This article is about the movie. You may have been looking for the album.
Thriller 40 is a documentary film directed by Nelson George and released on December 2, 2023. It is available for streaming on Showtime and Paramount+ and was briefly aired on television in some countries. The film celebrates the 40th anniversary of Michael Jackson's album, Thriller.
Synopsis[]
| “ | Forty years after the release of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, the best-selling album of all time worldwide, Director Nelson George takes fans back in time to experience the making of the record-breaking album and the release of the accompanying short films that forever redefined the music video format. Featuring never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews, THRILLER 40 chronicles the creation of a pre-internet global phenomenon unlike anything before it or since. “Thriller” launched Michael Jackson into mega-stardom and to this day continues to influence all aspects of culture and entertainment including the worlds of music, dance, and fashion. Music and entertainment luminaries including Usher, Mary J. Blige, Will.I.Am, Mark Ronson, Misty Copeland, Maxwell, and John Landis are featured in the documentary. | ” |
–SHOWTIME, "Thriller 40 Official Trailer | SHOWTIME", October 27, 2023[1] | ||
Cast[]
- John Branca
- John Landis
- Mary J. Blige
- Usher
- will.i.am
- Mark Ronson
- Brooke Shields
- Matt Forger
- Paul Jackson Jr.
- Greg Phillinganes
- Terry Lewis
- Jimmy Jam
- Deborah Nadoolman
- Steve Lukather
Background[]
The film had its first one-time-only screening in cinemas in multiple places around the world on November 30, 2022. In December of that year, it was announced the Thriller 40 documentary would be released on streaming a month later, in January. However, the release got delayed due to technical reasons and it was unknown for many months to come when it'd finally release.
As the film was continuously getting delayed without revealing any release date, Jackson's fans started to become frustrated at the Michael Jackson Estate.
At last, in May of 2023, John Branca stated on his social media, that the movie will be released later that year.[2] The official trailer was finally uploaded by the @Showtime YouTube channel on October 27, 2023.
Reception[]
The film was initially met with mixed reviews with many fans stating it was great seeing the previously-unreleased videos and HD footage of the Victory Tour, but that it didn't delve into making of the album itself, rather its impact. Some also felt, that the movie didn't have a specific direction, with its beginning seemingly going track-by-track, when it only covered a few, very briefly as well.
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