BACKGROUND Primary intraspinal malignant melanoma is a very rare tumor that most often occurs in the cervical, thoracic, or thoracolumbar segment. CASE SUMMARY A rare case of primary thoracolumbar malignant melanoma is described. A 45-year-old female patient complained of low back pain with numbness and fatigue in both lower limbs. MR revealed an intradural space-occupying lesion at the thoracic 12 to lumbar 1 level. The tumor was partially excised, and a malignant melanoma was confirmed by histopathology. CONCLUSION Primary intraspinal malignant melanoma has rarely been reported, and surgical resection and related characteristics and diagnoses have been discussed.