You probably didn't have "singing animated animals covering Michael Jackson" on your 2024 bingo card, but here we are. It’s short. It’s festive. Honestly, it’s kind of a fever dream. When Illumination announced a themed short for the 40th anniversary of Thriller, fans immediately started wondering who from the original movies would actually show up. The cast of Sing: Thriller isn't just a random assortment of background characters; it’s a tight-knit group of the heavy hitters we’ve grown to love over two feature films, stepping into the iconic red leather jackets and zombie makeup of the 1980s.
Buster Moon is back. Obviously. You can’t have a Sing production without the koala who refuses to let a lack of budget or common sense stop him. Matthew McConaughey returns to voice the ever-optimistic theater owner, and his energy is as frantic as ever. This time, however, he isn’t just putting on a show. He’s navigating a world that’s turning a bit more... undead.
Who Exactly Is in the Cast of Sing: Thriller?
It’s a smaller ensemble than the massive sequels, but it packs a punch. The main takeaway is that the core "found family" of the New Moon Theater makes up the primary cast of Sing: Thriller.
Tori Kelly returns as Meena. If you’ve followed the franchise, you know Meena is the soul of the group, even if she started out too shy to breathe on stage. In this short, her powerhouse vocals are front and center. Then there’s Taron Egerton as Johnny. Seeing the tough-guy gorilla lean into the theatricality of a horror-pop mashup is always a highlight. Nick Kroll is also back as Gunter, bringing that specific brand of "piggy power" that usually provides the comic relief. It’s a bit weird seeing these characters in a darker setting, but the voice actors lean into the campiness of the source material perfectly.
Scarlett Johansson’s Ash is here too. Ash has always been the resident rocker, so the edgy, rhythmic vibe of the Thriller era fits her character better than anyone else. She gives the group that necessary grit.
The Creative Force Behind the Voices
The casting works because these actors have lived with these characters for nearly a decade. When Matthew McConaughey says "Alright, alright, alright"—or the animated equivalent of it—it feels earned. Garth Jennings, who directed the first two films, is the mastermind here again. He actually voices Miss Crawly, the elderly iguana with the glass eye. Miss Crawly is arguably the MVP of the cast of Sing: Thriller, mostly because her physical comedy translates so well into the "monster" aesthetic.
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Why This Specific Cast Matters for the Short
Let’s be real. Short films usually get the "B-team" or sound-alikes. That didn't happen here. Having the actual A-list stars return for a few minutes of content shows how much clout the Sing brand has. It also keeps the continuity. If Johnny sounded different, kids would notice. If Meena’s riffs weren't hitting those Tori Kelly heights, the whole Thriller homage would fall flat.
Thriller is about choreography and timing. The voice cast had to record specifically to match the iconic beats of the song, which is no small feat when you’re trying to sound like a scared animal and a disco legend at the same time.
The Missing Pieces
You might notice some absences. Rosita, voiced by Reese Witherspoon, isn't the primary focus here. The short centers more on the group dynamic in the streets rather than a full-scale domestic subplot. It’s a streamlined version of the New Moon Theater troupe. This was likely a logistical choice to keep the pacing fast and the focus on the music.
The Cultural Impact of the Thriller Cover
Covering Michael Jackson is risky. People have very strong opinions about his catalog. But the cast of Sing: Thriller approaches it with a sense of fun that bypasses the usual critiques of "why redo a classic?"
It’s a love letter.
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The animation mimics the John Landis-directed music video from 1983. You see the fog. You see the graveyard. You see the specific "claw" hand motions. The voice actors had to bring a level of theatricality that felt like a stage performance, not just a studio recording. Gunter (Nick Kroll) especially shines here, because his character is built for high-concept costumes and dramatic flair.
Behind the Scenes: Making the Music Work
The vocal arrangements in the Sing universe are handled by jobbing pros who know how to layer voices for maximum pop impact. In Sing: Thriller, the harmonization between Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly is what carries the middle section of the track. Egerton, who famously played Elton John in Rocketman, has the range to handle the grit of the original MJ vocals while keeping it "Johnny-esque."
It’s interesting to note that the production team didn't just use the original master track and have the actors talk over it. They re-recorded the instrumental elements to fit the "Sing" style—bright, punchy, and a little bit more frantic.
A Quick Rundown of the Main Cast
- Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon: The ringleader.
- Tori Kelly as Meena: The vocal powerhouse.
- Taron Egerton as Johnny: The soul of the group.
- Scarlett Johansson as Ash: The rock-and-roll edge.
- Nick Kroll as Gunter: The pure, unadulterated energy.
- Garth Jennings as Miss Crawly: The comedic anchor.
Why You Should Care About These Performers
Most "kids' movies" use big names to sell tickets, and then the actors phone it in. That hasn't been the case with the Sing franchise. These actors actually sing. Taron Egerton isn't being dubbed. Tori Kelly is a Grammy-nominated artist. When you listen to the cast of Sing: Thriller, you’re hearing genuine musical talent.
This short also serves as a proof of concept for Sing 3. If fans react well to these characters in different genres—like horror-comedy—it opens up the doors for where the third movie could go. Maybe they go to Broadway? Maybe they go on a world tour? The chemistry between the cast members, even in a short format, is the glue holding the whole thing together.
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The animation by Illumination is also worth a mention. They’ve managed to make the characters look "spooky" without losing their appeal. Seeing a zombie-fied Buster Moon could have been nightmare fuel, but instead, it’s just hilarious.
How to Watch and What to Look For
The short is currently available on platforms like Netflix (depending on your region) and Peacock. When you watch it, pay attention to the background vocals. The layers of harmony are incredibly dense. It’s easy to just focus on the lead singer of a particular line, but the cast of Sing: Thriller works as a choir here.
Also, look for the Easter eggs. Miss Crawly has several "blink and you'll miss it" moments that reference the original 1983 film. The attention to detail is honestly surprising for a promotional short.
Practical Steps for Fans of the Cast
If you enjoyed the performances in this short, there’s plenty more to dig into. The Sing franchise has one of the most robust soundtracks in modern animation.
- Check out the Sing 2 soundtrack. It features many of these same performers covering U2, Prince, and Taylor Swift. Taron Egerton’s cover of "Sky Full of Stars" is a standout.
- Follow the cast’s solo musical careers. Tori Kelly just released new music that leans into a 90s/2000s R&B vibe which is fantastic. Taron Egerton’s work on the Rocketman soundtrack is essential listening if you like his voice as Johnny.
- Watch the original Thriller music video. To appreciate what the cast of Sing: Thriller did, you have to see the original. It’s 14 minutes of pure cinematic history.
- Keep an eye on Illumination’s socials. They’ve been dropping "behind the mic" clips that show the actors in the recording booth, which gives you a great look at how they create these voices.
The Sing universe works because it doesn't take itself too seriously, yet it takes the music very seriously. This short is a perfect example of that balance. It’s short, sweet, and a little bit creepy. Mostly, it’s just a reminder that this cast is one of the best assembled for an animated series in a long time. They don't just voice characters; they give them a pulse—even when they’re playing the undead.
For those tracking the future of the franchise, the success of this short basically guarantees that we haven't seen the last of Buster Moon and his crew. The chemistry is too good to let go. Whether it's a full-length feature or more holiday specials, the New Moon Theater is staying open for business.
Go back and re-watch the dance break. The way the animators synced the movements to the specific vocal inflections of Nick Kroll and Taron Egerton is a masterclass in character-driven choreography. It’s those small details that separate a quick cash-in from a genuine piece of entertainment. Use this as a jumping-off point to explore the discographies of the actors involved; you'll find they are just as talented outside of their animal avatars.