We often talk about films where elegant clothing takes center stage, but we rarely read about the best sneakers in the history of cinema. Whether it’s a big-budget sci-fi epic or a quiet coming-of-age story, over the last three or four decades, we have seen an incredible array of standout shoe designs on the big screen.
So, whether you’re looking to add some great films to your favorites list to impress others with your cultural knowledge, or if you simply want to delve deeper into the eclectic sneaker universe, we have compiled 20 of the best shoes in the history of cinema all in one list. From Nike Mag worn by Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future Part II to Onitsuka Tiger worn by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, here is the definitive showcase for fans of great films and sneakers.
Aliens (1986)
Most sneakers you see on the big screen can be easily purchased. But when Ellen Ripley, the character played by Sigourney Weaver, was gearing up to take down an extraterrestrial monstrosity in Aliens by James Cameron, she was wearing a pair of Reebok Alien Stompers specially created for the film. Fans loved them so much that they were also produced in reality. So, even if you can’t fight like Ripley, at least you can dress like her, which is already a great achievement.
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
When asking someone about the greatest sneaker in the history of cinema, they will probably mention the Nike Mag from Back to the Future Part II. Designed by Tinker Hatfield (the mind behind other iconic swoosh designs like the Air Max 1 and Air Jordan 3), they were also created exclusively for the film. However, in 2011, Nike decided to turn them into reality, and they quickly became among the most expensive shoes on the planet. To give you an idea, a size 12 currently costs around €70,000 on StockX.
The Basketball Diaries (1995)
The Basketball Diaries tells the troubled and drug-altered adolescence of Jim Carroll, as his dream of becoming an athlete fades away. The sturdy and humble Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers are present on screen more than ever, with each member of Carroll’s New York boys’ band sporting a pair. They are also an important symbol: as the characters drift further and further away from their dreams (beware of spoilers!), the state of their sneakers also reflects this. In the end, the Converse are torn and irreparably damaged.
Batman (1989)
Tim Burton’s Batman may seem a bit ordinary, especially when compared to the atmosphere of Christopher Nolan’s vision. But it has a feature that no other Batman film possesses: great sneakers. Every version of the caped crusader sports a pair of big, sturdy boots as part of the costume, but Michael Keaton instead rocks a heavily modified version of the Nike Air Trainer 3. It may be hard to notice at first, but if you squint, you can see the Nike Air logo around the heel.
Big (1988)
Everyone talks about the Air Force 1 these days, but its sequel, the Air Force 2, often overlooked, is the star of the film directed by Penny Marshall. Worn during the scene at FAO Schwarz by Tom Hanks, who plays Josh Baskin, the AF2 makes its on-screen debut. Originally released in 1986, it was retroed (meaning in its original form) for the first time in 2002. It certainly had its moment, but unfortunately, it never became as popular as its predecessor.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee’s film Do the Right Thing released in ’89 was an immediate hit among sneaker enthusiasts (and everyone else, to be honest). In the film, Lee, who has an unparalleled collection, shines the spotlight on the Air Jordan 4. You might (and should) remember the line “He just stepped on my brand new white Air Jordan’s!” said by Buggin Out, played Giancarlo Esposito, while cleaning his White Cements.
Come and See
The Vans Slip-On (especially the checkerboard pattern ones) were already quite popular among skaters at that time, but when Come and See came out in 1982, they quickly became one of the most sought-after shoes. Worn by the stoner-surfer Jeff Spicoli, it is one of the most accurate depictions of the early SoCal style and also a prime example of how a niche model like the Slip-On could become a pop culture icon overnight.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump not only earned Tom Hanks his second Oscar for Best Actor (the first he had won just the year before), but it was also a crucial moment for the Nike Cortez. Designed by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman in 1972, it was the company’s first running shoe. Hanks’ character receives the OG White colorway from his childhood friend Jenny, and given how much running is done in the film (3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours, to be exact), it’s safe to say he chose well.
George of the Jungle (1997)
There’s no denying that George of the Jungle was a truly wild film. While it may not have the most memorable plot in cinema history, a scene that everyone remembers is when Brendan Fraser’s character arrives in his African homeland, brandishes a brand-new pair of Nike Air More Uptempos, laces them up, and immediately starts running across the open plains. The ’90s were a truly bizarre time.
