The Untold Truth Of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Video

Music videos were a relatively new art form when Michael Jackson’s Thriller album came out, and the King of Pop did a lot to make them what they are today. His video for “Thriller” is more than just a music video -- it’s a short film. Jackson even got An American Werewolf in London director John Landis to direct the video, and Landis brought along makeup expert Rick Baker.

Even if you’ve seen it countless times, there still might be a lot you don’t know about one of the most iconic music videos in history. Let’s take a look at the untold truth of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video.

#MichaelJackson #Thriller #Music

Creative budgeting | 0:00
John Landis joins | 1:24
On and off screen chemistry | 2:47
Religious woes | 3:56
Weighty metaphors | 4:53
Blockbuster album | 5:46
Home video jumpstart | 6:40
Winning and losing | 8:04
Missing payments | 9:16
Landis sues | 10:16
Thriller lives | 11:10

[GrungeHQ]

Is Thriller the greatest music video ever made?

[xxtranxx]

Michael was one of a kind. Abused and a tortured soul. Rest In Peace

[abellewis]

I like the fact that he made this music video LOOK like a movie.

Everybody didn't do that with their songs.

[alleahsasseville]

Who else was scared by this video of that transformation of MJ? 😂

[TahtahmesDiary]

Michael integrated and saved MTV, helped the VHS industry and changed the music video game. Really wild to consider his impact.

[me]

Thriller has never left the Billboard top 200 chart and currently at 82 as of the time of this post

[extremeconcepts]

He made Epic and CBS eat their words with one of the most iconic music videos of all time...

[iluminadavasquez]

I was 20 when Thiller came out & it was, is & always will be my favorite!!! It’s classic & Vincent Price’s voice at the end is just the topping on the cake!

[Aariyan]

It’s nice to rewatch the history of this legendary video

[DTownNash]

Here after James Safechuck was thrown out of court. Lololol.

[daBEAGLE]

I was 13 when this was released and due to the beginning of the 80s Satanic Panic and everything associated with it, this video freaked me out big time all because my family was Christian.
3 years later i bought Slayers album Hell Awaits.
I guess i can blame MJ for my love of Heavy Metal.

[susancurrie]

I remember when this came out in the 80s. I was in my mid twenties. It was everywhere. I stopped to watch it every chance I got. And of course loved it. I still do. Michael Jackson is my favorite black artist of the twentieth century by far. One of my very first 45s is “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson Five. I loved him back then, too. I still miss him so much.

[instantgratification]

Nothing beats the coin flip in the smooth criminal video 🤣

[Jovibe]

#1 THE KING OF MUSIC!
#2 MJ: THE TRUE KING OF POP!
#3 THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER EVER!
#4 HAS TOP 3 VIDEO'S EVER MADE!
#5 WORLDWIDE
#6 🎤 DROP!

[UK-]

The part of the Thriller video that scared me the most was the ending where Michael Jackson did that creepy smile

[MedyLema]

REAL 'UNTOLD' STORIES of 'Thriller' (if you're interested)

- Rod Temperton (writer and composer of Thriller) wrote this song as 'Starlight Sun'
- Michael is the one doing the wolf sound in the beginning and ending
- Rod Temperton almost never submitted the famous rap by Vincent Price
- Vincent Price allegedly thought nothing of Thriller as he wasn't aware of Michael's popularity, same situation occurred for Eddie Van Halen in 'Beat It'
- Quincy Jones made Michael record 33 takes of Thriller but used the 1st take as a final result
- The famous dance location includes industrial factories in a secluded dirty area of LA, It was nearby a different location for the 'Beat It' video also
- Michael's famous jacket was bought at a Salvation Army store.
- Ola Ray mentioned her admiration and chemistry with Michael a lot but knew deep down he was into Brooke Shields as he'd mention her a lot in their conversations
- According to Todd Bridges (from Diff'rent Strokes), Michael rehearsed Thriller by singing through a tube at their home in Hayvenhurst.
- Thriller revived absolutely everything, from the music stores to music videos, home video businesses, MTV, black artists to be played on MTV, choreography, etc.
- Thriller was so popular it premiered at theatres and it was so well received, the audience wanted an encore.
- Thriller's success was so major Michael Jackson got mobbed more than ever before everywhere he went such as Disneyland, John Landis admitted he got scared.
- Michael was the only untrained dancer in the rehearsal room
- Thriller is the first album ever to reach 30X

[IamMzWllmz]

Yup, I owned the “Making Michael Jackson’s Thriller” on video disc recorder!

[belindauo]

The epitome of greatness. Sad to see failures who were part of history sued Michael over money and not being appreciative of what they were a part of. That only happens when it is Michael. It never happens to anyone else. That is why every year, people care about the impact and not the bums who sued Michael. He was the star, not them.

[NASTYVEGASNATE]

So funny that you have to explain what a video store is these days.

[kristiann]

I see 'Michael Jackson' and I click