The legacy of the “King of Pop”, Michael Jacksonremains more alive than ever, as sixteen years after his death, the iconic song “Thriller” made a strong return to the charts, landing at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100, rising from number 32 in a matter of days just after Halloween.
This achievement makes Michael Jackson the first artist in history to score Top 10 hits in six different decades – from the 70s to the 20s. Thus, he surpasses Andy Williams, who held the previous record with five decades of attendance.
“Thriller,” which originally peaked at No. 4 in 1983, recorded 14 million streams and 9.3 million radio listens, according to Luminate.
The resurgence of interest in the song is also linked to the release of the first trailer for the long-awaited biopic “Michael”, directed by Antoine Fuqua. The film is expected to hit theaters and IMAX theaters on April 24, 2026.
According to the official synopsis, the film “explores the world-renowned artist’s journey to becoming the ‘King of Pop,’ offering an intimate look at his life and legacy.” His first solo Top 10 entry came in 1971 with ‘Got to Be There’.
In total, Michael Jackson has amassed 30 Top 10 hits, 13 of which reached the top. His most recent appearance on the charts was in 2018, featuring on Drake’s song “Don’t Matter to Me”.