1982
1982 · Michael Jackson · USA
Thriller
PopR&BFunk 5:58 Iconic Synth Pop & MTV Era
AlbumThriller
LabelEpic
The 14-minute music video directed by John Landis cost $500,000 — the most expensive ever made at the time — and was broadcast as an MTV special. The Thriller album sold 66 million copies and remains the best-selling album of all time.
Musical Significance
Transformed the music video from promotional tool to art form. MTV's special broadcast of the video was the moment the channel's cultural power was confirmed. The Thriller album defined the blockbuster music era.
Historical Context
Released in 1982, when MTV was reshaping pop culture and the AIDS crisis was beginning to shadow the entertainment industry. The video's monster-movie concept was considered commercially risky by CBS.