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Thirty years. That is how long it has been since Space Jam hit theaters in 1996. Jordan Brand is not letting that anniversary go quietly. The Air Jordan 11 “Monstars”, also known as the “Green Screen”, drops November 14, 2026, and it is the holiday flagship release for Jordan Brand this year.
Style code IV7639-001, with IQ5700-900 also floating around for different regional listings. Colorway is Gym Green, Lucky Green, and Orange Peel. Retail price is $255. That is premium AJ11 territory, but this is not a standard retro. Everything about this shoe is custom.
The concept here is not a direct Space Jam colorway. It is not the “Space Jam” AJ11 from 2000 with the black patent leather and concord purple. This is something different. The “Green Screen” name comes from the actual production process of the movie. When Michael Jordan filmed Space Jam, he was on a green screen set. The Looney Tunes characters and the Monstars were added later through animation. Jordan was literally playing basketball against green. That behind-the-scenes concept is what this shoe represents.
Nearly the entire shoe is green. And when I say green, I mean everything. The mudguard, the tongue, the eyelets, the laces, the collar, the midsole. All green. Instead of the usual ballistic mesh and patent leather that AJ11s are known for, this pair uses suede and other tonal materials across the upper. The material swap is significant. The AJ11 is one of the most recognizable silhouettes in sneaker history, and changing the materials changes the entire feel of the shoe.
The outsole is where things get wild. Translucent glow-in-the-dark rubber with bright orange traction pods. Yes, glow-in-the-dark. When the lights go out, the sole gives off a strong green glow. That detail plays directly into the green screen production theme. You are literally wearing a piece of movie set magic on your feet. The orange pods break up the green and add a contrasting pop that keeps the bottom from looking like one flat color.
The insoles are a hidden detail that you will only see when you take the shoes off. Michael Jordan stretching out for his game-winning dunk is printed on the insoles, with Bugs Bunny worked into the scene below him. It is a small touch, but it shows how deep Jordan Brand went with the Space Jam references. They did not just slap a green colorway on an AJ11 and call it a day. Every component has a connection to the film.
Tonal “23” branding sits on the heels. The Jumpman logos blend into the green panels around the ankle. You have to look closely to pick them out against the tonal green background. It is a design choice that rewards close inspection, which is exactly what sneakerheads do.
The packaging is its own experience. Jordan Brand gave this release a special box. Bright green with Jumpman branding and artwork inspired by the Monstars. Tune Squad and Monstars logos appear across the front. Inside, a clapperboard graphic reads “SJ 30th” with references to Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny. The tissue paper is custom, covered with sketches, characters, and basketball graphics. You are buying a shoe, but you are also buying a piece of Space Jam memorabilia.
The release date of November 14th is significant. Space Jam originally hit theaters on November 15, 1996. This shoe drops one day before the 30th anniversary. That timing is not a coincidence. Jordan Brand knew exactly what they were doing with the scheduling.
Now, $255 is a lot of money for a retro. But this is not a standard retro. The custom materials, the glow-in-the-dark outsole, the special packaging, the anniversary significance. You are paying for the full package. And the AJ11 has always commanded a premium. It is the flagship Jordan silhouette for holiday releases, and this one is carrying the weight of a 30-year movie legacy.
I think what makes this release special is that it is a new colorway, not a retro of an old one. The 2000 “Space Jam” AJ11 was a retro of the shoe MJ wore in the movie. This “Green Screen” is a brand new concept that celebrates the making of the movie. It is a meta approach. A sneaker about the production process, not just the final product. That is a fresh angle for a 30-year-old legacy.
If you grew up watching Space Jam, this is going to hit you right in the nostalgia. If you are an AJ11 collector, this is a must-have because it is unlike any 11 that has come before it. November 14th through SNKRS and select Jordan Brand NBHD retailers. Get ready. The Monstars are back.
