Michael Jackson Charts A New Global Hit With One Of His Biggest Songs

Michael Jackson’s music is commercially successful at all times, and he can usually be found on at least a handful of charts in major economies around the world, but October is when he really shines.

In the years since his passing, Jackson’s cut “Thriller,” as well as the album of the same name, returns to prominence when people’s attentions turn to Halloween. “Thriller” bounds back onto the Billboard charts and sometimes even finds its way to No. 1 again. Then, usually just as quickly, “Thriller” begins to fall. The album dips and the single largely disappears, and for the most part, Jackson’s catalog settles for another year or so.

2025 has turned out to be a bit different. “Thriller” did make its annual comeback, but it sparked renewed interest in the late superstar’s biggest hits. Even as “Thriller” vanishes, Jackson collects a new global hit, while another beloved track reaches never-before-seen highs.

“Beat It” Gives Michael Jackson a New Worldwide Hit

Jackson’s “Beat It” debuts both of Billboard’s worldwide rankings this week. The tune debuts at No. 171 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. and No. 188 on the Billboard Global 200. The latter tally ranks the most consumed songs around the planet using both sales and streaming data. The Billboard Global Excl. U.S. is compiled in the same fashion, though purchases and plays on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal from American consumers are excluded.

Billboard introduced the two global lists in 2020, and there are many beloved figures who have never placed on either ranking. Jackson is one of a number of legacy acts — and those no longer with us — who have scored multiple smashes, though a relatively small number compared to their bestselling discographies.

“Billie Jean” Climbs as Michael Jackson Fills Billboard’s Global Charts

As “Beat It” debuts, Jackson fills two spaces on the worldwide rosters. “Billie Jean” climbs to new peaks of No. 44 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. and No. 49 on the Billboard Global 200.

As “Billie Jean” inches toward becoming a rare top 40 hit for Jackson, it does so well into a healthy lifespan on both worldwide charts. “Billie Jean” passed two years on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. last frame, while it is up to 118 stays on the Billboard Global 200. It’s noteworthy that one of Jackson’s cuts has lived on these tallies for such a long time, but what’s even more impressive is the fact that “Billie Jean” is somehow, bigger than ever all around the world – at least as far as these rosters are concerned.

Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” Remains a Streaming Favorite in the U.S.

While “Beat It” only lives on the global lists, “Billie Jean” can also be found on multiple tallies in the U.S. The track descends slightly, but holds on and finds space on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs, R&B Streaming Songs, R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales, and R&B Digital Song Sales charts. “Billie Jean” descends from its all-time high on all but the R&B Digital Song Sales ranking this week.

Michael Jackson’s Thriller Album Lives on Several Charts, But It’s on the Decline

Both “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” — and “Thriller,” for that matter — are among the huge hits that came from Jackson’s Thriller era. The continued popularity of those smashes ensures that Thriller is a top 40 win on every Billboard chart the full-length currently appears on.

Thriller sits lowest at the moment on the Billboard 200, dipping from No. 16 to No. 40. The bestselling traditional studio album of all time also continues to occupy a position inside the top 10 on both the Top R&B Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums lists as well.

Michael Jackson Sat at No. 1 on the Billboard Charts Just Last Week

Just last week, “Thriller” was in charge of two Billboard charts. After ruling both the R&B Digital Song Sales and R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales rankings, the classic disappears completely, as American interest in the spooky cut dissipates for another year.