Sixteen years after his death, Michael Jackson is still making chart history. In July, Jackson became the first solo artist ever to land a Hot 100 top-10 hit in six separate decades, powered by “Thriller”’s ongoing resurgence — a run that’s also pushed “Beat It” to a new career-high No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, with six Jackson tracks sitting in that chart’s top 10 at once, according to Forbes. It isn’t a one-week fluke, either — Jackson’s catalog has been climbing steadily for months, part of a chart run that’s made him the first artist, dead or alive, to hit the Hot 100 top 10 across six decades. With Halloween season approaching, “Thriller” is about to do what it does every year — come roaring back into pop culture. Which makes this the perfect moment to revisit one of the wildest tributes the song has ever inspired: a pair of Nike sneakers built entirely around its most iconic imagery.
The Music Video Behind the Sneakers
Very few pop musicians can even come close to matching Michael Jackson’s legendary status. His reign as the “King of Pop” was no accident — but his contributions went beyond the music itself. His distinctive dance moves and cutting-edge videos were just as central to his impact. Nowhere is that clearer than in “Thriller,” Jackson’s 1983 video that’s still shaping pop culture more than 40 years later. Elements from it — the red jacket, the zombie choreography — keep resurfacing everywhere, including in sneaker design. Case in point: the “Werewolf” Nike Air Jordan 1 and the “Zombie” Nike Dunk Low, two customs from designer The Surgeon that lean directly into the video’s most haunting imagery.
Many people consider John Landis’ “Thriller” video a cultural phenomenon, regarded by fans and critics alike as one of the best music videos ever made. Whether you’ve sat through the entire 13-minute short film or not, its imprint is everywhere — the spooky choreography, the red leather jacket. The imagery of Jackson transforming into a werewolf isn’t for the faint of heart, but nearly 45 years on, it’s become one of the most referenced pieces of pop culture history — and, as it turns out, sneaker history too.
The Werewolf Jordan 1 and Zombie Dunk Low, Up Close
The “Werewolf” Air Jordan 1 High leans directly into Jackson’s on-screen transformation. Varsity red chenille overlays and blue denim on the quarter panels and tongue mirror the red letterman jacket and jeans from the video. The collar is finished in shaggy brown fabric with embroidered claws peeking out behind a red-and-yellow Nike Swoosh, and there’s a hidden graphic of glowing yellow cat eyes tucked behind the tongue.
The Zombie Dunk Low takes the same approach with a different scene. A plush red leather upper nods to Jackson’s iconic jacket, complete with pushed-up sleeves. The sole is paint-smeared and glows in the dark, there are zombie eyes hidden behind the tongue, and — in maybe the design’s best detail — a hidden zip pocket built into the shoe itself.
Where to Find “Thriller”-Inspired Sneakers Today
Here’s the catch: these Thriller Nikes were exclusive to The Surgeon’s 2023 Halloween commissions and were never sold to the public. There’s a real chance he brings a version back — Halloween customs are practically an annual tradition for him — so it’s worth watching his channels as the season approaches. In the meantime, there’s also this Air Jordan 1 “Royal Red/Gold” tribute, which nods to Jackson’s 1984 American Music Awards jacket instead.
Real-Life Alternates
Can’t get The Surgeon’s customs? The Nike Ja 2 “Nightmare” and Air Jordan 1 Low “Black Cat” channel the same eerie energy — both are real, shoppable releases, no waitlist required.
The Ja 2 “Nightmare” ($130) leans into glow-in-the-dark detailing and creeping red accents, while the “Black Cat” AJ1 Low (≈$125) keeps things sleeker for daily wear — both at standard Nike retail, no resale markup.
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What’s your take on these Thriller Nike sneakers? Do you find the “Werewolf” Nike Air Jordan 1 High appealing, or is the Zombie Dunk Low more your style?
