Last week, while cyber-stalking the theatre used in Michael Jackson’s Thriller , I read that the final dance sequence in the video was filmed on a street in Los Angeles named Union Pacific Avenue. So, of course, I immediately called up Mike from MovieShotsLA to let him know. Unfortunately, Union Pacific Avenue is a very long street and the two of us had no idea where the exact spot was that Thriller was filmed. But, as usual, Mike worked his magic and within about ten minutes he had found it! He is so my hero!! So, with only two days left to go of my Haunted Hollywood theme, this morning I dragged my dad out to Union Pacific Avenue to do some Thriller stalking.
I was EXTREMELY excited to see that the street looks EXACTLY the same today as it did back in 1983 when Thriller was filmed! The wall that MJ and his fellow zombies dance in front of is still standing and looks just the same as it did in the Thriller days. In fact it was that wall that Mike used to figure out the location of the filming. Using Google Maps Street View, he went up and down Union Pacific Avenue on his computer looking for the wall, hoping it was still standing. And it was! I am absolutely amazed (and thrilled!) that the wall is still there for us stalkers to appreaciate all these years later.
It also looks like the very same company that inhabited the building where the dance sequence took place twenty five years ago, is still, in fact, stationed there. As you can see in the above screen captures, the company signage is still in the exact same spot and looks pretty much identical to how it did in the video. 🙂 I can’t tell you how excited I was to be standing in the exact spot where MJ danced twenty-five years ago! There were a few workers standing around eating breakfast at a food truck while my dad and I were taking pictures and they thought we were absolutely crazy! They were looking at me while I was doing my Thriller poses as if I was stark raving mad. LOL Love it!
Had to do it! 🙂
You can watch the Thriller video here. On a side note, this year is the 25th Anniversary of Thriller and Michael Jackson released a 25th Anniversary Special Edition Album for the occasion. How did I not know about this???? I mean Thriller is my favorite album of all time! The Anniversary Edition contains seven bonus tracks with special guest artists including Fergie and Kanye West, a promotional booklet, and a DVD of music videos including Michael Jackson’s legendary “Billie Jean” performance at the Motown 25 television special.
Big THANKS as always to Mike for finding this location – just in time for Halloween, too! 🙂
Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂
Stalk It: The Thriller main dance sequence location can be stalked at 3701 East Union Pacific Avenue in Los Angeles, just outside the City of Commerce. The area is highly industrial and not in the safest part of town, so please exercise caution – especially if you visit it at night.
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Just movie next
the location is real I’m making pick up deliveries there all the time the wall is hit from trucks all the time. the building next for door is a concrete coloring co, that I won’t mention for privacy I just heard about this last night when I was there from a co worker I will upload pics at my next phx to La stop…good stuff.
I will be traveling out of state to this location as well and will try to go to neverland , just amazing!!
Quincy your directions for the graveyard are confusing, what EXACTLY is the address please!?
Hi Justin,
I actually just watched the “Making of Thriller”, which I’ve had on VHS all these years :), and it turns out the graveyard only ever existed inside of a studio soundstage. They never used a real graveyard or a field in Los Angeles.
Happy Stalking :),
Lindsay
hey! that’s a great help, and you know what, i had a hunch it was a studio all along. i actually panicked thinking i’d missed a Thriller location. would you happen to know where the actual street is where Michael and Ola Ray walk along in the video, when Michael iimmediately starts singing.. i found a street just around the corner from Union Pacific Avenue but all the street lamps and phone line poles were in slightly wrong places! any idea?
I just went today, it was sooo surreal and very sad and emtional :(……..there were posters and a shirne with flowers and candles, I love the fact that it still looks the same in the video…….
I was just there last night. I grew up in ELA and went to grammar school in Boyle Heights a few blocks from where Thriller was filmed. They filled thriller when I was in high shcool and my friend lived up the street and I remember my friend calling me to come down because they were filming a video behind the Angelus furniture company which is now a food 4 less. It was rumored that Michale Jackson was filming a video. We went but it was blocked off and we couldn’t see a thing. We did however see the production trucks and all. The area seems a little seedy but its not really that dangerous. It’s a working class industrial area kind of run down. There are seveal posters up and other people were taking pics last night. My best friends brother John was an extra on Beat it. MJ recruited locals and some were actual gang members for the video. I also got to go to the memorial, unfortunelty they gave us Nokia tix, but we still got the program and I have the ticket and silver wristband. Janet, LaToya and Reebi jackson came and thanked all the fans. It was very nice of them. I got two programs. Sad part about it was that the Nokia was half empty. Heard alot of out of state and out of the country tickets were given out. It was still very cool.
If anyone is interested, I’ve found where the graveyard scene was filmed. It’s located in Downtown Los Angeles, off of Vignes Street between 3rd and Santa Fe. It still looks the same as it did twenty six years ago, and yes it’s still an empty lot. To find it, take the 10 fwy to Downtown LA, exit Santa Fe / Mateo, turn right on Santa Fe (go north) and turn left on 3rd street. It’s near the Union Pacific trains behind Union Station. (you can get to it off of Cesar Chavez ave as well). We should use these locations a plan something BIG in honor of Michael.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7105597&l=833bc77281&id=821490220
Amazing to see this location! I will be flying out there soon just to see this in person and renact the dance myself!
I’ve always wondered where this was filmed! I’ve even searched a few times and now just hit the jackpot finding your blog! Thanks and love the comparison pictures.
Great job!! I was looking for this one. I’m on my way out there as soon as I get a chance.
Thanks!!