Music Videos & Their Movie Inspirations: Side-by-Side

Thriller, Michael Jackson (1983)

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

In pretty much every way, director John Landis music video for Jacksons enduring smash hit broke new ground. One of the most expensive music videos ever made at the time of its release, Jacksons considerable celebrity played a huge part in getting the $500,000 project funded. Jackson was inspired to devise the Thriller video after seeing Landis American Werewolf, which had proven a major hit for Universal Pictures a few years earlier. Jackson also recruited Rick Baker, that films pioneering make-up artist, to reprise his role for Thriller. Funnily enough, it was Baker who decided to make Jackson a were-cat, citing a lack of interest in repeating himself after American Werewolf.

Fancy, Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX (2014)

Clueless (1995)

Featuring one of the catchiest choruses of the 2010s, Iggy Azaleas Fancy is an unabashed ode to living the high life. It makes sense, then, that director Amy Heckerlings beloved 90s coming-of-age comedy served as a reference point for the Fancy music video. In fact, the Australian rapper was so committed to authenticity that the Fancy video was shot at the same Los Angeles high school where Clueless was filmed. The video closely mimics the films visual style, down to the vibrantly colorful, scarily accurate 90s costuming. We have to wonder if Iggy and Charli will make cameos in the upcoming Clueless sequel series

Lost in Japan, Shawn Mendes (2018)

Lost in Translation (2003)

Director Sofia Coppolas artful 2003 comedy-drama was the first step in a major career renaissance for star Bill Murray. In the film, Murray plays a disillusioned American movie star who befriends Scarlett Johansson's Charlotte in Tokyo. Despite their significantly different life experiences, the two bond over their shared loneliness and alienation. As such, Shawn Mendes Lost in Japan, the second single off of his 2018 self-titled album, thematically owes a lot to Lost in Translation. Lost in Japan often acts as a shot-for-shot remake of Coppolas film, featuring Mendes taking Murrays place. We have to thank Shawn for focusing on the more fun aspects of Lost in Translation, and leaving out its heartbreaking ending!

1999, Charli XCX featuring Troye Sivan (2018)

Movies of the 90s

If Fancy and 1999 are any indication, it looks like British pop provocateur Charli XCX has a real soft spot for the 90s! If youre missing the decade, but need a quick dose of nostalgia, hit play on the 1999 music video. Keeping in line with Charlis cheeky, irreverent sense of humor, the video pays tribute to some of the most beloved and acclaimed films of the late 90s, particularly The Matrix, American Beauty, and Titanic. While its tempting to be pedantic when you remember that Titanic actually came out in 1997, 1999 is inarguably a pitch-perfect time capsule of what feels like a more innocent era.

Countdown, Beyoncé (2011)

Funny Face (1957)

If theres anything we know about Queen Bey by now, its that she never fails to push the envelope in any project she takes on. Case in point: the Countdown music video, in which Beyoncé reunited with her Sweet Dreams director Adria Petty. According to Petty, Bey came prepared with several cultural references, which included German modern-dance references, believe it or not. Most importantly for our video today, Petty noted that one of the strongest wardrobe references was Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face when she does the beatnik dance scene. I think a lot grew from there.

Good 4 U, Olivia Rodrigo (2021)

Jennifers Body (2009), Audition (1999)

A box office bomb and critical flop at the time of its 2009 release, director Karyn Kusamas Jennifers Body has been reevaluated in the years since as a feminist masterpiece. In the Good 4 U video, Olivia Rodrigo adopts the films visual aesthetic, featuring plenty of appropriate cheerleader imagery, a clear nod to the high school setting of Jennifers Body. Rodrigo really shows off her cinephile chops in the videos opening minute, being filmed by two men in a tribute to Takashi Miikes Audition. For those whove seen Audition, youll likely be grateful that Rodrigo chose to pay homage to this scene, rather than the films traumatizing ending.

Cold Hearted, Paula Abdul (1989)

All That Jazz (1979)

This legendary musical stands as director Bob Fosses magnum opus, and countless films, television shows, and music videos have taken inspiration from and paid tribute to it. Of course, its only logical that Paula Abdul would have one of the most enthralling takes. A highly successful choreographer before breaking out as a major pop star in her own right, Abduls 1989 debut album Forever Your Girl was a breakout hit from the time of its release. Cold Hearted, the albums fifth single, puts Abduls considerable physical talents to perfect use, specifically referencing All That Jazzs Take Off With Us sequence to great effect.

Telephone, Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé (2010)

Movies of Quentin Tarantino

While Quentin Tarantino may not be the first filmmaker that comes to mind when you think of a feminist anthem, Gaga and Beyoncé made reference to several of his films with this 2010 collaboration. Specifically, the Telephone video pays tribute to the directors cult hits Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. While neither Gaga nor Beyoncé don Uma Thurmans instantly-iconic yellow jumpsuit or her Onitsuka Tiger sneakers, they do drive in a certain automobile that came right from the Kill Bill set. This wasnt just simple homage: Gaga shared that, once she revealed her inspiration for the video to the director, he enthusiastically encouraged her to borrow the actual P-Wagon for Telephone.

Material Girl, Madonna (1985)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

An instant-classic hit needs an instant-classic video. And how could Madonna possibly have gone wrong in emulating Marilyn Monroes star-making turn in director Howard Hawks classic musical comedy? The Material Girl music video is now arguably as recognizable as the Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend sequence that inspired it. Said Madonna as to why she chose to embody Monroe, Marilyn was made into something not human in a way, and I can relate to that. [...] And there were certain things about her vulnerability that I'm curious about and attracted to. In a distinctly anti-material twist, the video features Madonna eschewing fancy things in favor of simple romance. But no one ever talks about that part

Thank U, Next, Ariana Grande (2018)

Comedies of the 2000s

Ahh, the moment youve all been waiting for. Sure, maybe you saw this one coming, but how could we resist? Grandes viral smash is every millennials dream music video. Spurred on by conversations between the pop star and music video director Hannah Lux Davis, the Thank U, Next video expertly weaves in references to four seminal teen comedies. Those would be Bring It On, Legally Blonde, 13 Going on 30, and most prominently of all, Mean Girls, from which it borrows the beautifully cringeworthy Jingle Bell Rock performance. Featuring cameos abound from the original films stars, the Thank U, Next video proves that imitation really can be the sincerest form of flattery.

Which music video tribute is your favorite? Are there any we missed? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!