A night at the movies turns into a nightmare when Michael and his date are attacked by a hoard of bloodthirsty zombies - only a "Thriller" can save them now.
The actor takes on a dark new role in The Intruder but remembers the fun of The Parent Trap.
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Title: Michael Jackson: Thriller (Video 1983)
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6 wins & 3 nominations.
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
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Storyline
Michael Jackson and his date are watching a movie. They leave, and take a shortcut through the graveyard on the way home. Michael turns into a werepanther-type creature, and then later a zombie, as he gets down and funky in a tremendous dance scene to the tune of his song "Thriller." Written by Afterburner <aburner@erols.com>
Plot Keywords:
music video | michael jackson | 1980s music | graveyard | watching a movie |Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
14 December 1983 (Canada) See more »Also Known As:
Michael Jackson's Thriller See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,100,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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[a car slows down and stops near a forest. Its passengers, Michael and his girl, stare at each other]
Michael: Honestly, we're out of gas!
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Performed by Michael Jackson
Featuring "Rap" by Vincent Price
Produced by Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson
Written by Rod Temperton
Synthesizers: Brian Banks and Greg Phillinganes (uncredited)
Trumpet: Gary Grant and Jerry Hey (uncredited)
Trombone: Bill Reichenbach (uncredited)
Sax and flute: Larry Williams (uncredited)
Mastering by Bernie Grundman (uncredited)
Recorded & Mixed by Bruce Swedien
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
When Michael Jackson was informed that his co-star Ola Ray had posed nude for Playboy (June 1980), Jackson confessed that he had not seen her centerfold, and was not informed prior to the video shoot that she had posed for Playboy. (Ray was then the girlfriend of Jim Brown). See more »Goofs
In one scene, Michael's right "cat's eye" contact lens is askew and not in straight. See more »Quotes
[first lines][a car slows down and stops near a forest. Its passengers, Michael and his girl, stare at each other]
Michael: Honestly, we're out of gas!
See more »
Crazy Credits
At the end of the closing credits, a disclaimer appears: "Any similarity to actual events or characters living, dead, (or undead) is purely coincidental." This same disclaimer was seen in John Landis's film An American Werewolf in London (1981). See more »Alternate Versions
In 2017, it was remastered from the original 35mm negative and converted into 3D under John Landis' supervision. The audio was also updated to 5.7, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos standards. The remastered 3D version first premiered at the 74th Venice Film Festival on September 4th, 2017 alongside the 'Making Of' documentary. In 2018 it was further remastered by IMAX and preceded screenings of "The House With a Clock in its Walls" - a 2D version was also submitted for classification in the UK. See more »Soundtracks
ThrillerPerformed by Michael Jackson
Featuring "Rap" by Vincent Price
Produced by Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson
Written by Rod Temperton
Synthesizers: Brian Banks and Greg Phillinganes (uncredited)
Trumpet: Gary Grant and Jerry Hey (uncredited)
Trombone: Bill Reichenbach (uncredited)
Sax and flute: Larry Williams (uncredited)
Mastering by Bernie Grundman (uncredited)
Recorded & Mixed by Bruce Swedien
See more »
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Enjoy a night in with these popular movies available to stream now with Prime Video.
John Landis truly outdid himself when he directed Michael Jackson's THRILLER as a short film. Of course, it's corny, the dialogue is terrible and it all seems way too cheesy, but it's perfect none-the-less.
Michael and his date are out at the cinema to view the latest horror flick. When it all gets a little too graphic for the date, she leaves. Michael follows. On the way home, they decide to take a shortcut through the local graveyard. There, it begins.
The actual thriller dance is amazing. It's full of those trademark Jackson moves, as well as some memorable zombie moves, too. It doesn't appear rushed at all, nor too long. The whole thing seems movie-like and it really is actually rather scary. Of course, it's one of the most famous music videos of all time, and is probably the greatest music video ever made as well.
Overall: Watch it, seriously. Those 13 minutes will be some of the best ever spent staring at a screen. (5/5)