Since it was released more than 40 years ago, Michael Jackson’s Thriller has remained a bestseller.

The title rarely falls from the Billboard charts, as Americans never stop buying—and lately, streaming—the set and its many hits.


Photo of Michael JACKSON
This week, Thriller is on the rise again. The blockbuster lifts on every chart it appears on. As it climbs, the title even manages to find its way back into the loftiest tier on a pair of rosters.

Thriller hits the top 10 on two Billboard rankings this week. It’s not new to the highest region on either of them, but the fact that this full-length, which has been performing well for decades, is still sitting inside the uppermost arena on not just one, but several tallies, is a testament to its undying popularity.

Jackson’s masterpiece lands highest this week on the Vinyl Albums chart. On that format-specific list, Thriller surges from No. 15 to No. 9.

Over on the Top R&B Albums tally, it bolts from the same starting point to No. 10. That list doesn’t focus on format, but rather ranks the most-consumed titles in the country that Billboard classifies as R&B only.

In the past, Thriller has ruled the Vinyl Albums chart. It has barely missed out on reaching the top spot on the Top R&B Albums tally, where it’s stalled at No. 2.

Thriller is rising on more than just these two aforementioned rankings this week. The same studio effort jumps from No. 37 to No. 21 on the Top Album Sales chart. It’s up from No. 50 to No. 35 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums list. Over on the Billboard 200, the most important albums roster, Jackson’s beloved collection improves from No. 127 to No. 103, nearly entering the highest half of the chart once again.