MJJ Tribute website - Movies, Video (games) & Musical
Michael Jackson was so much more than just a music artist. Throughout his life, Michael Jackson nurtured a deep passion for filmmaking, taking acting lessons from Marlon Brando and producing elaborate narrative short films. He had multiple ambitions to both act in and direct major cinematic projects.
The Wiz
Michael Jackson starred as the Scarecrow in the 1978 musical film The Wiz. It is a celebrated African-American reimagining of The Wizard of Oz and marks Michael's first major motion picture appearance. Shot extensively on locations in New York City (including Queens and the World Trade Center plaza) between July and December 1977
Michael Jackson played the Scarecrow. To prepare for his graceful, bird-like, and fluid dance movements, Jackson studied videos of cheetahs, gazelles, and panthers.
Quincy Jones supervised the adaptation. His exceptional working relationship with Jackson on this movie led directly to Jones producing Jackson's smash-hit solo albums.
Thriller
Released in 1983 on VHS including a making off, Michael Jackson's Thriller is the iconic, 14-minute music video and short film directed by John Landis. The cinematic masterpiece features Jackson transforming into a werewolf and a zombie, performing the groundbreaking graveyard dance routine that redefined the music video medium. The making off takesook viewers behind the scenes to showcase the extensive choreography, movie-style makeup, and special effects used to create the original. The VHS runs for 60 minutes in total and it sold over 1 million copies within months, making it the best-selling video release of all time at that point.
Captain EO
Captain EO is a groundbreaking 1986 3D sci-fi short film starring Michael Jackson. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and executive produced by George Lucas, the 17-minute musical epic was created specifically as an immersive 4D theme park attraction for Walt Disney Studios.
Captain EO (Jackson) is the heroic, mystical leader of a ragtag spaceship crew. Their mission is to deliver a musical gift to the evil, witch-like Supreme Leader—ruler of a dark, mechanical world. Armed with the power of music and dance, EO transforms the wicked Queen into a beautiful being and her ruined planet into a vibrant, lush world. His crew includes:
Fuzzball: Jackson’s small, flying alien sidekick.
Hooter: A clumsy, elephant-like alien.
Idee and Odee: A double-headed navigator.
Major Domo & Minor Domo:A modular, peg-legged robotic security team.
With an estimated budget between $23.7 and $30 million, it is widely regarded as one of the most expensive films ever created on a per-minute basis. It heavily utilized in-theater practical effects (such as lasers, mist, and rocking seating) to pull guests directly into the sci-fi action.
Moonwalker
Moonwalker (1988) is an experimental anthology musical film starring Michael himself in the lead role. Instead of a traditional narrative, it combines a career retrospective, live concert footage, animated shorts, and an extended sci-fi action sequence based on the hit song "Smooth Criminal" and ending the movie with a Beatle tribute song "Come Together".
The movie was released on October 29, 1988 (Theatrical) and January 10, 1989 (Home Video). Director: Various, including Jerry Kramer and Colin ChilversB. Runtime was 93 minutes and its budget was $22 million. It made $67 million at the box office.
Ghosts
Michael Jackson's Ghosts is a 1996 musical horror short film starring Michael Jackson, directed by special effects legend Stan Winston, and co-written by horror novelist Stephen King
The story follows the Maestro (played by Jackson), an eccentric man with supernatural powers who entertains local children with magic tricks. The conservative town mayor leads an angry mob to his spooky mansion to force him out of town. Michael Jackson plays five different characters in the film. Thanks to heavy prosthetic makeup, he completely transforms into the following characters: Without prostetic himzelf, the Mayor, the ghoul Major, the scelaton and the super ghoul.
The number "Ghosts" was officially released worldwide as a commercial single in 1997 for the Blood on the Dancefloor album. Same year the short movie came out on VHS and a special limited edition box set. Both editions also included the making of... Michael Jackson's Ghosts has a running time of 38 minutes and 37 seconds.
This is it
Michael Jackson's This Is It is a 2009 musical documentary that chronicles the King of Pop's preparations for his planned 50-show residency at the O2 Arena in London.Released just four months after his passing in June 2009, the film compiles backstage rehearsal footage, costume fittings, and interviews. It serves as a visual tribute to his artistic vision and perfectionism, offering fans a glimpse into his final creative masterpiece.
