a great cover of the song herself we know she has the vocal chops. Needless to say, its a great moment.

RuPauls Drag Race (2009-)

Drag Race season 10s The Last Ball on Earth called for more sci-fi looks, and this performance was out of this world. During the lip sync for your life to Nicki Minajs Pound the Alarm, Monét and Dusty attempted to shut it all down with their moves. While Dusty was a consummate professional, Monét proved to be more fun and convincing. Her movements were on beat, and her brassy choreography matched Minajs vocals perfectly. Also, her split fakeout and gas mask gag had the judges roaring. Its no wonder she ended up as the seasons Miss Congeniality!

RuPauls Drag Race (2009-)

The Sugar Ball ended with Jinkx and Detox facing a terrifying possibility: elimination. They were, indeed, fighting for their lives. Malambo No.1 by Yma Sumac is a tongue-twister of a tune, with both operatic high notes and rapid-fire Spanish. The two queens pulled off brave routines, with Detox using her dexterous jaw to her advantage. Jinkxs dance moves and comedic skills carried the battle, though, taking her opponent out of the competition. Jinkx ended up as season 5s winner, and this battle was a harbinger of great things to come.

Lip Sync Battle (2015-19)

Anne Hathaway came in like a wrecking ball in this legendary showcase. In the second round of their battle, Emily Blunt performed Piece of My Heart. Her impression was impressive enough. Hathaway, for her part, delivered an effortless lip sync to Wrecking Ball, dressed like Miley Cyrus herself. To say she brought down the house would be an understatement. After all, she jumped on the actual wrecking ball. Her interaction with Blunt was also priceless. To think, it wasnt Hathaways idea to do the song, but her friend Jenny Lewiss suggestion. Talk about a winning thought.

RuPauls Drag Race (2009-)

Natalie Coles This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) is a classic for a reason. So it was only fitting that it was chosen for a Drag Race battle. The twist? The queens had to perform in front of Cole herself, who was a guest judge. Though visibly under pressure, DiDa pulled off an energetic and lively lip sync, complete with hair flipping. She easily eclipsed Princess more contained style. Indeed, DiDa won this round, making Cole proud. She would eventually have to sashay away later in the season, but this became an everlasting performance on her part.

Lip Sync Battle (2015-19)

Granted, Tysons take on Salt-N-Pepas Push It was fun and energetic, replete with bling. But the image of Terry Crews on the piano miming to Vanessa Carltons A Thousand Miles is indelibly engraved in our minds. How this muscle-bound actor got away with such a convincing rendition is a marvel. It helped that he embodied the emotion of the song so wholeheartedly and without restraint, bringing us back to those White Chicks days. He was definitely a pro, but it also went to show how great the power of lip sync and illusion can be.

Lip Sync Battle (2015-19)

Before the show returned for season 4, we got a special treat: a whole episode dedicated to Michael Jackson. Where to start with these powerhouses? There was Neil Patrick Harris dashingly smooth rendition of Smooth Criminal in a white suit. We also cant forget Laverne Coxs expressive Dirty Diana or Taraji P. Hensons bold take on Beat It. In the end though, Hailee Steinfelds dazzling and uninhibited The Way You Make Me Feel was the clear winner. It was a great episode, and the group number, Wanna Be Startin Something, was awe-inspiring in and of itself.

RuPauls Drag Race All Stars (2012-)

It goes without saying, but Ella Fitzgerald is a tough act to keep up with. In this All Stars 7 episode, top 2 queens Monét and Shea lip synced to the jazz queens rendition of Old MacDonald. They had to nail the rapid-fire delivery, while convincingly portraying Fitzgeralds vocal swoops and jumps, too. It was no small task, and both kept it up admirably but only one could emerge victorious. While Monéts arm moves and jokes were always fun, Sheas convincing lip sync and elegant choreography were superior. She won the round, but honestly, it was a tricky one in both respects.

Lip Sync Battle (2015-19)

This Christmas special was something, well, special. Anthony Mackie started things off with a bang, embodying 2 Legit 2 Quit. The Marvel star delivered a smooth and on point rap lip sync in this MC Hammer tribute. By all accounts, he could have easily won the round. Ultimately though, Gordon-Levitt took things to the next level with Janet Jacksons Rhythm Nation. With a ponytail and a full black ensemble, he pulled off the infamously tricky choreography with seamless panache. Not one beat was missed. Weve all been a part of this rhythm nation since.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014-)

Jimmy Fallon is no slouch when it comes to lip-syncing, with many battles under his belt. In this showdown against Emma Stone, he handled fast rap sections very well. Stone wasnt going to go down without a fight though, and proved her lip sync game is one for the history books. After delivering an excellently raw take on Hook by Blues Traveler, she gave us an outstanding rendition of DJ Khaleds All I Do Is Win. Not only did she nail the main song, but she handled Ludacris rap verse like a pro. Needless to say, she easily eclipsed Fallon. All this actress does is win, no matter what.

Lip Sync Battle (2015-19)

It was the lip sync master against the Rock. Who would win? You knew it, we knew it. Johnson delivered a simple but effective routine set to Taylor Swifts big hit, Shake It Off. With impressive shoulder choreography and perfectly timed jumping, he started and ended strong. Fallons fun and cute performance of Harry Belafontes Jump in the Line couldnt quite beat it, and ended with the host falling prostrate on the floor, exhausted. We all love to jump in the line, but when it comes time to shake it off, its hard to beat the Rock.

