Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Reclaims Top Spot on Billboard Charts Decades Later
Michael Jackson's iconic album, Thriller, has reclaimed the top spot on several Billboard charts over 40 years after its initial release. The album has risen to number one on three of the six charts it appears on, narrowly missing the top spot on a fourth. Thriller's resurgence has prevented another one of Jackson's popular collections from reaching the number one position on one of the charts.
This week, Michael Jackson dominates the Top R&B Albums chart, holding the top two positions. The chart ranks the most-consumed R&B full-lengths and EPs based on purchases and streaming activity on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Thriller has returned to the top spot, while Jackson's compilation album, Number Ones, has climbed to number two on the chart.
Number Ones, a compilation of Jackson's greatest hits, has also made a strong comeback on the Top R&B Albums chart, nearly reaching the number one position. The album previously peaked at number two in February and has now returned to its highest position. Number Ones and The Essential Michael Jackson are the only two projects to have stalled in the runner-up slot on the Top R&B Albums list.
Michael Jackson has achieved two number one albums on the Top R&B Albums chart, with Xscape reaching the top spot in May 2014, five years after his passing. Thriller, on the other hand, took nearly a decade to secure its second number one position on the chart. The album first appeared on the Top R&B Albums chart in February 2017 and recently climbed to the top spot on the ranking dated May 16, 2026.
Since his debut on the Top R&B Albums chart in 2014, Michael Jackson has had nine releases featured on the tally, with seven of them breaking into the top 10. In addition to his number one and number two albums, other projects like Scream and Dangerous have also reached the top 10 positions on the chart.
Currently, Thriller holds the number one position on the Top R&B Albums, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and Vinyl Albums charts. The album has also secured spots in the top 10 on the Billboard 200, Top Album Sales, and Top Streaming Albums charts. Number Ones, on the other hand, appears on six different charts, including the Top R&B Albums, Vinyl Albums, and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, where it sits at number three.
In conclusion, Michael Jackson's timeless music continues to resonate with audiences, as evidenced by the resurgence of his classic album, Thriller, on various Billboard charts. His impact on the music industry remains strong, with multiple albums achieving top positions and maintaining a presence on the charts years after their initial release.