Ghosts (1997)

88% of users liked it
(2,371 ratings)

This short film is actually a long-form music video, produced to promote Michael Jackson's 1997 album Blood on the Dance Floor, and it features two songs from that release. The obese and overbearing mayor of a small town, like most of his constituents, lives in fear of the "ghosts" that inhabit a… More This short film is actually a long-form music video, produced to promote Michael Jackson's 1997 album Blood on the Dance Floor, and it features two songs from that release. The obese and overbearing mayor of a small town, like most of his constituents, lives in fear of the "ghosts" that inhabit a haunted house near the city limits. One day, the mayor and an angry mob storm the house to demand that the "Maestro" and his ghouls who live in the mansion leave the village. However, once they get to know the Maestro, they discover that he's not such a bad guy after all. Most of the principle characters (including the mayor and the Maestro) are played by Michael Jackson, thanks to the make-up and special effects wizardry of Stan Winston, who served as director for the project. Stephen King co-wrote the story. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 40 min.
Directed By: Stan Winston
Genres: Horror, Musical & Performing Arts, Special Interest

In Theaters: May 9, 1997 Wide

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael E

Fun entertaining and one of MJ's greatest songs of all time, and one of his best music videos.
Phil H

Short film/musical video which is along the same lines as 'Thriller' but not quite as good to be honest. Directed by Stan Winston so you can imagine I'm not lying when I say the whole thing looks damn good plus any video MJ tended to do always did have allot of good… More
Short film/musical video which is along the same lines as 'Thriller' but not quite as good to be honest. Directed by Stan Winston so you can imagine I'm not lying when I say the whole thing looks damn good plus any video MJ tended to do always did have allot of good imagination/fantasy elements which usually looked great and kinda pushed the boat that little bit in terms of special effects. This isn't as much of a earth changing short film but it still has some fantastic horror makeup, costume design, a great set and the standard MJ musical dance routines with many dancers backing him up. If you like MJ you will like this (I enjoyed it as a fan) and its worth seeing if you like Winstons work also as there are some really nice sequences eg. a skeletal MJ doing his famous moves.
Jani H

"Did I scare you?" I wouldn't actually categorize this as a film. 'Ghosts' is a genuine music video and in fact holds the record of the longest music video ever made. And what a music video it is! I have to start by saying that I've recently started to… More
"Did I scare you?" I wouldn't actually categorize this as a film. 'Ghosts' is a genuine music video and in fact holds the record of the longest music video ever made. And what a music video it is! I have to start by saying that I've recently started to listen to Michael Jackson's music. After his death, he became more covered in the media and I just became interested. Don't get me wrong. I've known his music since the late 80's and I've even tried unsuccessfully to copy his moonwalkin'. Never managed to do it... Not a dancer. Now I've started to listen to his music and I'll say this from the heart: Michael Jackson is an Entertainer. I saw 'Ghosts' back in '97 when it was shown on the TV. It was promoted as the biggest video ever and they were right. 'Ghosts' was fantastic and, now 13 years later, still looks amazing. What I've learned from MJ is that everything he did, he did it thoroughly with great focus and ambitions. Think of it, 13 year old SFX's and they hardly seem out dated. There is a small hunt-and-banish the freaky guy out of town plot but that's not the point here. It's all about MJ's dance and music. He is the greatest single performer that has ever lived. The timing of his music, the usage of his body... The background dancers. Everything is guaranteed MJ. Just as the fans like it. There are small things that bothered me a bit. In '97, MJ had already reached the peak of his career. The songs in 'Ghosts' aren't just not good enough. They're ok but like so many other artists, MJ made his best songs in the start of his career. Another thing was the obvious "twist" that I figured out instantly. It kinda weakened the whole experience. 'Ghosts' is no "Thriller" but this I can say... 'Ghosts' is the biggest (and probably most expensive) music video ever made. It also works as a short film and it's definitely worth a look, especially if you're a fan of the late legendary visual effects and make-up artist guru, Stan Winston.
Tim S

Saw it once. That was enough. I'm an MJ fan, but this music video just derailed from the get-go.
Candy R

Michael Jackson is a genius. He loved to entertain. He mixed music and film and magic together. He didn't see his music videos as just videos to go with his music, but rather short movies that tell a story - as you have seen with 'Thriller'. Now 'Ghosts' tells… More
Michael Jackson is a genius. He loved to entertain. He mixed music and film and magic together. He didn't see his music videos as just videos to go with his music, but rather short movies that tell a story - as you have seen with 'Thriller'. Now 'Ghosts' tells the story of a man who lives in a haunted house whom the townsman want to run out of town.
Cassandra M

As a life long fan of Michael Jackson, you could argue that I am bias. But one of the reasons why Jacko's career is so amazing, is his music videos. No artist in history has created as many fantasical music videos as he. Billie Jean, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Leave Me Alone,… More
As a life long fan of Michael Jackson, you could argue that I am bias. But one of the reasons why Jacko's career is so amazing, is his music videos. No artist in history has created as many fantasical music videos as he. Billie Jean, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Leave Me Alone, Black or White, Remember the Time.... This list goes on, Jacko is a quality entertainer! The dancing is spectacular, The soundtrack is awesome, the melodies and rifts are vintage Jackson and the special fx are superb. Sure, it could be seen as Thriller of the 90's, but who else could produce such a thing? Madonna? not a chance! anyone? not even close! What suprises me the most is its limited release and promotion. If the music was publisised more and the short film was given its deserved air-time, then people would have to stand back and watch in ore of a true genius at work. 10/10, As music videos go, Ghost is spectacular and only the true King of Pop could produce such a masterpiece!
d j

Not as good as Thriller but the dancing is still hot! :)