Sneakerhead Cinema: The Most Iconic Movie and TV Sneaker Moments

From Back To The Future to Spider-Man, here at The Sole Supplier we love it when iconic sneakers take to the big screen. From screen-stealing additions such as Uma Thurman's Onitsuka Tigers, to niche cameo appearances which have us pausing the screen and trying to figure what shoes are being worn, it's always great to see our favourite kicks getting their share of the limelight.

Lo and behold, we set out on a quest to round-up our picks for the most iconic sneaker moments in movies and TV shows. In the process, we put together Netkicks: The Ultimate Guide to TV and Movie Sneaker Moments. We also had to pay tribute to our favourite sneakers which were inspired by movies. Whether you're a die-hard Star Wars fan or prefer lighthearted comedy, there’s bound to be something in this list you’ll enjoy!

2019 saw Nike team up with the Netflix-produced show Stranger Things for the first time ever to launch a whole footwear and apparel collection inspired by Hawkins High - the fictional high school where the show takes place. The Blazer, Cortez and the Tailwind 79 were all treated to the Stranger Things look for an undoubtedly mid-1980s feel that aligns perfectly with the time period of the cult series. Whether you’re a fan or not, there’s no denying that this is a seriously clean capsule!

Now it would be foolish to even think that we would write this list without the inclusion of the adidas’ long standing collaborative efforts with the Star Wars franchise. The duo have joined forces (if you’ll pardon the pun…) more times than we can count on one hand and whether it’s a Han Solo-inspired ZX, a Storm Trooper NMD or even a Baby Yoda Superstar they very rarely miss! The force is strong within the Three Stripes!

One of the most recent sneaker releases in this list is the Freddy Krueger Nike Air Max 95’s. While they may not be an official collaboration, it’s instantly apparent where the Swoosh brand drew design inspiration from. The striped uppers bear instant resemblance to the sweater worn by the A Nightmare on Elm Street villain, as well as blood-dripping details for a more sinister touch. This AM95 follows on from the Nike SB Dunk Low from back in 2007, that was quickly pulled before release due to copyright infringement (it’s now one of the most expensive Dunks on the resell market).

If you’re a Jordan fan it’s likely you’ve already seen Space Jam, the lighthearted movie in which the Chicago Bulls star himself teams up with Bugs Bunny and a number of other Warner Bros. characters in order to save the world. MJ himself wore this colorway of the AJ11 in the final match of the film, resulting in sneakerheads quickly dubbing them the “Space Jam 11s”. To this day the Space Jam remains one of the most popular AJ11s of all time, surpassing even the OG release.

The Alien Stomper by Reebok is one of only several sneakers to be designed specifically for use in a movie. The futuristic and laceless design first appeared on the big screen during the Alien franchise and subsequently inspired a whole new generation of footwear fanatics. The Stomper never saw a general release until 2016, when it launched as an ultra-limited double pack titled “The Final Scene”, containing the “Power Stomper” and the “Queen Stomper”. The pack was an instant sellout and will cost you a pretty penny on the current resell market if you’re looking to cop!

The Friends x Nike Kyrie 5 from back in 2019 is likely one that slipped under the radar from many of us. Kyrie Irving isn’t afraid to admit his love for the cult American sitcom, he even has the logo tattooed boldly across his arm! The sneaker collaboration keeps things sophisticated and tasteful, opting for a black and white colorway with hits of red, yellow and blue much like the show’s logo, which makes an appearance on the lateral fly.

Now if you haven’t seen HBO’s iconic Game of Thrones, you’ve got a hell of a lot of catching up to do as there’s eight series’ to get through! Either way we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy these collaborative adidas Ultra Boosts, each sneaker references a different character or house from the franchise (the Night’s Watch, House Targaryen, Targaryen Dragons, House Stark and House Lannister) with all pairs showcasing special-edition GoT branding at both the tongues and heel tabs.

Back in 2008 (way before the newfound Nike SB Dunk hype) Nike SB debuted a Dunk High based on the outfit worn by none other than Ferris Bueller in the 1986 cult-classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”. In typical Swoosh fashion this wasn’t an official collaboration, however it was extremely well-received by fans and remains one of the more popular high-top SB Dunks. The clean brown/white/beige colorway is accentuated with cheetah-print for a head-turning look that could easily be mistaken for a modern-day Travis Scott-style collaboration!

For the penultimate addition to our list Kyrie Irving returns once again, this time around for a cheerful collaboration with everyone’s favourite underwater Sponge - Mr. Squarepants himself! Five different renditions of the Kyrie 5 make up a whole pack with the different variations dedicated to Spongebob, Patrick Star, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and Sandy Cheeks. Shout out to Kyrie for once again displaying his love for cult TV series’!

Last but by no means at all least, it would be an absolute crime if we didn’t mention the Nike MAG. Famously worn by Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) in Back to the Future II, the sneakers showcased self-lacing technology, a feature which at the time was deemed ultra-futuristic. While original movie versions are virtually unobtainable, MAGs have been released three times. First in 2011 via eBay auctions, again in 2015 via a paid charity raffle and once again in 2016 through a paid charity raffle. All proceeds went to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, with the sneakers remaining the ultimate grail for sneakerheads across the globe.