Michael Jackson’s Thriller is widely regarded as the greatest music video of all time. Among its most iconic features is Jackson’s striking red leather jacket—an enduring symbol of 1980s pop culture and Halloween nostalgia.

Originally released in 1983, the Thriller short film was a groundbreaking collaboration between Jackson and director John Landis, known for An American Werewolf in London. Jackson wanted a horror-inspired visual experience, and Landis brought cinematic expertise to the project. Costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis—who had previously styled characters like Indiana Jones—was tasked with creating a bold look that would transform the singer into a commanding figure.

At the time, Jackson was just 25 years old and physically slight—reportedly weighing only 99 pounds with a 26-inch waist. To visually enhance his masculinity and presence on screen, the designer chose a custom-made red calf leather jacket with a V-shaped front, angular shoulders, and dramatic shoulder pads.

This vivid candy-apple red garment not only helped Jackson stand out in dim, zombie-filled scenes but also set a new fashion trend. The jacket’s superhero-like aesthetic, paired with Jackson’s wet-look hair and matching pants, became instantly iconic. It marked the first time Jackson portrayed a romantic lead, and his wardrobe was carefully chosen to support this dual image: both heartthrob and supernatural hero.

Following the video’s explosive success, the jacket inspired a massive wave of counterfeits. Some knockoffs sold for over $500, prompting Jackson to file a lawsuit in 1984 to stop the sale of unauthorized replicas. Despite legal action, bootleg versions continued to circulate—and many were later signed by Jackson and auctioned for high prices.

One such replica was burned during HBO’s controversial Leaving Neverland documentary. Choreographer Wade Robson, one of the accusers featured in the film, was shown destroying memorabilia he claimed Jackson gave him. While many assumed it was the original Thriller jacket, auction records revealed Robson had sold a replica jacket in 2011 for nearly $50,000.

In fact, there were two original jackets made for the Thriller video: one pristine version and one distressed for the zombie transformation scenes. The distressed version is now owned by the Michael Jackson Estate, while the mint-condition jacket was gifted by Jackson to his longtime costume designers, Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush.

Jackson even inscribed the interior lining with personal notes: “To Bush and Dennis, All my love, Michael Jackson.” The jacket was later auctioned in 2011 by Bush, where it fetched an astonishing $1.8 million. It was purchased by Texan businessman Milton Verret, who declared it “the greatest piece of rock and roll memorabilia in history.” He intended to display it at Austin’s Dell Children’s Hospital to help raise money for global charities, honoring Jackson’s legacy.

A portion of the proceeds was also donated to the Shambala Preserve, home to Jackson’s Bengal tigers after he vacated Neverland Ranch.

In 2022, the iconic jacket found a temporary new home at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. It was featured in the “Legends of Rock” exhibit ahead of Thriller’s anniversary, flown in under tight security.

“This is an iconic artifact from Jackson’s monumental career,” said Amanda Panning, curator of the Hall of Fame. “We are thrilled to display it.”

From pop music history to legal battles and public controversy, Michael Jackson’s Thriller jacket remains more than just a piece of clothing—it’s a cultural time capsule. Its bold design, cinematic origin, and posthumous journey make it one of the most valuable and symbolic pieces of music memorabilia in history.