Michael Jackson has recaptured the top spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart as his landmark album Thriller returns to No. 1 on the chart dated May 16, driven by a surge in streaming following renewed interest in the King of Pop’s catalogue.
The album’s resurgence comes after increased streaming activity linked to the success of the Michael biopic, pushing Thriller back to the summit for its first week at No. 1 since 1984. The record earns its 38th total week atop the chart, further extending its historic dominance since its original release in November 1982. It remains widely recognised as the world’s best-selling album and one of the most certified in U.S. music history.
During the tracking week of May 1–7, Thriller generated 62,000 equivalent album units in the United States, according to Luminate, marking a 36% increase from the previous week. Streaming accounted for 48,000 units, supported by more than 50 million on-demand audio and video streams. Traditional sales contributed 13,000 units, while track-equivalent albums made up the remainder.
Originally, Thriller dominated the chart in the early 1980s, spending 37 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in 1983–84, a record that stood for decades before being surpassed in 2025 by SZA’s SOS. With its latest return, Thriller strengthens its status as the longest-running No. 1 album by a male artist on the chart.
Jackson also occupies the No. 2 position with his 2003 compilation Number Ones, making him the first artist in years to simultaneously hold the top two spots on the chart. This feat places him alongside rare chart history milestones not seen since acts such as Future and Metro Boomin achieved similar dominance in 2024.
The renewed popularity of Jackson’s catalogue extends beyond albums into singles, with multiple tracks re-entering the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Classics such as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Human Nature” have surged in streaming performance, reflecting renewed cultural interest in his music.
Overall, the streaming revival underscores Jackson’s enduring global influence, as Thriller once again proves its generational staying power more than four decades after its release.