For decades, Nike has been a dominant force not only in sports and streetwear culture, but also on the big screen. Some of their shoes aren't just worn by actors; they become key elements of the story, etching their silhouette into the collective imagination. Let's take a look back at the most iconic models that have left their mark on cinema.
The Terminator (1984): The Nike Vandal High
Imagine landing in an unknown world, without clothes, without landmarks... and without shoes. That's exactly what happens to Kyle Reese in the 1984 film The Terminator. Hunted by a cyborg from the future, he has only seconds to blend into the Los Angeles landscape. His choice? A pair of black and silver Nike Vandal Highs , hastily snatched from a store.
Nike reissued this pair many years later for a tribute scene in Terminator Genisys (2015). Ironically, the film didn't make as much of an impression as the shoes.
Back to the Future II (1989): The Nike Mag
It's difficult to talk about Nike in cinema without mentioning Nike Mag.
I Introduced in Back to the Future Part II, this self-lacing pair worn by Marty McFly was long considered science fiction... until Nike made it a reality.
In the film, the Nike Mag represents a futuristic vision of 2015, with an avant-garde design, a luminous sole, and an automatic lacing system that immediately captivated viewers. The enthusiasm for this sneaker led Nike to release two limited editions, in 2011 and then in 2016, the latter finally incorporating the now-famous self-lacing technology.
With only 89 pairs produced in 2016, the Nike Mag is now one of the rarest and most coveted sneakers, fetching tens of thousands of euros at auction. More than just a shoe, it embodies the fantasy of a reinvented future, a dream made real through the magic of cinema.
Forrest Gump (1994): The Nike Classic Cortez
Before becoming a streetwear icon, the Nike Cortez made its cinematic debut... on a cross-country journey across the United States. In Forrest Gump (1994), Jenny gives Forrest a pair of Cortez sneakers , the iconic white, blue, and red colorway. It's with these sneakers that he embarks on his famous cross-country run, unwittingly becoming an icon of perseverance. Originally released in 1972, the Cortez was the first running shoe designed by Nike . But it's this cult scene from the film, showing Forrest running for miles without stopping, that propelled the silhouette into popular culture. Since then, Nike has continuously reissued the shoe, sometimes in versions directly inspired by the film, confirming its status as a timeless classic.
Space Jam (1996): The Air Jordan 11
It's difficult to discuss sneaker culture in cinema without mentioning Space Jam . Facing the Monstars , Michael Jordan doesn't just save the basketball world alongside the Looney Tunes : he immortalizes on screen one of the most iconic pairs in history: the Air Jordan 11. First unveiled in 1995 on NBA courts, this silhouette with its black leather upper and translucent sole finds a second wind thanks to the film.
Later dubbed "
Space Jam " by fans, the shoe became an obsession for an entire generation. Its re-release in 2000, followed by highly anticipated drops in 2009 and 2026, proves its enduring power to fascinate. A shoe that has become as iconic as the film itself.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): The Nike Cortez
Leonardo DiCaprio , Nike Cortez on his feet. That image alone is enough to make the polished aesthetic of the three-piece suit waver. In The Wolf of Wall Street , it's during an iconic scene—the one where Jordan Belfort , completely out of control, crawls to his car—that the Nike Cortez appears on screen.
White with a black Swoosh , this iconic silhouette contrasts sharply with the film's setting. More at home on LA sidewalks than in Manhattan offices, the Cortez seems out of place. And that's precisely what makes it so memorable.
Air (2023): The Air Jordan 1
Released in 2023, Air: Courting a Legend revisits one of the boldest bets in sportswear history: Nike betting everything on a young Michael Jordan still unknown to the general public.
No games or slam dunks here. The film focuses on the behind-the-scenes story of a historic deal, a tale of instinct, negotiation, and risk-taking. The result: the birth of the Air Jordan 1 , a model that redefined the rules of sports marketing.
More than a biopic, Air tells the story of how a simple sneaker launched a cultural revolution.
