Michael Jackson made the music video format what it is today. Back in the days of MTV, black artists weren't even played on the channel. That all changed when Jackson's "Billie Jean" was released. Not only did Jackson break racial barriers, but he broke barriers for future pop stars. Jackson didn't even refer to his work as music videos, he called them "short films."
Through the years, Jackson's short films featured some incredible dancing, imaginative effects, and some cool celebrity cameos. Here are the KIng of Pop's top ten greatest short films.
10. You Rock My World
Featuring an appearance by Marlon Brando and co-starring Chris Tucker, this was the first single from Jackson's 2001 album, "Invincible." The short film also includes classic choreography that only Jackson could pull off.
9. Earth Song
Michael Jackson was speaking about the environment long before it was popular to do so. This was Jackson's call-to-action. This short film was trying to wake people up and beg them to do their part.
8. Billie Jean
This was the moment Jackson transformed into the King of Pop. This was also the moment that began a series of short films which would influence every pop star who came after him.
7. Beat It
Yet another highly influential short film inspired by musicals like "West Side Story." This short film also includes an appearance by dancer/choreographer Vincent Patterson. Patterson would continue to work with Jackson and even choreograph Madonna's "Blond Ambition Tour."
6. Remember The Time
From Jackson's highly acclaimed "Dangerous" album, this short film premiered in 1992. Including celebrity cameos from Eddie Murphy, Iman, and Magic Johnson, this was directed by the late John Singleton.
5. Scream
By the time "Scream" was released in 1995, Janet Jackson made a name for herself beyond her relation to Michael. Janet just wrapped her "janet. World Tour," promoting her most successful album, "janet." Michael turned to Janet's frequent collaborators, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, to write a song that expressed his fury over the 1993 child molestation allegations.
4. Smooth Criminal
This classic short film was inspired by gangster movies and features the infamous "lean" dance move. The full version also includes appearances by Sean Lennon and Joe Pesci.
3. Bad
Believe it or not, this short film introduced Wesley Snipes as an actor. It was also directed by Martin Scorsese and filmed in an actual Subway station in New York City. This short film inspired several videos that followed, including Lady Gaga's "Lovegame."
2. Thriller
"Thriller" is definitely Jackson's most famous short film. Directed by filmmaker John Landis, "Thriller" combined horror with dance. The special effects were cutting edge for their time and revolutionized the music video format.
1. Black or White
Jackson and Landis collaborated again on this 1991 short film. Released as the first single from Jackson's "Dangerous" album, "Black or White" made a powerful statement on racial equality. The iconic "face morph" segment was ahead of its time and included a cameo from Tyra Banks. Other cameos included George Wendt and Macaulay Culkin.
