Trend
Smooth Criminal Dance: The Lean, the Moves, an AI Version
By the TrendMe team · Updated
The Smooth Criminal dance copies Michael Jackson's 1988 "Smooth Criminal" routine, famous for its sharp kicks, finger points and the impossible 45-degree forward lean. On TikTok it shows up as solo and duo clips with a cool, unbothered face. On TrendMe you can make your own Smooth Criminal-style dance from one full-body photo.
"Smooth Criminal" is the Michael Jackson routine people remember for one move: the lean. The whole body tilts forward at an angle that shouldn't be possible, holds, and comes back up. On TikTok the trend borrows that moment plus the sharp, gangster-movie attitude of the original.
Where did the Smooth Criminal Dance trend come from?
"Smooth Criminal" was released on Jackson's 1987 album Bad, and its short film was part of his 1988 movie Moonwalker. Set in a 1930s-style club, it features white suits, fedoras and a tightly synchronized group routine. The anti-gravity lean was done with wires on film; for live shows Jackson used shoes that hooked into pegs in the stage, a design he patented in 1993.
What are the Smooth Criminal Dance moves people copy?
- The lean: the signature. In real life, only fake it with a camera angle or AI.
- Kicks and points: a sharp kick, then a finger point at the camera.
- Hat and lapel moments: a hand to the hat brim or jacket, held for a beat.
- The freeze: stopping dead on the beat with a cool, blank face.
How do you make a Smooth Criminal Dance video with AI?
- Open the Smooth Criminal Dance trend.
- Upload one full-body photo. For a duo, both people fully in frame.
- Pick a direction: a hotel lobby lean, a duo "bodyguard" routine, or a midnight street scene.
- Generate an 8- or 15-second vertical video.
- Add the official song inside TikTok or Instagram.
Why does the Smooth Criminal Dance work so well?
Precision and attitude. The funniest versions put the routine somewhere ordinary, like a grocery aisle or a living room, and keep a completely straight face. Duo versions land when both people hit the same freeze at the same time.
Hashtags to start with: #smoothcriminaldance, #dancetrend, #aidance. Then read how to catch a trend early so you post while it's rising.
Sources for the Smooth Criminal Dance trend
Smooth Criminal Dance: CapCut template or TrendMe?
| CapCut template | TrendMe | |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | Your own video clips | One photo |
| Filming and editing | You film and fit clips to the template | None: the AI creates the whole scene |
| Pets, stunts, impossible scenes | Only if you can film them | Yes, from a single photo |
| Result | Depends on your footage | 9:16 MP4 with sound, no watermark |
Frequently asked questions
- How did Michael Jackson do the Smooth Criminal lean?
- On stage he used specially designed shoes that hooked into pegs in the floor, an invention he patented in 1993. In the film the lean was helped by hidden wires.
- Can a normal person do the 45-degree lean?
- No, not safely without equipment. Don't try it. An AI video can show the lean without any risk.
- Can I do the Smooth Criminal dance with a friend?
- Yes. Duo versions are popular. Upload a photo of both of you, fully visible, and pick the duo direction.
- Does the video include the Smooth Criminal song?
- No. TrendMe videos come with AI-generated sound. Add the official song from TikTok's or Instagram's music library when you post.