Netflix recently released Sing: Thriller, a 13-minute kid-friendly tribute to the 1982 Michael Jackson short film of the same title. This is a must-watch Halloween special for parents and kids because it mirrors the original film so closely.
Sing: Thriller, much like Michael Jackson's Thriller, starts off with the main characters watching a new horror movie in theaters. Parents who watched the original Thriller probably got a kick out of the dramatic irony where the main characters are actually watching another version of themselves on the big screen. The same is true for Sing's adaptation. Viewers of both films are filled with suspense as they realize that the thrill is not just on the big screen, but what happens in real-time to the cast after watching the movie.
On their way to a Halloween party, Buster Moon and his crew come across a mysterious glowing substance that resulted from a science lab explosion. When they make it to the party, what they encounter is eerie, hypnotizing, and... synchronized? It seems as if the mystery substance has already somehow infiltrated the minds and bodies of most of the group.
Buster Moon and Miss Crawly quickly realize they are the only two attendees not yet infected, so they attempt to make a narrow escape. As they 'fight for their lives' through the crowd of dancing zombie-animals, viewers are entertained by-- you guessed it -- a 'killer thriller' dance number. The choreography in Sing: Thriller is identical to that of Michael Jackson's Thriller, which makes this short film particularly nostalgic for parents who grew up re-watching the Thriller music video every year through the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.
Sing: Thriller scariness rating
While the original Thriller short film might be too spooky for a young audience, Sing: Thriller is TV-Y rating makes it an enjoyable alternative for families with young kids. Without giving too many spoilers, viewers do not have to worry about seeing zombies, werewolves, or ghouls coming out of the ground, but still get to enjoy the suspense of wondering what will happen to Buster Moon and Miss Crawly.
It's safe to say that the scariest face kids will see in the film is the moving jack-o-lantern. The lyrics are also more kid-friendly than the original, leaving out some of the more disturbing lines and sights that brought the element of fear to Michael Jackson's Thriller, making it so iconic. Overall, Sing: Thriller gets a very low scariness rating, but a high rating of family enjoyment. You're going to want to get up and dance for this!
Sing: Thriller is streaming now on Netflix.