Directed by Kenny Ortega it was released October 28, 2009. It became the highest-grossing documentary and concert film in history, generating over $260 million globally.
Michael
Michael is a major biographical film centered on the life and legacy of the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, released globally in theaters on April 24, 2026. The biographical narrative explores Michael's journey from childhood to global superstardom, beginning with his early days in Gary, Indiana, it follows the rise of the Jackson 5, his transition into a solo career with Motown and Epic Records, and the creation of his most iconic performances up through his massive solo tours.The film highlights his relentless artistic drive alongside his deeply complicated off-stage personal life, family dynamics, and public struggles.
Michael Jackson is played by Jafaar Jackson, Michael's real-life nephew who makes his feature film debut portraying his uncle... the film has become a massive global phenomenon and we think Jafaar deserves an Oscar for his role.
The movie had a staggering 200 million budget and is already the highest-grossing music biopic and highest-grossing biographical film of all time, officially surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody. It has also broken records as the highest-grossing film ever released by Lionsgate and is rapidly approaching the $1 billion mark.
Video (games)
Ubisoft The Experience
Published by Ubisoft in 2010, this music and rhythm game relies on motion controls to mimic Michael's signature choreography. Role: Released on nearly all major contemporary consoles (Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, DS, PSP). Gameplay: Players can sing along and mirror Michael's dancing to some of his biggest tracks, including "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Smooth Criminal".
While not a "Michael Jackson game" per se, it is a massive piece of his gaming history. Michael famously worked with Sega in 1994 to compose and produce uncredited music for this classic Sega Genesis title. While his exact involvement was shrouded in mystery for decades, many of his musical motifs and chord progressions remain recognizable in the game's final soundtrack.
Sega Moonwalker
Michael Jackson's history with video games is legendary, highlighted by his own Sega collaborations in 1990, where he not only licensed his music and likeness but also actively contributed to game development. Moonwalker is an isometric beat-'em-up featuring up to three players where you rescue children. Because Michael refused to fight with weapons, his character defeats enemies by shooting energy magic or using a special "Dance Attack" that forces all on-screen enemies to dance until they die.
Sega Scrambling Training
"Michael Jackson in Scramble Training" was an interactive 1993 space-flight simulator ridefilm developed by Sega. Michael starred as "Commander Jackson," a charismatic flight instructor who guided players through a futuristic training mission while riding the company's proprietary AS-1 motion simulator.
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Cameo's
Men in Black II (2002). Michael being
a massive fan of the original 1997 film,
He personally requested a role from
director Barry Sonnenfeld. He makes a
brief appearance as "Agent M" in a
monitors room, earnestly lobbying to
join the MIB organization
Michael Jackson plays the role of Agent
MJ in the 2004 parody comedymovie
"Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls"
which spoofed films like Cast Away,
Jurassic Park, Planet of the Apes
and Man in Black. Michael's scenes
were shot at his Neverland Ranch home."
His carater "Agent M.J.", a mysterious
agent who helps guide a stranded
planeload of beauty contestants.
Michael did the voice over for the
character Leon Kompowsky in Season
3 of the Simpsons episode "Stark
Raving Dad," (1991). His character
is a mental patient who believes
he is the King of Pop. Because
of strict record label contracts,
he could not be credited under his
his real name (he was billed as "John
Jay Smith") and reportedly used a
sound-alike for the musical numbers.
As a huge fan of of the series Space
Channel 5 Michael had a cameo as
Space Michael in 1999 & Space Channel
5: Part 2 in 2002. Michael did the
voice overs and the motion capture-dans
movements.
Michael Jackson was a playable character
in the 2000 arcade boxing game Ready 2
Rumble Boxing: Round 2. He was fully
motion-captured and unforgettably provided
his own speaking voice for the character,
Musicals
Michael Jackson was the executive producer
and and primary financial backer of
"Sisterella", a celebrated pop and R&B musical
that served as a modern, predominantly Black
musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella
fairy tale. The highly acclaimed stage
production went on to win eight NAACP
Theatre Awards.
Video's
A list of all Michael's video's can be found on
Michael's official IMBD page.
link to IMBD page