RuPauls Drag Race All Stars (2012-)

The inaugural edition of Drag Race All Stars was not everyones favorite, but it certainly gave us some highlights, like this one. Jujubee and Raven were a team, competing against others with the portmanteau Rujubee. Then, they were up for elimination, lip-syncing to Robyns Dancing on My Own. This turned out to be an emotional performance less of a battle than a duet. The fact that both of these queens basically tried to throw it for the other was heartbreakingly bittersweet enough. It was a wonderful tribute to their friendship, so much so that RuPaul did not eliminate either of them. Perhaps she couldnt, and we totally get it.

RuPauls Drag Race (2009-)

Roxxxy and Alyssa got groove on with a lip sync to Willow Smiths Whip My Hair. There was a lot of impressive hair-whipping, to be sure. But it was also the performance that led to that iconic reveal on Roxxxys part, where she took off her wig to reveal another early in the song. She had RuPaul and all of us gagged. Alyssa was no slouch either, delivering an equally passionate routine and stunning hair-ography as well. The two queens were so in-sync that RuPaul decided to have both of them stay. These two ate and left no crumbs.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014-)

One of Jimmy Fallons earlier lip sync battles showcased the talents of Paul Rudd. Indeed, the duo faced off against each other with a formidable song series. Rudd displayed great comic timing with Tina Turners Better Be Good to Me. Fallon pulled off a great lip sync of Foreigners Jukebox Hero, executed with epic rock star panache. But in the end, it was Rudds showcase of Queens 1979 hit Dont Stop Me Now that truly wowed us. With incredibly convincing miming, he delivered the tune with cheeky earnestness. You just cant beat that.

RuPauls Drag Race All Stars (2012-)

Laganja made an iconic entrance on All Stars 6 with a flawless split, making it clear she was taking her role of lip sync assassin very seriously. Trinity and Laganja then got (literally) physical during their performance to Dua Lipas, you guessed it, Physical. Both were fabulous in their own right, with Trinitys holding our attention with her perfectly synchronized moves. But Laganjas spine-bending lip sync and gymnastics were too impressive to ignore. She went hard, and won the battle. Silky Nutmeg Ganache went home by group vote as a result. Laganja was there for a short time in her role as the assassin, but she truly did lip sync for her legacy.

RuPauls Drag Race (2009-)

Peppermint and Trinity graced this season 9 episode with strong performances, set to Britney Spears Stronger. But it was Sasha and Sheas lip sync battle to Whitney Houstons So Emotional that was really special. With Sheas excellent dancing and Sashas expressive miming, the battle got more and more intense in conjunction with Houstons vocals. Both of them served. Of course, it was hard to beat Sashas fluttering rose petals and wig shaking. Nobody could believe what they were witnessing! To this day, it remains one of the most unforgettable Drag Race performances of all time. Its no wonder she emerged victorious in the round, and ultimately won the season.

Lip Sync Battle (2015-19)

Jenna Dewan was giving us diva in the best way here. In this season 2 premiere, she faced off against Channing Tatum with an exquisitely choreographed rendition of Cold-Hearted. She even got Paula Abdul to make a special appearance! Tatums lip sync of Frozens Let It Go gave them a run for their money, though. In full Elsa costume on a snow-capped stage, he wholeheartedly embodied Idina Menzel. It became crystal clear very fast that these two were not afraid to get fully into character! In fact, thats saying nothing of her slaying Pony and him proving that girls do indeed run the world with some help from Beyoncé!

RuPauls Drag Race (2009-)

The eventual winner of season 11 also treated us to this legendary lip sync. Yvie Oddly and Brooke Lynn Hytes went head-to-head bringing Demi Lovatos Sorry Not Sorry to life. Honestly, both killed it. There was Brooke Lynns sensual diva choreography and seamless body drops, and Yvies acrobatics and fabulous moves. They showed off their dexterous limbs without missing a word. We couldnt bear for either to be eliminated, and thankfully, neither of them was! While Yvie got the crown at the end of the season, Brooke Lynn was the runner-up. Sorry, not sorry these queens slayed.

Lip Sync Battle (2015-19)

Who could ever forget this legendary Tom Holland moment? Zendaya delivered a stunning rendition of Bruno Mars 24k Magic with dexterous sliding choreography and some fly moves. But even her on-point showcase could not match Hollands brilliant mash-up of Singing in the Rain and Umbrella. He recreated Gene Kellys iconic scene before making a seamless transition to Rihannas pop hit. Complete with rain on the stage, some leather, and spectacular choreography, he made the Lip Sync Battle history books. He was not playing around, and we cant thank him enough for his services.

RuPauls Drag Race All Stars (2012-)

Here, Alyssa and Tatianna perform Shut Up and Drive, with such eerily close, in-sync choreography one would think this were a collaboration rather than a fight. With drops, acrobatics, and stunning hair shaking, these queens seemed to be feeding off of one another, delivering perfectly complementary routines. It almost seemed like they had rehearsed it beforehand! Unsurprisingly, RuPaul declared them both victorious. Not only is this battle considered one of the best to ever come out of the Drag Race franchise, but the whole episode is similarly lauded. We couldnt ask for anything more.

Which other lip sync battle or performance lives in your head rent-free? Let us know in the comments down below!