Thriller Dance AI: How to Put Any Photo in the Zombie Dance (4 Steps)
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- — Published: one Wan 3.0 run (13 s, 480p, 260 credits, about 4 minutes) with Homelander leading the horror-icon Thriller dance, full settings and photo tips.
A Thriller dance AI video puts anyone from a photo at the front of the Michael Jackson Thriller zombie dance. The version going around TikTok right before Halloween 2026 has horror icons (Jason, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger) dancing in a row on a foggy street. We made the clip above from a single photo of Homelander from The Boys: he takes Jason's place as the lead, cape and red boots included, and the slashers keep dancing behind him.
What is the Thriller dance AI trend?
The Thriller dance AI trend is a remake of the street dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller video (December 1983), with horror movie icons as the dancers and a new lead taken from a photo. Clips like @hfki48573659's (30 October 2026) show Jason, Michael Myers and Freddy doing the claw hands and shoulder shakes together. The AI version keeps that crowd and puts your photo in front.
What happens in a 13-second Thriller dance AI video?
The camera stays still and the whole row dances in sync. In our 13-second result:
| Seconds | What happens |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Homelander stands at the front on a foggy night street, Michael Myers and Freddy behind him |
| 3–6 | Arms swing out and the whole row starts the Thriller side shuffle |
| 6–10 | Knees bent, low steps and shoulder shakes in unison |
| 10–13 | The shuffle keeps going, everyone in step, sound on |
Our exact Thriller dance AI settings
We gave the model two inputs: one photo of Homelander and the 13-second Thriller trend clip as the motion reference. Then one sentence of prompt told it to swap only the lead dancer:
Replace the person in the video with the character from image 1, keep the original moves, camera and background.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Wan 3.0 |
| Inputs | 1 photo + 13 s trend clip |
| Length | 13 s (matches the clip) |
| Resolution / ratio | 480p · auto (came out vertical) |
| Sound | On, from the clip |
| Credits | 260 (about $2.40) |
| Render time | About 4 minutes |
| Runs needed | 1 |
Two things came out right on the first run: only the lead changed, while Michael Myers, Freddy and the rest of the crowd stayed the same, and Homelander's costume carried over down to the gold trim and red boots. The Thriller Dance AI template uses exactly this run, so you don't need the clip or the prompt.
How to make a Thriller dance AI video in 4 steps
Step 1: Open the Thriller Dance AI template
Go to the Thriller Dance AI page. The template is loaded at the top with Wan 3.0, the 13-second length and sound already set.
Step 2: Upload one photo
One person or one character, ideally full body with shoes, facing the camera. A still of a superhero, a game character or your own Halloween costume all work the same way.
Step 3: Press Generate
The button shows the cost (260 credits) before anything is charged. Our render took about 4 minutes; it runs in the background and lands in My Videos. If it fails, the credits go back automatically.
Step 4: Download and post
Download the MP4. It has no watermark and is vertical with sound, so it goes straight to TikTok, Reels or Shorts.
Which photo works best for the Thriller dance AI video?
| Use | Avoid |
|---|---|
| One person or character alone | Group photos |
| Full body, shoes in frame | Face-only close-ups |
| Facing the camera, sharp, good light | Blur, heavy filters, faces turned away |
| The outfit you want to dance in | Masks or sunglasses over the face |
The lead keeps the outfit from the photo, so a costume with a strong silhouette (a cape, a hat, a bright color) reads well against the dark street. Real celebrities, public figures and children are not allowed on our templates; fictional characters and yourself are fine.
Why doesn't my Thriller dance AI video look like me?
Usually the photo is a face close-up with no body, or the face is small, blurry or turned away. The model has to build the whole dancing body from your photo, so a sharp full-body shot facing the camera keeps the face and outfit closest. Swap the photo and run the Thriller Dance AI template again; retrying the same weak photo rarely fixes it.
Want another Michael Jackson move? Our AI moonwalk dance tutorial covers the moonwalk, and the AI dance video generator has more dance templates.
Is the Thriller dance AI video free?
Not completely. New accounts get 75 free credits and one video takes 260, so you need the one-time $4.99 pack (540 credits). That covers two videos at about $2.40 each, with no subscription. See pricing.
Can I put any character in the Thriller dance?
Any fictional character or yourself, from one clear full-body image. We tested Homelander and his cape and boots came through. Real celebrities and public figures are not allowed.
Who are the horror characters in the Thriller dance trend?
Jason Voorhees (hockey mask), Michael Myers (white mask) and Freddy Krueger (striped sweater and hat). In the trend clip Jason leads; in the AI version your photo takes his place.
What song is in the Thriller dance video?
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" from 1983. The clip keeps the trend's audio, so you don't add the sound yourself.
Which AI model makes the Thriller dance AI video?
We used Wan 3.0 at 480p, 13 seconds, with audio on, and the template uses exactly that run.
Is it an official Michael Jackson video?
No. It's a fan-made template, not affiliated with Michael Jackson, his estate or any film studio.