A die cushion force control method and a die cushion apparatus generates a die cushion force on a cushion pad based on a die cushion force command value set in advance. A die cushion force command value equal to or larger than a target die cushion force command value is outputted initially in order to suppress an initial die cushion force overshoot generated when the target die cushion force command value configured to be stepwise is used as the die cushion force command value, then a die cushion force command value decreased continuously (gradually) so as to be smaller than the target die cushion force command value is outputted, and subsequently a die cushion force command value increasing gradually so as to be equal to the target die cushion force command value is outputted.