Music Videos That Recreated Famous Movie Scenes Scene for Scene: Part 2
In part one, we covered five music videos that turned a favorite movie into a full shot list, from Will Smith’s belated Matrix moment to the Beastie Boys’ tribute to a 1968 Italian cult classic. Part two closes out the list with five more, including the single most famous movie-inspired music video ever made. These are the videos that decided homage was not enough. They wanted a full remake.
6. “Material Girl” by Madonna, Homage to “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”
Madonna borrowed one of the most famous scenes in movie history for this one. The pink satin gown, the swirl of tuxedoed suitors and the theatrical staging all recreate Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” number from the 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Director Mary Lambert leaned into the old Hollywood glamour so hard that the video became just as iconic as the scene it was copying, and it cemented Madonna’s knack for turning classic cinema into pop culture shorthand.
7. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, Homage to “An American Werewolf in London”
It is the granddaddy of them all. Director John Landis, who also made “An American Werewolf in London,” brought that film’s practical werewolf transformation straight into Jackson‘s 1983 video, complete with the same makeup effects wizard, Rick Baker. The opening werewolf sequence is essentially a condensed remake of Landis’s own movie, before the video pivots into its now-legendary zombie choreography. At nearly 14 minutes long, “Thriller” did not just borrow from horror movies, it became one, and changed what a music video could be in the process.
8. “Everlong” by Foo Fighters, Homage to “The Evil Dead”
Michel Gondry’s video for “Everlong” splits into two dueling dreams, and one of them is a direct spoof of Sam Raimi’s “The Evil Dead.” While Dave Grohl dreams he is Sid Vicious protecting Taylor Hawkins at a house party, Hawkins dreams of a cabin in the woods under siege by the same Teddy Boy attackers, right down to the shaky handheld camera work Raimi made famous. It is a strange, surreal little movie parody tucked inside a bigger fever dream, which is very on brand for Gondry.
9. “thank u, next” by Ariana Grande, Homage to “Mean Girls,” “Legally Blonde,” “Bring It On” and “13 Going on 30”
Instead of picking one film, Ariana Grande remade four. The 2018 video recreates the Burn Book scene and the Plastics’ hallway walk from “Mean Girls,” the pink-drenched sorority world of “Legally Blonde,” the cheer squad energy of “Bring It On” and the candy-colored dance party from “13 Going on 30.” Grande recruited original cast members, including Jennifer Coolidge and Kris Jenner filling in for Amy Poehler’s role, to make the tributes feel authentic rather than just costume changes. It remains one of the most ambitious multi-movie mashups any pop star has attempted.
10. “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, Homage to “Clueless”
Iggy Azalea traded her usual visuals for a full “Clueless” cosplay in this 2014 video, recreating Cher Horowitz’s computerized closet, her plaid schoolgirl outfit and even the driving lesson scene from Amy Heckerling’s 1995 comedy. The yellow Jeep, the mall food court and the overall pastel color palette all mirror the film so closely that it plays less like a reference and more like a shot-for-shot sequel. Nearly two decades after “Clueless” hit theaters, this video introduced the movie’s aesthetic to an entirely new generation of viewers.
Why Movie-Inspired Music Videos Keep Working
There is a reason directors keep raiding film history for music video ideas. Movies already come with built-in visual language: iconic costumes, recognizable settings and scenes fans can quote from memory. Recreating those moments gives a music video instant emotional shorthand, and it rewards longtime movie fans while pulling in casual viewers curious about the reference. It also does not hurt that a good movie homage tends to age better than a video built around whatever visual trend happened to be popular that year.
Read Part 1: Music Videos That Recreated Famous Movie Scenes Scene for Scene
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous music video that remakes a movie?
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is widely considered the most famous, thanks to its werewolf transformation sequence directed by John Landis, who also directed “An American Werewolf in London.”
Which music video remakes the most movies at once?
Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” holds that title, blending references to “Mean Girls,” “Legally Blonde,” “Bring It On” and “13 Going on 30” into one video.
Did Michael Jackson work with the same crew as the movie “Thriller” references?
Yes. Director John Landis and makeup effects artist Rick Baker both worked on “An American Werewolf in London” before bringing the same werewolf transformation techniques to Jackson’s video.
