Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- vivid
- playful
- surreal
- family movie night
- 1980s nostalgia night
What critics said
Critics generally praised the music, choreography, and visual energy but found the film structurally incoherent and too loosely connected to function as a satisfying conventional movie.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film moves between career montages, music videos, the child-performed 'Badder' parody, animation, and the 'Smooth Criminal' adventure.
Michael becomes a magical hero who uses extraordinary powers to protect Sean, Katie, and Zeke from Mr. Big.
The production combines live action, animation, claymation, robots, dancing, and elaborate music-video effects.
The career montage, fan chase, stage persona, and magical transformation all elevate Michael's public image into fantasy.
Films like Moonwalker, and why
The Wiz
music-driven spectacle combining performance sequences, fantasy adventure, and playful effects
Purple Rain
artist-centered musical fantasy with episodic structure and extravagant choreography
Labyrinth
family-oriented fantasy adventure featuring children, villains, music, and heightened visual invention
The Beatles: Yellow Submarine
anthology-like musical film built from performance segments and surreal visual set pieces
Movie Details
- Directors
- Colin Chilvers, Will Vinton, Jerry Kramer, Jim Blashfield
- Release Date
- 1988-10-29
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (694)
Cast
- Michael Jackson
- Joe Pesci
- Sean Ono Lennon
- Kelley Parker
- Brandon Quintin Adams
- Ben Aaron
- Bilal
- Brent Kelly
- Khiry Abdul-Samad
- Jose Chaidez
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Moonwalker about?
- Michael Jackson's pop mythology erupts into a colorful collage of music videos, animation, and a magical rescue adventure.
- What is Moonwalker like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Moonwalker as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Moonwalker violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Moonwalker as moderate.
- What did critics think of Moonwalker?
- Critics generally praised the music, choreography, and visual energy but found the film structurally incoherent and too loosely connected to function as a satisfying conventional movie.
- Which films are like Moonwalker?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wiz, Purple Rain, Labyrinth, and The Beatles: Yellow Submarine.
- How long is Moonwalker?
- Moonwalker runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch Moonwalker?
- In United States, Moonwalker is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
