Michael Jackson’s Thriller album hits a new peak decades after its release as “You Rock My World” returns for the first time in more than 20 years. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 10: Michael Jackson performs on stage during is “HIStory” world tour concert at Ericsson Stadium November 10, 1996 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
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Michael Jackson’s music recently enjoyed its annual boost on charts all around the world as millions of people rushed to stream and even buy both his album and song Thriller. The tune, and by extension, the project on which it is featured, has become a staple of the ending of October, and even well over a decade after the King of Pop’s passing, the track manages to become a top performer around the planet.
As is often the case with tunes that perform well thanks to one moment in the year, interest in Halloween songs typically drops off a cliff starting in November. Jackson’s work has experienced something of a different trajectory in 2025. Even though November is more than halfway over, in the United Kingdom, Thriller is still on the rise, and its current popularity helps several of Jackson’s tunes and even multiple albums find their way back to various charts.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller Hits a New All-Time Peak
Perhaps most exciting when it comes to the Thriller album this frame in the U.K. is the fact that the set reaches a new all-time peak on one ranking. Looking at the Official Albums Streaming chart, which lists the most successful projects on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and others, Thriller moonwalks from No. 84 to No. 72. Nine weeks into its time on the roster, and more than eight years after it debuted, Thriller reestablishes its best showing yet.
Thriller Lives on Multiple Charts, Even Following Halloween
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 can be found on four lists across the Atlantic this week, and it is enjoying quite the run on all of them. In addition to hitting a new peak on the streaming tally, Thriller bolts almost 30 spaces north on the main ranking of the most consumed albums in the country.
At the same time, it reappears on both the Official Albums Sales and Official Physical Albums charts. Thriller can be located at Nos. 84 and 85, respectively, and as of this frame, it celebrates 100 weeks on the roster that looks only at the top-selling titles on any physical medium.
Bad and The Essential Join Thriller on Charts
Jackson sees three albums live on multiple charts in the U.K. this week, with Thriller appearing on four, while the other two, The Essential and Bad, find space on half as many tallies.
LONDON – NOVEMBER 15: Singer Michael Jackson performs on stage during the 2006 World Music Awards at Earls Court on November 15, 2006 in London. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
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Bad reappears on the Official Albums chart at No. 79 and soars nearly 30 spots north on the Official Albums Streaming list.
The Essential, which keeps Jackson on the U.K. rankings regularly, lives inside the top 10 on the same two tallies. The hits-packed project steps up to No. 8 on both the list of the most consumed albums in the U.K., as well as the Official Albums Streaming chart.
“You Rock My World” Returns After More Than 20 Years Away
Just two of Jackson’s songs chart in the U.K., and oddly, neither of them are “Thriller,” despite that album’s current success. Interestingly, there is no crossover between the late star’s popular tunes in terms of the lists where they can be found.
“You Rock My World” finds its way back to the Official Dance Singles chart at No. 33. The cut has not been seen on the list for more than two decades, as it debuted at No. 7, its all-time high, in October 2001, and then a month later was gone.
“Billie Jean” Dances Back to It’s All-Time Chart High
While “Thriller,” the song, is nowhere to be found, another tune from the album of the same name, “Billie Jean,” is a top performer once more. “Billie Jean” finds its way back to the Official Streaming chart, hitting No. 72 – its previously established peak position. At the same time, it ranks as one of the 100 biggest tunes in the U.K., barely managing to hold on as it slides backward on the competitive roster from No. 89 to No. 94.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2025/11/19/michael-jacksons-last-major-hit-returns-for-the-first-time-in-decades/
