Michael Jackson in the Movies

He was known as the King of Pop, but Michael Jackson was no stranger to the movie world -- whether he was in the starring role, playing a bit part for comic relief or being paid glorious tribute. In fact, on his videos he worked with some of the biggest directors in the business, everyone from Martin Scorsese ('Bad') and John Landis ('Thriller') to Spike Lee ('They Don't Care About Us') and David Fincher ('Who Is It?').

And now, with the release of his swan song, 'Michael Jackson's This Is It,' the late singer is poised to have perhaps his biggest cinematic success of all. Ease on down the road with us as we take a look back at some of our favorite movie moments from the life of Michael Jackson.

'The Wiz'
Jackson was 20 when he played the Scarecrow in Sidney Lumet's 1978 African-American version of 'The Wizard of Oz.' (You'll have to watch a 30-second ad before viewing this clip, but trust us ... it's worth it.)




'13 Going on 30'
Jennifer Garner knows: Nothing livens up a party like the 'Thriller' dance. NOTHING.




'Men in Black II'
Most people don't remember that Jackson had a cameo in 'Men in Black II.' In fact, the singer had been offered a role in the first 'Men in Black,' but turned it down because he didn't want to play an alien -- then called director Barry Sonnenfeld after the film's release to tell him that he'd wept at the end. "I had to explain to him that it was a comedy," Sonnenfeld told the BBC.




'Rush Hour 2'
Chris Tucker, who starred in Jackson's 'You Rock My World' video, keeps a room full of gangsters entertained with his karaoke rendition of 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough.' Is it just us, or does it sound like he's messing up the lyrics? ("Four-star stop"?)



'Dreamgirls'
No, that's not the real Jackson Five performing on stage, but a fairly dead-on imitation (though the kid playing MJ doesn't quite have his moves).




'Dream a Little Dream 2'
Wow. We will admit that some of us ... have never seen this movie. And therefore we were never treated to the sight of Corey Feldman dancing like MJ -- until now. Time to update the Netflix queue ...




'Free Willy'
Michael Jackson's most famous movie soundtrack song was probably 'Ben,' but we've got a soft spot for 'Will You Be There,' from 'Free Willy.'




Other movie moments:
'Zoolander': Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson do a "walk-off" to Jackson's 'Beat It.'
'The Wedding Singer': Adam Sandler's best friend dresses up in MJ's signature red leather jacket
'Captain EO': Francis Ford Coppola directed this Disney theme parks 3-D movie, starring Jackson as the spaceship captain.
'Bruno': For the movie's premiere, Universal Pictures decided to cut a scene in which Bruno queries Jackson's sister LaToya about MJ's trademark white glove and then steals the singer's number off her Blackberry -- but the studio may still restore the scene for the movie's release.

Got a favorite Michael Jackson movie moment of your own? Share it in the comments below.

More on Michael Jackson, the Legend & the Legacy:
Stars react to Jackson's death | Jackson jokes cut from 'Bruno'
Remembering Michael Jackson | Michael Jackson TV coverage
Watch 'We Are the World' the documentary | TV Squad's Jackson Coverage
Michael Was a Fanboy | Memories of 'Thriller'