10 best sneakers in 10 best movies

Yes, there have been lists like this before. But either they list movies no one has even heard of – let alone seen – or the list features crappy shoes no self-respecting sneakerhead would wear in the first place. This is the one true list. These movies were absolute blockbusters and the shoes are equally legendary.

10. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – Adidas Country

Axel Foley does not only have a fast mouth, he also has a nice sneaker game. But what is often mistaken as an Adidas Samba shoe is really an Adidas Country. Originally introduced in 1970, this sneaker was intended as a cross country sports shoe. However, the sleek and simple style had its biggest success as Eddie Murphy's preferred foot ride in the 1984 blockbuster Beverly Hills Cop and was especially visible in the unforgettable scene when Axel gets thrown out a window after confronting his friend's alleged killer. Next, the cops show up and the cuffs come out, leading to the famous line “Yo, you wanna arrest me for getting thrown out a f***** window?!“.

 

9. White Men Can't Jump (1992) – Nike Air Command Force

The Nike Air Command Force was originally David Robinson's signature shoe, however not even the Hall of Fame center of the San Antonio Spurs could have made a bigger splash wearing it than Billy Hoyle in White Men Can't Jump. The “Chump” played by Woody Harrelson created one of the most iconic basketball moments in sports movie history when he took the court in Venice Beach and kicked Wesley Snipes' loud-mouth-trash-talking-goofy-clothes-wearing-gatorade-drinking-ass twice in a matter of minutes. In our opinion, the Nike Air Command Force does not get nearly enough props as a true 90s basketball performance shoe. If you can get your hands on a pair, don't hesitate to cop.

 

8. White House Down (2013) – Air Jordan IV

“Get your hands off my Jordans!” was the legendary line uttered by Jamie Foxx playing the President of the United States while kicking the face of the terrorist who grabbed his Air Jordan IV Fire Red. No matter in what year, in what movie theatre, in what country and language you watched White House Down, THAT line got the biggest laugh and applause. Coincidentally it's probably also not too far off of what the real president at that time would have said, considering Barack Obama was known as a baller who had more than one pair of Jordans in his presidential shoe rack. He probably knew people.

 

7. The Terminator (1984) – Nike Vandal

When you travel through time you can't bring your shoes. That's one of the things you learn fairly quickly when you watch the original Terminator movie. It is also the reason why Kyle Reese aka John Connor's father has to run barefoot into a department store in the middle of the night to steal some footwear. Fighting the Terminator barefoot would just be a bad idea. Just imagine him stepping on your toes with his metal frame. You'd beg to step on a Lego! By the way, the shoes Reese stole are of course black/silver Nike Vandals which are so iconic that Nike remade a pair for one sequence in one of the many Terminator sequels 'Terminator Genisys', which kinda sucked. The shoes are still fire tho. To summarize, the movie is called The Terminator. Nike made a shoe called Terminator. But it's not this one. This one is called Vandal. But there is no movie called The Vandal. Got it? Let's continue...

 

6. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) – Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi

One of the most common mistakes in sneaker/movie history is the assumption that Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman in her best role ever) is wearing 'Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66'. Nope. It's a pair of Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi, which incidentally are the same shoes legendary martial arts icon Bruce Lee wore in the Game of Death. Little known fact, if you look very closely and in slow motion just minutes before her epic battle against O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu) in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 you will see that there are letters carved into Kiddo's Tai Chi soles that spell out “Fuck U“. Nice touch.

 

5. Forrest Gump (1994) – Nike Cortez

Forrest Gump said life is a box of chocolates or in this case a marathon through world history. Forrest who likes to run a lot wears Nike Cortez in the patriotic colorway of white, red, and blue. Just a couple of months ago Nike brought it back. Featuring a revamped premium leather upper true to the original, the Nike Cortez 'Forrest Gump' stands out thanks to a vintage-inspired foam tongue and Varsity Red Swoosh branding with accents of Royal Blue. Ironically of all the protagonists listed here, we can be sure that Forrest would be the one who cares the least about what shoes he is wearing.

 

4. He got Game (1998) – Air Jordan XIII & Nike Air Foamposite Pro

In one of the best basketball movies ever Denzel Washington tries to win back the trust of his estranged son (Ray Allen) by wearing the latest Air Jordan XIII. Why Jordans and not Adidas or Nike? Because 'He got Game' is a Spike Lee movie and Spike Lee loves everything about Michael Jordan. Just ask Mars Blackmon. By the way, Allen - seen here wearing the Nike Air Foamposite Pro "Pearl" - only got the part after both Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant declined the role. One of the greatest what-could-have-been scenarios in movie history if you're a basketball fan. There's something about that '96 Draft, we tell you.

 

3. Back to the Future Part II (1989) – Nike Air Mag

We admit this is a tricky one because technically the shoe featured in the Back to the Future sequel doesn't exist. At least not as it is shown, with the most stunning feature of all sneakers in all movies of all time. Self-adjusting power laces. Yes, a couple of years ago Nike brought out a couple of Nike Air Mags that looked like the real deal. They even had cool lights! But still missing were the power laces. To be fair, they released the Adapt almost a decade later and that did have the self-lacing feature. But without 'that' Back to the Future self-lace sound, what's the point. 

 

2. Do The Right Thing (1989) – Air Jordan IV

Anyone with even the slightest behavioral disorder (aka probably everyone who collects sneakers) can identify with this iconic scene. A biker in a Larry Bird tee causes an Air Jordan IV-wearing righteous black man to lose his marbles when he accidentally scuffs his White Cements. Why is he wearing Air Jordans and not any other brand? Because 'Do the right thing' is also – you guessed right – a Spike Lee movie. Nevertheless, if you are collecting sneakers, if you care about how clean your sneakers are, this scene will have you clench your fist in agreement or yell to your significant other “SEEEEE! It's not just me!”. Just look at the picture. This is what nightmares look like. We can't even look straight at it.

 

1. Space Jam (1996) – Air Jordan XI

It doesn't come as a big surprise that the greatest moment in sneaker-movie history is created by the GOAT himself. Michael Jordan wearing arguably the finest Jordan shoe ever (we said arguably!) in one of the best basketball movies of all time has to be high on anyone's list and as far as we're concerned hard to top. Not only is the Air Jordan XI
legendary, but it is worn during a do-or-die basketball game featuring Jordan, Bugs Bunny, and Daffy Duck against aliens. Aliens! And Jordan dunks from halfcourt! At the buzzer! After a 48-point first-half deficit! Against ALIENS! This one takes it all because of Jordan ... and aliens.