He Got Game (1998)
Another masterpiece by Spike Lee, He Got Game is once again a celebration of sneakers. The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low, the Nike Air Foamposite One, the Nike Air More Uptempo, the Nike Total Max Uptempo, just to name a few, and the Air Jordan 13 even have a scene all to themselves. This last shoe was significant as it was released just weeks before filming began. So, credit goes to Lee for incorporating it into the film so swiftly.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
A great film, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is Quentin Tarantino’s fourth work. With Uma Thurman playing an unnamed woman seeking revenge against her former team of assassins, the film also features another star: the Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi. This bright yellow design complements Thurman’s Kill Bill jumpsuit, itself a nod to the tracksuit donned by Bruce Lee in his final film, Game of Death. Oh, and they also have “Fuck U” printed on the bottom of the soles.
Like Mike (2002)
While some may remember Like Mike primarily for the surprise casting of Bow Wow, the film deserves to be remembered as a cultural icon thanks to the inclusion of the Nike Blazer. Finding Michael Jordan’s old pair, Bow Wow’s character Calvin becomes an epic basketball player. These white sneakers with the blue swoosh were a unique reinterpretation of one of Nike’s older models that first hit the market in 1973 and were worn by basketball legend George Gervin, nicknamed “The Iceman.”
Lost in Translation (2003)
Considered one of the greatest films of all time, Lost in Translation also features one of the best sneakers in cinema history. In a scene where Bill Murray’s character Bob Harris is seen in a waiting room wearing the HTM x Nike Air Woven, one of the rarest shoe collaborations ever. Acronym for Hiroshi Fujiwara, Tinker Hatfield, and Mark Parker (who was Nike’s CEO at the time), they were three of the brightest minds in the footwear industry back then. A true grail.
Space Jam (1996)
If Jordan Brand wasn’t a household name before the release of Space Jam, it certainly became one after. In Michael Jordan’s epic, besides seeing the Air Jordan 2 on Bill Murray, we catch a glimpse of the Air Jordan 11 Space Jam in the film’s final scene. Featuring a ballistic mesh base, patent leather overlays, and an icy blue sole, this exact pair was re-released in 2016 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film directed by Joe Pytka.
The Goonies (1985)
A truly legendary film, made even better by the inclusion of an epic pair of shoes, The Goonies sees Data, played by a young Ke Huy Quan, rocking a customized pair of Nike Sky Force High. Always with a trick up its sleeve, these sneakers featured scissor ‘cut-out’ heels and a closure, making them stand out. The Sky Force came out the same year as the first Air Jordan in 1984, but faded into obscurity due to the insane popularity of the Jordan brand.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Wes Anderson’s films have always had a distinctive aesthetic, so for The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, adidas opted to create the Rom Zissou shoes instead of choosing just any sneaker. Since its release in theaters in 2004, fans of the film couldn’t wait to get a pair. The German sportswear giant waited until 2017 to release them, and to add fuel to the fire, the shoes were limited to just a hundred pairs worldwide. What a shame!
The Terminator (1984)
When Kyle Reese confronts the Terminator, he needs to be equipped with, well… clothes. To get them, he robs a department store and walks away with a pair of Nike Vandals. Launched in the early ’80s, when leg warmers were a national trend and synth-pop dominated the airwaves, the Vandals featured a removable ankle strap in the high-top version and adopted a silhouette very similar to that of the Air Force 1.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
While a relatively recent release, especially compared to other films in this article, The Wolf of Wall Street is full of iconic moments, including when a drug-laden Jordan Belfort crashes his Lamborghini Countach. During the scene, where Leonardo DiCaprio destroys a $118,000 supercar (when it was put on sale in 1985), we see him wearing a pair of Nike Cortez in a black and white colorway.
Trainspotting (1996)
Based on the novel by Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting by Danny Boyle is set amidst the working men’s clubs and council estates of Edinburgh. Mark Renton, masterfully played by Ewan McGregor, and his drug-addled friends embody the ’90s grunge, with the look consisting of buzz cuts, ripped tees, skinny jeans, and adidas Samba Super. Before this model became the go-to for millennial lovers of Lost Mary, they were often seen at the stands of major football matches alongside other sneakers like the Gazelle, automatically making them one of the best sneakers in cinema history.
White House Down (2013)
In 2013’s White House Down, there is an action-packed scene where a terrorist grabs the sneakers of the President of the United States (played by Jamie Foxx), who exclaims, “Hands off my Jordans!” Considering they were in the Fire Red colorway, we would say the reaction was justified. And considering how many times it has been replayed in the last 11 years, many sneaker enthusiasts probably agree.
Article originally published on AllinReplica UK