Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” returns to No. 1 on several Billboard charts as Halloween nears, once again proving its enduring popularity as the ultimate spooky anthem. VARIOUS, VARIOUS – JUNE 25: Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1986. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
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Halloween is fast approaching, and that means it’s time for the select few songs that have been long associated with the spookiest day of the year to see sales and streams surge. Several tracks rise in popularity annually as October arrives, including “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr. and Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me,” which was heavily assisted by the genius of Michael Jackson.
That superstar claims perhaps the most famous Halloween tune of all, “Thriller,” which returns to multiple Billboard charts every year as people pick out their costumes and make sure they have enough candy to give away. “Thriller” began its annual comeback just last week, and this frame brings the late talent back to No. 1 on multiple Billboard rankings.
“Thriller” Hits No. 1 on Several Billboard Charts
“Thriller” shoots to No. 1 on a pair of Billboard tallies in America. The spooky smash races to the top spot on both the R&B Digital Song Sales and R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales rankings, returning to the summit, where it has already spent time ruling in the past.
“Thriller” Mounted a Very Fast Comeback
This year, “Thriller” only needed one frame to make it back to No. 1. The tune reappeared on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart at No. 6 last frame, and it came in at No. 13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales ranking. Just one week later, after only a few days on the charts, “Thriller” has become a bestseller once more.
Sales of “Thriller” Jump More Than 60%
Luminate reports that in the most recent tracking frame in America, “Thriller” sold just over 1,000 copies. That’s not quite enough for the title to land on the Digital Song Sales chart, which lists the bestselling cuts of any genre, though Jackson’s cut could gain again and rise onto that tally by the time Halloween arrives. Purchases of “Thriller” increased more than 63% week over week, as the title managed a little more than 600 sales the previous frame.
When Did Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” First Hit No. 1?
PASADENA, CA – 1993: Singer Michael Jackson performs “Heal The World” during the 1993 Pasadena, California, Superbowl XXVII halftime show. The “King of Pop” performed several songs during the 15-minute show. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
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“Thriller” has now been taking turns dominating the R&B Digital Song Sales ranking for more than a decade. Jackson’s timeless tune first reached the summit on the list of the bestselling R&B tracks throughout the United States in 2012. In the past, it has also taken a turn running the show on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales roster.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller Album Rises Along With the Song
“Thriller” shares its name with its parent album, which stands as the most consumed proper studio LP of all time in American history, with more than 30 million certified units shifted. As the song grows, the album benefits as well.
This week, Thriller rises on four of the five Billboard charts on which it appears, while on the Top Album Sales tally, it dips just one spot. Thriller returns to the top 10 on the Top R&B Albums list, inching from No. 11 to No. 7. It also gains meaningfully on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Vinyl Albums rankings. Over on the Billboard 200, Thriller improves by almost 30 spaces, jumping from No. 93 to No. 67.
How Long Has Michael Jackson’s Thriller Spent on the Billboard 200?
Thriller has spent hundreds of weeks on every tally on which it appears, but it has managed up the lengthiest stay on the Billboard 200. As of this frame, the project has spent 699 turns as one of the 200 most consumed full-lengths or EPs in the U.S. Next frame, as Halloween draws even closer, the set will become one of a handful of titles to make it to 700 weeks on the competitive tally.
“Billie Jean” Climbs on Billboard’s Global Charts
As “Thriller” hits No. 1 again, fellow Thriller-era hit “Billie Jean” is on the rise as well. The tune approaches the upper half on both of Billboard’s global rankings and will likely lift again in the coming days. At the same time, “Billie Jean” rebounds onto the R&B Streaming Songs chart, breaking back in at No. 15 after once peaking at No. 12.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2025/10/20/michael-jackson-returns-to-no-1-on-the-charts/
