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Michael Jackson's Thriller
1983 14 min United States of America PG 6+
★7.6
Horror, Thriller, Music
Director: John Landis
Trailers
Teaser
EN
EN
Description
A night at the movies turns terrifying when Michael and his date are attacked by zombies. Released at the height of Thriller’s success, the short film redefined the music video, broke racial barriers, and became the first inducted into the U.S. National Film Registry.
Budget:
$500,000
Worldwide:
$76M
Starring
Michael Jackson
Actor
Ola Ray
Actor
Awards
6 wins & 3 nominations.
Key opinion
Michael Jackson's Thriller is widely regarded as a revolutionary masterpiece that transformed the music video into a legitimate cinematic art form. Its blend of high-quality practical effects, iconic choreography, and timeless music has cemented its status as an enduring cultural milestone.
| Originality | The legendary choreography and zombie dance sequence remain a definitive and globally influential cultural motif. | |
| The practical makeup and special effects for the werewolf and zombie transformations hold up remarkably well, often surpassing modern CGI. | ||
| Acting | Michael Jackson's energetic performance and dual role as actor and singer anchor the film's shift between horror, comedy, and music. | |
| Direction | John Landis’s direction successfully elevates a standard music video into a cohesive, cinematic short film that rivals full-length features. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure—blending horror elements with dream-like transitions—is highly engaging, though some viewers note its abrupt shifts in tone and plot. |