On December 2, 1983, one of the most iconic music videos of all time was released: Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The 14-minute short film, directed by John Landis, revolutionized the music video industry and became a cultural phenomenon.
The video features Michael Jackson as a young man on a date with his girlfriend, played by Ola Ray. As they walk through a dark and foggy forest, Michael transforms into a werewolf, and later, a zombie. The video then breaks into an elaborate dance sequence featuring Michael and a group of zombies performing the now-famous "Thriller" dance.
The "Thriller" video was groundbreaking in several ways. It was one of the first music videos to feature a storyline and dialogue, and its length and budget were unprecedented for the time. The special effects, makeup, and choreography were also cutting-edge, and the video's success helped to establish Michael Jackson as one of the biggest stars in the world.
The "Thriller" album, which featured the title track, went on to become the best-selling album of all time, with estimated sales of over 66 million copies worldwide. The video also won several awards, including the Video Vanguard Award at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards.
Today, the "Thriller" video remains a beloved classic and a testament to Michael Jackson's incredible talent and impact on popular culture. Its influence can still be seen in music videos and performances by countless artists, and its iconic status shows no signs of fading anytime soon.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI