13 Facts About Michael Jackson’s Ghost That You Didn’t Know

In the wake of the global success of Thriller, the music video that redefined the genre, Michael Jackson set out to create something even bigger, bolder, and more ambitious. The result was Ghosts, a 40-minute short film released in 1996 that blends music, horror, cutting-edge special effects, and a haunting autobiographical narrative. Co-written by horror legend Stephen King and directed by visual effects icon Stan Winston, Ghosts remains one of Jackson’s most underrated creations. Yet despite its artistic brilliance, the project faded into obscurity. Here are 13 compelling facts that shed light on this eerie, extravagant, and emotionally charged masterpiece.

1. Ghosts Began as a Project Called Is It Scary
Originally developed in 1993, Ghosts was first conceived as a short film titled Is It Scary, tied to the release of Addams Family Values. The project was halted due to behind-the-scenes issues and Jackson’s personal legal troubles, only to be resurrected three years later in a much bigger form.

2. Stephen King Wrote the Script
Horror author Stephen King co-wrote the original screenplay along with Mick Garris, known for Hocus Pocus. Garris was slated to direct but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. His exit opened the door for a new creative force.

3. Michael Jackson Was Determined to Finish It
According to biographer Mike Smallcombe, the false allegations against Jackson in 1993 gave Ghosts a deeper emotional significance. The story of an outcast artist persecuted by a fearful community mirrored Jackson’s own struggles.

4. Stan Winston Took the Director’s Chair
Jackson chose special effects legend Stan Winston—who had worked on The Terminator, Aliens, and Predator—to direct. The two had met years earlier during production on The Wiz in 1978, and their reunion on Ghosts brought stunning visuals to life.

5. Michael Played All the Main Characters
Winston insisted that Jackson play not only the tortured Maestro but also the antagonist Mayor, a ghoul version of the Mayor, and even a dancing skeleton created with early motion capture. The multiple roles required hours of intense makeup and digital transformation.

6. The Mayor May Have Been Based on a Real Prosecutor
The Mayor character bore an uncanny resemblance to Tom Sneddon, the Santa Barbara D.A. who led two investigations against Jackson. Some viewed the character as a subtle, satirical jab at his real-life accuser.

7. It Featured a Moonwalking Skeleton
One of the most iconic moments in Ghosts is when Jackson’s character peels off his skin and moonwalks as a fully animated skeleton. The groundbreaking motion-capture sequence perfectly mirrored Jackson’s real dance moves.

8. Gravity-Defying Dance Sequences
For the massive ghostly dance number, Winston’s team built a rotating green-screen room using a gimbal. This allowed the dancers to perform on walls and ceilings, creating an unforgettable supernatural spectacle.

9. It Was One of the Most Expensive Music Films Ever Made
With a six-week shoot in a hangar at Van Nuys Airport, Ghosts ballooned into a 40-minute epic costing approximately $15 million—most of it funded directly by Jackson himself. The label reportedly questioned the purpose of the project, but Jackson remained committed.

10. It Was the Longest Music Video at the Time
Despite Jackson’s insistence that Ghosts was a “short film,” the Guinness Book of World Records officially recognized it in 2002 as the longest music video ever made at 40 minutes.

11. It Debuted Alongside a Stephen King Film
Ghosts had a limited theatrical release as a double feature with Thinner, another Stephen King adaptation. It was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and won the Bob Fosse Award for Best Choreography.

12. The Soundtrack Expanded Mid-Production
Originally set to just the song “Too Bad,” Ghosts later added “Is It Scary” and the title track “Ghosts” after filming wrapped. Music director Brad Buxer and his team had to edit the songs to match the choreography—a painstaking process over one intense weekend.

13. It’s Still Difficult to Find Today
Despite its artistry, Ghosts never received a proper DVD release in the U.S. It was released on VHS and VCD in Europe, Japan, and the U.K. as part of a special Blood on the Dance Floor box set. Today, fans must dig deep online to find high-quality versions.